Pennsylvania Association

Of

Weights and Measures

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

LANCASTER, PA:    The Pennsylvania Association of Weights and Measures urges consumers to use caution when making purchases of firewood during this heating season.  With home heating oil and natural gas prices at nearly all time highs, many homeowners may resort to utilizing wood stoves or fireplaces to economize this winter.

 

According to Michael Bannon, Association President, Pennsylvania state regulations require that wood for fuel shall be sold by the cord of 128 cubic feet or fraction thereof, and shall be accompanied by a statement or invoice certifying the amount sold.  The invoice shall be presented to the buyer or his designee at the time of delivery.

 

Bannon stated that many dealers advertise and sell firewood by the face cord or truckload both of which are illegal under state law.

 

In recent years complaints have been investigated where the consumer has been shorted up to fifty percent of the load and no receipt or invoice was given.  While consumers of all income brackets utilize firewood at times, the elderly and lower income groups seem to be the most susceptible to these illegal sales.

 

If you are contemplating a firewood purchase this year, please be aware of the following requirements taken directly from Pennsylvania’s firewood regulation.

 

A delivery ticket or sales invoice shall be presented by the seller to the purchaser whenever any non-packaged fireplace or stove wood is sold.  The delivery ticket or sales invoice shall contain at least the following information:

 

(a)     The name and address of the seller.

(b)    The name and address of the purchaser.

(c)     The date delivered.

(d)    The quantity delivered and the quantity upon which the price is based, if this differs from the delivered quantity.

(e)     The price of the amount delivered; and

(f)      The identity in the most descriptive terms commercially practicable, including any quality representation made in connection with the sale.

Prohibited terms are “face cord”, “rack”, “pile”, “truckload” or terms of similar import.

 

If you have questions about any advertisement or purchase of firewood, please contact the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Division of Weights and Measures at 717-787-9089 or contact the Association at 215-348-7442.