How to Avoid 'Gross Ripoff' in New York this Winter

Temperatures in New York are dropping, and one Hudson Valley town is making sure that residents aren't taken to the cleaners when it comes to heating their homes.

While plenty of local homes rely on propane or electricity to stay warm in the winter, many families still rely on wood burning stoves. I can still remember the deliveries when I was growing up in Ulster County, NY, with trucks piled high with firewood that my father and I would unload into our shed. It's a tradition that still continues today, but are customers being ripped off?

The town of Shandanken, NY recently warned residents about a potential scam when ordering firewood (Triton21via Canva)

Hudson Valley, NY Town Warns Residents About Buying Firewood

The Town of Shandanken, about 30 miles west of Saugerties, NY, recently took to Facebook to remind residents about the correct amount of firewood they should receive when ordering from a supplier. The focus was on the ever-popular (but often misunderstood) measurement of one cord.

A picture of an official cord of wood measuring 8'x4'x4' (JKBrooks85/Public Domain)

Shandanken, NY Reminds Residents About the Official Measurement of a Cord

"Looking to stock up on wood for the winter? Remember: A cord is the amount of wood that, when 'racked and well stowed', occupies a volume of 128 cubic feet", the town shared on their official Facebook page. Put more simply, it's a measurement of 8 feet long, 4 feet high, and 4 feet deep (above). The town continued:

A pickup truck CANNOT hold a cord of firewood. An 8' truck bed can only hold one-half of a cord, while a 6' bed can barely hold one-third of a cord. Most consumers get grossly ripped off.

Many residents agreed in the comments. "Well said! You wouldn’t believe how many new customers are shocked at the amount of wood we bring when they ask for a full cord. It’s so sad to see people ripping off others", offered a firewood supplier. "EXCELLENT INFORMATION!" echoed another reply.

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While customers can order other quantities than a full cord, the reminder is helpful for those who rely on firewood so survive the brutal New York winters. It's also a signal to less-than-forthright businesses looking to make a quick extra buck that the Hudson Valley won't put up with an underdelivered promise.