Issue Date:  -  Tuesday, 10 April 2001

Money to burn - consumers warned on firewood

The Ministry of Fair Trading has urged householders to take a few simple steps to avoid being "burned" when buying firewood this autumn.

Just days ago, the Ministry made this year's first trial purchase of a tonne of firewood from a metropolitan wood yard, only to discover that it had been cheated, receiving only 780 kilograms.

"The Ministry officer asked for a tonne and that's clearly not what he got," said Commissioner for Fair Trading Patrick Walker.

Mr Walker said the seller, whose name has not been released at this stage, would be prosecuted. Under the Weights and Measures Act, firewood must be sold by weight, except in some country centres that don't have weighing facilities.

Fair Trading gave this advice to consumers:

 - Don't order by the "trailer-load" - this could mean any quantity;
 - Order by the tonne and insist the load be weighed;
 - Remember that, by law, the seller has to give you a weight docket;
 - Try to be home when the wood is delivered so you see what is dropped off; and
 - Ask friends to recommend a seller so you avoid "fly-by-nighters".

"A tonne of dry split jarrah should be about two cubic metres when stacked, which gives people a rough idea of what they should be getting," said Mr Walker.

An unstacked load of the same wood equates to about 2.5 cubic metres, but, depending on the type of firewood and how and when it is cut, the load can weigh heavier or lighter.

"That's why we recommend people ask for a weighed load and insist on receiving a weight docket," said Mr Walker.

Under the Act traders must supply dry wood unless the contract states otherwise.

A tonne of wood currently sells for between $120 and $130, with most households with wood fires using at least one tonne per winter.

Consumers wanting more information can ring the Fair Trading Call Centre during office hours on 1300 30 40 54 for the cost of a local call. Last year the Call Centre gave free advice to more than 170,000 West Australians