I went to a local lumber yard to hopefully get a better product than what HD or Lowes has to offer. I bought 3/4 Red Oak whose country of origin nobody at the yard could tell me. I had bought from this yard before but the stuff I got today was not the same as what they had previously stocked (I had some left over from the previous purchase and the ply counts and actual thickness were different). With a magnifying glass and yellow highlighter I was able to make out the stamp on the edge. I googled it and found out that it was a US company’s trade mark. I went to the company web site and their product description said that this product was made in their plant that was located in China.
I’m now leary of this local lumber yard and am wondering how to find a dealer that I can trust. I find it hard to believe that a retailer would not know where their supplier was getting the merchandise from.
Replies
"I find it hard to believe "
I don't. The days of the individual yard dealing one on one with the guy that cut the tree down and everything in between, have been over.
Independant yards often pool together, sometimes with the help of a retailers org. (such as the Ohio Lumbermens Association here). In other cases, their supplier buys up this stuff from concerns that by it from the producers. That can fog over the road to the point of production.
I deal with a company here that specializes in the supply of sheetgoods. When talking to them about my concerns it was suggested I take a look at the 4 dollar more a sheet US goods. Less voids, more size consistancy and if you can believe it-thicker veneer.
So rather than immediately distrusting this yard I would talk it over with them and see what they can do to satisfy your needs. If no one speaks up, they might just continue to buy what's cheaper or readily available and unknowingly step right over a decent alternative.
It's not socialist to try to organize to "buy America".
At least to my knowledge.