On Mar 26, 12:32 pm, " wrote:
In a week or so I'm going with a friend to a place where there's a lot
of ungraded rough cut lumber racked, stickered and shed dried, and try
to ascertain about how much it's worth. I'm pretty sure it'll all be
4/4. Most of it will be white oak with smaller amounts of cherry and
probably other local Wisconsin hardwoods. I think we'll be able to
determine what species we're dealing with, and how much twisting/
cupping/splitting/knotholes we find. Judging it for figure I think is
going to be a problem.

I've got price lists for several of the lumber houses in the area. I'm
thinking rather than try and grade the whole barnfull, put a price on
it lower than the usual price of something like No. 2 Common for that
species and tell the buyer it's a mix. Anybody got any suggestions.

I'm afraid that for now I'm constrained to keep quiet about the exact
location and amount available. I know I'll still get "You better throw
that on my pickup" suggestions and actually that might yet happen, but
I'm looking for tips on how one might go about inspecting a large
amount of stacked lumber and get an idea what's there.

There are no short cuts, if that's what you mean, so I can't help you
there. Just make sure that before you make an offer, preface it with
a truly anguished look on your face and, "I'm sorry. I really don't
want to insult you with a low offer. You have some nice wood here and
I'm sure that _with time_ you'd _probably_ find someone who _might_
offer more for it, but...I'm afraid this is the best I can do.
{Insert low-ball offer here} I'd entirely understand if you wanted to
_wait_ in _hope_ of getting more money, so no hard feelings, okay?"
And make like you're about to start walking back to your truck. If he
stops you, you just got yourself a deal of a deal.

R