Ah, the joys of shopping for lumber at the big box retailer! Said no woodworker ever. It’s like they’re playing some kind of sick joke on us, charging top dollar for lumber that’s only slightly better than the stuff they use to make pallets.

As a woodworker, there’s nothing more frustrating than shelling out hard-earned cash for lumber that’s warped, twisted, and generally useless for anything except maybe building a wonky birdhouse. And yet, time and time again, we’re forced to settle for subpar lumber from the big box retailers, all because they’ve managed to convince us that it’s the only game in town.

But fear not, dear woodworkers! For today, we’re going to blow the lid off the great lumber heist, and expose the big box retailers for the lumber-loving charlatans they are.

The Lumber Lottery

You know the old saying: “You get what you pay for.” Well, when it comes to lumber from the big box retailers, that’s just not true. It’s more like playing a game of lumber roulette, where you spin the wheel and hope that the board you end up with isn’t completely useless.

And don’t even get me started on the “premium” lumber they try to pawn off on us. You know, the stuff that’s supposed to be straight, flat, and free of defects? Yeah, good luck with that. I’ve seen better-quality lumber at a kindergarten craft fair.

The Price is Wrong

But hey, at least the big box retailers are charging us a fair price for this subpar lumber, right? Wrong! They’re charging us top dollar, and sometimes even more than what we’d pay at a local sawmill for lumber that’s actually worth using.

It’s like they’re trying to pull the wool over our eyes, convincing us that their lumber is somehow better just because it’s got a fancy label on it. Newsflash: it’s not. In fact, it’s often worse than what you’d find at a local salvage yard.

The Local Sawmill Solution

So, what’s the solution to this lumber dilemma? Simple: buy local. That’s right, folks. Instead of shelling out top dollar for subpar lumber at the big box retailer, take a trip down to your local sawmill and see what they’ve got to offer.

Not only will you be supporting local businesses and the local economy, but you’ll also be getting lumber that’s actually worth using. And, more often than not, you’ll be paying less for it than you would at the big box retailer.

So, the next time you’re in the market for some lumber, remember: don’t get taken in by the big box retailers’ fancy labels and overpriced products. Instead, take a trip down to your local sawmill and see what they’ve got to offer.

Your wallet, and your woodworking projects, will thank you.