Four practical checks help distinguish a genuinely local firewood merchant from a remote reseller.
Why local matters
Firewood is heavy and bulky. A nearby merchant can deliver on their own vehicle at an agreed time rather than sending a pallet courier.
Four things to check
Moisture: ask for a figure. Certification: ask for the Ready to Burn number. Volume: compare stated cubic metres, not bag names. Delivery: ask whether it is their own vehicle.
Buy in summer
Ordering from May to August gives a better choice of delivery day and allows borderline wood more time to finish drying.