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State law requires firewood to be advertised and sold by the cord or fraction of a cord. The New Mexico Department of Agriculture Standards and Consumer Services Division enforces the state’s Weights and Measures Law, which includes how firewood must be advertised and sold in order to maintain fairness in the marketplace. Courtesy Photo
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — As New Mexicans gear up for the colder months, the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) Standards and Consumer Services Division is reminding consumers of the state's regulations governing firewood sales to ensure fair transactions in the marketplace.
The NMDA enforces the Weights and Measures Law in the state, which outlines how firewood must be advertised and sold. To avoid potential pitfalls when purchasing firewood, buyers are urged to adhere to the following guidelines:
Advertisement and Sale by Cord or Fraction of Cord
State law mandates that firewood be advertised and sold by the cord or a fraction of the cord. A cord is defined as 128 cubic feet of wood, typically stacked in a configuration of 4 feet wide by 4 feet high by 8 feet long, with logs stacked parallel. Sellers are required to provide a receipt or invoice specifying the fraction of a cord being sold and the type of wood.
Pricing by the Pound and Packaging Bundles
While state law allows for firewood to be sold by the pound in smaller quantities, sellers must declare the price per cord equivalent for transparency. However, this rule does not apply to firewood sold in bundled packages weighing less than 100 pounds.
Additional Considerations for Buyers
When purchasing firewood in New Mexico, buyers should be aware of the following:
• Firewood should be stacked and measured in the presence of the seller.
• Selling firewood in unspecified quantities such as load, truckload, face cord, rack, pile, or loose cord is illegal.
• If firewood is sold by weight, sellers must declare both the price per unit of weight and the equivalent price per cord. This exemption does not cover fuel wood sold in packages weighing less than 100 pounds.
• Every firewood delivery must be accompanied by a receipt or invoice containing the buyer and seller's name and address, delivery date, quantity delivered, commodity description, and total selling price.
• If possible, buyers are encouraged to obtain the seller's phone number and record the license plate of the delivery vehicle.
• Kindling wood bundles and similar packages must include a label indicating net content in terms of weight or measure, along with the packager or distributor's name and business location, and a product identification.
For more information regarding firewood sales regulations in New Mexico, interested parties can visit NMDA's official website or contact NMDA's Standards and Consumer Services Division at 575-646-1616.
With these guidelines in mind, New Mexicans can make informed decisions when purchasing firewood to ensure they get their money's worth while maintaining fairness in the marketplace.