Best time to buy coal?

This may sound dumb...but here goes. I am new to burning coal and was wondering when the best time to buy coal would be? I would think summer since the demand for coal is down. I can only assumed mid winter the prices would be at their highest...is this a safe guess? I supplement my wood fires with coal for the long overnight burns and am in need of some coal to get me through the rest of the season. I am thinking about going strictly coal next season and figured I would get a delivery now since I am in need, but I don't want to get robbed! Any thoughts ?

Buy your coal when you can. It's not like oil, the price only goes up. As far as I know, I never heard of any discounds in the summer.

BUT, availability is best in the spring/early summer & who knows, prices have proven to be better then. Of course that was before so many people became coal burning salesmen. My friend, the only dumb questions are the ones not asked.

For bagged here in CT last year the prices fluctuated from $265 in the late spring to $365 in mid winter for 1.2ton.
For me that's a 800$ difference when I buy it.

I dropped my price this summer 10.00 a ton and have been selling at the same price since but, after the e-mail I recieved this week the next load I get will be 20.00 a ton higher Check with your coal guy to see if he gives summer discounts if you place and pay for your order and take delivery at a later date.

I have never seen it go down! Around here, it pretty much stays the same. My supplier SOMETIMES gives an early fall discount (July/Aug) of like -$10/ton, but not this year, the prices went again, so no discount. It typically has gone up about $10/ton every year.

I usually try to buy it during daytime!!

Seriously though, summer is the best time to buy because of availability. Quite a few have been on here relating that it has been hard to find different sizes of coal this winter in certain areas.

I have not experienced a price break buying it then, others have been more fortunate as mentioned here. It does get you "in" before any fall increases. I have been lucky enough to experience that!

Dave, I thought we already discussed July & August being summer.

WNY wrote:I have never seen it go down! Around here, it pretty much stays the same. My supplier SOMETIMES gives an early fall discount (July/Aug) of like -$10/ton, but not this year, the prices went again, so no discount. It typically has gone up about $10/ton every year.