Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Brazilian Wood Overstock

Greetings!

I was reading my local paper and there was an advertisement to sell 2138 square feet of Brazilian Maple wood at $2.00 square foot. Smaller amounts could be acquired. I would like to get some wood for a room in my house.

This price seems great for wood, but I wonder if this is a scam? Do companies sell off excess at these amounts? Is there something I should look for when I inspect the wood (warping, bugs, etc.), and if yes, what should I look for? (How do you know that wood is infested? I am guessing that the warping will be easier to spot, right?)

Thanks!

The main factors are. Check moisture content with an accurate moisture meter. Make sure it is dried to the amount for your area of the country. Check to see how it lines up when tongue is put into groove and is their any slop or does it fit snug and flat. Check the grade of material and the amount of knots and discoloration. You don't want to end up with to much firewood kindling. Usually mills run most of the material they buy to make up a large order into flooring and if the over run sits too long they sell it at a lower price. Rather than store it and have it in the way.

Thank you so much for the insights! I appreciate it! Knowing that it IS possible for a person to sell the wood at a discount (overstock from a mill) helps me to understand this opportunity better. You have also given me good insights into what to look for in buying the wood.

Thanks!

I typed up a large message with more of the information that helps you in purchasing this type of material and it did not post.
This is the 7th time I have had this happen to me.

thanks for trying to post...you can send me an email at cfrlaw@yahoo.com

Proceed with caution when purchasing flooring specials that seem too good to be true. They just might be too good to be true. Sometimes you will find a dealer that had a customer who backed out on a purchase and the dealer will sell at cost to get rid of the product. Sometimes, as you state, they may be trying to unload a product that has manufacturing problems. There is a saying in the flooring business, that there is nothing good that is cheap and nothing cheap that is good. Proceed with caution.

Great responses from all! I've seen and heard the complaints from people looking at these super deals. I've also personally seen this product as it is available all over the country. Moisture content is the REAL key here and thanks Alizona for mentioning that.

As a side note if anyone is looking for a quality Brazilian product I would have to recommend brazilianhardwood.com. I've worked with their products and rate them high on my scale. This may sound like an advertisment but I'd rather people go there than be taken by the many people selling Brazilian products w/o caring what they sell, including Beaver Homes or whatever they call themself this week. Btw, the price is right too as there is no middleman involved with this online retailer. It comes straight from Brazil and off to the consumer.

Regards,
Ken Fisher
hardwoodinstaller.com