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Original poster

Holiday cottage and paying for logs for burner

46 replies

Lorrymum · 27/02/2023 17:45

I am staying in holiday cottage next week. The cottage has gas central heating and a log burner. The owner has been in touch to tell me how to obtain wood for burner from his log store. This involves a coded key lock and pre payment of £9.00 a basket of logs (last for 10 hours).
Should I feel slightly miffed that I have to pay for logs or is this normal practice?

OP posts:
SoCrossAboutThis · 27/02/2023 17:48

Sounds very tight.

Impatientwino · 27/02/2023 17:49

I would think it would be more reasonable for them to include one basket of logs and then to ask for additional baskets to be paid for.

SlipperyLizard · 27/02/2023 17:49

I’d expect a few logs to be provided as courtesy, but then to buy my own. Whether £9 is a good price or not depends on how many you get! Are you allowed to source/burn your own?

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dontgobaconmyheart · 27/02/2023 17:50

I don't think I'd feel miffed or surprised this wasn't included. It's a luxury not a necessity at the end of the day and they aren't cheap to run.

Unless it says in the booking agreement that these are included as standard then I'd consider it (and any other thing) an extra that you either have to supply yourself or pay a supplement for.

sunshineandshowers40 · 27/02/2023 17:50

I would assume that you buy your own logs or use what is there and replace them (that is what we have always done).

AllTheThingsIWantAreHere · 27/02/2023 17:51

I'd assume that I'd have to,provide my own too.

campaignforreasonabledebate · 27/02/2023 17:51

It's a tricky one. It's certainly a nice touch. However, if owners don't charge, there is a risk that guests will go through bag after bag, which can add up to a surprisingly high percentage of the cost of (and a much higher percentage still of the margin on) a booking. Some owners will leave one or two bags out and then charge thereafter. We have a couple of lets and don't restrict usage, but that's in part because we are a relatively high end let and can generally fund it without losing too much.

LlynTegid · 27/02/2023 17:51

Reasonable to charge, unreasonable not to have told you this at the time you booked, so you could make an informed choice as to whether or not to stay there.

mumda · 27/02/2023 17:57

Find some cheaper and burn those instead.

gingercat02 · 27/02/2023 17:57

Usually a basket of logs, kindling and wood wool firelighters are provided. We have a lot burner so I throw a sack in the car so we don't run out. I've never been asked to pay before. It's possibly so you use good dry wood and not cheap wet stuff.

drpet49 · 27/02/2023 17:58

Stingy and out of order it wasn’t mentioned before you booked

Onnabugeisha · 27/02/2023 18:00

I’ve always had to but logs at holiday cottages. Usually you get a free small bag and the etiquette is to leave behind a full bag when to go after your stay.

It’s actually convenient to have logs on site as opposed to hunting around for £5 a bag of logs (usually last 3hrs), and the price is reasonable. I think they are passing on only the cost of the logs.

purplecorkheart · 27/02/2023 18:01

I would expect a few logs for the first night but after that I would expect to buy/bring my own after that. I also would expect a couple of dishwasher tablets but not enough for a full stay.

Exasperatednow · 27/02/2023 18:01

Normal. You normally get the first basket and the n buy what you want.

ComtesseDeSpair · 27/02/2023 18:02

Virtually all cottages I’ve stayed in have provided one free bag of logs but offered more at extra cost. I have friends who let AirB&Bs: if you offer unlimited free logs many guests apparently smuggle bags of them into the boot and take them home! Logs are pricey.

pastaandpesto · 27/02/2023 18:02

Normal etiquette in my experience is that enough logs/kindling/firelighters are provided for one fire. And plenty of matches. It's normal for there to be a charge for additional wood. Not leaving any at all is a bit tight I think.

OhmygodDont · 27/02/2023 18:03

I would expect a basket to be provided then to source and pay for my own after using what was provided.

When we go camping a big ole sack of logs like potato sack size is like £5.50/£6 so his making a bit there too.

ComtesseDeSpair · 27/02/2023 18:03

I think it’s also more okay since there’s central heating and the log burner is really just a nice extra. Guests aren’t relying on it to stay warm.

piedbeauty · 27/02/2023 18:06

In holiday cottages we have either had free logs or you get the first basket free then have to pay. I don't think it's stingy. Maybe they've had people taking the piss before! And it's also not a big deal. There will be other heating in the cottage...

goodsea · 27/02/2023 18:08

We stayed somewhere where the fire created the hot water and there were no logs lighters or kindling provided so we had to drive 30 mins to the nearest garage to buy some. At least this option has them onsite.

piedbeauty · 27/02/2023 18:08

purplecorkheart · 27/02/2023 18:01

I would expect a few logs for the first night but after that I would expect to buy/bring my own after that. I also would expect a couple of dishwasher tablets but not enough for a full stay.

Ah, no, this annoys me. I'd like one for each day of our stay. That's not U.

The last holiday cottage we stayed at had very few plates and cutlery - so we had to wash up after every meal - and only three dishwasher tabs. Both annoying!

afinishedkiss · 27/02/2023 18:09

Of course you need to pay ! He would make fuck all profit. Sure people would bring them home etc if it were a free for all. Ligs are expensive!

OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow · 27/02/2023 18:15

Just crank up the central heating, how cold would it have to be to need both? We were away last week, no logs left, 5 quid a bag. Luckily it was ridiculously warm, so wasn’t needed.

Orangeis · 27/02/2023 18:15

It's not the only option heating, the gas use is unlimited, so YABU.

Badbudgeter · 27/02/2023 18:18

Like most things logs have shot up in cost. If you don’t want to use them buy those £2 fire logs they give a glow/ crackle for about two hours and whack the heating up. It costs £8 for a bag of logs at the moment so price is probably about right for what it is.