Poulins Lumber: An Informed Shopper’s Guide

Why You Should Visit

• Wide Selection & Ordering: You’ll find a pretty good selection of hardware and lumber. If they don’t have something in stock, they’ll order it for you. This is particularly useful for larger projects.
• Convenient Propane Fill-Up: A significant advantage for RVers, they offer propane refills on-site.
• High-Quality Lumber: The lumber selection is noted as being superior to some competitors. Expect nicer lumber than at other yards.
• Clean & Organized Store: The store itself is very clean, well-supplied, and well-organized, making it easy to navigate.
• Generally Helpful Staff: Many shoppers report positive experiences with friendly and helpful staff, particularly when you know what you need.

Why You Might Consider Alternatives

• Inconvenient Hours: Be aware that Poulins Lumber is closed on weekends. This could be a significant drawback if you work a standard schedule.
• Inconsistent Customer Service: While many find the staff helpful, some shoppers have reported inconsistent service, with some staff seeming unhelpful, particularly to those who don’t appear to be regular customers. Anecdotally, dressing casually seemed to improve service, although this is not a guaranteed solution.
• Long Lead Times & Order Issues: I’ve heard of significant delays in receiving orders (up to 14 weeks in one case), and even instances of damaged or incomplete orders. One customer experienced a large order (over $15,000) arriving late and incomplete, resulting in considerable financial loss and stress.
• High Prices: Pricing is higher than some competitors. One shopper reported prices 60% higher than Home Depot and 40% higher than Allan Lumber for basic framing lumber, resulting in an almost $400 difference on one project.
• Expert Consultation Concerns: The expertise of certain staff members is questionable. At least one instance involved inaccurate measurements and ordering for a Trex deck project requiring multiple visits to correct.
• Website Limitations: The website is reported to be lacking in detail and search functionality.
• Difficult to Reach by Phone: Expect potential difficulty in contacting them by phone; one shopper was abruptly dismissed during a price inquiry call.