A Log Tale

Its not often that i complete a project at home and am truly happy with the service i received. This project was gas logs for the fireplace; an anniversary present to each other to celebrate 8 years of marital bliss. We began the project with only a large empty fireplace. We had neither a natural gas line nor a propane tank. I began the project on the web (where else?) and found a fellow by the name of Carl Newton from his web site, Chimney Keepers.

I crafted a simple email stating that i wanted gas logs and needed to know where to start. Carl’s reply came by close-of-business that same day. He said the guys at Dixie-Denning LP (Angier, NC - 919.639.2141, no web site yet) could set me up and would give me a fair deal.

I took Carl’s advice and called Dixie-Denning and got a hold of Russell Wilson (the receptionist, Janet, was out sick). Now Russell is a character, a real good ole boy.

me: i want some gas logs installed. What do i need to do?

Russell: You got gas?

me: nope, ain’t got nothin’ but a fireplace. (i was born and raised in NC ya know)

Russell: i don’t have any tanks available right now, but call F & G in Garner. They can get you a tank pretty quick if they have some in stock. Oh, just wait a sec, i’ll give’em a call for ya. (calls them on his Nextel phone) They’ll have a tank in tomorrow, call’em now and tell’em you want a tank. Oh, and go ahead and get the regulator too. Then call me when you got it, we’ll get ya hooked up.

me: Will do. Thanks!

I went over to F & G Distributing (Garner, NC - 919.662.7507, no web site) to pay for the tank and check out their gas log display. While i was waiting for them to ring me up, some guys came in. One of the guys had a name tag - Russell. Hmm, i happen to look outside and the name on the truck is Dixie-Denning LP. I introduced myself, told him i was there to pay for the tank and it would be delivered the following week. He told the lady behind the counter (Francis) to throw the tank on his truck, he’d take care of it for me (cha-ching - saved me $65 bucks). Russell told me to pick out the logs with my wife and then give him a call. He offered to pick them up, but said they’d probably fit in my car.

A couple of days later, i went back to F & G Distributing to pick out the logs. I was accompanied by my lovely wife. The guy at the counter, Chris, was a great help. Answered all of our questions and even darkened the lobby so we could get the full effect of the burning logs. We bought a set and he loaded them up into my car.

I called Dixie-Denning LP and told them i had the logs; two days later they were installed. Russell and his sidekick, Boyd, came over to the house and did a quick and professional set-up and installation.

Done! Only 5 hours of my time and a few dollars invested.