Backyard Depot

Worst company ever. DO NOT BUY. Run Away!!! Lane is a thief. They have had multiple business names in multiple locations (four seasons patio, four seasons casual — salem, danvers). My bank is still getting money back from Lane. DOn’t buy fire wood, patio furniture, pool table, ANYTHING from this guy.

Dont buy a stove there, or anything for that matter, you will regret it for sure, and be stuck trying to get your money back.

Avoid this place. Service is terrible.

If I could give negative stars I would. Lane sold us a broken gas stove, with missing parts, and neither him nor his installers were skilled or knowledgeable. It took months to get the stove installed with many no-​shows, delays, and excuses (they never actually finished). Then we had to order parts ourselves from a knowledgeable and friendly parts dealer in Rhode Island. We tried to get other companies to finish the work but none would take this on and went on to tell us that they receive complaints frequently about Backyard Depot and other businesses run/​owned by Lane. Parts dealers in the area reported that they would not sell to Lane because of his poor business practices. When discussing these reports and concerns with Lane, he made inappropriate and offensive comments about other dealers’ sexual preferences, etc. When questioned about no shows and delays, he insulted and blamed his own installers when he had not informed them of the dates/​times. He also blamed us. We hated going to the Depot and talking to Lane over the phone or in person. It always felt like we were being strung along, misled, insulted, and we were always disappointed. In the end, my husband had to finish the installation himself and then re-​do the parts done by Lane’s guys. I would recommend not doing any business with The Backyard Depot or any other business this guy runs (and he’ll tell you there are many.) It took us almost 4 months to get our stove installed and again, we had to finish it ourselves.

Read the lower star reviews they are all correct. We wanted to try them since our chimney sweep recommended them and they were close. They didn’t deliver our wood two different times promised, and my husband had to call to make them promise it was delivered the following day.
We have had the wood for a month now and it is not burning well at all. Get wood elsewhere.

If I could give zero stars I would. I bought a cord of firewood from backyard depot recently. I had the manager load my utility trailer. This was my first time loading firewood in my trailer so I was not sure how much to load. I thought I could split it and take a half cord per load. After I stacked the wood I realized that it was closer to ²⁄₃ of a cord. I called and basically got accused of lying and trying to cheat the business for more wood. All unwanted was what I paid for. After a tense conversation and an offer to come pick up the wood for a refund, the manager reluctantly gave me another trailer full of firewood. Which when stacked still did not equal a full cord. Not to mention the ¼ of a trailer of splitters and bark pieces that was leftover. Needless to say I will not go back for firewood next year. Although slightly more expensive, Northeast Nursery in Peabody is worth the extra drive. Hand picked wood loaded into ¼ cord bins for a consistent load. Backyard Depot is NOT RECOMMENDED.

My husband wanted to support a «local business» so instead of heading over to Home Depot he decided to head to Backyard Depot with his Dad. My husband and father in law wanted to surprise me and get a fire pit for my birthday and started talking with «Laine» the owner. He comes across as a salesman that is over customer focused in the beginning and then talks about all the things he has at the store.
My husband picked out the fire pit and specifically said he did not want the floor model. He paid the manager and had a delivery kid bring it to the house. When they got it home it was all rusted and it looked like the floor model. He ended up calling Laine to let him know what was going on and Laine responded, «It’s just on a few blocks, just build it and you won’t even see it.» He started to get rude over the phone and became very condescending. Laine also stated that it was on the receipt what you bought. Laine said he personally drove to our house and took photos of the blocks. (who does that?!) He said he would give him call later on that night and never called him back. (Great Business Owner) After I found my surprise I called Mr. Laine to see why he didn’t call us back and why we can’t just exchange it for a new one. I felt like Laine was talking down to me over the phone. «I told your husband to come in and just get a new one, I would exchange it for anything its not a big deal I want to keep you guys as customers.»
I responded, «Ok, great we will be there in a bit as we want to continue our relationship with local businesses.» I wanted to give this guy a chance and see if he really strives to provide a great customer experience. When we got there he came up and shook my hand without making eye contact and continued to hold his head up like an arrogant prick. We picked out a new fire pit and Laine continued to share with me how much money his business does yearly. I responded, «I don’t honestly care what your business does and if we spend $ 200 or $ 2000 I would expect to be treated the same way.» He said let me get you guys some free wood next time no problem, no big deal! Anything you need guys!
Next week I go into to get our wood for the fire pit and he didn’t even knowledge me. He cared more about the couple that looked fancy picking out their patio furniture and didn’t even say have a great day or thank you after I PAID for it! Clearly Laine doesn’t know who he messed with. This is not the end Laine, I can’t wait to share this with Salem News and all of my Social Media outlets. Happy 4^th of July you slimy, condescending, chauvinist so called business owner.

Sold wet unseasoned wood at a dry seasoned price. Swears up and down he would never do anything like that. Would never buy from again.

Amazing service! Yesterday we called for mulch delivery. They were here w/​in 3 hours with exactly what we wanted– black, organic mulch for $ 43/​yrd. Great price and nice looking mulch. No weeds, roots or other colored bark mixed in. Now for 5 Star service and the reason why I’m posting: Our landscapers are here and needed 3 yards more. I called an hour ago to see if by chance they could deliver. Yes, today on a Sunday. Bam! The same super polite guy was here and just left. Thank you guys!

I guess I’ve been lucky in my dealings with Backyard Depot. I purchased a cord of dry firewood late last fall, and it was delivered the next day, despite the early snow making our driveway slippery — the driver was polite and persistent, maneuvering the truck to dump the load where I’d asked. The driver did express concern about what his boss would say/​do because he was taking too long. I’ve also purchased a few small «box» loads, again receiving dry hardwood that burned quite well (though a bit overpriced).
Given the reviews above, I’m not sure I want to take another chance with them. Very sad when business owners don’t treat their customers well consistently.

I honestly do not know what Laine C’s problem is with doing the correct thing. I went in for what I thought would be a pleasant experience in helping out a local small business owner. My friends bought a pellet stove from him a year ago and I figured everything went well… little did I know. Firstly, I paid for my pellet stove in Mid-​September — I agreed to have it installed in two weeks — because he said he would be tied up with the Topsfield fair.
I figured that after the fair I would be receiving a phone call from Laine C. of Backyard Depot (and many other fraudulent businesses) as soon as the Topsfield fair was over. Four days after the fair was over I had to call Laine C. and remind him of my purchase, «oh yeah, yeah — you’re number one on the list, we’ll be there tomorrow –Friday» Tomorrow came, but my pellet stove did not. This was now Mid-​October and we happened to get a freak snow storm — this was convenient for him. Monday came and I asked when i would have my pellet stove installed, «Oh today I’m doing yesterday’s customers because of the snow storm, so you’ll be tomorrow» I thought I was the day before yesterday’s customer — huh? It went on like this for a month and a half and then one miraculous day my pellet stove came — or so I thought. My wife called me to inform me that the installers told her that what we were receiving was a floor model — wait, what? Now I have no problems buying floor models — but not at new prices and not when I expect and paid for a new unit. My wife sent it back to the store. I promptly took time out of my work schedule and told Laine C. of Backyard depot (and many other fraudulent businesses) that enough was enough and I wanted my money back — I’m a calm guy and I spoke calmly as did he — but the camels back had been broken one too many times. He said he could not refund my money today because he had just switched banks, that it would wipe him out — he said I would have my money next Thursday. I went home and promptly received a call from Laine C. asking me to reconsider and allow him to «make it right» and the he «didn’t want to lose a customer.» He promised he «make it right» by giving me this and that and throwing in extra pellets — I told him I simply want what I paid for and I felt bad and told him to bring a new stove. Finally after two months (60+ days) I got a new pellet stove. As nice as his installers were, they did not put the exhaust system together correctly. I had smoke and exhaust in my home for the first week, So I had to take the exhaust system apart myself and install it correctly.
As long as it is, the story is not yet yet over — My stove came without the one ton of pellets promised in my invoice. His men came with 2 bags of pellets. So my saga with Laine C. of Backyard Depot (and various other fraudulent businesses) continued for another two months (60+ days) of calling to get my pellets delivered, that never happened, instead I had to call and call and call and go and go and go to his business to pick up my pellets piece-​meal. Ten bags here, 20 bags there and then the last 20 bags picked up on my gas and time.
I am glad I never have to deal with Laine C. of Backyard Depot (and various other fraudulent businesses) ever again. My friends that bought their stove from Laine originally are still chasing (no pun intended) him for two tons of pellets he owes them from over a year ago.
Let me be your friend and advise you to stay clear of Laine C., Back Yard depot and any of his other businesses — whether it’s snow baords/​skis, Gazebos, hot tubs, pool tables, grills, playgrounds, firewood, mulch, stone etc. If you go into any shop that sells these types of items, find out if Laine C. has anything to do with them — if he does, do yourself a favor and simply walk out and save yourself months/​years of headache. There are plenty of honest small business people that will treat you like a customer — aka the person who pays the bills.

If 0 stars were an option, that is what I would give this establishment. Do not shop here! You’ve been warned!
Similar to the other review: we paid extra for «super-​seasoned» firewood, and when we got it, it was so green the sap was literally dripping off it. I called because I assumed (naively) that there had been a mistake. The owner told me I was «lying» and said, «If there was a problem with the wood, why didn’t your husband call me?» Excuse me!!! Oh sorry, I guess I forgot that it’s 2011 and women are perfectly capable of handling firewood (and business transactions). I told him (politely) that I would be leaving him an online review, at which point he threatened to take me to court if I wrote anything negative about his business. (I’m not kidding!)
There is even more to the story, but bottom line, this guy is nuts, deceptive, and beyond unfriendly. If you look around at other review sites, you’ll find similar reviews from others. I cannot believe Backyard Depot is still in business.

This business quoted us $ 295 for a cord of «super-​seasoned» hardwood. When it was delivered, we were charged $ 334. When I called to question the difference, the guy apologized, said he thought he had told me about the delivery charge the day before (he had not). He promised to get back to me about our delivery refund, never called back, ignored an email we sent, and then, when my fiancée called to follow-​up with him 3 weeks later, he was verbally abusive to her, basically had a temper tantrum, and hung up the phone when she asked him to give her his name.
Also, the wood is not super-​seasoned. Most of it is green. I am filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, who I see (by their website) has already given his business an F rating (for five unanswered BBB complaints).
Later, the guy called me after our incident pretending to be «the manager». Same guy. Same voice. Same accent. Same sliminess. I told him «are you kidding? You’re the same guy — I recognize your voice!!». He hung up. Later, another guy (ACTUALLY different guy this time) called and tried to bribe me with sports bar furniture/​equipment if I would let my grievance go. Amazing.
Update: Take 5-​star reviews of this business with a grain of salt — the owner periodically writes them himself. You can tell by the fact that he’s always quoting his own prices for mulch, pellets, etc., and the fact that whatever new profile he uses only has the one review for his business.