[Retlaw]

Originally Posted by MargaretR

The coal merchants who delivered it would sometimes cheat.
It was wise to watch a delivery from the start because a common fiddle was to drop an empty sack outside the coal place to make it look like that sack had already been emptied, so you actually got one sack short.

Coal carters were obliged to have a set off scales & 56lb weigts on their carts, and could be asked for a weigh check before delivery, every body was aware of the empty bag scam, it only worked if the householder came out to watch 1/2 way thro the delivery.
During the last war as kids we went coal picking up on the mine tip up thro Broad Oak Factory, its surprising how much usable coal was in that tip, and it certainly made a difference at home.