Stove owners have to work out a deal with a coal-yard dealer, who goes directly to the coal mines and picks up the coal. The dealer then resells the coal to the homeowner and delivers it. Coal stoves still aren't popular in Colorado or California because there isn't a cheap enough way to distribute the coal. Then there's the ash factor. A ton of coal produces about a half ton of ashes.
Some people bury it.
Others bag it and set it outside for the garbage man. The stoves also involve more work than just flipping a switch. Some of the newer ones have to be fed only every nine to 12 hours. But with a cheaper model, owners could be shoveling coal throughout the day. Nonetheless, the cheap price of coal makes the work worthwhile for many.