Are you getting the fuel oil delivery service you need and want? Whether you’re considering a switch to oil or you’re a long-time customer if you have concerns with service and pricing you need answers. Here’s a look at five critical questions you should be asking your home fuel oil delivery service today.
1. Do You Offer Automatic Delivery?
Just because your fuel oil delivery company is local, doesn’t mean they can be timely. Often companies get overwhelmed with orders, especially in the colder months. This can cause unwanted delays in delivery.
With automatic delivery, your average weekly usage is estimated based on historical data. A delivery schedule is created to refill your fuel oil before it runs out. This reserves your spot on the schedule so any call-in orders must be worked into the schedule after the automatic deliveries are made.
You shouldn’t have to worry about keeping an eye on your fuel usage and levels. That’s up to your fuel oil delivery service. A good one will always offer automatic delivery.
Customers sometimes encounter problems, especially as the weather gets colder. If you experience a cold spell earlier in the season than normal this might cause you to run low before your automatic delivery. Your fuel oil delivery service should offer same-day or next-day delivery for emergency situations.
2. Can You Service My HVAC System?
Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system needs regular maintenance to keep it running efficiently and to prolong its life. Having your fuel oil delivery service do this for you is good for several reasons.
First, you have one call to make to a company you already have a relationship with for any repairs you might need. This protects you against unethical repair companies that take advantage of emergency situations.
In addition, a regular schedule for cleaning and maintenance will help your equipment last longer. Regular service calls will identify potential problems before they turn into an emergency situation. It’s better to know beforehand and get the problem fixed.
So ask if your fuel oil delivery service provides regular maintenance and repair services. Having a trusted and reliable source will give you peace of mind.
3. Do You Offer Competitive Pricing or Discount Programs?
Pricing is always a concern no matter what you intend to buy and regardless of how much money you might have to spend. No one likes to walk away from a purchase feeling like they didn’t get a good deal, and you shouldn’t with your fuel oil delivery service either.
Shop Around
Smart consumers shop around for the best possible price. However, the lowest price isn’t always the lowest cost overall. There are things you must factor in when comparing prices.
Apples to apples is the saying, which means you want to make certain you are comparing the same thing. A fuel oil delivery service may have the lowest price per gallon but have delivery fees or other hidden costs that could put you higher than the next company.
When getting pricing you should be sure to ask if there are fees involved, when they are applicable, and how much they charge. The goal is to get you the apples to apples comparison you want, but sometimes forecasting fees can be difficult.
Cancellation Fees
You might not get it right the first time and find you’re spending more than you budgeted for or more than you can afford. So you should always ask what the cancellation fees will be. Some companies charge more than others.
You should be wary of companies with high cancellation fees. Excessive cancellation fees give leverage to the company that they can use to keep you a customer, even when delivering poor service.
Discount Programs
Many fuel oil delivery service companies offer discount programs. They might offer lower rates for cash payments. They might also offer discounts for setting up auto payments.
You’ll find some companies will give significantly lower rates for pre-purchasing your fuel oil. This practice allows them to purchase their oil reserves in advance in higher quantities and they can pass that savings to you. Typically you can do this once or twice a year, or even quarterly.
Another popular program that fuel oil delivery service companies offer is a flat-rate pricing program. Fuel costs fluctuate, going higher in the winter months, and lower in the summertime. It’s simple supply and demand at play.
Flat-rate plans are a blended monthly payment the company sets year-round. One benefit for the company is a more even and steady cash flow or revenue.
The benefit for you is you can budget appropriately with a fixed monthly rate. You can avoid those pricey winter heating bills. You’re also insulated from any spikes in fuel costs.
4. What Is Your Safety Record?
Fuel oil must be handled properly from storage to delivery. You want a company that has exhibited a history that is free of accidents and safety violations. You can check with the Better Business Bureau and other governing bodies to see how they perform and how their customers perceive them.
Social media accounts and customer testimonials are another good way to gauge their service quality. A long list of satisfied customers should give you confidence that you will get the same level of service.
Another good avenue to search is to see if they are involved in any industry associations. This type of involvement helps a fuel oil delivery service company stay up to date with all the latest technology, regulations, and industry trends.
5. What Is Your Service Area and Schedule?
Local companies are the better option when considering timely deliveries but this shouldn’t preclude you from choosing a company that is located in the next county or even state. The more important question is do they service your area?
If the answer is yes, then the next question must be what is your service schedule for my area? You’ll want a company that delivers often to your area. This will give you the flexibility to schedule a day and time that works for you.
Work With A Quality Fuel Oil Delivery Service
At Sperr’s Fuel and Heating, we’ve been serving the southern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware region for over 35 years. You can contact us online anytime or give us a call.
Our friendly, professional staff is available to help answer any questions you might have regarding all your fuel oil delivery service needs.
