Oil Dilemma

[WoodenSunshine]

So, with our duplex, we are responsible for all of the utilites except for cold water. We have decent rent, so I'm okay with this.

Our house runs on oil heat. We finally moved our butts and got oil delivered. We have a 275 tank, so we ordered 200 gallons of oil. Before they delivered, the level was below 1/4.

Mr. Wooden's dad came over today to help us turn the furnace on. He took a look at the meter and the oil level showed at 1/4. He tapped the tank just in case the meter was wrong. Nearly empty. We checked out neighbor's tank. Empty. Hmmm...

Thankfully, they were off hours when I called or I would have posted this in Sightings. I'm not pleased. Mr. Wooden told me the tank was at 1/4 after they delivered, but I thought it may take some time to rise up.

They're calling me on Monday and I really hope I'm calmed down significantly before then. I spent over 700 USD for oil, so you can understand that I am quite, quite upset.

I just needed to rant. I'll let you guys know what happens on Monday.

[csquared]

I must congratulate you on remaining so calm. Was someone present when the oil was delivered?

[Slayer]

That's why I take a photo of the tank before scheduled oil deliveries.

I started a few years ago after we got a letter stating an employee was entering more litres on the bill than was given and thus they were issuing a credit per settlement. We had no clue there was even an issue.

Thankfully I have never noticed a discrepancy. Our system is lucky in that it can't be syphoned without actually breaking it. Though that doesn't seem to be the issue for you. More like they never filled it. I really hope it gets fixed for you.

[WoodenSunshine]

Mr. Wooden was home, but I don't know if he was out there with him. And believe me, I was not calm when I realized what happened. I deal with liars and dubious people daily, so I yelled before I called them and when I got their answering service, I let them know that I am incredibly concerned and not happy that I have to wait till Monday to talk to someone. Yelling at the lady answering the phone isn't going to help the situation at all. The person I want to yell at is the person who delivered the oil, but I don't think that will happen.

That's a really good idea about taking a photo. We're going to be doing that from now on. I can't believe we didn't think about that before. How did the company find out the employee was billing for more than he was putting in?

[MoonCat]

Sounds like they didn't deliver it at all. Something's fishy for sure.

You want to make sure they delivered to the correct building, for one thing. I worked with a woman whose boyfriend owned a couple small apt. buildings...I think it was two units per building. One building used oil heat, the other had been converted to gas or elec., but apparently they left the port (or whatever it's called) for oil delivery in place.

So one year, the oil company went to the wrong building, hooked up the delivery apparatus...and poured a couple hundred gallons of oil onto the basement floor. They even had the CORRECT address written on the order, but the delivery guy didn't pay attention I guess. They had to evacuate the building until they got the oil removed.

[WoodenSunshine]

From the discussion I had with Mr. Wooden, they did come to our house. The level on the tank rose a little. It was below 1/4 before at right at 1/4 afterwards. That's why we double checked with the other guy in our duplex. They didn't accidently put the oil in his tank.

So one year, the oil company went to the wrong building, hooked up the delivery apparatus...and poured a couple hundred gallons of oil onto the basement floor. They even had the CORRECT address written on the order, but the delivery guy didn't pay attention I guess. They had to evacuate the building until they got the oil removed.

Buh...wow, you would think that more care would be given. I suppose it doesn't matter to them so long as the oil is delivered.

[Slayer]

How did the company find out the employee was billing for more than he was putting in?

From what I understand, the company had gotten complaints from customers so they started an investigation. I figure they monitored the guy until they had proof. He would "pocket" the extra oil for his own use.

[Chromatix]

Sounds to me as though you got 20 gallons instead of 200. That discrepancy should easily show up when it's time to top up the tanker. If it doesn't, it's time to ask where it's really gone...

[WoodenSunshine]

I called the oil company today. They stand by their assertion that they delivered 200 gallons of oil. The lady I spoke to on the phone was about as helpful as expected. The highlight of the conversation was her quote of, "Are you a professional?!" in that nasty tone of voice.

I requested to speak with the driver, but he doesn't have a cell phone supposedly, so the entire time I was dealing with the customer service lady. Her suggestion was to have a professional company out to check our meter and make sure it's working.

-sigh-

I called a different oil company and they actually gave me some really fantastic solutions for testing our meter, so that's my chore of the day.

I am so upset right now. I'm being talked down to, I'm being shoved off to the side and treated like I'M the criminal.

[PepperElf]

is there a utilities commission you can talk to regarding this?

this sounds kinda... not entirely shady but rather underhanded at least if she won't even verify the amount other than just saying "yes you got 200 gallons" etc

[WoodenSunshine]

is there a utilities commission you can talk to regarding this?

this sounds kinda... not entirely shady but rather underhanded at least if she won't even verify the amount other than just saying "yes you got 200 gallons" etc

An extra update.

I. Am. An. Ass. After being rather rude to the lady (admittedly, she wasn't too great either), I had Mr. Wooden pull out the meter, tap it and screw it back in. We got our oil the first time.

I am so incredibly ashamed of myself right now. I called a separate oil company and the guy on the phone actually walked me through thes steps, so I could check my meter myself instead of just telling me that my meter is wrong.

I called the lady from our oil company back to apologize. It's my own fault for jumping to conclusions like that.

Edit: We ordered 200 gallons of oil. They requested we provide a specific amount, so 200 gallons was it.

[auntiem]

I don't understand why the original company couldn't have walked you thru checking the meter on the first call - that would have solved the issue then and there. Seems a common enough trouble-shoot that the receptionist could have had someone there that could walk you thru it seeing as the other company did.

[WoodenSunshine]

She also didn't explain that tapping on the oil tank doesn't mean anything.

I'm definitely switching companies next go around. For an employee to walk me through the process of checking the tank and explaining things in full to me without me being a customer really makes me feel great. Apparently, the guy from the other company was working alone today and STILL took the time to calm me down. That was awesome.

[csquared]

I'm definitely switching companies next go around. For an employee to walk me through the process of checking the tank and explaining things in full to me without me being a customer really makes me feel great. Apparently, the guy from the other company was working alone today and STILL took the time to calm me down. That was awesome.

I second that.

[lordlundar]

Sounds like they didn't deliver it at all. Something's fishy for sure.

You want to make sure they delivered to the correct building, for one thing. I worked with a woman whose boyfriend owned a couple small apt. buildings...I think it was two units per building. One building used oil heat, the other had been converted to gas or elec., but apparently they left the port (or whatever it's called) for oil delivery in place.

So one year, the oil company went to the wrong building, hooked up the delivery apparatus...and poured a couple hundred gallons of oil onto the basement floor. They even had the CORRECT address written on the order, but the delivery guy didn't pay attention I guess. They had to evacuate the building until they got the oil removed.

There's a similar story in a book I have. The only difference was that the account wasn't cancelled in the system so the delivery was still done. The company then demanded that the homeowners pay for the oil. After showing copies of pictures of the ruined furnished basement and the paperwork the homeowners were going to file in the inevitable lawsuit, the company backed down and paid for the cleanup and repair work.