Grrrrrr Oil Company and DH

Last winter was our first winter in the house. We got a service contract with the company that previously had serviced the oil burner (We did not know if anyone would insure it, it is the original boiler from the house from 1952). Last February, the boiler failed - we called for 'emergency service' and 18 hours later in the freezing cold they show up and the repair guy says "Oh, yeah, this happens every year, a tuneup and everything will be fine" When I had to call them, I had to call the 'emergency service' number 3 times to get them to come - it took them 18 hours to get to the house and fix it. They insisted that I never called, and I had words with them then about that.


So, like proactive people we decide that we should call the oil company before the season to have them service it so that it doestn fail and we dont need to rush it, etc etc. Hubby has been ON MY BACK for the past 2 weeks to call, even when I wont make the appt until the end of October. I asked hubby about the contract period, if there is a renewal service fee and he says he doestn know (even though he arranged this whole thing...) so I dig up the papers and its 99.00 a year for the contract. No big deal. So for some reason he wants to know more details about the contract - are they going to renew it, how much is it going to be, when we're going to get the bill, etc. He asks me to call every day for the past 2 weeks.

So I get sick of hearing it and I call the oil company today to make an appointment BEFORE the season starts to do the cleaning. The lady that was making the appointment told me that I only get one tune-up a year, so they won't come till January. So I tell her that the mechanic told us that we should get it serviced before the season so it doestn turn into an emergency and that it could be scheduled. She doesnt care, its only one time a year. Easy for her to say, she wont have to sit in the cold for hours when it breaks down, consdiering they are so fast with their emergency service. So I get ****** off and hang up. I didnt ask any of the silly questions about the contract my husband wanted me to ask.

I called my husband and told him the whole charade and he didnt seem to care. (funny, considering he was bugging me about it for 2 weeks straight) Of course he asked me all the questions about the contract that I didn't ask - so I told him if he really cares that much he can call himself. Of course they will renew the contract, they want our money. When will they charge us? Probably at the contract date from last year, does it really matter anyway, 99.00 doesnt break the bank for us.

I don't know who I'm more pizzed at - the oil company for being so shortsighted or my husband for being annoying. All I can hope for is that the burner keeps going until January 1st, and that my husband stops freaking out about crap that makes no sense...

OK, sorry I feel better now.

Re: Grrrrrr Oil Company and DH

Why don't you shop around and see what other oil companies are offering?

Re: Grrrrrr Oil Company and DH

my parents have been with Slomin's for years and are very happy with them. when they have a problem with the burner, they always come asap!

Re: Grrrrrr Oil Company and DH

I want to give you a first of all if my DH was on my back to call ANY of the house stuff which is HIS responsibility I would have told him where to go! Especially since he is the one with all the questions AND the one who set up the contract in the first place-
I would def use a different oil company- the prices are low now so shop around!! good luck!

Re: Grrrrrr Oil Company and DH

Call General Benit in St james - We live in Levittown and they still come here.

They offered a great rate, and also offer $.03 off each gallon if you pay within 10 days of receiving oil.

They came to my house this summer to tune up my boiler, and took apart most of the boiler, and spent almost 2 hours cleaning it. They did a great job.

My mother in law used them for years before they converted to gas, and they used to call all the time because the boiler wasnt working, and general Benit would be there anytime a day very fast too. One time they called at 2am and they showed up at 3am
Scott

Re: Grrrrrr Oil Company and DH

It sounds like you need a new oil company.

I can recommend Perillo..they have always come in a pinch and do a tune up once a year.

It also sounds like you need a new boiler.

Re: Grrrrrr Oil Company and DH

perillo is great!
I have had a few problems and they were there almost right away.
I think the service contract was free for the first 3 years

Re: Grrrrrr Oil Company and DH

Perillo doesn't charge for the service contract..it's built into the price for oil.

They have come at 1am to fill my tank (gauge was busted and we didn't know we were empty).they came in 1 hr and filled the tank and replaced the gauge.