ne of the benefits of oilheat over natural gas and electricity is your ability to choose your provider. With rare exceptions, natural gas customers and electric heat customers have but one vendor to choose from and these are nearly always large, publicly owned utilities. These large conglomerates have little interest in service and repair - they will usually tell you to look in the Yellow Pages if you need help. If you've ever tried complaining to a large utility you know what we mean. Additionally, their prices are set and non-negotiable.

It is good to know that if you are unhappy with your oil heat dealer that you can always go out and hire a new one. But like any shopping expedition, you must ask questions to learn more about the details. Check out the resources below to start.

Where do I start looking? 

Probably the best way to start is to ask a neighbor, friend or family member for a referral. If their experience with their provider has been a good one, ask them to find out if their dealer has a referral program. Lots of good dealers will give both you and your friend a promotion such as $50. or oil free. 

Try searching online using a search engine or our dealer locator system. Most providers are local and so you can usually find out if they service your home by browsing their website. Pay attention to the website to see if they have toll-free customer service, on-line payment options, and if they appear to be a professional firm. You might also want to check them out at the Better Business Bureau website.

Finally you can look in your local yellow pages or community newspaper. Again many dealers are small, community based businesses and so they will advertise locally.

However you find go about it, we suggest you come up with a list of three or more dealers that you have pre-qualified before calling them. Then place a phone call and ask some of the key questions below. Perhaps the most important point is to push them for "new customer pricing. The truth is that customers pay a wide range of prices - read more about this here - the price you pay depends on lots of factors. The bottom line is that dealers are competing to make you a long-term customer. In order to do that nearly all will offer a new customer promotion and this is when you get the best price. Remember to negotiate by asking the right questions.