Blog: Consols Oils

Consols Oils is working up an online buying facility in response to customer feedback which clearly indicates that a section of our customers like the ability to buy or pay online 24/7, this service is intended to  compliment rather than replace our traditional way of doing business which I feel will always be vital to our credibility as a local supplier. We are increasingly finding  that various online self styled, web based ”cheap” suppliers using third parties to effect deliveries on their behalf are muscling in on this sector with often extravagant claims that can be misleading to potential customers when closely scrutinsed.

One such claim made by Boilerjuice (BJ) was “the cheapest heating oil in Cornwall” which was guaranteed to grab everybody’s attention including mine. At the time in question without trying we were frequently up to 5ppl cheaper than BJ. Subsequently this claim was amended from “cheapest” to “cheaper” a subtle play on words to make the claim legally acceptable. However by what yardsick do BJ claim to be cheaper than any other operator, given that red herrings often abound in the oil distribution trade as part of the cut and thrust of genuine competition, there still appears to be a lack of genuine transparency designed to grab consumers attention by offering potentiallly misleading information.

Part of any online offer actually involves the physical delivery of the product, this is where the whole thing can so easily unravel if lack of resources dictates that service levels are not of the highest calibre. Boilerjuice in their latest blurb offer a standard 10 working day delivery (in reality 2 weeks) but then move on to trumpet that they now offer “EXPRESS” deliveries of  “5, 3 or 2 working days” they do not state on the blurb whether this involves a premium. Then there is the “EMERGENCY NEXT WORKING DAY DELIVERY FOR WHEN YOU NEED OIL EVEN FASTER” again no mention of a premium upfront. In fairness when the actual quote page comes up it does clearly state the premium levels, which in the case of an “EMERGENCY” delivery is 3ppl by normal size tanker plus, where applicable, a small tanker surcharge, by this stage an anxious customer who is shivering is already on the slippery slope, a couple of mouse clicks from commitment.

During the recent cold weather service levels were absolutely crucial to customer well being, Consols standard lead time for non urgent deliveries is normally 2 to 4 working days, during this intense spell they extended out to 5 to 7 working days, which I feel was unacceptable, but in reality unavoidable. There was  non-the-less considerable comfort to be gained from the fact that at this time some other firms were quoting up to 15 working days (three weeks) for any delivery urgent or not.

During this time Consols still managed to fit in GENUINE emergency deliveries the same day or next day at no premium on the agreed standard price. In normal times it is a  rare ocurrence, given our resources, not to be able to effect a same day emergency delivery, again without premium on the standard price.

The final element is price quoted versus delivered price as a lot can happen between the taking of an order and delivery 10 days later, given current price turbulence on the wholesale fuel markets. At Consols the price quoted is what you will actually pay as stock at that price is allocated when the contract is established. Other suppliers may operate a different policy which will be price on day of delivery. What we will not do is give quotes for orders where  the delivery is required by the customer more than 5 working days ahead, an order of this nature would be strictly on the basis of the price on the day of delivery.

Our pledge to online buyers is 2 to 4 working days delivery at the price quoted on order, if there is a GENUINE emegency and it is in the TR postcode area, email us the details and we will do our utmost to get your delivery to you the same day or next day without a surcharge of 3ppl.

POTENTIAL ONLINE OIL BUYERS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THESE ANOMALIES EXIST AND CAREFULLY WEIGH UP THE FACTS BEFORE COMMITTING TO ANY PARTICULAR SUPPLIER.

A SURE SIGN THAT SPRING IS ON THE WAY DESPITE THE BITING EASTERLY WINDS.

Its finally dried up as the wind has backed into the east and the pent up agricultural demand for gas oil has exploded as farmers crack on with delayed planting and tillage operations at a prodigious rate. Modern sophisticated machinery can soon catch up any backlogs when conditions are right, as with everything else these days investment is the only way forward.

Out walking yesterday it was bitingly cold and everywhere the grass is burned off and brown with the cold, walking along an east facing lane sloping down towards the sea the difference between the two hedges was remarkable, the north side that was catching the sunlight was showing signs of good growth, celandines, primroses and snowdrops were in bloom and everything was dark green. The other south side being in permanent shade still had evidence of the hard overnight frost and little sign of growth at all,  true examples of microclimates about eight feet apart.

This morning the phones are again ringing off the wall reminiscent of earlier panic mondays workload appears to be 50/50 gas oil and kerosene. Prices have firmed recently and seem to be staying there, demand is a factor only to a degree, fear of a Labour Government being re-elected seems to be making investors jittery enough to bolt into oil futures as a safe haven. We all know that this is madness but the way the international oil market works is akin to the “Mad Hatters Tea Party” beyond tne wit of mere mortals to control.

At least the days are opening out as we head towards the equinox hoping for a better summer than last year. On friday the £ was worth $1.51 and the euro 90.25 pence, Brent crude closed at $79.32 per barrel.