Petro Oil company ripping off consumers. Essex Maryland

We haven't used our furnace for a few years. Last winter I had the tank filled, to find out it didn't work. I called for repairs twice. Each time the furnace only worked for a few hours. The second repair man told us the furnace and chimney needed to be clean to repair properly.

We had our furnace cleaned on 12/12/07. Our furnace still didn't work. I called Petro for pricing on a new furnace. The sales rep called but the furnace was out of my price range. He suggested I set up a maintenance account. The sales rep had Joe the area manager call. For the maintenance account and oil was $200 a month. I didn't fell comfortable with that. So we agreed on the maintenance account and pay as you go oil. Petro sent someone out the next day to fix the furnace. We made an appointment to get the furnace cleaned.

On 1/7/08 a Petro truck was outside my house. I was leaving for work and my husband followed me out. My husband confronted the driver on why he was here. He said he was called out to deliver 80 gallons of oil. My husband ask if I told him I didn't. Then my husband explained the situation with the furnace. He told the driver our tank is full. The driver said he had to call it in. I told my husband he had to deal with it. I need to get to work.

When I got home I asked what happened. My husband said the driver said we should receive a call. That it's all squared away. Instead of a call we received a bill for $266.48. I immanently called the 800 number. I got an operator who didn't want help. She said you have to wait until Monday. Joe called on Tuesday 1/22/08. He left a message saying he needed to do a stick test.

My husband called twice. We never receive a response. I called the 800 number again. The woman said the reports say we didn't return his calls. I told her thats not true. She also said we refused to do the stick test. I told her thats also not true. She said she have Joe call.

Joe called he said he'd send someone out. When to guy came my husband went to the tank with him. This big test was nothing more than sticking a tape measure down my tank. Joe left a message. He said he estimates we probably got our oil. I was so angry. I called him back. I left a nasty message. I later called back and apologized. I shouldn't have spoke that way.

Petro keep sending bills with more fees. I didn't know what else to do. I filed a complaint on 2/26/08 at the BBB.

On 3/14/08 Gail from Petro called. She said my bill is past due. I explained to her what happened. That I'm not paying for something I know for a fact I did not receive. That's why I went to the BBB. She went over her notes most of them were true. I explained what happened. Nothing was resolved. Gail said all she can do is send my complaint higher up.

On 3/17/08 Barbara from Petro called. My husband took the call. She asked if we have a receipt of delivery. My husband said we never signed anything. She said we don't need to sign it. Then my husband explained what happened. She said she needed to pull the phone records.

On 3/18/08 I received a message from Trudy at Petro. She said a driver was at our house at 12:10pm to deliver oil. No one was home to sign the ticket. Please call the 800 number to set up an appointment. I didnt call back.

On 3/21/08 Petro called to make a delivery appointment. I told them no, I'm not excepting oil until this dispute is resolved. The next day the had don call. Who said he was top guy. I told him what happened. He said he had to talk to Joe and get back to me. He never did.

On 4/11/08 Joe responded to the BBB. His response was full of lies. He said my husband let the driver in the yard. I was rude to the driver. We both watch the driver deliver the oil. The driver gave me a ticket. Oh yeah, the driver has been with the company 30 years and never made a mistake.

On 4/15/08 I responded to his response through the BBB. I explained what happened again. I didn't receive it and I'm not paying it. Now I have a bill for $574.50 for service not provided.

If anyone can help me, please do. I'm not a liar nor a dead beat. I always pay my bills on time. However I can't see giving my hard earned money on oil not provided.

Christy
Baltimore, Maryland
U.S.A.