Starkman Oil starkman oil, Starkman Oil heating propane furnace cleaning ely Minnesota

Starkman Oil agreed to provide furnace cleaning in September 2012. The lady on the phone informed me a technician would be calling me in 2 weeks to set up an appointment. I called back 4 weeks later and she told me they are behind, but someone will be calling me soon.

Finally, in December 2012, 3 months later I was not at my Summer home and was out of state. I called in December 2012 and informed the lady that answers the phone, I waited 3 months for you and I'm out of state for the Winter, so the furnace cleaning will have to be done next Spring. Please contact then to schedule.

Big waste of time waiting and money having a dirty furnace that should have been cleaned in early Fall near the time I called and they agreed to provided the service.

I called Starkman Oil in early July 2013 to order the furnance cleaning again since I still hadn't heard from them. Apparantely I have to call in again and again for someone to do their job there. I explained it had been 10 months since I originally called about the furnance cleaning, no one called to schedule the appointment for 3 months last Fall and she said someone could do it in the next 3 weeks or before August. She said someone will call me very soon to schedule. I mentioned I might be interested in switching from oil heating to propane and would like an estimate. I mentioned I wasn't sure if that required a new furnace or some new part, but just wanted to get some basic information and possibly an estimate based on their recommendations.

I have an almost new furnace so wasn't planning on spending thousands for that if that's what was required. As is very typical in businesses in Ely, MN the person who answers the phone acts only as an answering machine and knows little or nothing about the products or services or scheduling the services/products of the business they work for. So as typical in this backwards part of state and country, someone would call me back to explain about changing to propane and/or discuss it when they come out for a furnace cleaning.

Two days later some guy calls me to schedule an estimate for changing to propane. He said he can come out immediately and anytime tomorrow. He was available for morning and afternoon appointments.

I ask him about the furnace cleaning. He said he's the guy who does that, but did not want to schedule the furnance cleaning at this time. He said, "you want a new furnace don't you?" This guy sounded like a complete moron which was extremely annoying after waiting for a furnace cleaning for 10 months. He went on to tell me, "You shouldn't clean your old furnace if you want a new furnace." I told him I haven't requested a new furnance, my furnace is new. I want basic information about changing my fuel from oil to propane and perhaps and estimate to do that, but need some basic information first. He replied, "If you want your furnace cleaned you only need to call our company and make an appointment." -- Huuuh?? I told him I've been trying to get my furnace cleaned for 10 months by your company and get an appointment. When I've called in and prompted to get an appointment they tell me, "We don't drive and zig zag around the entire country for each service call," even though my house is 12 minutes away from their office. Fincally the imbecile who called me replied, "you called in last year and cancelled your furnace cleaning order.".....What???

Starkman Oil, heating company 10 months later is still too swamped to schedule a furnace cleaning even though my home is only 12 minutes from their place of business in the middle of July. Big busy time for a heating company! However, when they think they might be able to sell a furnace due to some miscommunication in giving the technician a message to call me about a furnace cleaning and estimate they tell me they're able to come out any day this week and preferably today or tomorrow; by the same guy who does the furnace cleaning!

Their fuel is extremely expensive and don't believe the fuel oil bill has been honest/accurately calculated over the last few years on several occasions.

This complaint is a truthful and honest testimony of my own experience and personal opinion of Starkman Oil. No facts have been exaggerated or made up. I'm not a competitor of Starkman Oil, Ely and have no other interests other than expressing my personal opinion and experience with the company.