CF OIL
Community First, Wiltshire’s Rural Community Council
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is an Oil Buying Group?
An Oil Buying Group is when a community group or a group of people
get together to negotiate and then place a bulk order for domestic
heating oil with one supplier.
What can an Oil Buying Group do for me?
When lots of people get together we can negotiate the price down
substantially. Our partner, Community Buying unlimited, has been
negotiating with suppliers since mid 2009 and the average saving (over
£83 if you measured against the highest price quoted!). The have
developed the expertise to really know when the suppliers have
reached a genuinely low price. Even better – our members do not
suffer from surcharge levied by suppliers on small (500-999 litres)
deliveries.
What can an Oil Buying Group do for my community?
One big order means that only one or two tankers need to be made –
therefore less CO2 is produced and there is less congestion on often
narrow roads.
What is the catch?
There isn’t one unless you enjoy paying ‘top dollar’ for your heating oil
or unless you like seeing the oil suppliers making enormous profits.
How can I join the Oil Buying Group?
Through your RCC. Membership costs £20 per year and you can order
as many times as you like. You normally save more than your
membership costs in your first order.
How can I order?
Through you Co-ordinator. Let them know your name, address,
postcode and contact number together with the amount of oil you think
you need (it also helps to know if you want your tank filled if it will hold
more or whether that is the maximum amount of oil you want). Also let
us know if it is getting very urgent (we will do our best). We order once
a month.
Why should I become a member of RCC Oil Buying Group?
The more people who get together to buy oil the greater negotiating
power of the group. It helps shift power away form the supplier and
back to the customer.
How much do I have to order?
The minimum order that the suppliers will do is 500 litres per delivery –
their stipulation not ours. There is no maximum.
I’ve only just moved and never bought oil before?
It helps to know how big your tank is – domestic tanks are normally
between 1200 and 2500 litres (but not always). How much oil you
need depends on the size of your house and how hot you keep it. An
average 3-4 bedroom house probably uses 1500-2500 litres per year
but it is VERY variable. Don’t let your tank run dry (air blocks are
expensive to clear).
How can I stop myself from running out?
At the moment the easiest way is to remember to check. However, we
are trying to source (at a reasonable price) a clever little device that
can send a signal to a central point and therefore flags up when you
are getting low. The oil suppliers can sell you this but it does give them
the power to decide when you need oil and at what price you can buy
it! More information will follow when we are successful.
When should I buy oil?
The price of oil seems to be on an ever upward trend! However there
always seems to be a disproportionately huge serge in the price of
heating oil when the roads are icy or snowy and around Christmas. Try
to think ahead – order in summer if you can. November tends to be
better than December. If the forecast is for snow get your order in
quickly if you can’t wait it out.
I have specific delivery requirements – Can you cope?
Yes, as long as we know about them. Long hoses, small tankers,
locked gates etc are not a problem. We make sure that the supplier
chosen for your delivery can accommodate whatever is required.
Do you operate a payment plan with suppliers?
Unfortunately not. Payment Plans usually attract a higher price in
terms of pence per litre and we are trying to drive down that cost so
this is not possible.
I want an Additive with my delivery of heating oil.
The benefits of additives such as Topinol and Glomax are subject to
debate but lots of people feel that they work. Virtually all suppliers can
supply additives and we can incorporate these into an order.
CF Oil
Registered Office: Unit C2 Beacon Business Centre Hopton Park Devizes SN10 2EY
www.communityfirst.org.uk
Registered Charity No: 288117 Company Limited by Guarantee reg no: 1757334 England VAT reg no: 639386006 FSA no:
FRN311971