VIDEO: Senator Patrick Warns Customers to 'Do Their Homework' Before Prepaying Home Oil Delivery

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Source: WGME 13

Customers left in the cold by western Maine oil dealer

Several customers say they never received the oil they purchased from J&W Oil Company in West Paris. The customers say they pre-bought the oil at a locked in price for last winter, after J&W Oil offered the best price.

One woman told News 13 she received her first two deliveries without a problem, but never received her third delivery of 108 gallons even after several phone calls to the company. Another woman says she was suspicious from the beginning, when she had to call the company for oil deliveries even though they were supposed to happen automatically. She says she’s still owed about $545 in oil.

Senator John Patrick (D – Rumford) says he first became aware of the problems in March, when neighbors started telling him about their experiences with J&W Oil. Patrick called the Better Business Bureau and the Maine Attorney General’s Office, where he says he learned 13 complaints against the company had already been filed. Patrick wrote an article in a few of the region’s local newspapers, warning customers to do their research before locking in with an oil company. He also says he called J&W Oil multiple times, and was told by the office mnager that customers would be reimbursed for what they were owed within two weeks. He says in most cases, that hasn’t happened yet. News 13 went to J&W Oil, and left a message on the office phone. So far, we haven’t heard back.

For more information, contact Office of the Maine Attorney General: 207-626-8800. Or, fill out the consumer complaint form.

Better Business Bureau: 508-652-4800 between 9AM and 3PM, Monday through Friday. You can also email info@boston.bbb.org or complaints@boston.bbb.org.

Catherine Parrotta, Reporter