They just don't get it
 

I attempted to contact Fuller a couple of weeks ago both via email and with telephone messages, I finally got a response from them yesterday telling me I could expect a delivery in the "next couple of weeks" Needless to say I've made other arrangements with another more reputable oil supplier. I contacted Foley oil via their website and had a call back within 15 min. That is a responsive company that wants and deserves my business. Fuller is down and out as far as I'm concerned. Fired, Canceled, Kaput!

CT

Fuller and Alton schools
 

In last week's Baysider I read that Alton Central School didn't get their oil delivery from Fuller and they wound up with no heat one morning. The contract with Fuller has been cancelled and the school went with Rhymes. Fortunately they got oil and could get the boiler going so a school day wasn't lost.

I feel bad for the employees of Fuller who as far as I know don't deserve what is going on, but being in business means taking care of business and managing your money. I don't know what is going on at Fuller's, but if I were forced to make an educated guess I would say cash flow problems resulting in over extended credit with vendors and the resultant c.o.d. terms from suppliers. If you don't have the cash, you don't get the product, if you don't get the product, you can't deliver it to your customers. If you can't deliver to your customers, they leave you for someone else who can take care of you.

Reminds me of the fella in Moultonboro, years ago, that ran a small two truck oil business. He would only accept pre-buys as customers, the cheapest prices in the area. His business built quickly, until he had delivery problems, seemed he invested all the pre-buy money in the stock market .... Picked a bad one that year. I would assume a large business like Fullers would take a longer time to wind down.

Here we go again:

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articl...NEWS/140929952

BRENTWOOD – Spraque Energy Corp. of Portsmouth has filed a $4.7 million lawsuit against Fred Fuller Oil and is seeking to seize the fuel dealer’s vehicles.
In a suit filed this week in Rockingham County Superior Court, Sprague claims the Hudson-based company hasn’t paid for fuel it provided.
Sprague argues Fred Fuller Oil breached a contract and now owes $4,702,588, plus interest at a rate of 1.5 percent per month. Sprague says the dealer should also pay the attorney’s fees incurred as a result of the contract breach.
The legal action follows delivery problems that plagued Fred Fuller Oil last winter.
Hundreds of customers complained about delivery delays while others claimed they couldn’t reach the company by phone.
The complaints prompted the state to establish an emergency hotline last January for those customers who were unable to reach the company or were in imminent danger of running out of fuel. More than 1,800 customers reportedly called the hotline.
At the time, Fred Fuller Oil blamed the problems on extreme weather, a spike in demand for oil and propane, and problems with its phone system.
A woman who answered the phone at Fred Fuller Oil on Saturday said no one was available to comment on the lawsuit.
Sprague’s suit was filed by Portsmouth attorney Lawrence Edelman, who wrote, in part, “Having requested and received Sprague’s fuel products, the fair and reasonable value of which is $4,707,588.77, it would be unconscionable for Fred Fuller Oil to retain this benefit without remitting payment in that amount, plus interest. That is to say, Fred Fuller Oil has been unjustly enriched at Sprague’s expense. In addition, by virtue of Fred Fuller Oil’s failure to remit payment and its consequent unjust enrichment, Sprague has incurred the costs and attorney’s fees associated with the necessity of this action, both of which are chargeable to Fred Fuller Oil.”
Sprague is also seeking a $5 million attachment on Fuller’s property and has taken action to seize its vehicles.
The suit argues Sprague is entitled to all vehicles owned by Fred Fuller Oil.
Senior Assistant Attorney General James Boffetti, chief of the state’s Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau, said he plans to look into the lawsuit next week to see if it would have any impact on customers who may have entered into pre-buy contracts for this winter.
Boffetti said Sprague is a major supplier for Fred Fuller Oil.
While the lawsuit is a private business dispute, Boffetti said it could have “collateral consequences, especially on its pre-buys for this coming year.”
“Obviously it’s of concern and I think it gives cause to ask a lot of questions about what’s going to happen for this coming heating season. The pre-buy contracts in effect this season, how are those now going to be secured if Sprague is suing him for money that is due. That may have been worked out, but it certainly gives occasion to ask a lot of questions about what's going on,” Boffetti said.
The state recently changed the time when oil dealers can contract with customers who want to pay for their oil deliveries in advance through pre-buy contracts.
In the wake of last winter’s delivery problems, the state now prohibits dealers from advertising or soliciting for customers to pre-buy for the upcoming winter season before May 1. Under the previous law, contracts couldn’t be offered before Jan. 1.

Glad I switched
 

I have to say as a former FF customer I'm quite happy to have switched to Foley as my provider. The company is easy to contact with friendly customer service. FF was a disaster last year and based upon what I just read the future looks bleak. Such a shame to see a long established company that Had such a good reputation go to ruin.

I can't believe anybody would prebuy from them for this winter knowing what happened last year!!! Do you think they actually did? Anybody could figure out they had some kind of cash flow problem last year even if we didn't know details.

I just got got raped by Energy North propane for $4.86 a gal. for 50 gal. of propane. because I only fill the tank once a year

:eek:

After last year, running out of oil once and almost a second time, we recently switched to Stafford.

When I saw this article I thought, "Thank God we are out of that mess." Sprague energy kept saying last winter that it wasn't a supply problem, they had the oil. Now we can see it was a payments problem. In the end, it doesn't matter. Who wants to be connected to an unreliable supplier who is getting sued for non payment of bills (amongst other things)?

If you are thinking about switching, now is the time to do it, not in the middle of winter when other suppliers have already made their fuel arrangements and may have less ability to absorb new customers.

You leave a 0 out? 50 or 500 gallons? 4.86 per is a lot though.

I heard that Fuller can only pick up oil from the terminal if they come with cash in hand, no credit. If true, that's going to be a problem as the season goes on, especially if there is a cold snap and he doesn't have the payments yet to cover the next buy.

More News
 

HUDSON, N.H. —The major supplier for Fred Fuller Oil is suing the company, saying it owes millions of dollars.


Sprague Energy said Fred Fuller Oil owes nearly $5 million for oil that Fuller picked up. Spraque said Fuller secured the contract with its fleet of more than 100 delivery vehicles.

The lawsuit comes after problems Fuller had last winter, when hundreds of customers complained about delivery delays. Senior Assistant Attorney General Jim Boffetti, the state's consumer bureau chief, said he's worried what the lawsuit could mean.

"We just know a lawsuit's been filed, but if (Fuller) were to be having problems, that would present some serious challenges to this entire state," Boffetti said.

Fuller's problems last year involved customers not getting oil they bought before the season began. Boffetti said most of those problems were resolved.

"At the end of the season, some people were owed money on their pre-buy contracts, and my understanding is that most of that has been repaid to the customers," he said.

Boffetti said he's still awaiting answers, not just about customers who might have pre-bought again, but in light of the lawsuit, how Fuller will get oil at all.

"Thirty thousand customers are all relying on Fred Fuller and his infrastructure, so his delivery trucks, his big tankers that go to Newington and pick up the oil, his storage facilities -- all of that provides him a capacity to deliver a huge amount of oil to a large customer base," Boffetti said. "So if that were to stop, then the question is, how could customers find a reliable source of home heating oil?"

Boffetti said customers should make their heating decisions carefully.

"Customers have to make their own best decisions for their own homes, but this is a serious matter that raises serious questions," he said.

Boffetti said he is waiting for a call back from Fred Fuller's attorney. News 9 did not hear back from the attorney either.

A spokesperson for Sprague Energy returned News 9's call but refused to comment.

A hearing on the lawsuit is set for Oct. 28.

I'm Fred Fuller Oil customer for about 3 yrs now......

I called the Laconia office today to get an update about the current lawsuit pending against F.F., and how it would impact customers.

I was told that F.F was going to make a statement today 9/22, but haven't seen anything yet on TV or in newspapers ?

Has anyone heard anything about this? Very concerned about oil deliveries from F.F. this winter under the circumstances.

F.F. has been good to me and VERY satisfied in the past, I've have never had any issues with deliveries or service.

Thanks,
Bigdog

Bigdog:

Why would you risk staying with this supplier in the face of the Sprague lawsuit and the company's history of being unable to meet its customer commitments? The latest lawsuit filed by one of the largest energy wholesalers in northern New England doesn't bode well for the company's ability to source product for the upcoming heating season. This very public announcement regarding Fuller's inability/unwillingness to pay its supplier will undoubtedly cause a ripple effect with other energy wholesalers supplying Fuller which may cause problems for retail customers during the heating season.

Fred Fuller
 

Bigdog, I hope you have lots of long underwear! Dealing with the Fuller situation would be too much work for me! Good luck!

There's an article on WMUR.com regarding the lawsuit.

This would make sense. My office is almost across the street from Sprague in Newington. Instead of going in and out of the terminal freely like all the other tankers, the FF tankers will sit on the side of the road and wait for 3 or 4 of them to all go in together. Sometimes they just sit there for hours, presumably waiting for a check to clear? I first noticed this practice shortly after their troubles began in early 2014.

Needing to leave Fuller
 

Thank you to those who have provided the recent updates on the Fuller situation. I have been a long time customer of Fuller but after reading the above I think it's time for a change. Can anyone make a recomendation for a replacement fuel company (Oil) that delivers to the Alton area?

Any advise/reviews much appreciated.

Great info! I am down at Westinghouse in Newington often and will have to look for that.

Now I have to figure out my "oil guy" and move away from Fuller.

Fuller Oil Company problems
 

I am a 20 year customer of Fuller and I guess I am going to have to pick one of the three. Which one would be the best to not only deliver oil but service my boiler. I live in Meredith and are these companies reliable and able to take on a lot of customers leaving fuller?

http://i44.tinypic.com/1499wms.gif YFM700, I was just browsing through the forum and noticed that you are fairly new to posting on the forum and glad you have joined us. Have fun and enjoy the Winni Forum while making many new friends.

Thanks for the input and hopefully last years screw up doesn't happen again this year.:):)

http://i54.tinypic.com/2e56yqf.gif

Dutile Oil
 

There is also a Dutile Oil. The ones with the best track records are Foley and Stafford. They been around for decades. Laconia Oil is fairly new and the owner is a long time local. I would not count him out. Dutile is very small. He was once THE coal and kerosene dealer. You can still purchased bulk coal and kerosene.

As for service I stick with a long standing HVAC supplier like Don Morin. He is 24/7 burner service, 365 days a year!

Dutile customer here after bad experience with Stafford. Very happy with Dutile.

I bailed today from Fred Fuller, and glad I did before winter sets in....

I really didn't want to, but under the circumstances left me no choice.

ordered oil by phone today. they said Ill have It by this friday. we will see if I get It

:D

Our town energy is a good option.

Our town doesn't sell fuel. They just negotiate lower prices for customers of fuel providers who work with Our Town.

Sent from my GT-P5210 using Tapatalk

Thanks for the clarification. In my case(Moultonboro) Eastern Propane and Oil delivers. As I mentioned "Our Town Energy" has been a good option.

Also switching
 

I also have been a customer for a long time and even though I just got a fill up today (after 2 calls) I'm going to line up someone else.last winter was just to close to empty for me. Have contacted stafford will see if they want me.:)

Foley Oil
 

We have been Foley Oil customers for over 20 years, always professional and never had a problem, a great company. Stafford Oil has been part of this community ever since I can remember and I always hear good things about them as well...

Bankruptcy Protection
 

I saw this coming - for those that didn't, hopefully there is still time to get out.

http://www.wmur.com/money/fred-fulle...uptcy/29654252

Please remember that Chapter 11 is for reorganization.

And your point is?

My point is that many people equate bankruptcy with the firm is going out of business and that's the end. When in fact it can be a re-birth of a company when Chapter 11 is filed. I'm not connected with Fuller's other than we used to be a customer many years ago. What's your point?

Many people think that way? OK...if you say so. :confused:

I hope nobody pre-bought this year.

So I guess your point was to just NEEDLE me.:laugh:

Business 101, Rusty. Chapters 7 and 11 are two different animals.

Rusty enjoys that, Pineedles. And not just on this forum. It makes him happy I guess.

No...I didn't know that. :rolleye2:

I'm not needling anyone, I was just curious as to why he thought many of us didn't know what chapter 11 means.

Some people need to relax a little...IMO that is.