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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think we shouldn't have to pay for this?

63 replies

Fazackerley · 22/03/2019 23:13

We ordered 500 litres of oil to be delivered. Paid over the phone. The company delivered 900 litres by mistake. They are chasing us for payment for the extra 400 that we didn't order. They are a local company that we know well.

AIBU to refuse to pay, at least for now??

OP posts:
Justaboy · 22/03/2019 23:49

If it were me i'd be telling them in No uncertian terms that they can come and collect their Oil but I'd be charging a storage fee for it!.

Tell them that and if they still are acting Pilliocks then they can come and collect ALL their Oil and you'll get your Oil elesewhere.

It's their cock up they can sort it at their expense.

Its a very competive market Oil.

WaxOnFeckOff · 22/03/2019 23:51

You give them 4 options:

They come take it back,
They give you the extra for free.
You pay for it when you'd normally be getting a new order.
They take you to court.

UnspiritualHome · 22/03/2019 23:51

If they try to charge interest, tell them you'll be charging them for storage.

However, to an extent your response will need to depend on whether alternative suppliers are easily available. You don't want to piss them off if all the alternatives would be more expensive, for instance.

Ariela · 22/03/2019 23:51

In the same vein we only order when it is really hot weather and the oil price super low (we don't use a lot, small house) but can take up to 2500l. We always order the exact amount we need (DH measures it) and I find it very annoying that they only deliver , say, 1800l not 2300l or whatever we ordered at the super low price and that results in our tank only being 3/4 full, and often doesn't stretch to the next cheap period, they did this last time and I really don't want to buy again before May/June on price.

BackforGood · 22/03/2019 23:54

Agree with those aying that your response, to some extent depends on how many other places you realistically can get your oil delivered from.

I would say to them that you will pay for the rest, when you would normally have ordered your next lot.
If they wish to charge you interest then you can say you will deduct it from what you are charging them to store their oil for them

the fact they have acknowledged it is their mistake, and that you are happy to buy it off them in 3 months time, means they haven't got a leg to stand on.

Tinkobell · 22/03/2019 23:55

Their mistake. Say your budget doesn't allow you to pay them the additional amount now - end of. But estimate your rate of use and make an agreement to pay for the extra 400l at the appropriate point that you would have reordered. That would seem fair.

Tinkobell · 22/03/2019 23:57

They've no right to demand interest in this situation, that's ridiculous. They should apologise to you and agree to bill you in the future at a mutually agreed date.

MadeForThis · 23/03/2019 00:01

They made a mistake. You offered two solutions. They were rude and unreasonable.

Block their number and keep the oil.

MorningsEleven · 23/03/2019 00:02

They can be such arseholes and they really hold folk to ransom. We stopped paying an account when we realised that the company we were using only filled our tank when the price was high and filled it often enough that we always owed money. We crippled ourselves paying it up then ditched them. There's not enough regulation.

myhamsteratefreddiestarr · 23/03/2019 00:10

As it’s their mistake, they should allow you to pay it in a few months, with no interest charged.

Do you have legal cover on your house insurance, you might be able to get some advice? Or ask CAB?

thenightsky · 23/03/2019 00:13

What does it say on the paper slip that prints out of the tanker? If it says 500 then there's no proof they delivered more.

cstaff · 23/03/2019 00:18

They are lucky that you are offering to pay at all. After that reaction I would be telling them to fuck right off and move your business elsewhere, tell them that you are doing this and see how they react then. Cheeky fuckers.

Itwouldtakemuchmorethanthis · 23/03/2019 00:27

Charge them rent, for storing the oil till next time?

I have to say I’d be wary of truly pissing off the oil people.Shock. They are forever saving me from freezing my butt off.

SeventhWave · 23/03/2019 00:40

If they can't measure it to take it back, how come they can measure it when they deliver it?

trendingorange · 23/03/2019 00:56

Very CFs saying they will charge interest!
I don't understand how they can't measure it taking it out?
I only order 500lts at a time as I worry it will get stolen (has been a few times).
How do people keep their oil safe from thieves? (ours is a very old tank with no lock)
Sorry for the thread high-jack!

DimplesToadfoot · 23/03/2019 01:01

If they want to charge you interest I'd charge them for the storage of their oil in your tank

BarbaraofSevillle · 23/03/2019 04:07

If they try to charge interest, tell them you'll be charging them for storage

Grin

The extra 400 litres of oil may count as unsolicited goods under consumer protection legislation. Basically they have to collect the extra oil or let you have it for free and it is an offence to demand payment for it.

www.businesscompanion.info/en/quick-guides/distance-sales/consumer-contracts-distance-sales#Inertiaselling

But if it is a small local company who made a mistake, a reasonable solution would be for you to pay for the oil when you would next need oil, with no interest or storage charges made, at the price that is most advantageous to you, ie the cheaper of the price now or when you would normally next order oil.

After all, you are currently taking a risk of theft or leakage as you have more oil than you would normally hold.

DroningOn · 23/03/2019 06:33

Are you sure you got 900l?

How have they proved this?

How often do you order 500l? Next time order 100 but pay for 500, if you're going to use it, it's only right that you pay for it. Not right that you fork out for it right now as a result of their error.

Your account with them will just have to be in arrears until you're ready for your next delivery.

Failing that tell them to collect and if they refuse then it's not your problem

StealthPolarBear · 23/03/2019 06:41

Was just coming to say if you argue with them make sure there are other suppliers in your area. Whenever we look to switch we find there are very few, even those who advertise as supplying our area.

CheeseCakeSunflowers · 23/03/2019 06:50

I would agree with a previous poster that the trading standards department of your local council would be a good place to contact. I did this once when I had a dispute with some carpet fitters and after one call from TS they finally stopped ignoring me and sorted out my lumpy carpet.

Reddragonqueen · 23/03/2019 06:53

I always get oil from the same company, I like them they usually deliver within hours of me calling. I'd pay it to keep the good relationship and not be difficult. I understand it's their mistake but you'd be ordering more at some point. If you're super skint ask them to wait a month and waiver the interest

Original poster
Fazackerley · 23/03/2019 06:53

But if it is a small local company who made a mistake, a reasonable solution would be for you to pay for the oil when you would next need oil, with no interest or storage charges made, at the price that is most advantageous to you, ie the cheaper of the price now or when you would normally next order oil
This is what I am going to suggest.

It's annoying because the price of oil fluctuates and is cheaper over the summer.

There's no doubt we ordered 500 but received 900. The order was noted and paid for over the phone with a person, they have a record of it. The delivery note said 900 and I have a remote control oil checker which confirmed 900.

I think it's their attitude which has annoyed me more than anything tbh. I am going to say if this happens again I do not intend to pay for it.

OP posts:
WhenZogateSuperworm · 23/03/2019 06:58

Definitely make sure you only pay the lower of the market rate either today, or in 4 months time when you would have normally ordered the oil. The price could be cheaper then!

We had an over delivery by 50L once, they invoices me for the extra. I phoned and said I wouldn’t be paying as I only ordered 500L and they didnt chase me again!

BangingOn · 23/03/2019 07:01

We had this exact same scenario and the company agreed we could pay the additional monthly for the next few months. They were very apologetic about it but it was still annoying.

Collaborate · 23/03/2019 07:04

What you now have is your supply for the post-Brexit dystopian society. Just imagine how much that will fetch on the black market!