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Information on Heating Oil Buying Networks.
Hundreds of thousands of homeowners across states in the northern part of the country, including Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and New York, are able to join heating oil buying networks, groups and cooperatives. These individuals are saving significantly on their home heating bills and heating oil expenses. While the specifics will vary by program and network, on average homeowners will save anywhere from 10¢ to 30¢ per gallon on their heating oil. Below you will learn how heating oil buying networks work and how they can provide you with reduced price heating oil.
Heating oil negotiations and volume
These groups work by using the purchasing power of tens of thousands of member households across numerous counties and states. As homeowners sign up for the heating oil buying networks, they receive the benefit of increased volume discounts with dealers. But the homeowner does not need to negotiate the price themselves. The buying network will negotiate significant discounts on home heating oil for their members. The easiest way to think about it may be that these buying networks are like a wholesale buying club for people across the nation who use heating oil to heat their homes or apartments.
The heating oil dealers benefit as well and support the networks. The reason being is that in exchange for a large volume of guaranteed, recurring business, these dealers are able to significantly reduce their normal profit margins as they do not need to worry about, or incur the expense, of selling to one customer at a time.
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Who supplies the heating oil?
The organizations will enter into agreements with various dealers across their service areas. While the exact terms of each program and buying network will vary, in most cases you will have access to a highly qualified, full-service heating oil dealer / supplier. They will usually offer numerous services to customers including such benefits as 30-day net payment terms, emergency service, budget billing, available service contracts at reasonable rates, system repairs at reduced costs, and more.
When you join, your OBN representative will help you determine which company in our network is best suited for your needs.
Other benefits of the heating oil buying networks
In addition to your oil savings, you will also receive a free comprehensive service contract that includes extensive parts and labor coverage for your heating system, 24-hour emergency service, and a free annual cleaning and tune-up of your heating system
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Quality of service provided
It is usually higher when you join these groups. Heating oil networks and cooperatives usually have their customers sign up year after year, and have renewal rates in the mid to high 90% range. This means that most people feel that they benefit from the high quality of service and savings, and they renew their contacts and sign up every year. Most members of the heating oil buying groups report that their quality of service is higher after signing up for the group than it was with their previous supplier, and when they bought their oil on their own.
Cost to join heating oil buying groups
While of course the prices will vary based upon where you live and the terms of your deal, on average it can cost as little as $20-$40 per year to sign up for one of these heating oil buying networks. But the amount you save on your heating oil, and other benefits such as improved customer service, reduced prices on heating equipment replacement and repairs, more than offset the initial fee. If you do not think you can afford the cost, you can check to see if your are eligible for a program that offers free heating oil. Click here to read more.
Companies that offer discounts and how to sign up
There are numerous home heating oil buying groups and networks in Michigan, Ohio, New York, Massachusetts, and throughout the nation. Some of the bigger organizations include Oil Buying Network and HEAT USA. Be sure to review the terms of each of these organizations to determine which may benefit you the most.
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