Blog Post

Top tips for finding a reliable fuel supplier

Northern Oil Company • November 15, 2019
Northern Oil delivery lorry in the snow

Looking for a reputable and trusted fuel supplier? With the wide range of fuel distributors out there, choosing the right one can be an overwhelming task.

There are a few key elements to keep in mind as you embark on your search and specific questions you should ask as you narrow down the list of oil suppliers. Read on for our top tips to help make your fuel supplier search much easier:


Start by being clear about your requirements

Save yourselves time in your discussions with oil and diesel fuel suppliers by preparing your details and requirements in advance. Make sure you have the following details at hand so you can be completely clear on what you need from the very initial conversations. A fuel supplier will need to know the following:


How much fuel you’ll need (in litres)

Address and contact details

When you’d like the delivery


Have this information at hand and you’ll be able to find the right oil suppliers and diesel fuel suppliers that can deliver the amount you need when you need it.


Narrow down your search by area

Trust us, you don’t want to spend lots of time finding and talking to a reliable fuel supplier that seems great but is unable to deliver to your area. Avoid the hassle of this happening by finding out whether the fuel distributor delivers to your desired location before getting in touch.

Luckily, this information is now easily available online. For instance, if you’re looking for someone who supplies fuel oil in Nottingham, you can easily search for this and find this information on their website.

If you’re unsure, get in touch with the supplier to confirm before you get into long discussions.


Look for online reviews

Thanks to the internet, it’s easy to find out a considerable amount of information about a business to inform your hiring decision. Online reviews can play a huge part in your assessment of the reliability of a fuel supplier.

If you’ve found a supplier that delivers to your area and offers the services you need, find and read through reviews from previous customers. Not only will you get a good idea of their level of experience and quality of products, but you’ll also learn about the type of customer service that they offer.

Can’t find anything online or on social media? Ask the fuel distributor if you can speak to a past customer of theirs for feedback.


Give potential fuel suppliers a call to ask any questions

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of suppliers, feel free to give them a call to discuss your needs and ask any questions about their services. Remember, this won’t commit you to them.

You can have a no-obligation discussion and receive a free quote based on your requirements. In fact, the most reliable oil suppliers and diesel fuel suppliers will encourage communication so they can convince you why you should choose them.

Contact local fuel suppliers by phone or make an appointment for a face-to-face discussion if you’d prefer.


Don’t just choose a fuel distributor based on price

When it comes to choosing a fuel supplier, there’s a lot more that you need to keep in mind other than simply price. Although price does play a part in your decision, you also need to consider which supplier will offer you a reliable and hassle-free service.

It could also work to be a lot more costly for you if you don’t choose a supplier that offers a high-quality product and delivers a shoddy service.

While it is important to stick to your budget, it is also crucial that you pick the right oil supplier. With heating oil deliveries, you often get what you pay for. If you find a fuel oil supplier that is offering much lower rates than the rest of the market, dig a little deeper and find out why.

They may have slashed their prices because of a poor quality product or negative online reviews that have forced them to reduce their prices to get business.

We’d recommend getting quotes from a few different local fuel suppliers to get an idea of what the market rates are. Use this as a basis to set your budget.


Find out how environmentally friendly they are

Help the planet by opting for a supplier with more environmentally friendly practices. This is something that all oil suppliers and diesel fuel distributors are becoming more conscious of, so feel free to ask them more questions about how eco-friendly they are and how they’re doing their bit to be more green in the future.


Find out more about their customer service team

Any experience with a supplier you choose could be improved or tainted based on the level of service that they offer. Try and get an idea of how good an oil supplier’s service is based on their online reviews and what previous customers have said.

If you can’t find enough information here, speak to the supplier and ask them what their process is to deal with any issues that arise. You’ll also get a good idea of their customer service levels from the phone call itself.


Ask whether they offer payment plans

If you need a little help to pay for your oil, there are suppliers out there that offer payment plans which allow you to pay in monthly instalments. Find out whether this is possible if you find a reliable local supplier but the quote is a little too high. You may be able to get the high-quality product you want within your budget using a payment plan.


Find out what other services they offer

If you’re looking for a one-stop-shop, find a local heating oil provider that will be able to offer other services in the same space. For instance, do they have a team of trained technicians that can offer repair and replacement services? Will you be able to rely on them if something goes wrong with your heating equipment? It can be hugely convenient to find a company that also deals with supply, servicing and repairs so you don’t have to deal with two separate teams of people.


Looking for a reliable fuel supplier in Nottingham?

Recently relocated to a property that uses heating oil? Working out where to purchase the product can be daunting for first-time fuel buyers. At Northern Oil Company, we’d love to help! We’ve been providing a reliable service for customers in Nottingham and the surrounding areas for over 130 years.

We operate a small and friendly family run business and are committed to helping you every step of the way, from the first call for a quote to the delivery of the fuel oil in Nottingham or nearby.

Get in touch with our friendly and experienced team for a free quote or any advice or guidance in this area.

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