Bad Luck for Some

Americans across the country have witnessed a historical year.  Unfortunately for some New Englanders, they witnessed a historic oil market.  If asked at this time last year, "Would you like to see oil prices drop by more than $2.50 per gallon?", the answer seemed crystal clear:  yes, yes, yes.  It was a no-brainer.  But panic set in as people, already dreading $4.00 per gallon fuel, feared an even bigger increase as prices climbed to $5.00 per gallon.......so people locked in.

Oil customers have saved thousands of dollars in past years by locking in.  It had become a yearly routine for some.  So when prices continued to break record highs, people locked in.  If the cost of fuel could reach these unimaginable levels, how much higher will it go?  Consumers did not want to find out.  Soon after, the opposite happened.  Oil prices plunged, right along with our economy.  However, oil dealers had already bought the fuel at the higher prices, as they are required to purchase oil for their customers when they lock in.  The dealers' hands were tied.  Customer demand for fixed price programs had been, along with the oil, at an all time high.  Companies released fixed price programs to appease customer demand, and bought fuel to cover the agreements in accordance with state requirement.  When prices dropped, many customers wanted out of the contract and blamed the oil dealers for what happened, although the dealers were just as contractually obligated as their customers were.

Americans are ready to put this year behind them.  We here at Jamie Oil wish we were able to release customers from their contracts, but if we had, our business would not be here today.  Our suppliers did not let us out of our contracts with them, and we were still loading oil onto our trucks at over $4.00 per gallon in March.  It hasn't been an easy year for anyone, but it is a risk you take with fixed price programs.  One year you can save, one year you can lose.  We hope our customers can reflect on the years when they locked in low and then watched prices rise throughout the season.  Jamie Oil always honored our agreements, even when prices soared to new heights.  We also hope our customers keep in mind the top-notch service they receive from our #1 rated service department. 

Please remember that Jamie Oil has not changed.  Our procedure was the same this past year as it always has been:  you lock, we buy, and we honor the agreement.  The only thing that changed this year was the market, and that was, and always will be, completely out of our control.  We hope to move past this year and look forward to many more years of providing service to you.  If luck was not with you on pricing this past year, don't go elsewhere and pay more for the next season.  Jamie Oil is proud to be offering the lowest prices in the Metrowest area.