I don't know what to do....

[ashlynn_j_m]

Ok...so my DBF just called me at work and told me that a oil company in our town that we have NEVER used just called him to tell him they made a mistake on Monday and a new driver filled up our tank....Yippee I thought, well then he tells me that they were calling to let us know we owe them $551.00....WHAT????? I didn't even order the oil...so my dbf tells her I'll stop in after work and figure it out...well I don't know what to do, I know this family quite well, i have my hair done and tan in their daughters salon that is connected to her parents business....so my question is what would you say in this situation????

 

[gris gris]

How about, "sorry about the mistake your new driver made, it looks like it cost you $551.00".

No way would I be paying this, regardless of who owned the business. I guess this is a risk they take in owning this sort of business. Hopefully they have a good training program in place for their new employees. If they don't have one, I bet they will after this.

 

[lisajl]

Well, it was their mistake, I know someone needs to pay for it, but why you?

How on earth did this happen? Really...I just don't understand how you can make that BIG a mistake.

 

[Hannathy]

You didn't contract them so there is no way they can require you to pay for it.
If they could make you pay for it Oil companies could just ride around filling up tanks and charging people -great way to get new "customers"

I would call them up and tell them I'm not paying for it and then I'd ignore them because there is no way they are going to pay a lawyer to take you to small claims court for $500.00 Don't feel guilty because you know the daughter they are a business not your friend that accidently bought an extra pizza.

 

[ashlynn_j_m]

Thats what i said, what are they gonna do, take me to court for something i didn't order....this is the bad part about living in a small town where everyone knows everyone....

 

[bridget&jimmy]

If you want to keep peace with them I would just offer to pay what their cost is on the oil, and then you get discounted oil and no feathers will get ruffled

 

[VSL]

How about, "sorry about the mistake your new driver made, it looks like it cost you $551.00".

No way would I be paying this, regardless of who owned the business. I guess this is a risk they take in owning this sort of business. Hopefully they have a good training program in place for their new employees. If they don't have one, I bet they will after this.

^^^^^^

 

[brittsmum1998]

How big is your tank and what were you paying per gallon? That seems soooo expensive. I live in Billerica, MA, I just filled up 3 weeks ago for $2.15 a gallon.

 

[mom2boys]

You've already told them that you didn't order it. Offer to let them come and remove the exact amount they put in your tank. It can be done. If they don't want to bother, well too bad. Let them take you to court. Unless the daughter works in the oil business, I doubt that she knows anything about who owes what. If it's that big a problem, find another stylist and tanning salon.

 

[Kimberly]

Speak with an attorney... no way you should pay this.

 

[ashlynn_j_m]

You've already told them that you didn't order it. Offer to let them come and remove the exact amount they put in your tank. It can be done. If they don't want to bother, well too bad. Let them take you to court. Unless the daughter works in the oil business, I doubt that she knows anything about who owes what. If it's that big a problem, find another stylist and tanning salon.

She knew I didn't order it,I've never ordered oil from them EVER, and completely admitted it was THEIR mistake, but yet let my dbf know how much it was....

 

[mylilnikita]

Tell them so sorry about their bad luck. We have oil heat and let's just say it is not worth all the trouble. The oil company we deal with had a new billing lady and she messed all this stuff up. DM is on budget plan so she pays each month during the oil season with a balloon payment at the end. Well she needed a part because there was a leak somewhere this was the end of January, so I do the bills so I put the amount for the part and labor and then a note saying it was a combined payment for the upcoming March budget amount plus this part thing. The lady calls last week, last week and says DM owes over 400.00, well I told her I don't know who does her bookkeeping, but I pulled up the checking account and told her this is what has been paid, the check number, the day the payments cleared. I need to find a new oil company because they have really sucked in the past.
I don't live in a small town, but best believe, I wouldn't pay for something I didn't order or have a contract through.

 

[MICKEY88]

it would be interesting to see how they would prove in court that they had indeed delivered oil to your house..

 

[EthansMom]

I would tell them that you didn't order any oil from them and that you will check your tank and if they are correct, you will call to arrange a time that you will be at home for them to come remove the oil from your tank.

At our prices around here, $551 is almost a completely full tank!!!!

I bet they won't want to remove the oil from your tank.

 

[disneysteve]

How on earth did this happen? Really...I just don't understand how you can make that BIG a mistake.

That's nothing! Last year or the year before in Philadelphia there were 2 or 3 times when an oil truck driver pulled up to the wrong house, hooked up his hose and pumped oil into the pipe. Only problem was the houses no longer had oil heat and the pipes went nowhere - well, they went somewhere - into the homes basements.

 

[golfgal]

I can't believe they called asking for the money in the first place. I think it should come out of the paycheck of that driver. I would NOT pay this, not one dime.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Well for what it's worth - I'd call them up like someone else suggested and tell them a time (convenient for you) that they can come and remove the oil from your tank. I WOULD NOT even consider paying for it.

 

[kathy387]

I work for a company that delivers fuel oil and lp gas. If I were the customer I'd call the company that made the mistake and offer to maybe keep the fuel at a very discounted price or just tell them that they're more than welcome to come out and pump back out whatever amount they put in. With our Lp customers, it's actually against the law to fill a tank that another company owns. Most fuel oil customers own their own tanks tho. So I'd just give them one of the options above but there is no way that I'd pay that bill in full. You are not obligated to fix their mistake.

 

[sajetto]

Sorry for your mistake. Can't help you.

Small town or not you shouldn't pay a cent

If they send you a bill don't pay it, if they send it again don't pay it, you see the pattern?

If they are dumb enough to take you to small claims, let em' go ahead. They have to know they wouldn't win anyway.

 

[ashlynn_j_m]

Well I went tanning tonight, and talked to my friend, the oil office was closed. So she checked into it and we had a 911 address change, and thats where the confusion came in. So she told me in no way was I obligated to pay, I could just tell her dad "oh well". She said w/ the 911 changes this has happened about 4 times...and only 1 person paid it....I will just feel so weird going tanning or even stopping in to visit with my friend and knowing I just told her dad to screw off...So I'm still debating on what to do.....