Al's Oil
For excellent customer service, low prices
By Nance Ebert Contributing Writer

NANCE EBERT One of the Al's Oil fleet

Shrewsbury - Al's Oil is a full-service home comfort company that off ers installation of heating equipment, air conditioning, boilers, furnaces, water heaters and more. The company provides heating fuel and 24-hour a day service for all of the equipment as well.

"What I feel sets us apart is our ability to get to the consumer very quickly whether it be for fuel delivery or service," said Steve Barkin, the company's fuel oil manager. "We have a very modern delivery fleet to include computer meters in all of the trucks. We also have a satellite here in the office so we know exactly where our trucks are at any given time."

The company's oil prices tend to be among the lowest in Worcester County and Al's Oil provides quality service at discounted prices. Personal attention is one of the many things that make this company unique. When customers call, there is always a person at the other end of the phone, not a recorded message. This enables Al's Oil to off er small-town service that is very personal. In addition, all staff members, including technicians, are Al's Oil employees, not subcontracted help.

"You have a lot of dealers that may discount but don't off er the service that we provide," Barkin said. "You may get your fuel from them, but at 11:30 p.m. when you find yourself without heat, you really have nobody to call except a subcontractor. They do an excellent job, but because they are not providing the fuel for that consumer, they are going to charge a much higher rate for the service that they provide."

Al's Oil, which has been in business for 20 years, is a local dealer that prides itself on customer service. All of the employees, together, contribute to the company's success. Barkin especially enjoys being able to help solve his customers' problems.

"We have a credit department here that is excellent. The department works with people in such an extreme time," Barkin said. "A lot of credit departments will just shut that consumer off and say, 'Okay, they're done, no more oil.' Our credit department will work with our clients to really try to make some reduced payments. We're one of the only companies around that works extensively to provide fuel assistance to those in need. We're the only company in Worcester County that does that."

Al's Oil contract customers can choose the service plan that best works for them and their situation. The company will go out of its way to meet the needs of the consumer.

"When I leave at the end of the day, I feel good about the quality service provided," Barkin said. "We're there to help."

Al's Oil is located at 307 Hartford Turnpike (Route 20) in Shrewsbury behind the Flynn's building. The telephone number is 508- 753-7221.

Editor's Note: the preceding is not an endorsement and is presented for informational purposes only.