Terms and Conditions for Bob’s Cash Fuel
The following Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) here intend to guide the customer regarding delivering products and services. While the Company reserves the right to change these Terms and Conditions at any time and without notice, changes to Terms and Conditions will be communicated to our customers by updating this posting. For this reason, we encourage you to review these Terms for changes that may impact you periodically. Bob’s Cash Fuel does not offer credit arrangements beyond delivery terms. Late payment fees may apply to payments received beyond the agreed payment terms.
Fuel and Service Pricing
Fuel Rates – The era of price volatility with all commodities, can significantly impact pricing from day to day and on occasion within the day. Unless you enter into a capped or fixed pricing agreement, you agree to pay the Company’s price per gallon in effect on the day of delivery unless you have prepaid for the fuel and made arrangements to fix the price or you have a locked price agreement. (budget with fixed price, prebuy, lock in). This price is set at Company’s discretion and includes, among other things, taxes, costs to procure the fuel, propane, freight, and transportation. The customer’s price per gallon may vary depending upon the volume you purchase, customer classification, propane tank ownership, signed pricing plan agreement and competitive conditions. We encourage you to contact your local Company office to discuss which pricing options may be best for your needs and receive current pricing information, as prices change frequently and without prior notice.
Service Rates – Unless the customer enters into a signed, quoted service agreement, service will be provided at current service rates. The customer agrees to pay the prevailing rates at the time service was performed. We encourage customers to contact their local Company office to discuss and receive current pricing information, as prices change frequently and without prior notice.
General Information
General Information represents the most common information requested by customers. Areas described may not be complete or comprehensive. Please contact your local Company office if further information is required.
- Delivery Invoice – The customer will receive a delivery slip when our truck delivers fuel unless specifically instructed by the customer. This slip records the number of gallons delivered at the time. Please note: the delivery slip is the customer’s invoice. If paid within the prompt pay period of the delivery, the customer is eligible for a prompt pay discount for certain customers and fuels.
- Past Due Account – If the customer’s account balance becomes past due payment terms, the account may be placed on a delivery hold status. If the account is on a delivery hold or a will-call status, a special trip charge may be applied when a delivery is made off route or on the same day. A delivery customer with a past due balance may be subject to a gas check or prime fee should their tank run out of product. The gas check fee for propane must be completed to Maine Code.
- Automatic Delivery – Credit-approved, automatic delivery customers will receive regular deliveries based on the weather, past usage delivery schedule, and annual consumption. Special trip charges do not apply if the automatic delivery customer is in good standing and runs out of fuel due to our error. Non-credit-approved customers can elect for automatic delivery by placing a security deposit on the account, checking account EFT or a valid credit card.
- Will Call Delivery – The Company encourages its customers to be on automatic delivery. Customers who prefer to be on a will-call basis will need to watch their gauge carefully and provide at least one week’s notice when requesting a delivery. A customer should call when their propane tank is no less than 40% full or when an oil tank is no less than a 3/8 full. If an emergency delivery is needed, a special trip off route or same day charge will apply. The importance of planning a day or two ahead allows us time to manage the delivery runs ahead of time. We are happy to adjust and make it happen for all customers as quickly as time permits. Keep in mind if a Nor Easter is blowing in, you will not be the only one thinking of filling their tank and it can impact delivery as the conditions will be at their worst.
- Term Payment approval – As a new or existing customer, or if the customer also has a company-owned tank or other equipment, they will be asked to sign and return our customer credit check form. This formality grants the Company permission to check your credit history. The Company does not share personal information with anyone. Information submitted is only available to our employees who manage your account. Customers not approved for credit will be required to pay in advance or add a credit card/checking EFT or security deposit for the delivery being made.
- Safety – The installation and proper maintenance of carbon monoxide detectors or combustible gas detectors is strongly recommended. Caution: Check exhaust vents to ensure they are not blocked during high winds and snowstorms as restricted ventilation could cause a potential no heat call and impose a severe safety hazard. Please click here (link to PERC mailer) to review more propane safety information on the Company’s website.
- Seasonal Properties, Wood Stove, Heat Pumps – (Customers with locations that are not occupied year-round or use alternative heat sources sporadically.) If a customer has chosen automatic delivery, usage in these inconsistently occupied homes is impossible to reasonably predict without the use of tank monitoring devices. In these circumstances, it is the customer’s responsibility to monitor the fuel levels on that property year-round and to communicate the seasonality of use to the company. Company is not liable for direct damages to personal and real property (including, but not limited to, damage resulting from frozen pipes or other water damage) that occurs as a result of a product run-out. The Company recommends that it’s customers place a tank monitor on your system to monitor the amount of remaining propane or heating oil. The customer must provide the Company with at least seven (7) business days advanced notice of a need for a delivery to avoid the exhaustion of heating fuel for the residence.
- Stopping Deliveries – When a customer deems it necessary to stop deliveries or change schedules, Company will make every effort to accommodate such a change. Situations such as moving, selling a property or property moving into an estate, discontinuing automatic or scheduled deliveries are examples of such situations. In these circumstances, it is the customer or legal representative’s responsibility to advise the Company of these desired changes. The customer is fully responsible for all deliveries and associated costs if they fail to advise Company of the change.
Propane Specific Terms
General Provision – The Company will loan and provide a propane storage tank or cylinder, regulator(s), and related equipment (“Leased Equipment”). In the interest of safety, the customer will not allow anyone to make any adjustments, connections, or disconnections to the Loaned Equipment or remove or pump-out the Loaned Equipment without our written permission. The customer will notify the Company immediately if the Loaned Equipment may be damaged, malfunctions or any problems are experienced. The customer agrees that if the residence is sold, the customer will notify the Company at least thirty (30) days in advance and inform the buyer that Loaned Equipment is owned by the Company. Only propane sold by the Company will be used with Loaned Equipment. Loaned Equipment will at all times remain the property of Company and will not become a fixture or a part of real property.
Access to Equipment – Company will have an irrevocable right to enter the customer’s property without prior notice for deliveries of propane, servicing or removal of Loaned Equipment, and the customer agrees to provide Company with safe and unimpeded access to it, including but not limited to, access free of ice, snow, water, and other hazards. The customer will mark and identify the location of septic systems, leach pits, underground ponds, underground electrical lines and similar underground features should that be required as a result of the Company’s service of its equipment. The customer also agrees to promptly surrender to Company all Loaned Equipment upon the termination of service.
Propane Customer Bill of Rights – Residential customers with signed agreement for exclusive delivery into Bob’s Cash Fuel’s (LPG) tank, have the right to purchase LPG from a temporary emergency supplier notwithstanding the provisions of the contract, when: The customer reasonably believes the amount of LPG in their tank will be insufficient to meet their needs and, after a good faith effort, has been unable to obtain an LPG delivery from Bob’s Cash Fuel within 48 hours of the customer’s request when:
- A federal, state, or local emergency has been declared, or
- Severe weather or other similar circumstance that may result in an individual being placed in imminent danger of death or injury or may result in a building structure and/or it’s fixtures being at risk of significant damage due to lack of heat caused by the lack of sufficient liquified petroleum gas to heat the residence.
Under these emergency situations, Bob’s Cash Fuel or the temporary emergency supplier can only impose its usual charges and is prohibited from charging any additional fees or penalties for the LPG delivery.
Other Fees and Charges
The Company may apply other fees and charges depending on the services requested and required. The fees and charges described below are the most frequently assessed, but additional fees and charges may apply depending on the services rendered. Please contact your local office for specific questions and updated amount information. THE FEES LISTED BELOW ARE NOT GOVERNMENT IMPOSED, NOR IS ANY PORTION OF THEM PAID TO ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. THESE FEES MAY OFFSET COSTS INCURRED BY THE COMPANY AS THE RESULT OF COMPLYING WITH CODES AND LAW. COMPANY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE IT’S FEES, RATES, AND CHARGES WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.
We understand the following fee list is enough to make your head hurt. It is our hope not to charge any fees but it starts with educating our customers on why and when they are accessed and also how to avoid the fee if possible. Fees are discussed in advance unless deemed an emergency situation and are only used to defer the extra cost associated with a customer’s specific needs, out of the ordinary or emergency services.
- Safety & Compliance Fee –This fee is assessed on deliveries and offsets costs incurred by the Company to comply with federal, state, and local government regulations, such as those relating to hazardous materials, homeland security, emergency preparedness, and workplace safety. It is also used to fund, among other things, employee safety training, inspections, cylinder requalification, and environmental compliance.
- Leak Check Charge – This charge is applied when the Company performs a leak check to verify that the propane system does not leak. This test is required by code under certain circumstances, including when a new piping system is installed if the gas has been turned off for any reason, if there has been an interruption of gas service, or if a leak in the system is suspected. The customer’s local office can provide specifics on when a leak check is required and the current charge.
- Meter Fee – This fee applies if propane usage is measured by a Company-owned meter. This fee helps to offset the cost of the meter, meter reading, and related administrative costs. The fee also helps offset the expenses otherwise covered by the Safety & Compliance Fee (as described above), which is not charged to metered customers.
- Propane Tank Pickup Fee – Upon termination of service, Company will remove the Loaned Equipment. The remaining propane left in the tank will be subject to a 15% restocking fee, accompanied with a propane pickup fee to cover the cost of removal of the tank and propane.
- Reconnect Charge – If a tank is locked by the Company due to nonpayment, this fee will be assessed and must be collected prior to removing the lock, performing a leak check, and putting the propane system into service.
- Returned Check Fee – This fee is intended to cover the deposit return fee assessed by financial institutions and related administrative expenses associated with the return of a customer check for insufficient funds or closed accounts.
- Service Minimum Charge of one hour – This applies when a service technician is requested to perform diagnostic or other service work on Customer-owned equipment. This charge is equal to one hour of the current service labor rate.
- Off Route Fee/Delivery Fee Charge – This applies when the customer requests a delivery within forty-eight (48) hours of our normal delivery schedule. This fee also applies for non-emergency service call requests after business hours or on weekends. This charge can vary due to the distance involved and the time required to meet the request.
- Underground Tank Removal – The customer is responsible for all costs of the excavation and removal of Loaned Equipment. The Company is not responsible for furnishing fill, resurfacing, landscaping, or restoring the property to it’s previous condition upon the tank removal. The customer will be billed hourly for this work with local labor rates prevailing unless other arrangements are provided. The charge to remove an underground tank can vary greatly and is affected by numerous factors, including the size and access to the tank, soil conditions, and other impediments. The Company may, at it’s option, charge for the value of the underground tank instead of physically removing the tank from the property.
- Late Fees – The Customer agrees to pay the total amount shown on each invoice. All balances are due based upon the customer-specific payment terms for any deliveries or services performed. Payment not received within customer terms from the invoice date will be subject to a late fee of 1.5% per month on the overdue balance, not to exceed 18% per annum Late Fee charges or the maximum allowed by law.
- Minimum Annual Requirement – The Company reserves the right to remove or disconnect service for less than minimum equipment usage. We also can decrease or increase the storage tank(s) to meet gas usage needs. Additionally, all propane tanks that use under one full tank over a year become subject to tank rental fees at the discretion of the Company.
- Consumables or Cleaning Supplies Fee – A charge will be added to each workorder consistent with the terms of the workorder that is meant to cover the consumable items generally used during the course of service work.
- Prime Fee – A fee will be charged, if requested, to prime an oil-fired burner if requested.
- Chain Fee – When requested or diem necessary, delivery driver can add tire chains in an effort to pass on icy driveways.
- Same day Fee – When the conditions are at their worst, our drivers leave in the morning with a full work day shift of deliveries. The emergency delivery added, creates extra overtime work for the driver. The importance of planning a day or two ahead allows us time manage the delivery runs ahead of time. We are happy to adjust and make it happen for all customers as quickly as time permits.
- Under minimum delivery Fee – Our delivery price is configured by the minimum delivery to cover the cost of the driver, fuel, insurance and equipment to make a delivery. If customer orders less than the minimum, a fee may be assessed to cover the cost of delivery.
- Right to offset funds between accounts – If customer has multiple account and one account is past due while another account has a credit balance, funds may be transferred to be used towards the past due balance.
- Tank Monitor Fess – Tank monitors have a yearly signal fee that will be charged to the customer either in the cost of the fuel or a stand-alone fee if customer owns the monitor.
- Discounted Service Rate – Customers who purchase fuel from Bob’s Cash Fuel receive a discounted hourly rate.