Oil company makes amusing clerical mistake - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JB3 · #1 03-03-2014, 09:27 AM

Right now in the process of closing on a 2 family residence. Both units are oil heat, and after a decent inspection, I have a couple letters from the oil company (that the inspector was from), offering me a special deal on a one year furnace replacement free of charge on the existing equipment in one of the units if I sign an oil contract with them, and not extending the offer on the other side.

The amusing part, is that they mixed up the floors and the addresses that relate to the specific unit. The reason this is amusing is they have accidentally offered me this special deal on an original vintage coal furnace from the late 1920s that was converted to oil heat sometime in the 50s, and is coated with 3 inches of glorious asbestos.

They have specifically denied the offer for the other side, an early 90s oil furnace in great shape.

Im tempted to take them up on the offer, but I don't think there is anyway I can make it stand up once they figure out their blunder (since the inspector went on and on about it, amazing that the thing was functioning 70-80 years later). Yes, I would be very happy if they removed that monster that costs fortunes to run (that still has coal tools hanging around it amazingly) and modernized the house free of charge.

Txjake · #2 03-03-2014, 09:48 AM

go for it............

Mark DiSilvestro · #3 03-03-2014, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Txjake

go for it............

But keep the coal tools for display, or sale as antiques on eBay.
People are shocked when I tell them my furnace is 45 years old!

Happy Motoring, Mark

barry12345 · #4 03-03-2014, 10:37 AM

Our first house was built for the foreman of the good year rubber plant locally in Ontario around 1914. They had a belt and mine pipe manufacturing facility there. It had a converted gravity coal furnace that was actually or seemed efficient at the time.

Of course energy was also cheap so quoting costs of operation would not be relevant. I forget anyways but it was an incidental amount.

JB3 · #5 03-03-2014, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark DiSilvestro

But keep the coal tools for display, or sale as antiques on eBay.
People are shocked when I tell them my furnace is 45 years old!

Happy Motoring, Mark

I can't believe they are still there. This building was built as a rental unit 80 years ago, and has probably had a thousand tenants at this point, and its still going to be a rental unit after I modernize a few things, like the 1975 interior decorating. The stuff is still there, no kids have taking them to dig holes in the yard, no one has taken the coal tools out to poke a fire pit and left them, ect.

Amazing to me that they still remain.

INSIDIOUS · #6 03-03-2014, 11:34 AM

Thieves don't steal tools.

Mark DiSilvestro · #7 03-03-2014, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS

Thieves don't steal tools.

Well, that depends. Tell that to my friend who had all his stolen from his truck a few years ago.

Happy Motoring, Mark

t walgamuth · #8 03-03-2014, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS

Thieves don't steal tools.

I think the saying is they steal shiny tools more than non shiny tools.

Hatterasguy · #9 03-03-2014, 08:53 PM

Take them up on it!

JB3 · #10 03-12-2014, 04:42 PM

heres what this dinosaur looks like, tools still hanging on the brick behind it-

Hatterasguy · #11 03-12-2014, 09:51 PM

Energy star rated?

PhantomCadillac · #12 03-13-2014, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB3

heres what this dinosaur looks like, tools still hanging on the brick behind it-

Is that R2D2's father???

MTUpower · #13 03-13-2014, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Take them up on it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Txjake

go for it............

Yeah! Someone made an innocent mistake- so f@*k them and make them do tons of work for peanuts and lose money so they can raise the rates for everyone else. Might as well stop working and get as much free money from the govt and charities for rent, phones, food and anything while you are at it.

JB3 · #14 03-13-2014, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTUpower

Yeah! Someone made an innocent mistake- so f@*k them and make them do tons of work for peanuts and lose money so they can raise the rates for everyone else. Might as well stop working and get as much free money from the govt and charities for rent, phones, food and anything while you are at it.

they were both joking.

however, even if I were inclined to play that sort of game, never gonna happen. Local oil company, not some huge monster looking to make a name for them in customer service by honoring silly blunders.

Im sure if I had called and tried it, they'd laugh their a$$es off and tell me to go take a long walk off a short pier. However, I did call and get them to correct it officially, as I do want the coverage on the other furnace. We had a good laugh about it, I did say that if they want to honor a free replacement contract on an 80 year old furnace, they get no argument from me.

Idle · #15 03-13-2014, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I think the saying is they steal shiny tools more than non shiny tools.

That is actually referred to as 'The Crow Effect' since crows like shiny things. The story taught in biz schools is that the reason industrial tools are flat black was cut down on the theft of the tools.

I think that's Hooey. I would bet that flat black tools cost less to make and the entire crow effect was invented by tool makers to sell a tool that is cheaper to make at the same price as a plated one.