As state officials look into claims from Fred Fuller Oil customers who say they’re running out of heating oil, other companies in New Hampshire are trying to deal with the overflow business.
Phones have been ringing off the hook this week at Johnny Prescott Oil in Concord.
Owner Tom Prescott says he’s taken on approximately 250 new accounts, with as many as 100 calls a day coming from Fred Fuller customers either running low or completely out of oil.
He cautions there’s only so much he and other oil companies can do.
“We’re helping the ones out that we can. We are being selective. We’re staying in our own area. If someone is down in Hooksett or Manchester, we’ll recommend a company down in that area. Fred Fuller’s such a large company, if he does go under, the rest of us can’t fill in and pick up all the slack.”
At Rockingham Oil in Derry, this message greeted callers on Wednesday:
“Due to the unusually high call volume we’re receiving from Fred Fuller customers, we’re asking that you please leave your name and a brief message with a contact number, and we will get back in touch with you to schedule an oil delivery.”
The state has set up a hotline for Fred Fuller customers who have not been able to receive scheduled heating oil deliveries.
The number for that hotline is (603) 227-0002.
