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--- oil_letter_03 [2022.07.08 11:55] – Steve Isenberg
+++ oil_letter_03 [2022.07.21 12:39] (current) – Steve Isenberg
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-====Letter to neighbors, 3rd draft 7/8/2022====
+July 21, 2022\\
-July 8, 2022\\
 Hello neighbors,
-In brief: we have information on oil suppliers offering group rates on oil and service to us.  With a group of 12 or more neighbors, we could be paying $4.60/gallon (actually, 4.599; price as of 7/6/2022).  We're writing you because you expressed interest in this project when we spoke to you on the street.
+We have collected data from eight oil companies and have summarized the data in the "oil company info" attachment as well as on our web page, [[https://oil.toku.us]].
-We have done considerable research on oil suppliers, and our recommendation is the Taylor & Murphy / Arlmont Fuel company.
+The "cost comparison" table shows an estimated cost for each company based on their pricing on Monday July 18.
-A total of 4-5 providers offered group rates, but we feel that the combination of a low price (with automatic delivery and a credit card on file) and their free service policy, beats out the others.  Take a look at our raw research (https://oil.toku.us -- toku.us is our private domain)
+The "oil company info" table has detailed information about each oil company's offerings.  Some of the companies offer group rates, some include one or two years cleaning, some a full service package for 1, 2, or more years.
-Because of the rising oil prices, we have started doing some research on oil suppliers who would deliver to Lexington residents.  We found at least eleven. We have been calling each to get their oil and services pricing, and putting this information into a chart for ourselves and to share.
+In our opinion, the top two contenders are Lyons Fuel and Fawcett Energy; our conclusion is backed by the "cost comparison" table.
-Four to five of the oil providers have agreed to a group rate. But we need at least a dozen neighbors to switch to a single oil provider for us to get a better price on oil delivery and boiler service.
+Lyons is delivering oil at his cost and adding a delivery fee, with optional add-on of a cleaning ($125) or a full service policy ($259, includes cleaning and emergency service).
-Here is our plan and our progress to the plan:
+Fawcett is a bit more expensive, and we think their "option 1" is the best of their 3 options: it offers one year free maintenance and has a discounted rate for fillings.  (The other two options allow a price cap, for a price; and a fixed oil price, but you must prepay.)
-  * We have investigated oil providers and collected data.
-  * We have set up a simple web page on our own domain, holding a summary of our findings.
-  * We are considering the setup of a group email list for status updates and a means for inter-neighbor communication.
-    * This is a mail list we manage, it's for neighbors only. We won't be giving access to oil providers or advertisers, so there won't be any junk mail
-  * At some point fairly soon, we expect to suggest one, maybe two, oil providers for the group to see and consider.
-  * Hopefully we'll arrive at one “winner”,
-  * For those of you who are willing, we will submit your name, address, and contact information to this provider so they can contact you.
-  * If we get enough people switching their service to the "winner" we will all benefit with the lower prices a group rate will provide.
-Once the neighbor group list is submitted to the chosen company, you would establish your own business relationship with the company. We would be only maintaining the group email list and the information web page.
+Let's say you need 5 refills a year at 200 gallons each.  Based on the 7/18 price you would pay $4,060 for Lyons and $4,399 for Fawcett.  The difference is $339 which more than covers for an annual cleaning by Lyons and even Lyons' $259 full service policy should you need either.  The other oil company delivery prices are higher than these two.  Right now we are thinking that Lyons Fuel might be the best choice, but we need your input, and we would need to have several of us choose a company to get the best, group rates. (Of course rates might go up or down.)
-Disclaimers.
+Could you please take a look at these tables and give us your opinion?  Could you let us know by next Monday 7/25?  If you agree with our conclusion, please reply to this message with "agree".
-  * Our part in this: We are only collecting information that we'll provide to you, along with a recommendation.  We plan to switch to the "winning" oil provider.
-  * Relationship: If you decide to switch to this “winning” company, this is your own decision and your relationship with this oil company is strictly between you and them.
-  * Cost: None: There is no cost to you or any of the neighbors for the research we are doing and the information we are providing.
-  * Benefit: We, and hopefully you, will switch to the "winning" oil provider, and benefit from the lower group rate and/or service.
-So far, we have about 12 households (including yours) on our street and neighboring streets who are interested (Ross, Oxbow, Constitution, Revolutionary, and Paul Revere). We still have more neighbors to discuss this with, so we are mid-way through in the process. Our time frame is aiming in time to affect deliveries later this summer/fall or sooner.
+Notes: The price they offered on July 18 are simply being used as a method of comparison; prices could change at any time.\\ Lyons is the only company that has disclosed that their "at Lyons' cost" is based on NYMEX price.
-Please ask your neighbors if they are interested in this concept, please give them our name/contact information and forward this email to them. Please let us know if you know another provider who could offer a better program to the group, we will include in our information table. The more the better, it gives us more negotiation power for the group!
+Thank you,\\
+Evie (781-258-7743) and Steve (781-258-7741)\\
+Ross Road\\
+both@toku.us
+Attachments, from [[https://oil.toku.us]]:
+  * CostComparison.pdf
+  * OilCompanyInfo.pdf
+PS: If you have a neighbor that might also be interested in this information and wants to join the group, please share the information or [[https://oil.toku.us]] site with them and let us know.
-I will provide the link when I call around again with the latest info on Tuesday; I just learned that oil prices change every day. The information I got was 2 weeks old.
-We are looking forward to finding a good price/service oil provider for us and others!
-Thank you for your interest, and it was nice chatting with you!
-Evie (781-258-7743) and Steve (781-258-7741)
-Ross Road
-both@toku.us