Legal Question in Consumer Law in New Jersey

no heat

hello, real brief. I am set up with a local oil company that provided automatic delivery or (watchdog program) that delivers oil for our heat. in the middle of the night, we lost heat, i went down to the basement and the tank was empty. I called that morning 9am to have them fill the tank and said they would come out...no show...called again, got the run around, said they would come out asap, no show. I waited all day until 7pm, no show....called again, they said the truck is out for delivery, they will be there....no show...next morning, no heat...called manager of company offered a discount for the fuel, tank was filled but needed a service to get boiler working since it had been off for so long...manager said they would be out asap (9:30am) it is now 5:30pm no heat, no contact...run around with company, landlord has been calling them as well, getting the run around...promising to come out..its been almost 48 hrs and no heat, i have a pregnany wife and 4 year old with no heat, in february...any case here and what can i do? thanks, Jon


Asked on 2/09/04, 5:26 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Re: no heat

They should have an emergency number or a service. Call one last time and tell them this is an emergency, and if they can not get someone out immediately, YOU will find someone else who can go out, and that you expect them to reimburse you for any such cost. Call to find out when & who you can get out to prime and start your furnace so you are ready if they do not respond. If they call, get a time from them and tell them if they are not physically there by that time that you'll have to call someone else, because youcan not afford to wait any longer.

If they do not perform, advise them that you will complain to the township, the county, the Better Business Bureau, NJ Div. of Consumer Affairs the New Jersey Attorney General's Office, and contact the local news papers.

If they are well intentioned, but just having problems (sick or too few workers, etc.) cut them a break, and be nice but explain you HAVE been patient, but you have a pregnant wife and young child, and you just HAVE to put your foot down.

Good luck.

Kevin J. Begley

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Answered on 2/09/04, 6:41 pm


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