Fuel Oil Deliveries; Metering???

[Ross365]

I've just had the central heating oil tank filled. Something I've noted before, as well as today, it the the bill that comes off the truck has every piece of information on it is printed out by the machine, that is, all except the quantity delivered and that is written on by hand.

Wonder why that is? So he's written 1000, but who knows?

It's only a 1250L tank, and the ultrasonic level sensor is useless, so I have a dipstick and keep records of the level change on each delivery.
Based on my best estimates, I think he delivered 1034L, and if the dipstick is accurate to 4%, then that looks oK .

 

[Beanwood]

Oil delivery here always comes with a printed receipt from the tanker?

 

[Beanwood]

Oil delivery here always comes with a printed receipt from the tanker?

Sorry- WITH the quantity pumped

 

[jenki]

Same here the quanity pumped is printed on the delivery slip here, maybe it is an older lorry and equipment.

 

[Kram]

Did you ask? I thought the weights and measure laws were quite strict about fuel being accurate. Likely a seperate meter/machine, nothing wrong with it being hand written but being the sceptical git that I am I'd have asked to see the meter.

 

[Ross365]

It's rarely the case that I am in when the delivery arrives, but I was today. Of course, the additional factor is that the oil is around x2 more expensive now than before, so even 10 litres is significant. The company I use is a long-established local business and generally well regarded and I don't want to ask them directly about it until I get a bit more background.

 

[hotponyshoes]

I think heating oil is a bit like coal,
Big problems for them if they get caught delivering less than they say so it's not worth them risking it.

I know the local coal bloke put 22kg+ into the 20kg bags.
Even more if it was damp as he was worried the weights & measures boys would check it after it had spent a few weeks drying out in somebody's shed.

 

[armalites]

It's one of those things where I think you have to assume it's all ok. I just had a delivery but couldn't find the ticket. I'm sure I've seen them write on the ticket also. Once you start worrying about such things the next thing you'll worrying about is the fact the lorry only has one pipe so you will invariably get a bit of the last fuel delivered whether that's heating oil, petrol or diesel.

 

[Ross365]

Yes, after all, my dip stick limits the scope of fraud! Something I noticed; the new oils smell a bit weird, not really very nice at all. Guess they are blending in all kinds of stuff as long as the final mixture meets the spec.

 

[Misterg]

every piece of information on it is printed out by the machine, that is, all except the quantity delivered and that is written on by hand.

I don't think the print-outs that we get have the quantity delivered on them, but I'm pretty sure they have a 'Start' and 'End' reading, the difference being the quantity that has been delivered. I guess the driver is writing the difference on.

 

[Shox Dr]

I think heating oil is a bit like coal,
Big problems for them if they get caught delivering less than they say so it's not worth them risking it.

I know the local coal bloke put 22kg+ into the 20kg bags.
Even more if it was damp as he was worried the weights & measures boys would check it after it had spent a few weeks drying out in somebody's shed.

You can be hit harder if its over. It classed as Duty and or Tax avoidance

 

[JohnH]

Oil quantity is dependent upon temperature. What I dont know is, what is the standard temp that heating oil volume is dependant upon, so may be we are actually buying it by weight..

 

[More Amps]

I heard recently of an oil distribution depot where the manager and a couple of drivers were "strongly encouraged to leave". Allegedly drums of diesel were found being stored in the garage of one of those involved without an adequate explanation, and the company later sent letters to customers claiming that no-one had received short deliveries - though quite how they could be certain of that, nobody knows!

 

[tom2207]

I heard recently of an oil distribution depot where the manager and a couple of drivers were "strongly encouraged to leave". Allegedly drums of diesel were found being stored in the garage of one of those involved without an adequate explanation, and the company later sent letters to customers claiming that no-one had received short deliveries - though quite how they could be certain of that, nobody knows!

because if it was diesel it would be coming out of the lorry's tank , heating oil is a different spec , that comes out of the tank on the back .

would be my guess

 

[More Amps]

If it had been road diesel I'm sure head office would have noticed a lot quicker and wondered why all the vehicles at one depot were exceptionally thirsty!

 

[tom2207]

If it had been road diesel I'm sure head office would have noticed a lot quicker and wondered why all the vehicles at one depot were exceptionally thirsty!

depends how long its been going on ,,, a gallon a day in a lorry is nothing ,,, that turns into a drum a week ,,,
it was just a guess , but it would explain how they could say no customer was short changed

 

[8ob]

A dip stick stick is simple to calibrate and is an easy way to check on deliveries. Most modern tankers are brimming with leccy gadgets so the office knows where they are and what's being pumped off, they can generate the invoice immediately instead of waiting for the tanker driver to get back at the end of the day.

Bob

 

[James1979]

depends how long its been going on ,,, a gallon a day in a lorry is nothing ,,, that turns into a drum a week ,,,
it was just a guess , but it would explain how they could say no customer was short changed

If you get a new lorry in the yard then it’s easy. Fill the lorry up and put 20l in a can. Every time.

The mpg is never seen to go up and of anyone bothers to check then it appears a tad more thirsty than others but 20l Jerry can per refill isn’t anything to get concerned about in lorry terms anyway.

Probably would never notice.

Thing is, you have to keep doing it. If their cars were using less that what they were nicking and there was a surplus that’s when it gets noticed and people start getting into trouble.

 

[James1979]

Glasgow yesterday, apparently.

 

[dobbslc]

We all know what that V in V power stands for now!
Bunch of merchant bankers.