WARNING: Two Years Without Service, Then an Unexpected $916 Oil Delivery and a Threat of Small…read moreClaims Court
I strongly encourage Massachusetts homeowners to think twice before signing up with MacFarlane Energy, particularly for its automatic oil delivery and Value Plan.
I became a customer in 2022. My last oil delivery was March 18, 2024, and my last annual boiler tune-up was February 9, 2024.
For approximately TWO YEARS, MacFarlane made no deliveries, performed no annual maintenance and never once contacted me about my account. Its own Value Plan documentation explicitly includes an annual heating-system tune-up, yet I received no further tune-ups.
During that time, I began purchasing oil elsewhere to keep my tank above 50%. After nearly two years without deliveries, maintenance or communication, I reasonably believed my relationship with MacFarlane had ended.
Then, on March 26, 2026, MacFarlane unexpectedly delivered 152 gallons of oil at approximately $6.03 per gallon, charging me $916.84 during a period of extremely high oil prices. No advance phone call, no email and no opportunity to decline the delivery or its price.
Now MacFarlane is demanding $971.84 and has escalated the dispute toward small claims court.
I dispute these outrageous charges. Why should a company be able to go nearly two years without providing the annual maintenance included in its service plan, never communicate with its customer, then suddenly resume deliveries and demand nearly $1,000?
I believe MacFarlane's handling of my account raises serious concerns under Massachusetts Chapter 93A, which prohibits unfair or deceptive business practices. I intend to pursue the appropriate consumer-protection channels.
I have retained my invoices, service-plan documentation, account records and correspondence to substantiate my experience.
MY WARNING TO HOMEOWNERS: Do not assume that years without deliveries, maintenance or communication mean MacFarlane has closed your account. Read every cancellation provision, get everything in writing and make sure you're actually receiving the services promised in your contract. They will show up and fill your tank without talking to you in 2 years or without any warning.
Based on my experience, I would never recommend MacFarlane Energy. I believe its handling of my account, its failure to provide annual maintenance and its response to this billing dispute are completely unacceptable.