GENERAL UTILITIES
About us
Automatic delivery for Residential & Commercial #2 Fuel Oil, Off Road and Premium Diesel, Propane. Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Heating Services.
Business highlights
Emergency services offered
65 years of experience
Services we offer
Annual Tune Up's, Tank/Burner Installation as well as whole house generators.
Amenities
Emergency Services
Yes
Free Estimates
Yes
Accepted Payment Methods
- CreditCard
Reviews
4.122 Reviews
Number of Stars | Image of Distribution | Number of Ratings |
---|---|---|
64% | ||
9% | ||
14% | ||
0% | ||
14% |
Showing 1-22 of 22 reviews
Debra W.
Sep 2016
We had a couple of issues with them with the oil delivery and talking with the people in the office it was just not a very good experience and I would never ever used it again. There was a problem with the contract and they were every rude on the phone. The deliveries were fine just the office staff was terrible.
Constance C.
Nov 2015
unknown
Melinda K.
Jun 2015
General bought out our old oil company my family used for over 25 years. Not a big deal. My mother continued using them for a few years honestly without much of an issue...until last year she became very sick. Suddenly they started trying to sell her contracts that we both agreed were unnecessary and we felt like they were just trying to get money from us. We had a fairly new boiler less than 4 years old. A brand new tank less water heater etc. One day she received a call from the sales dept. claiming that they could save her money by locking her into a fixed-rate for oil prices. At the time prices were indeed high, but we both told them absolutely not, we were not interested as the price THEY were quoting was above the market at the time & if prices dropped we would be stuck for a year paying the high price! they kept trying to push the sale saying... is guaranteed oil delivery every month and it was a great deal. I told them we were already on automatic delivery every month so what great deal we getting? We never once missed a payment & were always prompt... you would think they would offer us even a better deal being such a great customer!!! FAST FOWARD about one year. My mother was deathly I'll & in the hospital for literally 6 months straight after just coming home from the hospital. She passed away in late Feb. After checking her mail I called them to inquire why they left a bill charging almost $4.00 a gallon. I had called around to several other companies and get price quotes from anywhere from $2.50 to $3.00 a gallon at the time. They claimed while my mother was in the hospital that they had a verbal agreement with her to sell her a contractand lock her in at the high rate for a year. I told them I immediately wanted it cancelled explained to them all about the situation, but they eventually only transferred me to a rude gentleman named Chris Sutton In collections of all things. Chris threatened me & attempted to use scare tactics telling me if we cancel the contract that we would be responsible for over $1000 fee plus the oil ! He asked for the power of attorney paperwork I had on her which covered the time. She's in the hospital. I sent it to him immediately, but from there all I got were around the click threatening phone calls from several representatives including Chris Sutton. Make a long story short..I was offered to listen to the recording they claimed they had of my mother, at first I declined it. Then I later asked several people to listen to it, including Chris & a young woman named Melinda. Nobody to date ever provided me with it. they admitted they had no written contract with my mother. Chris stated I would be held accountable for her bill even though she passed on. I told him I noted that they have made automatic withdrawals out of her bank account, & this was to cease immediately. General attempted to do this again then Chrus had the nerve to contact me claiming I bounced a check on them! THIS IS FRAUD ALL THE WAY IN MY BOOK! I contacted the Better Business Bureau and they are now doing an investigation. General has been paid for the oil and only their oil they delivered. I ceased activity at the bank so they could no longer access the account. I spent months & months trying to resolve this while I was grieving. I cannot believe the low down dirty thing this company did. I feel they purposely tried to take advantage of a sick elderly scared woman. My mother didn't deserve that. I didn't deserve to go through all this afterwards either. I find it interesting that since I lodged a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, suddenly General states my bill is paid up. Mmmm
Rebecca W.
May 2014
They make the deliveries when we're not home - they automatically deliver the oil to the tank outside when it's low. We have no contact with them.
Charles F.
Dec 2013
We settled on a price for oil. Also received a free service contract for the next year.
Lynn L.
Aug 2013
Horrible. They use bullying tactics and they outright lie. Terrible customer service - either my phone calls were not returned, or when they were, I could never get the same person twice and each person told me a different story regarding my issue.
Kim P.
May 2013
I have been using General Utilities for heating oil for over 15 years.. through HEAT coop... came at 11pm for my boiler during a snow storm.. you can't be that!!!
Christina D.
Feb 2013
We moved into our home on Feb. 18, 2005. Long Island got hit with a terrible snow storm that week. I called 14 oil companies to come out to give us some oil because no oil was left in the tank. When my wife called General, they not only were nice enough to come out to our home but they squeezed out enough oil for us and the kids to survive the terrible storm the week end when no one else would even consider coming out let alone giving oil when it was a Sunday. In return we have been with them since. Yeah sure we can go somewhere else and get the heating oil cheaper but there is no loyalty today. We believe in loyalty. When General comes to maintenance our system, the techs are clean, professional, polite and above all the work is done right. And when the oil is delivered, they never leave a mess; they never leave the gate open and never break anything. I would recommend them. I would use them again. We have been using them for 8 years.
Daniel P.
Jan 2013
I let my oil contract with this company expire in September of 2012 because I am moving. I was told that I would be billed at market rate for future deliveries. Market rate at that time was around $3.79 a gallon. On my first delivery they charged me a ridiculous $4.689 per gallon. When I called to complain they told me I was charged their "posted rate", which was determined by them. I told them not to deliver any more oil. When I called back a second time to see if I could get my bill adjusted by a supervisor, I was informed my account was closed and they also cancelled my oil burner service appointment. I had made this appointment in September 2012 while my contract was still in effect. The earliest time they said they could give me was January 17, 2013 and they cancelled it even though I was under contract and waited almost 4 months. I will never do business with this company again and my advice is to stay away from them. They were also given an "F" rating by BBB of New York.
JANICE L.
May 2012
The service is good but they are expensive. I was able to get them to reduce the price on several occasions so they are reasonable, but even the reduced price is more than I feel I should be paying. They are reliable.
Jay H.
Apr 2012
I used to belong to the Fuel Consumer Group who hooked me up with GENERAL UTILITIES and I have been using them for about 8 years. When the FCG ceased to be a few years back, I had to start paying a service contract with General Utilities, but it is worth the price for a reliable company who is familiar with my system. They respond promptly to emergencies, and everyone who has come to my home has been professional, knowledgeable and courteous. They recently sent me a new contract which quoted a substantially higher price than the prior contract -- when I called to tell them I was discouraged that a loyal customer would be asked to pay such a substantial increase, they quickly agreed to renew my contract at the old price. I appreciate loyalty being rewarded in this way.
Andrew C.
Apr 2011
We have a service contract with them. They were very professional and fixed the problem accurately.
AUDREY K.
Oct 2009
I very much like the way that they take care of the burner and the hot water heater. I have found their service to be very good. They have always been responsive when I have needed to call them to come out. I have always been satisfied. When I have called in with a complaint they have responded very quickly. I plan to stick with them, even through the prices of fuel oil changing. I do not have a fee with my contract as long as I purchase my oil through them. The only thing that I do not like about the service is having to pay the price for the fuel oil.
Michael B.
Oct 2008
They did an excellent job with the boiler replacement and new tank. However, when I signed the contract, I was told the tank abandonment would take place a week or two after the boiler. It is now closing in on almost 4 months and the abandonment has still not happened. My calls to the installation manager have not been returned. The sales person I dealt was has called me back but offered vague responses on timing.
Homeowner
Mar 2006
THEY ARE A GOOD COMPANY AND HAVE VERY REASONABLE PRICES. THEY CHARGE BY THE YEAR, AND COME ANYTIME YOU NEED THEM. I USE THEM ALL THE TIME, AND WILL CONTINUE TO.
Linda R.
Mar 2006
THE WORKERS WERE ON TIME AND FINISHED FASTER THAN EXPECTED. THE COMPANY IS RELIABLE AND HAVE GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE ALWAYS AT HAND. WE HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THEM.
Homeowner
Feb 2006
WE HAVE USED THIS COMPANY FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. WHEN I CALL THEM, IT TAKES THEM TOO LONG TO RESPOND TO MY CALL. I AM NOT TOO HAPPY WITH THE SERVICE I RECEIVED FROM THEM.
ELAINE L.
Feb 2006
I THINK THAT THIS COMPANY DOES A GREAT JOB. THE MAN ALWAYS COMES WHEN HE SAYS HE WILL. ALSO HE IS POLITE AND GETS THE JOB DONE IN A GOOD TIME FRAME.
Homeowner
Jan 2006
GENERAL UTILITIES IS A VERY GOOD COMPANY. THEY PROVIDE VERY GOOD SERVICE AND ARE VERY PROFESSIONAL. THEY COME WHEN OR IF YOU NEED THEM. I AM SATISFIED WITH THEIR SERVICES.
LISA W.
Jan 2006
I FEEL THIS IS A RELIABLE AND PROFESSIONAL COMPANY. IF I CALL FOR ANY TYPE OF ASSISTANCE, THEY SEND SOMEONE OUT IMMEDIATELY. THEY KEEP MY FURNACE GOING.
MICHAEL I.
Jan 2006
I FEEL THIS IS A GREAT COMPANY. THE WORKERS ALWAYS COME PREPARED AND MOTIVATED. THEY ALWAYS SHOW UP AT THEIR SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS AND DATES. THANKS TO GENERAL UTILITIES MY FURNACE IS RUNNING GOOD.
Homeowner
Jan 2006
THE COMPANY LOST MY ORIGINAL PAPERWORK AND I HAD TO WAIT LONGER FOR MY SERVICES TO BE DONE. WHEN THE WORK WAS COMPLETED, THEY DID A GOOD JOB AND I WAS SATISFIED WITH THE WORK.
Licensing
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FAQ
GENERAL UTILITIES is currently rated 4.1 overall out of 5.
GENERAL UTILITIES accepts the following forms of payment: CreditCard
Yes, GENERAL UTILITIES offers free project estimates.
No, GENERAL UTILITIES does not offer eco-friendly accreditations.
No, GENERAL UTILITIES does not offer a senior discount.
Yes, GENERAL UTILITIES offers emergency services.
No, GENERAL UTILITIES does not offer warranties.