Laid Off (Again)

Sorry Don, but there is a HUGE flaw in your idea. My family just sold our Fuel/Oil company biz.

We had the wholesale side for about 30years. Before that my Grandfather had a Service Station selling Gas, Oil, and Auto Service. That was right after WWII.

Here is the problem. No matter how you slice it there isn't enough profit in a gallon of gas or oil by the time it reaches the consumer. Trust me. I am talking PENNIES, maybe sometimes, NICKELS per gallon of fuel!

Oil is the same way. There just aren't any decent margins that far down on the selling cycle.

Only two ways to make money with fuel and oil.

Trading Commodity Future Contracts or Owning Stock in those companies that get it out of the ground.

We deal with Fuel Oil Cos that DELIVER OIL TO HOMES!

We started out at $200 per NEW Account (on a ONE YEAR CONTRACT for their HOME Heating Fuel Oil) We are now up at $300 per NEW Account for a Yearly Contract.

The Fuel Oil Co does NOT pay a dime after we get the NEW accounts for him BUT...the Fuel Oil Co keeps delivering oil to the accounts we sold.

Don Alm

Great Idea Don. Thanks again for posting these money-makers.

Does your friend acquire accounts for the Oil Delivery company all year round? For instance, is he getting new accounts NOW? Or does this work better only during certain times of the year?

I know the largest Oil Delivery company in my area - the one I use - stopped offering contracts because the price of oil went up weekly. They could not afford to offer flat rates anymore. And they are VERY LARGE.

They would not likely go for signing up new customers under a fixed contract.

Maybe a first order discount certificate - say $50 off or something. Any other ideas here, Don or anyone else?

Thanks.
John P