Date: Fri 20-Sep-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

Assurance-oil-Baglio-Shaw

Full Text:

with cut: New Oil Company Hopes To Grow On A Foundation Of Service

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

Anyone who has run out of oil on a cold winter night knows the value of a

reliable and responsive delivery company. Customer service and "the lowest

possible prices" create the foundation of Assurance Oil Company, Inc of

Newtown, a business established in March by Russ Shaw and Connie Baglio.

"We felt there was a need for a full-service discount company with a focus on

customer service and integrity," said Mr Shaw, who has earned a burner school

certificate from ICPA and has extensive experience in the field. "With

Connie's organizational and office skills and my knowledge of the oil

business, we thought we'd make a go of it."

The partners bought a 1997, 2,800 gallon Ford truck that meets all the

Department of Transportation Safety requirements. They purchased a new

computer and the latest software specific to the industry that works on the

basis of a degree/days system, calculating the number of days between

deliveries so customers will not be caught short.

For those not on automatic delivery who find they have run out of oil, the

company offers "prompt and courteous" 24-hour emergency delivery service. A

ten-month budget plan is also available at no additional charge to customers.

"Everyone receives the same price," said Mrs Baglio. "Our goal is to offer

customers the lowest possible price for good fuel oil."

The company now serves customers in Newtown, Monroe, Bethel, Danbury, Redding,

Southbury, New Fairfield, Easton, Bridgewater, and other communities. Its

storage facility is in Bridgeport.

Assurance Oil, which is not affiliated with any other oil company, is part of

a pilot insurance plan that is specific to the oil industry. "We're really

pleased we could participate in the plan," said Mrs Baglio.

Mrs Baglio, who has lived in Newtown since 1980, has a good deal of experience

in business. She has operated a word processing business, a real estate

business, and a travel agency. "I think when people see my name they associate

it with a business they could trust," said Mrs Baglio. "I think the best way

to achieve success is to be customer focused and do what you say you are going

to do. That's where we got the name - you can be assured we'll deliver."

Customers who sign up for automatic delivery will receive a coupon book valued

at more than $100 for savings on the groceries of their choice, and a

membership to Leisuretyme Travel Club

Future plans include offering tank protection insurance to defray the costs of

removing a leaking oil tank and installing an in-house tank. The owners also

want to create a quarterly newsletter for customers which gives updates in the

industry, explaining, for instance, why oil prices fluctuate. And they want to

become involved in the communities they serve by providing $5 or $10 coupons

to area agencies, which they may distribute as an incentive for donations.

"Everybody can fill your tank," said Mr Shaw, who will deliver in the evening

if that is most convenient for a customer. "We want to satisfy. And we have to

go one step beyond."