TOPS HEATING OIL GROUP (Triangle Oil Purchasing Syndicate)
The name was chosen as hopefully it will eventually be open to residents of all villages situated in the natural triangle contained within the 3 large towns of Ipswich – Woodbridge – Felixstowe. Many villages in the triangle situated between the rivers Deben and Orwell have no mains gas and are therefore restricted in a choice of fuel. The syndicate should benefit from cheaper fuel costs and hopefully an engendered community spirit.
This notice will hopefully provide you with a detailed update on progress to date and likely future development of the syndicate.
There is a similar grouping of villages in the Holbrook area which has been up and running for some years with about 375 members and has been saving its members in the region of 5p – 10p per litre with each month’s group order.
The Holbrook group operate via a website (www.hoops-oil.co.uk) which allows for members details and orders to be collated and processed in an efficient and simple manner. It is not restricted to those who have a computer, access to the internet and an email address, those who cannot use the internet will be accommodated by telephone or possibly a good neighbour nearby may offer internet access.
The people who operate this successful group have kindly offered to bolt us onto their established system. We will remain a separate group because of the geographical distance between the two groups and our Order Cut off Date will be one week after theirs. Both groups’ orders will be processed separately but hopefully we will benefit from being partnered with a larger group
The ‘Hoops’ managers will need to modify their web pages to deal with the two separate groups (‘Hoops’ and ‘Tops’), so please do NOT attempt to join the ‘Hoops’ website until notified, however if you wish to visit the site you will find information and see how is currently functions. This modification to the ‘Hoops’ website will take a few weeks and to assist with this I have agreed to act as an order point for a first order in August as a number of potential members have expressed the desire to have an early order hopefully to benefit from summer prices.
So until a further update I will be receiving all applications for membership and oil orders. I will consolidate the orders for oil in August and then pass them to the ‘Hoops’ managers to deal with suppliers and obtain the best price available. It is hoped after that the ‘Hoops’ web site will be ready for ‘Tops’ members to be able to migrate to it.
Attached to this email are two forms, firstly an application form for membership of the group which each member will need to complete to allow for their contact and delivery details to be held on a data base. The second form is an ‘Order Form for Oil’ which members will need to complete on each occasion they wish to place an order for oil. Orders will then be consolidated immediately after the ‘Order Cut off Date’ and suppliers will be approached to obtain the best price available at that time. The successful supplier will then be provided with the details of each individual’s order which was part of that months consolidated order.
The process which follows is just as if you had ordered the oil yourself. You will be contacted by the successful supplier, so you will know who will be supplying your oil. The supplier will also confirm how many litres in your order, the price and a delivery period; you can arrange payment and know when to expect delivery.
If you wish to join please contact Lionel Scott and he will endeavour to assist. ring him on - 01473 736758.
The future should see our membership growing with additional members coming forward on an individual basis and other villages joining the group.
If you know others who may be interested in becoming a member please get them to contact me.
PROPS Heating Oil Syndicate
Formed in February 2011
Run by 2 retired local residents, plus assistance from another resident on the IT & E Commerce side
Currently 360 members and still rising
Volume of Oil placed on behalf of members = 315,000 litres (in 3 placements)
Amount saved for members against national average prices, £24,500 (over 3 placements)
We already have some members in the Felixstowe peninsular
e-mail: props11@btinternet.com
website: www.pettistree.suffolk.gov.uk/PROPS.html
Steve Wassell