9 Questions to Ask Your Potential Diesel Delivery Company
In November 2022, the U.S. had its lowest diesel supply since 2008. With so many industries relying on diesel fuel, it’s now more important than ever to have a reliable diesel supplier.
But choosing the best diesel delivery company for your business is not easy. With so many options available, it can take time to figure out which is the right fit for your needs.
Asking the right questions will help you choose the diesel delivery company that best fits your industry’s needs. Read this article to learn the nine key questions to ask your potential diesel delivery company before making a final decision.
1. Tell Me About Your Diesel Delivery Experience
When choosing a delivery service, asking how much experience a company has and its customer retention rate can reassure you. Experienced diesel delivery companies are often the most reliable.
It’s okay to take a risk on new companies, but it could result in not getting your fuel on time. You can get an idea of a company’s experience and customer loyalty by asking questions like:
- How long have you been providing diesel fuel delivery?
- How has your company expanded operations over the years?
- Who is your longest-standing customer?
- How often do you lose customers to competitors, and why?
These questions dig deeper than the generic “what diesel delivery experience do you have?” You can get quantifiable information about how long they’ve been in business and how much their customer base trusts them.
2. What Are Your Safety Procedures?
If your diesel delivery company doesn’t follow proper safety procedures, it can impact your business.
What if their improper safety procedures force them to shut down one day? What if it’s the same day you need a critical delivery?
You can avoid this disaster by understanding your diesel delivery service’s safety standards. They should provide clear answers to questions such as:
- Are your drivers certified?
- What is your fuel delivery protocol?
- How do you ensure safety in transit?
- What is your fuel storage protocol?
- What kind of equipment and vehicles do you use?
- How often do you service your delivery vehicles?
These questions provide a basic overview of how well the company tackles safety concerns. If their answers meet or exceed fuel delivery safety requirements, you can feel more comfortable hiring them.
3. What Types of Diesel Delivery Vehicles Do You Use?
The types of fuel delivery vehicles used by a company may impact your decision to hire them. The diesel delivery company should have various fuel delivery vehicles depending on the amount and type of fuel needed.
For example, some companies use large tankers for bulk diesel delivery services. Their fleet may also have smaller vehicles for local or niche deliveries.
Understanding the types of vehicles a company uses and for what purposes can help you know how their services apply to your needs.
4. What Is Your Pricing Structure?
You cannot discount your budget when deciding on a diesel delivery company. If you haven’t already, you should create a business fuel budget. Then, you can compare that to the offerings of potential diesel suppliers.
Most companies’ bulk fueling pricing depends on variables like:
- Diesel cost per barrel
- Amount of fuel ordered
- Distance traveled for delivery
- Service fees (e.g., emergency delivery fees)
Oftentimes, you can negotiate a discounted rate if you need frequent diesel delivery services. Be sure to ask for any discounts or incentives the company may offer for bulk orders or repeat customers.
5. What Is Your Fuel Delivery Turnaround Time?
Turnaround time refers to the estimated time it takes from when you place your delivery to when you receive it. Understanding a diesel supplier’s turnaround time helps you set realistic delivery expectations.
Many suppliers’ delivery times vary based on the distance from the supplier and the type of vehicle used to transport the diesel fuel. So, you may like a supplier that’s a few states away.
However, before choosing them, you must consider how that distance will impact delivery time. If you’re willing to trade time for a company you prefer, selecting the farther supplier may be worth it.
So remember to ask and document the turnaround time for each. Also, get turnaround time quotes for different order types and sizes you expect to place. That way, you can compare and contrast to make an informed decision.
6. What Areas Do You Cover?
Diesel fuel delivery options are often limited to specific geographical regions. So, you’ll want to ensure that your chosen company can deliver to your location. Ask them what areas they cover and inquire about the fuel delivery options.
Don’t forget to ensure they deliver to all the locations you need. Some companies may be within range of your central hub but don’t deliver to satellite locations. If so, you’ll need to choose another supplier or supplement your fuel delivery.
7. What Diesel Delivery Services Do You Offer?
Many diesel delivery companies offer fuel delivery options for different industries. Some of the primary industries that rely on diesel suppliers are:
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Agriculture
- Food and grocery
- Waste management
- Landscaping
Some diesel delivery companies specialize in one industry. Others may provide services for many industries. Ask whether your potential supplier has the capabilities to suit your industry’s needs.
Moreover, you should understand the specific services offered. Ask potential suppliers about their diesel fuel delivery services, including:
- On-site fueling
- Fleet fueling
- Generator fueling
- Bulk fueling
The broader range of fuel services offered, the better. You may not think you need one type of fueling now. But it’s nice to know that your diesel delivery company has you covered if the need arises.
8. Do You Offer Emergency Fuel Delivery Services?
Emergency fuel delivery is crucial for many industries, as it ensures the availability of diesel fuel at a moment’s notice. Most diesel delivery companies offer a range of emergency fuel delivery options. These include on-call deliveries to 24-hour emergency fuel delivery.
The flexibility offered by emergency delivery gives your business peace of mind that you will have access to diesel fuel to keep operations running smoothly. If you can, avoid choosing a supplier that doesn’t offer these services.
9. What Is Your Policy on Returns/Exchanges?
Like other retailers, many diesel delivery services accept returns or exchanges. So, if you order too much fuel or the wrong type of diesel, you can rectify that mistake.
But each company has different requirements for returns and exchanges. Some may have a 60-day window, while others restrict the return window to 30 days. Understand the return policy for each potential supplier, so you’re prepared in case you make an errant order.
If you want diesel fuel delivery that satisfies all these questions, you must check out TecFuel. Their robust fleet can deliver fuel across the western U.S.
Diesel Delivery and Other Industry Tips
Choosing the best diesel delivery company is vital for many industries that rely on diesel fuel. After reading this guide, you should be able to choose the best diesel supplier for your needs.
But diesel delivery isn’t the only insider tip we have to help run your business. Check out our other blog posts to learn more about how to make money and thrive!
