Suzanne of Clark, NJ, writes:
Bogus Oil Company installed a Burnham Oil Burner in my home at on November 21, 1994 for $2,800. I made numerous requests for a warranty on this item and never received one. I also purchased a Service Contract for approximately $90.00 a year. The unit presented me with problems virtually from the beginning. Bogus came to my home numerous times for repairs and adjustments.

About six months ago, I switched from Bogus Oil to Mitchell Supreme Fuel Company in Westfield, NJ. In the past month I have different heating technicians from two separate companies come to my house to inspect the burner. Within 15 minutes of their arrival, both of these men (one from Mitchell-Supreme and one from Capital Fuel Service) diagnosed the same problem; both said the unit could not be serviced (the boiler was cracked) and the unit had to be replaced. They both said this had been an ongoing problem.

They stated it was very strange for a unit such as the one in my basement to exhibit such a fatal problem and they both wondered whether the unit was indeed new when it was installed and whether it was installed properly. They both said the lifespan of such a burner should be around 20 years, not just 5 1/2 years.

I sent Bogus Oil a Certified Letter stating the problem. I gave Bernard Bogus (the owner)the courtesy of making reparations, either by paying for a new unit which I would have installed by another conpany, or by replacing the unit himelf at no cost to me. He never responded to my letter and has never returned my phone calls.

I called a representative from Burnham (the maker of the boiler)and had her inspect the unit. She said it was odd that there were no tags on the unit to identify the model and serial number, but she did identify it as a Burnham unit. She said it was not a manufacturing defect, but an installation problem.

The heating technicians mirrored her opinion. I recently found out that Bogus Oil never applied for a permit from the Township of Clark -- one was required -- consequently, no plumber ever inspected the installation.

I have to install a new burner. The cost for a replacement burner will be from $3,500 to $4,000. The piping Bogus Oil used is inferior and not recommended for the Burnham Unit. I paid for a Service Contract every year. The technicians from the other two companies stated that the problem could not be missed if Bogus was properly servicing the unit. They serviced the unit for 5 years. I took time off from work in the beginning because I was constantly having problems with the new unit.

Suzanne has given Bogus ample opportunity to respond. She should now tally up her damages and file suit against Bogus Small Claims Court. She will need to ask the technicians and factory rep to testify as expert witnesses.