Before you sign
- Licensing: confirm the distributor license and motor fuel tax registration for every state they will deliver in.
- Insurance: request a certificate covering auto liability, pollution and environmental cleanup.
- Credit terms: net days, EFT requirements, deposits, and how price is set for each load.
- Delivery SLA: standard lead time, cutoff times, after-hours path and the run-out remedy.
- Brand obligations: check your existing supply agreement for term, exclusivity and image commitments before you give notice.
Site and product fit
- Tank and product match, including biodiesel or ethanol blend levels your equipment and warranty allow.
- Additive package and whether the product is branded or unbranded.
- Access: truck turning room, drop times, and any local delivery hour restrictions.
- References: two operators of similar size and volume in your market.
- Cutover plan: last load from the incumbent, first load from the new supplier, and who holds the inventory risk in between.
Run a trial before you commit the whole book
Move one site or one product for 30 to 60 days. Track delivery accuracy, invoice accuracy against the rack, and how the supplier handles the first exception. That trial tells you more than any proposal.
Questions
- How long does it take to switch fuel suppliers?
- Two to four weeks is typical once credit is approved, mostly driven by the credit application, insurance paperwork and any notice period in your current supply agreement.
- Can I use two fuel jobbers at once?
- Yes, unless your supply agreement is exclusive. Many retailers keep a primary and a backup supplier so they always have a price comparison and coverage during outages.
Ready to compare real numbers? Post your volume once and let jobbers in your radius bid.
Get offersMore guides