But we found that deal left many customers shocked and angry and even frightened.
Some say they got unexpected bills.
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News"Did you owe them any money?"
Jacqueline Wilkins, homeowner "No!"
Some claim they got additional unexpected oil deliveries.
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News "Did you order the oil?"
Louise Bernard Gauthier, homeowner"No."
Some say they got unexpected fees and interest charges.
Cara Dranow, homeowner "I just think it's outrageous that someone would run a business the way she does."
And when angry customers didn't pay liens were recorded against their homes for the unpaid fuel bills, and the homeowners knew nothing about it!
Michael Ferrante, President, Massachusetts Oilheat Council "Home heating oil dealers, and there are many good ones, do not operate this way."
The company goes by AstroFuel, Anchor Oil and Apollo Oil and operates on the North Shore.
Customers say their troubles began after they took that one delivery.
Louise refused to pay for additional oil she says she never ordered, then late fees pushed her disputed $400 bill to $1600!
Louise Bernard Gauthier, homeowner"They said well that's how we work. We've given you oil, now you have pay us."
Boris says the company told him he had to pay for three plumbers who had allegedly worked on his furnace.
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News "Did three plumbers arrive at your house and stay for four hours?"
Borris Vulikh, homeowner"They haven't been there."
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News "Ever? Ever ever?"
Borris Vulikh, homeowner"Never."
Jackie's bill shows three deliveries on the same day, when her home has only two oil tanks.
Jacqueline Wilkins, homeowner "They came once, they were paid once and I have my canceled check to prove it."
And it was these pieces of paper that shocked them all. At the Registry of Deeds, we found more than a hundred liens. Official claims filed by the company against customer's homes, trying to force them into paying a debt.
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News "Does this seem like a reasonable bill collection practice?"
Michael Ferrante, President, Massachusetts Oilheat Council "This speaks to just sheer scare tactics."
There's one on Boris' home, and Lousie's, and Cara's and Jackie's.
Jacqueline Wilkins, homeowner "My opinion of these people is that they're messing with the system in order to profit."
And even though the liens expire after 120 days: Cara, whose home is up for sale, knows a black mark like this lien could be a deal-breaker for a buyer.
Cara Dranow, homeowner "That would scare them away for sure."
We showed the liens to a title expert.
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News "So they are holding your house hostage?"
Leslie Cook, Vice President & State Counsel, Chicago Title Insurance Company "In a sense, they are."
The liens we found range from about $1800 to almost $17000!
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News "So do you predict some people will just pay these?"
Leslie Cook, Vice President & State Counsel, Chicago Title Insurance Company "Absolutely, absolutely, The smaller the number, the more likely consumers are to just say, I can't deal with this, I'm just going to make it go away."
The company owner never returned our many phone calls, and when we went to the owners home…
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News "We'd like to ask you about the liens you've been filing, can you talk to us about that?"
Woman behind door"No, I can't. I'm sorry."
We contacted the company's attorney, who told us:
"I'm aware people have made complaints and we're working on it."
…And…
"Just because they say they don't owe the money does that mean it's true? They've been sent the bill, that's proof they owe it."
We repeatedly asked the company to provide us with any paperwork or records that show these customers actually owe money, but the company's attorney refused.
(Copyright (c) 2009 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)