Need some advice

As some of you may know, Ive been having some issues with my propane company. They fixed these issues by swapping out all my equipment for "free" on Sunday. I pay a $10 per month fee for equipment rental for them to maintain all their equipment, so free is a bunch of bs.

They made a delivery to my home yesterday and the price seemed pretty high per gallon. Theres currently an investigation being launched in NYS for price gouging by fuel companies. I made some calls today and the going rate per gallon is $1.99 to $2.39 a gallon.

They charged me $3.19 a gallon yesterday.

We called today to tell them to stop our automatic deliveries (unbeknownst to them, we will be switching companies). They asked why we wanted to do that and we said it didnt matter, please cancel them. They refused to do so without a reason. They said they would call us again in a week and ask again for a reason.

Im not in contract, nor do I feel obligated to give them a reason when they know they're ripping me off. The first thing they said was "Is it about price? we can work something out". That tells me right there they know they're screwing me. I went through this with them two years ago, told them im switching companies and they dropped the price 40%. Im done playing this game, now its about principle.

So, as far as advice - what do I do since they will not cancel our deliveries? We are billed for the product since we have a charge account, so its not as simple as cancelling a credit card on file. I've never, ever in my life considered suing someone, but the gouging really has me pissed.

 

Idont know...tell them the truth? AND tell them you want a refund.

 

This. Tell them you paid 3.19 when it should have been about 2.00. We learned about 8 or 9 years ago that insurance and cable work the same way. You get a good price initially and then it creeps up. Now we shop every other year for both. When they ask why, we (my wife) tells them the truth, you want $x and we can get it for $y. Sometimes they match, sometimes no. Go with the best price and change when it doesn't work for you anymore. You can stand on principle which feels good, but in the end it's your money, get the most out of it.

 

I'm not a lawyer but it sounds like you can create a cancelation of service letter and send it to said company. Also send it to credit card company. Send both certified mail. Then if propane company bills credit card tell credit company you did not authorize the charge. Should work I think.

 

Is it a mom and pop type place or national chain? Either way I would switch from phone calls to emails that way there is a paper trail and if you need proof later you have it.

 

Tell them what your price investigation revealed and that you want a price adjustment. Furthermore tell them you can’t trust them anymore and no longer want to do business with them. I would also tell them they art not welcome on your property and if they trespass you will seek a restraining order or have them charged with trespassing. Check with your local law enforcement or state police as to your best option to barring them from your land

 

Ok Joe, here's what I found out from a friend in the buisness, and I actually delivered propane and he was a service tech. Any as far as that price jump, he said sounds like they initially started you out @ 1.99, then put you on a second tier @ 2.39, and leveled you off @ 3.19. Generally when they give you a low price like that your in a contract. Question- Do you own your tank, or does all equipment belong to them, which I gotta ask who's your propane company. If you do not own it, then I suggest you get the % in the the tank, and write it down for your record and to cya. You have no obligation to tell them anything, why, what, when , and where. Look for another company. Remember with any company ask what the price will be later on, if you want to be locked in to a price, more than likely you will have to sign a contract. You also have the choice of getting your own tank. When and if you do find another propane company, they will come out and set your tank and move your existing tank out of the way. It is then you call them and tell them to come pick up there tank and equipment. Hope this helps Joe.

 

1000 gallon were the biggest we dealt with. 1500 gallons should last you quite a while, unless you are livin large and have a Olympic pool with a pool heater. Generally TJ a 120 gallon will run all your cooking, gas fireplace and grill if you have that tied in. Normally 1000 gallon tanks were commercial accounts. I have a ventless fireplace I need to replace. They are nice to have, they take the workload of your heat pump .

 

Like the others have said buy your own tank you get gas at a cheaper price. You can also buy it from whom ever is the best price at the time. It looked like he had two 124 vertical tanks in the picture the other day so a 500 would work just fine.

 

I would just tell them straight out....I'm canceling my automatic deliveries because I don't feel i need them at this time.