1st year, second stove - propane rip off ?

[rustynut]

hi all,
thought i'd put this out their for some opinions
Had 4 people pass in about a month last year.
Lost track of my propane and ran low (about 5%) in feb.
Called them up and they said it would be $200.00 to come out..........
Didnt tell me that i would be ok for a week or so until they could deliver
had them deliver (fast) and told them that if they were going
to charge me $200 that they just lost a customer.
so
Bottle purchase & this new 5700 quad did just fine last season.............
Needless to say my propane bill was reduced dramatically !
Been hit with lots of purchase offers lately for propane
had one i couldnt pass up
not the same company & much cheaper
bought 200 gal on a prepay
they delivered 230 gallons and i am now getting a bill for the balance?
didnt ask for 230 gal...............
now i dont have a problem paying for what i purchase, but when they demand payment in advance, wont fill me up, and then put in more than i purchase and send me the bill i'm a little put off.........
never had any problem paying the bill so i'm not very happy with this type of sales tactics...........
too much other crap in life to deal with to be dealing with this silly stuff
any ideas on how to handle this before i get pissed off ?
thanks
rn

 

[CTburning]

These are crazy times that we are livin in. Better to not get upset. Many people are welching on debts in this recession. Most businesses are just trying to stay afloat and that is the least sleazy of the bad stories I have heard so far. Stay warm!

 

[stanb999]

I doubt it's some kinda conspiracy to charge you more. The driver who fills the tank probably just wanted to see that you had a full tank. He was probably just being nice.

That said, I hate propane people and their crappy ways of doing business.

 

[Dune]

Pay the bill, but include the info that they will never hear from you again.

 

[mcollect]

I think you are still remembering the old company's bad manners. This is a new one and probably trying to make you happy by filling your tank. Relax and try to let it go. Do tell them that if you ask for 200 you would prefer that they not add more then that amount. See if they listen and go from there.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

First, you do have to pay. Second, you are correct in that you only ordered 200 gallons. To me, that says you should at least get a big discount on the extra 30 gallons. I would insist on that and they would then know for further deliveries that you mean what you say.

 

[laynes69]

Had the same thing 2 years ago. Made a verbal contract over the phone. I'll buy 200 gallons to avoid the non-usage fee. Well I paid half over the phone. The propane man comes a few days later, and puts 275 gallons in the tank. I called him, told him we only wanted 200 gallons and I paid half for already. He said it was cheaper to keep it than to pump it back out. I got 275 gallons for 200 gallons. I wasn't about to pay for the extra I didn't want, and he did the right thing.

 

[savageactor7]

Well you have to live in the world as it exists...if I were you I pay up.

 

[Hurricane]

I had a similar issue with oil many years ago. I also asked them to come pump it out or negotiate price. They negotiated price and I was happy and they did not loose money. I would place a polite call and see if they will budge on price and let them know you understand their side also. See if they are willing to budge to keep you as a customer happy.
You either need to pay something for it or let them take it back.

Good luck

 

[n3pro]

I'm multi-tasking which I'm not good at so hopefully I answer correctly. My Propane bill stayed the same last year since the wood stove even though I used the same all year that I ususally used in a month and a half before. The company said pricing is depended upon the amount you use, the more you use the less per gallon the less you use the more per gallon.

 

[drizler]

I never have used that much of it but from day 1 noticed that you can just go buy your own a hell of a lot cheaper than getting "serviced" by the propane delivery companies. just get yourself 2 100lb tanks at Lowes or HD and an auto switching regulator. Then you just go fill the tank yourself when one runs dry. That way you don't have to deal with any creepy outfits who "accidentally" fill you right when the price is highest. I stopped being nice to these kind of people long long ago. You can use one of those cheap hand trucks to wheel the bottles around, just tie it on so it doesn't roll around. You should save around 30 or 40% and no surprises.

 

[MishMouse]

I'm multi-tasking which I'm not good at so hopefully I answer correctly. My Propane bill stayed the same last year since the wood stove even though I used the same all year that I ususally used in a month and a half before. The company said pricing is depended upon the amount you use, the more you use the less per gallon the less you use the more per gallon.

The propane company I use tried to do that to me last year, I just called around and got an average price, which was around $2 less per gallon then what I was charged. Then I called them back and said why are you charging me so much per gallon when I could go to company A and they would charge me X, Company B and they would charge me Y. Needless to say they dropped the price down closer to the average and sent me a revised bill to keep me as a customer. If they didn't drop the price I would have went somewhere else.
Some things to consider:
1) You are the customer, and if there is more then just one company that servers your area you can get them to compete for your business.
2) Wait to get filled up until your tank is lower
3) Consider purchasing your own tank, then you will not be locked in to a specific company

 

[rustynut]

thanks for the feedback guys
the price they charged me was pretty good and i have full intention of paying them.
it just bothered me that they wont just come out and fill the darn thing and send me the bill.........
then i'm full and know how much to send them (especially if they are gonna anyhow)
got to send them the money for the 200 gal, then turn right around and send them another check.........
not to mention my rant time & yours
every time i put gas in my car i have a meter to watch
my choice is either $ or gal
these drivers cant understand the meters ???
if i buy 200 gal you put in 200 gal - pretty simple i thought
forgot to add that the day of the delivery they sent a prebuy offer that was a dime cheaper as well
liked the idea of adding a note with my check
humm
more rant time.......
dont sweat the small stuff.......
rn

 

[JustWood]

Well you have to live in the world as it exists...if I were you I pay up.

I agree.
I wood let them know you only ordered 200 but pay for the extra 30 willingly. No big deal. Next time you order it may be a $1/gal more! Doubtful it will be less.