Bulk LPG - Cheapest suppliers / supply route?

shibbydibby wrote: »

... Calor turned up today to fill up ...................I guess the figures previoulsy supplied may have been inaccurate .

In the light of these comments - and the quote of 48.34ppl - I have edited my previous post. I wouldn't want any future visitor to the forum reading that Calor had ripped someone off to the tune of 90.48 ppl.

I can't believe I hadn't spotted this before as I've read this contract through a few times, but someone has just pointed out the rather unpleasant implications of the terms in Clause 6.2 of what I believe to be the current Calor contract (my bold, for clarity):

6.2 The price of Gas at the start of this Agreement is as shown on page 1. We price our Gas and our service costs competitively and from time to time price changes will be necessary. In the event of a price rise at any time exceeding the rate of 3.5 pence per litre in any three-month period you have the right (by giving us 42 days' written notice in accordance with clause 10.2 within 30 days after we have told you of the price rise) to terminate this Agreement. In the event of such termination you will pay the Tank uplift charge as set out in clause 8.3 in the circumstances referred to in clause 8.1.2 below, but you will not have to pay the higher price for Gas during the period of your notice, or any losses for breach referred to in clause 8.1.3 below.

In summary, the other clauses referred to are as follows:

• Clause 10.2 defines the acceptable methods of service of notice;
• Clause 8.1.2 refers to termination at or after the end of the Minimum Period;
• Clause 8.1.3 refers to termination for breach;
• Clause 8.3 Tank uplift - £230 + VAT (£1100 + VAT for underground) linked to RPI, with no liability for other damage or making good, excepting their negligence;

If anyone on the forum has a recent Calor contract, could they perhaps confirm that this clause remains substantively unaltered (either on the forum or by PM)?

It would also be interesting to hear of any and all prices charged/price increases imposed by Calor over the past 12-18 months and whether anyone has actually attempted (successfully or otherwise) to terminate their contract under this clause.

This seems to me to fly in the face of the Competition Commission Order of 2009, which was specifically designed to encourage and to ease switching. It is also referred to (albeit obliquely) in the following paragraph in the recent OFT Off Mains Energy Study:

"Furthermore, where contracts are terminated early by a customer in line with their contractual rights, the OFT considers that the provisions of the Order should apply to switching requests upon termination. We will work with industry to seek to ensure that guidance and contract documentation clarify this point where necessary."

If you are a Calor customer, and this situation concerns you (and it probably should), then you have until Friday to make your feelings known to the OFT (see Little Vermin's recent post for more detail on responding to the OFT).

I think it speaks volumes here that even a Conservative Member of Parliament is asking the Minister to consider regulation in this market. Here is a written question from David Morris (Morecambe and Lunesdale, Conservative) to Charles Hendry, dated 15th November 2011. Sad to say, the reply is wholly as expected and once again offers not a glimmer of hope.

Q. David Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will take steps to regulate the supply of liquid gas; and if he will make a statement.

A. Charles Hendry

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 31 October 2011, Hansard, column 370W 31 October 2011, Hansard, column 370W, to Chris Ruane.

The OFT noted in its report of the Off-Grid Energy Market study, that there has been a generally positive initial impact of the Competition Commission Orders from 2009. The Orders make it easier for consumers of domestic bulk liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to switch supplier. The OFT will continue to monitor this area and is also engaging with suppliers on consumer protection issues.

longforgotten wrote: »

Just checking prices, currently with Countrywide at 55ppl and out of contract.

Contacted suppliers by email , only BP got back to me offering 53.45ppl, £60 per year tank rental + no more than 2.5ppl rise in 6 months.

School report reads ' could do better'.........

Hi Longforgotten

I don't know where in the country you are, but I've just bought 800 litres from my local independent, HBS, at 45ppl. They're based in Hampshire, but only deliver up to 20mile radius.

I recently signed up with Countrywide and am paying 41ppl plus 5% vat. The standing charge is 12.50 plus vat per quarter. A heck of a lot cheaper than Calor.

This price is variable, not fixed and on a 2yr contract