Bulk LPG - Cheapest suppliers / supply route?

fatbeams

Hi
Here's my contract re-negotiation story for postcode TN26 in Kent.

I am out of contract with Calor - currently my account shows a floating price of 59.5ppl on a domestic average usage of 1500 litres a year.

I phoned Calor first and they offered me a standard 2ppl reduction with 6 months fixed- the lady on the phone was very helpful saying that she could not quote best prices until she knew what the other 3 main suppliers were offering. She intimated that she knew pretty accurately what the best prices would be from FloGas, MacGas, and Avanti.

Avanti answered straight away and had all the info I needed within a minute. 45.9ppl fixed for 6 months or a 12 month fix at 47.9ppl; a 2 year contract with max 5ppl increase every six months.

MacGas answered promptly but I was told the man I wanted was out to lunch! Not a terribly inspiring start from what I gather is a large company. The only interesting point was that she asked if my tank had a 3 meter clearance around it - she says this is part of new regulations and would be checked on site visits. Anyway 1 hour later they phoned me back and said that they did not cover my postcode despite the UKlpg site bringing them up as a supplier -" we are not expanding our business in this postcode". :eek:

FloGas offered 46ppl with a 6 month fix but no guarantee about future price rises. When I queried her, she put me on hold and offered to extend the fixed term to 9 months after speaking with her 'Price Fixing' team.

I went back to Calor with this who then agreed to go to 47.9ppl fixed for 9 months with a max rise of 3.5ppl per six months plus a £50 gas credit. I have accepted this as they were actually very pleasant about the whole process. They actually told me that perhaps it is 'better the devil you know' when it comes to LPG suppliers so at least they have a sense of humour.

So, with an hour or two work and a few phone calls I reckon I have saved £160 on my next order and will make sure I top up before the fix price period ends to save another £60.

I reckon I will then only have one more fill at higher rates before the 2 year contract period is up.

Thanks

Fatbeams

crazyz

Be careful Calor's normal trading terms are 3.5ppl in any 3 month not six, and they always seem to increase to contract.

So I would ask them to put it in writing, otherwise you would have been better off with Avanti

fatbeams wrote: »

Hi
Here's my contract re-negotiation story for postcode TN26 in Kent.

I am out of contract with Calor - currently my account shows a floating price of 59.5ppl on a domestic average usage of 1500 litres a year.

I phoned Calor first and they offered me a standard 2ppl reduction with 6 months fixed- the lady on the phone was very helpful saying that she could not quote best prices until she knew what the other 3 main suppliers were offering. She intimated that she knew pretty accurately what the best prices would be from FloGas, MacGas, and Avanti.

Avanti answered straight away and had all the info I needed within a minute. 45.9ppl fixed for 6 months or a 12 month fix at 47.9ppl; a 2 year contract with max 5ppl increase every six months.

MacGas answered promptly but I was told the man I wanted was out to lunch! Not a terribly inspiring start from what I gather is a large company. The only interesting point was that she asked if my tank had a 3 meter clearance around it - she says this is part of new regulations and would be checked on site visits. Anyway 1 hour later they phoned me back and said that they did not cover my postcode despite the UKlpg site bringing them up as a supplier -" we are not expanding our business in this postcode". :eek:

FloGas offered 46ppl with a 6 month fix but no guarantee about future price rises. When I queried her, she put me on hold and offered to extend the fixed term to 9 months after speaking with her 'Price Fixing' team.

I went back to Calor with this who then agreed to go to 47.9ppl fixed for 9 months with a max rise of 3.5ppl per six months plus a £50 gas credit. I have accepted this as they were actually very pleasant about the whole process. They actually told me that perhaps it is 'better the devil you know' when it comes to LPG suppliers so at least they have a sense of humour.

So, with an hour or two work and a few phone calls I reckon I have saved £160 on my next order and will make sure I top up before the fix price period ends to save another £60.

I reckon I will then only have one more fill at higher rates before the 2 year contract period is up.

Thanks

Fatbeams

HateLPG

fatbeams wrote: »

The only interesting point was that she asked if my tank had a 3 meter clearance around it - she says this is part of new regulations and would be checked on site visits.

Probable Porkie Alert #1: The regulations have not significantly changed in years (plenty of discussion about this earlier in this thread), although incoming suppliers do now seem to pay attention to the requirements of the regulations (which is a comparatively new thing!). That said, the chances of any delivery driver inspecting much other than the existence of the tank and perhaps giving the regulator a quick visual once-over are slim (also discussed at length elsewhere on this thread)

fatbeams wrote: »

Anyway 1 hour later they phoned me back and said that they did not cover my postcode despite the UKlpg site bringing them up as a supplier -" we are not expanding our business in this postcode".

Probable Porkie Alert #2: MacGas (formerly BP Gas) are now part of Flogas. What I suspect she should have said (if she was allowed to) was "Now that we are part of Flogas, we will not in future be competing in the same areas".

Given the name, MacGas, I suspect that means we will see a consolidation of facilities and with Flogas effectively withdrawing from Scotland (where as I understand it, BP were stronger than Flogas anyway) and MacGas effectively withdrawing from supplying to addresses in England.

fatbeams

Thanks for the helpful replies and all the great information on this thread that allowed me save some extra ££s.:beer:

Oh yes indeed, I am waiting for all the details in writing before signing though I need to do it soon as I have less than 15% in the tank.

Looking forward to ordering some cheaper gas though!

crazyz

Dont be swayed into signing a contract before negotiation, you can order a min delivery from them while you consider your options. They are probably waiting for you need gas urgently to get you to sign.

fatbeams wrote: »

Thanks for the helpful replies and all the great information on this thread that allowed me save some extra ££s.:beer:

Oh yes indeed, I am waiting for all the details in writing before signing though I need to do it soon as I have less than 15% in the tank.

Looking forward to ordering some cheaper gas though!

LittleVermin

fatbeams wrote: »

... I am waiting for all the details in writing before signing though I need to do it soon as I have less than 15% in the tank....

crazyz wrote: »

... you can order a min delivery from them while you consider your options.....

Some companies won't let you have anything but a complete fill (i.e. to 85%): it costs the supplier almost as much in truck/driver/office costs to put in 1 litre as 1000 litres. That's why many companies top up tanks when they've a tanker in the neighbourhood. Maybe check your contract? I found BP changed their terms over a couple of years a few years back.

HateLPG wrote: »

..
Probable Porkie Alert #1: ..

Probable Porkie Alert #2: ...

I think these are both genuine 100% porkies - no horsie, doggy or donkey involved. We should be proud of the great British/Irish LPG supply industry for offering us such high quality products.
..

Edycelt

HI I am coming to the end of a contract with flogas, and would like to ask if the energy club works for people who are looking for the best deal with LPG supplies.

LittleVermin

Edycelt wrote: »

HI I am coming to the end of a contract with flogas, and would like to ask if the energy club works for people who are looking for the best deal with LPG supplies.

Welcome to the forum!

Here's a link to the MSE Energy Club for readers who haven't heard of it:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cheapenergyclub

I very much doubt if it'll work for bulk LPG users as (unless you own your own tank) you (we!) are tied into 2 yr exclusive contracts. But do ask!

If you post your postcode (first part will do) other people on the forum will try to help you to get a good deal. Info that's relevant is location, approximate usage, above/below ground tank.

What are you paying Flogas currently, please?

johnnybebad2000

Ok forum, so we move into the new property in 3 weeks and i have phoned round suppliers that supply in Aberdeenshire. Not sure what option would be best, please help. All prices are before VAT and tank rentals all about the same so i havent included.

Calor Gas
1. 48ppl 6 month fixed
2. 49.9ppl 12 month fixed
No more that 3.5ppl rise in any 3 month period and £150 off first bill.

Gleaner Oils
55.7ppl
No fixed rates just what it costs at the time

J Gas
49ppl fixed 6 months
No more than 3ppl rise in a 6 month period

Avanti
42.4ppl 6 month fixed
No more than 5ppl rise in a 6 month period.

Macgas (current suppliers)
53.95ppl fixed for 6 months
No more that 2.5ppl rise in 6 month period
They also said they would do 1 out of contract fill while i decided what to do at 59.95ppl

So, what do i do? My thoughts are Avanti, but they know summer is round the corner hence the low 6 month price. I will ask them if they have a 12 month fixed option.

Any thoughts?

LittleVermin

johnnybebad2000 wrote: »

Ok forum, so we move into the new property in 3 weeks and i have phoned round suppliers that supply in Aberdeenshire. Not sure what option would be best, please help. All prices are before VAT and tank rentals all about the same so i havent included.


.........

So, what do i do? My thoughts are Avanti, but they know summer is round the corner hence the low 6 month price. I will ask them if they have a 12 month fixed option.

Any thoughts?

Have you asked Alba Gas (here) to quote?

Seen if a farmers' co-op, with their immense buying power, can offer a better deal (of course that might be wiped out by membership fees). Mole Valley Farmers, based in southern England, operates nationally for bulk buying. But there are Scottish ones too - see HateLPG's post (here).

Prices for LPG do NOT necessarily go down in summer ...please check the charts! Fiery speech from Iran, major pipeline out of commission, etc and prices climb. Rational? Often not!
..