Bulk LPG - Cheapest suppliers / supply route?

Andrew1066

Thank you Bob, that’s very useful to know

JerryW

bobmac62 wrote: »

A handful of customers, like myself who joined WOLDLInK in 2015, have a variable tariff that is confirmed at the start of each month. Sometimes it increases and sometimes it reduces, so we try to purchase when crude oil prices are reducing.
Newer customers enjoy fixed price for a given period, sometimes above our variable tariff, sometimes below. During my supply period with WOLDLINK/FLOGAS I have enjoyed pricing that has been below the fixed pricing schedule on the majority of my purchases. If this advantage is eliminated then I can look elsewhere for supplies as my initial 2 year contact period has expired and I can contract with another supplier.
My dealings with Robert Copp at WOLDLINK have always been pleasant and business-like, unlike numerous other utility companies I have dealt with.

Yes, and I am deeply envious of that deal! Woldlink are always ready to quote but the nature of the deal does change from time to time, and they seem to be preferring Avanti to Flogas at present. My deal of 32p fixed for 12 months came from Avanti via Woldlink.

In terms of approachability, efficiency, friendliness, honesty and value Woldlink are a rare beacon of light in a very murky industry. I recommend that nobody should sign up elsewhere without at least giving them a phone call.

Bethmiss

We moved from Flogas to JGas just over two years ago. Price was 28ppl fixed for a year, and tank rental at £48 per annum (it actually works out less than that. Max price increase of 3ppl in year two. They did announce an increase at some point, but then didn't put it into effect when delivery and invoice arrived.

Out of contract at end of November, and can't get JGas to quote new terms due to market volatility. I was told their prices would be increasing by 5 or 5.5ppl across all their customers. Phoned for top-up immediately we got that info, and got it at 31ppl.

Jonathan Rose was in touch back in October with info and, yes, only company he quoted was Calor at 38ppl. I'd rather stay with JGas if we can as they've been fine. Only complaint is that they keep emailing invoice, rather than posting it - mildly annoying as specifically asked for posted invoice so that I'd remember to put through payment.

Speaking of which ..............

J_B

Bethmiss wrote: »

Only complaint is that they keep emailing invoice, rather than posting it - mildly annoying as specifically asked for posted invoice so that I'd remember to put through payment.

Maybe print it out as soon as it comes and put it straight in the 'unpaid bills' file?

Bethmiss

Not thought of that! I just phone and ask for invoice to be posted, on basis that don't always have access to "free" printer. We also wanted posted invoice, as we felt we were probably paying for it anyway. It is a scutter having to phone for invoice every time but, so far, JGas is probably best supplier we've had in over 20 years.

We first start bulk LPG pre-1988, so we've seen a lot of changes in how this system works.

markharmer

Unfortunately I cannot agree with all the positive comments about Woldlink. I transferred to them in March 2017, I missed out on their monthly pricing deal which had finished, so I got a 2 year contract with 6 monthly pricing increases (in April and October). I wanted to go with them because of the positive comments on this forum. Gas is supplied and delivered by Flogas (as it is with their monthly customers). When I was arranging the transfer in January 2017 their price was at 27.85p + VAT. They messed up the transfer and I couldn't take delivery until after the April increase - price went up to 36.95p + VAT! The October 2017 price did marginally reduce to 36.75p + VAT. Then in the second year of my contract, mirroring the experience I have had with all other suppliers in the 25 years we have had bulk LPG, the price was increased to 43.45p + VAT in April 2018 and up to 49.98p + VAT in October 2018. My pricing is meant to be related to Platts pricing but I note that their monthly deal customers are on considerably lower prices, also based on Platts pricing (!?). This current price is excessive and far above other prices quoted on this forum. Just thought I would share my experience. Are there any other forum members out there on the Woldlink 6 monthly pricing increase deal?

JerryW

markharmer wrote: »

Unfortunately I cannot agree with all the positive comments about Woldlink. I transferred to them in March 2017... <snip>

Those are fair points... I was lucky, in that I transferred to Woldlink in 2016 so did not have to pay more than about 36p in 2018. When the two years was up, they told me they were very unhappy with Flogas and offered me a deal through Avanti. What happens to that in year 2 remains to be seen! But I don't think they are offering Flogas deals any more.

paddytt

Wantingtojustlive wrote: »

Hi I'm in the very same situation, I now need to email to get out of the contract that has been raised 11.5p per litre, please if it's not too personal could I copy your email letter which you wrote, I'm stuck for wording thank-you

Sorry, I only just noticed your post. Maybe too late for you, but if it helps anyone else:

Dear Mr Whittaker

Ref: Account Number xxxxxx

Thank you for your letter of xx informing me of a price increase to 45.22ppl from 25.01.19. I note that this is an increase of 12.22ppl in a 12 month period, or +37%. To say that I was shocked and disappointed is an understatement.

I was even more shocked by the reaction from your helpline just now, where your representative clearly lied and gave me false information.

From our contract which your company signed on 16.01.18, it is clear that:

(i) section 8.3 stipulates that if your prices are increasing due to the underlying indexed price of LPG (Platts Index), then you will provide me with details of the underlying Platts index. Since you have not done this in your letter, the increase must be due to section 8.2.2 (direct transportation costs) or 8.2.3 (Other reasons). But both of these sections are limited to 5ppl, as stated “We may increase (in a single step or series of steps) the price of LPG for the reasons listed at clauses 8.2.2 and 8.2.3 by no more than five pence per litre in any twelve month period” and I have highlighted this in the excerpt from our contract below in case of any doubt on your part.

The lady on your helpline just tried to tell me that this statement does not apply, because the LPG increase is due to increases from your wholesaler which she stated is allowed as per section 8.2.3 – what nonsense to try to claim that the following paragraph with the 5ppl limit on section 8.2.3 does then not apply! Do you train your Customer Service staff to lie to your customers?

Nevertheless, it was good that she confirmed the price increase falls under section 8.2.3 and not 8.2.1, so I note that it is definitely not linked to the Platt index and it is therefore definitely limited to 5ppl.

Can I politely suggest that you should review the price increase, since it is 244% more than the 5ppl limit, and I would request that this is fixed for the remainder of our contract? I also note that new customers to Flogas are currently being quoted 32ppl and therefore I request that our new rate is reduced to this price, 32ppl + VAT.

(ii) You letter also states that “When we do make these increases to our customers, we do so based on long term projections of the price of LPG to prevent dramatic increases”. However our contract clearly states that you are only allowed to increase the price of LPG linked to the Platts index for Northwest Europe, or up to the 5ppl increase. Therefore, why would you increase it more, based on your own projections?


Yours sincerely

JerryW

Good letter! Would be interested to see the response..

Mister_G

Just ordered 1000 litres of LPG at 30ppl from my local independent, so looks like prices are still pretty stable as it's been that price since Feb 2015!