Bulk LPG - Cheapest suppliers / supply route?

LittleVermin

To sort out the botched tank procedure you could try the Alternative Dispute Resolution  I'm told it works.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/alternative-dispute-resolution-for-consumers/alternative-dispute-resolution-for-consumers

And if you don't want to be tied into a 2 yr deal, try Extragas: you can negotiate at the end of yr1. I've done this - expecting prices to drop. https://www.extragas.co.uk/ I've been with them since being screwed (by BP) in about 1991. They subcontracted deliveries to Flogas in the past - no problems when there was a shortage and lots of snow. Now it seems to be Avanitigas ...maybe be different elsewhere but I'm in Cornwall. Real humans at Extragas....who even tell you their names! But most stuff is done on-line

LessImpecunious

Thanks @LittleVermin - am currently going through the ADR route, so that will be something to report back on sometime soonish I hope! Had not come across Extragas, so thanks for the tip - though I suspect we're going to be stuck with Calor, as I think they'll be happier to offer us an acceptable price rather than come back and relocate our tank and pipes so that we can switch to another supplier!

JerryW

LessImpecunious said:

Thanks @LittleVermin - am currently going through the ADR route, so that will be something to report back on sometime soonish I hope! Had not come across Extragas, so thanks for the tip - though I suspect we're going to be stuck with Calor, as I think they'll be happier to offer us an acceptable price rather than come back and relocate our tank and pipes so that we can switch to another supplier!

Calor have a legal responsibility to make their tank fully compliant, so don't let them weasel out! They replaced and resited my tank and renewed all of the pipework, when I made a fuss.

LittleVermin

JerryW said:

LessImpecunious said:

Thanks @LittleVermin - am currently going through the ADR route, so that will be something to report back on sometime soonish I hope! Had not come across Extragas, so thanks for the tip - though I suspect we're going to be stuck with Calor, as I think they'll be happier to offer us an acceptable price rather than come back and relocate our tank and pipes so that we can switch to another supplier!

Calor have a legal responsibility to make their tank fully compliant, <snip>

Hi Jerry, can you quote the legals.... regs, orders, .... (titles, numbers, dates) ..so people can use this clear-cut info, please? I'm all for weasels - the furry, four-legged variety, which live in my hedge!

@LessImpecunious, don't let them witter about '"grandfather rights". There are NO such things with LPG; this was clarified in a email from HSE to @HateLPG many years ago when some supplier tried it on (it's probably findable - this board, I think). Yes, suppliers still bamboozle customers, I believe, locking them - like you - into an eternal embrace. 

JerryW

LittleVermin said:

Hi Jerry, can you quote the legals.... regs, orders, .... (titles, numbers, dates) ..so people can use this clear-cut info, please? I'm all for weasels - the furry, four-legged variety, which live in my hedge!

No I can't, sorry. But I'm pretty sure it is the case .. after all it is their tank, isn't it? How could they not be responsible for it?

I think it is down to them to say it isn't...

LittleVermin

Ta Ra Ra Boom De-Ay.....MSE Forums's Search has made my day!    Blah blah - sorry! GRANDFATHER RIGHTS - here's relevant post: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/71767417#Comment_71767417

LessImpecunious

Thanks for that both - will see what happens with the ADR case and then follow up if necessary!

Sorting_Hat

JerryW said:

LittleVermin said:

Hi Jerry, can you quote the legals.... regs, orders, .... (titles, numbers, dates) ..so people can use this clear-cut info, please? I'm all for weasels - the furry, four-legged variety, which live in my hedge!

No I can't, sorry. But I'm pretty sure it is the case .. after all it is their tank, isn't it? How could they not be responsible for it?

I think it is down to them to say it isn't...

Can, worms.

Tanks are installed to be compliant but customer building works, landscaping, sheds, putting their extension over the ESV (emergency shut off valve), decking over the tank, trampoline, parking  the list goes on.
Now tanker drivers are not engineers and since tanks are tested every 10 years it might be that long before an engineer sees the tank and presto a warning notice is issued and said tank cant be filled until it is put right, or no tank at all and cylinders instead.

JerryW

Sorting_Hat said:

"Can, worms. Tanks are installed to be compliant but customer building works, landscaping, sheds, putting their extension over the ESV (emergency shut off valve), decking over the tank, trampoline, parking  the list goes on.
Now tanker drivers are not engineers and since tanks are tested every 10 years it might be that long before an engineer sees the tank and presto a warning notice is issued and said tank cant be filled until it is put right, or no tank at all and cylinders instead."

.. OK but this is a situation best avoided at all costs. It is open to all customers to contact their bulk supplier at any time and ask for an engineer to come and certify that their tank is compliant. Or, accept a new supplier's quote, they will need to confirm the tank is compliant. If it isn't, ask them to be specific about where it falls short and than get the existing supplier to address the problems. If the customer caused them, this will no doubt become apparent and they may have to pay to resolve them.

This is not the most closely regulated utility we have; but provided we customers are reasonably on the ball, it works well enough. One cannot expect everything to be done for you.       

Sorting_Hat

Yes I have seen the firms now asking pertinent questions at the switching stage and rejecting tanks too.