Bulk LPG - Cheapest suppliers / supply route?

Goldie99

Could I just ask if anyone has recent experience with LPG-Save / Flogas ?

I was recently quoted by LPG-Save at 50 ppl + VAT fixed for 24 months, with 16.4 ppd + VAT tank rental, also fixed for 24 months. Does the LPG-Save supply agreement (fixed prices etc.) override the standard Flogas T&C's, that allow them to charge for deliveries, change lpg price, change tank rental price, etc. ? such that the quoted 24 month prices would indeed be correct, and not potentially subject to unexpected changes or surcharges ?

JerryW

Goldie99 said:

Could I just ask if anyone has recent experience with LPG-Save / Flogas ?

I was recently quoted by LPG-Save at 50 ppl + VAT fixed for 24 months, with 16.4 ppd + VAT tank rental, also fixed for 24 months. Does the LPG-Save supply agreement (fixed prices etc.) override the standard Flogas T&C's, that allow them to charge for deliveries, change lpg price, change tank rental price, etc. ? such that the quoted 24 month prices would indeed be correct, and not potentially subject to unexpected changes or surcharges ?

Yes it does and they will confirm to you in writing that clauses x and y do not apply.. but I made doubly sure, by neatly ruling a line through them, and initialling the alteration, before I signed the contract!

And Flogas have held to it...

Goldie99

JerryW said:

Yes it does and they will confirm to you in writing that clauses x and y do not apply.. but I made doubly sure, by neatly ruling a line through them, and initialling the alteration, before I signed the contract!

And Flogas have held to it...

Excellent, thanks - that's just the feedback I was looking / hoping for.

Aeryn_sun

JerryW said:

Goldie99 said:

Could I just ask if anyone has recent experience with LPG-Save / Flogas ?

I was recently quoted by LPG-Save at 50 ppl + VAT fixed for 24 months, with 16.4 ppd + VAT tank rental, also fixed for 24 months. Does the LPG-Save supply agreement (fixed prices etc.) override the standard Flogas T&C's, that allow them to charge for deliveries, change lpg price, change tank rental price, etc. ? such that the quoted 24 month prices would indeed be correct, and not potentially subject to unexpected changes or surcharges ?

Yes it does and they will confirm to you in writing that clauses x and y do not apply.. but I made doubly sure, by neatly ruling a line through them, and initialling the alteration, before I signed the contract!

And Flogas have held to it...

Just partly in relation to this, I’m fairly new to LPG, came out of first contract last year but due to circumstances didn’t get around to getting new quotes, so am just about to start the process this year. 

I’m a low user (<1000l per year), live in Worcestershire and am currently with Flogas on 64ppl 😳. I have had no particular issues with Flogas with deliveries etc (although as I only live a couple of miles from their depot no excuse really!) 

LPG-Save have just quoted me the following, still with Flogas: 
Option 1: 53 pence per litre, Fixed for 12 months. In Year 2, your gas price will then be capped at no more than 9 pence per litre above the Year 1 Price. (+vat @ 5%). (So potential average of 57.5?)
Option 2: 57 pence per litre, Fixed for 24 months (+vat @ 5%)
Tank Rental / Standing Charge: 27 pence per day (+vat @ 5%) . As with all suppliers, tank rental charges can be subject to periodic change. (this is no different to what I’m paying now)
No additional costs will be applied for 'Operational Costs'. Some suppliers will now increase their overall price by up to 20 pence per litre (+vat @ 5%) over the Agreement term, for their 'Operational Costs', so for costs not included within the cost of the LPG itself.

I am going to contact Flogas and other providers directly to see what they will offer, but in respect of the ‘Operational Costs’ element, can anyone advise whether I would be able to negotiate on that too, or would I be better going with LPG-Save if their agreement overrides it?

I’ve also contacted LPG Compare and just waiting on what they come back with.

JerryW

Aeryn_sun said:

<snip>

I’m a low user (<1000l per year), live in Worcestershire and am currently with Flogas on 64ppl 😳. I have had no particular issues with Flogas with deliveries etc (although as I only live a couple of miles from their depot no excuse really!) 

LPG-Save have just quoted me the following, still with Flogas: 
Option 1: 53 pence per litre, Fixed for 12 months. In Year 2, your gas price will then be capped at no more than 9 pence per litre above the Year 1 Price. (+vat @ 5%). (So potential average of 57.5?)
Option 2: 57 pence per litre, Fixed for 24 months (+vat @ 5%)
Tank Rental / Standing Charge: 27 pence per day (+vat @ 5%) . As with all suppliers, tank rental charges can be subject to periodic change. (this is no different to what I’m paying now)
No additional costs will be applied for 'Operational Costs'. Some suppliers will now increase their overall price by up to 20 pence per litre (+vat @ 5%) over the Agreement term, for their 'Operational Costs', so for costs not included within the cost of the LPG itself.

I am going to contact Flogas and other providers directly to see what they will offer, but in respect of the ‘Operational Costs’ element, can anyone advise whether I would be able to negotiate on that too, or would I be better going with LPG-Save if their agreement overrides it?

I’ve also contacted LPG Compare and just waiting on what they come back with.

My understanding is that the operational cost element is included within the quoted price. So 57p/l fixed for 24 months means what it says and no other charges will be made, except for the standing charge. And potentially a delivery charge I suppose, though nobody here has ever reported having to pay one.

You can always ask whoever your supplier is going to be, to confirm this to you in writing, eg by email. Or neatly delete it from the contract, as I do. Or both.

The prices quoted do seem to be higher, the lower the predicted usage is. Actual usage of course can be quite variable.. only central heating really makes a difference, so if it is warmer, my usage goes down a fair bit.

JerryW

One other point that occurs to me, is that in theory prices can go down as well as up, so a two year fix could actually be disadvantageous compared to a shorter fix. However in 30 years of buying bulk lpg, I cannot remember any single occasion where a major supplier (Calor, Flogas, Avanti) has voluntarily reduced their supply price to me. This has only ever happened as a result of a complaint, or contract negotiation.

Aeryn_sun

JerryW said:

Aeryn_sun said:

<snip>

I’m a low user (<1000l per year), live in Worcestershire and am currently with Flogas on 64ppl 😳. I have had no particular issues with Flogas with deliveries etc (although as I only live a couple of miles from their depot no excuse really!) 

LPG-Save have just quoted me the following, still with Flogas: 
Option 1: 53 pence per litre, Fixed for 12 months. In Year 2, your gas price will then be capped at no more than 9 pence per litre above the Year 1 Price. (+vat @ 5%). (So potential average of 57.5?)
Option 2: 57 pence per litre, Fixed for 24 months (+vat @ 5%)
Tank Rental / Standing Charge: 27 pence per day (+vat @ 5%) . As with all suppliers, tank rental charges can be subject to periodic change. (this is no different to what I’m paying now)
No additional costs will be applied for 'Operational Costs'. Some suppliers will now increase their overall price by up to 20 pence per litre (+vat @ 5%) over the Agreement term, for their 'Operational Costs', so for costs not included within the cost of the LPG itself.

I am going to contact Flogas and other providers directly to see what they will offer, but in respect of the ‘Operational Costs’ element, can anyone advise whether I would be able to negotiate on that too, or would I be better going with LPG-Save if their agreement overrides it?

I’ve also contacted LPG Compare and just waiting on what they come back with.

My understanding is that the operational cost element is included within the quoted price. So 57p/l fixed for 24 months means what it says and no other charges will be made, except for the standing charge. And potentially a delivery charge I suppose, though nobody here has ever reported having to pay one.

You can always ask whoever your supplier is going to be, to confirm this to you in writing, eg by email. Or neatly delete it from the contract, as I do. Or both.

The prices quoted do seem to be higher, the lower the predicted usage is. Actual usage of course can be quite variable.. only central heating really makes a difference, so if it is warmer, my usage goes down a fair bit.

Thanks for the suggestion, will try that. 

In your other point about shorter fixes, just heard back from LPG Compare who have suggested Midlands LPG, an independent supplier based in Birmingham, who have quoted 43ppl fixed for 12mths with year 2 reflecting current market, and rental £70 which is £30 cheaper than I’m currently paying. A bit nervous about going to an ‘unknown’ independent though, just in terms of deliveries, general contact. Unless anyone on here has used them before?
Have yet to contact others so will wait and see.

Shades007

I have been with Carver Gases for a number of years.  They are the only company I have found that don't insist on a 2 year contract.  You are free to leave the contract at any time and because of this it keeps them honest with their prices.  

Lisa_mj

Just a little word of caution.  I'm approaching the end of the first year of my latest 2 year contract so I rang my supplier, out of interest, to enquire what the ppl will be in Year 2.  I was told there will be a price increase of 12ppl. Didn't sound right so I double checked my contract which states a cap in year 2 of 5ppl. Rang supplier back, they looked again and, yes year 2 is capped at 5ppl, sales have put 12ppl increase on the account in error, they'll get it corrected. Always pays to be on the front foot and check these things in advance so any mistakes can be spotted early and not after an order has been placed and the invoice arrives! 

y-o-r-k-y

Goldie99 said:

Could I just ask if anyone has recent experience with LPG-Save / Flogas ?

I was recently quoted by LPG-Save at 50 ppl + VAT fixed for 24 months, with 16.4 ppd + VAT tank rental, also fixed for 24 months. Does the LPG-Save supply agreement (fixed prices etc.) override the standard Flogas T&C's, that allow them to charge for deliveries, change lpg price, change tank rental price, etc. ? such that the quoted 24 month prices would indeed be correct, and not potentially subject to unexpected changes or surcharges ?

I have had exactly the same quote by LPG save today . LPG compare have come up with these deals with Avanti - 

' options of either 52p fixed for 6 months, 54p fixed for 12 months or 62p fixed for 2 years and £50 free gas credit, tank rental/standing charge is £66 per year. This price is based on automatic top ups. If you require manual ordering the price is +2p per litre. ' All plus vat @5%

I'm going with the LPG Save / Flogas quote for simplicity . The £50 credit offer by Avanti would make the 62p fixed for 24 months 50p for the first 417L but I think I'll us at least double that. 

Currently I'm with Calor who offer 69p with no contract but actually charged the previous owner of my home 84p last November which I ended up paying for as it was delivered 2 days before the move.