Bulk LPG - Cheapest suppliers / supply route?

JerryW

philtrick123 said:

OK- My contract ran out with Flogas in October, and for one reason or another I didn't renew with anyone. I'm down to 25% in my tank.
Called Flogas for an updated quote- it took ages to get thru and the agent who answered sounded a bit irritated that a customer had called She offered me 55ppl for 12months then variable, then 59ppl for 24 months. Sounds very high. I requested email confirmation of the quote and nothing has arrived. 1 of 10 for customer service. I've also emailed LPGSave to see if they can refresh their quote from last year which was---

✔ Option 1: 48 pence per litre, Fixed for 12 months, with a 9 pence per litre 'Price Cap' above the Year 1 Price, in Year 2  (+vat @ 5%), or ✔ Option 2: 52 pence per litre, Fixed for 24 months (+vat @ 5%)

What price should I be aiming for?

Never ever let that sort of treatment go unchallenged. Just very politely ask them their name first, and then if they have someone a bit more customer friendly, that you could talk to instead?

Don't let it go. We all have a duty to teach :-)

philtrick123

JerryW said:

philtrick123 said:

OK- My contract ran out with Flogas in October, and for one reason or another I didn't renew with anyone. I'm down to 25% in my tank.
Called Flogas for an updated quote- it took ages to get thru and the agent who answered sounded a bit irritated that a customer had called She offered me 55ppl for 12months then variable, then 59ppl for 24 months. Sounds very high. I requested email confirmation of the quote and nothing has arrived. 1 of 10 for customer service. I've also emailed LPGSave to see if they can refresh their quote from last year which was---

✔ Option 1: 48 pence per litre, Fixed for 12 months, with a 9 pence per litre 'Price Cap' above the Year 1 Price, in Year 2  (+vat @ 5%), or ✔ Option 2: 52 pence per litre, Fixed for 24 months (+vat @ 5%)

What price should I be aiming for?

Never ever let that sort of treatment go unchallenged. Just very politely ask them their name first, and then if they have someone a bit more customer friendly, that you could talk to instead?

Don't let it go. We all have a duty to teach :-)

With hindsight I should have asked for the persons name. I'll cut them some slack and assume that Flogas is overworking their poor call centre agents and it's not the individuals fault :-)

philtrick123

OK. It took them a couple of days but this is the current best offer from lpg-save with Flogas. I'll push the button on Monday afternoon for the 24 month option unless someone tells me that there is better pricing available with another supplier. Using ~2000litres per year it works out at roughly £200 per year OR £16 a month more over my previous 42ppl deal. So call it very roughly 50p a day.

✔ Option 1: 48 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%).

 ✔ Option 2: 52 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.

 ✔ 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.

JerryW

philtrick123 said:

OK. It took them a couple of days but this is the current best offer from lpg-save. I'll push the button on Monday afternoon for the 24 month option unless someone tells me that there is better pricing available with another supplier..

✔ Option 1: 48 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%).

 ✔ Option 2: 52 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.

 ✔ 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.

There seem to be some regional variations, but that sounds about par for the course at present.

Don't forget to rule a neat line through the contract terms that mention price increases, operational or not, before signing & returning the contract. If you even get one, I haven't always. If you don't it might be worth exchanging an email asking them to confirm the price won't change during the 24 mth period.

Mikebt

My contract with Flogas ends 1/3/24 and am currently paying 89p per litre, just rang them and they said that they can’t offer anything better.
Trying lpg-save to see if they can help.

JerryW

Mikebt said:

My contract with Flogas ends 1/3/24 and am currently paying 89p per litre, just rang them and they said that they can’t offer anything better.
Trying lpg-save to see if they can help.

They are taking the pee.

1. let us know whereabouts you are, and what size tank etc.

2. do a google search for other local suppliers, you should be able to find at least four or five, and maybe a comparison site or two as well. Something like "bulk lpg supply Norfolk," or wherever

3. Send an email to all of them, asking for a quote for a two year fix. Or phone or what you will

The LPG marketplace is difficult for some who are not used to it, but it can be very rewarding. Keep us posted, you definitely should be able to get below 50p/l, for a24m fix.

Mikebt

JerryW said:

Mikebt said:

My contract with Flogas ends 1/3/24 and am currently paying 89p per litre, just rang them and they said that they can’t offer anything better.
Trying lpg-save to see if they can help.

They are taking the pee.

1. let us know whereabouts you are, and what size tank etc.

2. do a google search for other local suppliers, you should be able to find at least four or five, and maybe a comparison site or two as well. Something like "bulk lpg supply Norfolk," or wherever

3. Send an email to all of them, asking for a quote for a two year fix. Or phone or what you will

The LPG marketplace is difficult for some who are not used to it, but it can be very rewarding. Keep us posted, you definitely should be able to get below 50p/l, for a24m fix.

Thanks, I’m in rural North Wales and tank size is 1410L. I’ll do what you suggest and email some suppliers.

Goldie99

I went down the LPG Save / Flogas route last year, and found it very straightforward to negotiate an acceptable contract, have the tank inspected, approved, and all contracts fully signed.

Unfortunately, that's where the good news ends... you can negotiate whatever price & terms you reach agreement on, but, you have no control over Flogas actually delivering, or not, as is apparently often the case, and certainly the situation I currently have. Flogas revews on the Trustpilot site also make interesting reading in this regard...

I placed a bulk lpg order earlier in January, confirmed by Flogas with a delivery date of 'by Jan. 29, 2024' clearly shown in my online account details. When it didn't arrived by the 29th., I phoned Flogas cust. service & queried why not ? and when I could expect it ?.... she was unable to give me any answers, but promised to contact the delivery depot concerned, and get back to me with an update the next day. Not surprisingly, I've heard absolutely nothing since - except - the order delivery date of 'by Jan. 29, 2024', that was previously shown on my account, has now been removed, and replaced by "your order is being processed".

Fortunately, the order is not yet urgent. I have sufficient lpg for now, especially with warmer weather forecast, but it does the raise the following question:

Are bulk lgp deliveries covered by the 2015 Consumer Rights Act ? specifically the delivery terms therein (Sect. 28) ?

 

Lisa_mj

@Goldie99 I had exactly the same scenario a few weeks ago (see my post earlier in the thread). After nearly 6 weeks from placing my order I was literally begging them for a delivery. I made the point that the majority of the population never give a passing thought to the gas flowing into their house yet it had become a constant on my mind and how could it be right or ethical for Flogas to be in complete control of my energy supply and therefore my access to hot water and heating... unacceptable. Thankfully I received a delivery shortly after.

I don't know the answer to your question, one for a legal eagle.

Good luck

JerryW

Lisa_mj said:

@Goldie99 I had exactly the same scenario a few weeks ago (see my post earlier in the thread). After nearly 6 weeks from placing my order I was literally begging them for a delivery. I made the point that the majority of the population never give a passing thought to the gas flowing into their house yet it had become a constant on my mind and how could it be right or ethical for Flogas to be in complete control of my energy supply and therefore my access to hot water and heating... unacceptable. Thankfully I received a delivery shortly after.

I don't know the answer to your question, one for a legal eagle.

Good luck

If you think consulting lawyers will help, do so by all means. My advice is:

- Place the order, online if possible. Flogas will tell you when the order is confirmed (next day, usually) and will say that delivery will be within the next 14 days.

- 14 days on the dot, if it has not yet been delivered, telephone them and speak to a human. ask their name (and note it down), Be nice to them, they have a boring job. Ask them if the delivery is scheduled and if not, why not?

- whatever they answer, tell them you will phone them again the next day because the delivery is important.

Etc ... all my deliveries bar one were within the 14 day period, and the weather was so bad with the other one they said they couldn't get into their depot, never mind out.

All these companies are operated by people just like you and me. Talk to them..