Bulk LPG - Cheapest suppliers / supply route?

HateLPG

I've just been talking to a chap I know down at the pub - another Flogas victim, and not a happy bunny! Somewhat happier now he's an Ex-Flogas victim, mind.

He was saying that he (like so many others) was pig-sick of being ripped off by Flogas, so when his contract came up for renewal he didn't have to give too much thought to changing. He said he couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry when, as soon as Flogas got notice of his intention to switch, he got a smarmy letter offering him an immediate cut of more than 30% in his price if he signed up for a new 2-year contract there and then. Which goes to show just how much fat there is on Flogas' prices. I guess their rep's will be turning up in Company Bentleys soon!

Needless to say, he politely declined their kind offer (actually, knowing him, it probably wasn't quite as polite as he made out )

I suggested that he post his experiences here and share them with others, but he's not exactly "tech-savvy". He might take the plunge - if so, I apologise in advance for any "duplication of effort", but I thought this was worth sharing anyway.

Ozzysmate

HateLPG wrote: »

I've just been talking to a chap I know down at the pub - another Flogas victim, and not a happy bunny! Somewhat happier now he's an Ex-Flogas victim, mind.

He was saying that he (like so many others) was pig-sick of being ripped off by Flogas, so when his contract came up for renewal he didn't have to give too much thought to changing. He said he couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry when, as soon as Flogas got notice of his intention to switch, he got a smarmy letter offering him an immediate cut of more than 30% in his price if he signed up for a new 2-year contract there and then. Which goes to show just how much fat there is on Flogas' prices. I guess their rep's will be turning up in Company Bentleys soon!

Needless to say, he politely declined their kind offer (actually, knowing him, it probably wasn't quite as polite as he made out )

I suggested that he post his experiences here and share them with others, but he's not exactly "tech-savvy". He might take the plunge - if so, I apologise in advance for any "duplication of effort", but I thought this was worth sharing anyway.

Was your friend's letter anything like this?

"Dear Mr.

We have been advised by XXX that you are wishing to switch your supply of LPG to them. We are sorry to hear this and would like to ask if you would consider the following offer.

We have taken the liberty of enclosing for you a new agreement with a new price offering which we hope is of interest to you. This is a price of 48ppl. We are also able to offer this to you as a fixed price for a period of 6 months and it is based on a new two year agreement.

I would be most grateful if you could contact me at your earliest convenience, or simply sign the enclosed document and return it in the envelope provided.

I shall try to contact you again in two days time in the event that you have not either returned the agreement or contacted me as requested.

You can contact me or any of my colleagues to discuss the enclosed agreement on xxxxxxxxxxx"


I really do find that patronising and insulting.

Any other Flogas 'cash cows' out there, please take note:

This represents a reduction to 48ppl from their intended price rise to 73ppl. A massive 35% for SIX months. What does that tell you? It speaks volumes to me :mad:

HateLPG

Ozzysmate wrote: »

Was your friend's letter anything like this

Well that was certainly the gist of what he said. Having read that, I suspect his response was probably even more intemperate than I suggested!!!

It beggars belief: the gall of them - and what's the betting that the "due to exceptional circumstances, we regret [my heart bleeds for those poor people at Flogas] that we have to increase the price of LPG by 15ppl with immediate effect" letter arrives within a few weeks.

but then again, I'm guessing that approach must work if they keep sending out these letters. We LPG users are our own worst enemies sometimes!

frankie

What really bugs me is that similar letters must have gone out to hundreds of other customers who will just accept what is stated.

Its a great shame that the comments on MSE cannot be somehow propagated to the wider lpg domestic market customer base.

As far as I can tell, this is the only forum that debates the great lpg rip off. There must be many more customers out there that do not see the debate going on here else companies like fologas would be brought to their knees!

The_Hornet

Latest update from deepest Herefordshire. In November I negotiated a price of 42.7p from Countrywide held for 3 months. I have been with them for 3 years now and am happily out of contract. just as the 3 month period ended I got a nice letter from them informing me of a 5p/litre rise. I now am ready for another fill (only 4 months later but after the coldest winter I can remember). Start phoning round:

Flogas - hahaha you must be joking, wouldn't touch those rogues with a bargepole.
Calor - 44.9p new 2yr contract mmm?
Shell - 44.5p " " "
Cardiff gas - 43p (!!) no contract at all. Don't know how they handle the existing tank but never mind for now
Countrywide - 46.7p Go away to think about it.

Interestingly the nice man from Cardiff gas informed me that prices had actually come down a bit recently!

Called Countrywide again and siad their price was unacceptable and what would they do about it. I was informed that as I was a good customer my account had been well looked after over the years and my price was excellent value considering most of their customers were paying over 60p. Of course I believed them that I was such a special case :rotfl::rotfl: Said they would look at it again and call me back.

Next day I received the call and was offered 43p :T Just like that. I ordered an immediate top up. This price is guaranteed for 3 months.

GrandadRob

Good price Hornet, but with no long term tie in, they will fleece you on your next big fill.
I still am of the opinion that Shell is my way forward, albeit with no great deal of confidence. I don't trust the future with any of them if I don't have at least a get-out clause.
Spoken like a true Flogas victim.......................:eek:

The_Hornet

But with no contract if they try to fleece me I will just look elsewhere. Actually to be fair, I have found Countrywide to be reasonably fair over the years as long as I haggle first. I would prefer to stay with them as long as they offer me a half decent price.

Ozzysmate

The_Hornet wrote: »

I would prefer to stay with them as long as they offer me a half decent price.

That's the key element in all this and it's all any of us really want.

Instead we have to struggle with half-arsed suppliers who are overcome with greed.

GrandadRob

Hornet, are you saying that Countrywide are not expecting you to sign a 2 year contract ?? They quoted me 42ppl a month ago, but only fixed for 3 months, but I wouldn't need another fill by then. But if they just left it open, and you paid them tank rental, I would go for that option......................

The_Hornet

That's exactly my situation. I am out of contract with Countrywide and just pay a quarterly tank rental. I am free to change supplier whenever I want to.