Bulk LPG - Cheapest suppliers / supply route?

HateLPG

I have to underline what mbday has just said in his post #821 - he has got straight to the heart of the matter and summed up very succinctly the key issues that need to be drawn to the attention of the OFT.

For anyone considering writing to the OFT (and I hope that's all of you reading this ) that post is essential reading, and presents an excellent starting point. If a hundred people tell the OFT the same thing in different words, we could perhaps have some hope that they might adequately address the important issues.

GrandadRob

Telephone rang, gentleman asked for me by name. Said could I spare a few minutes to answer some questions...................at that point started to put the phone down.............then heard the word LPG.........He was reprived. Said he was from Ipsos/Mori Poll. He was conducting a poll on behalf of the "LPG industry" Would I be interested in answering some questions. So I agreed.
Questions to be answered 1 to 10... 1 really awful, 10 magnificient.

Questions started, who was my current supplier...Flogas. There then followed about 10 questions relating to Flogas and their prices, customer service etc etc. All of which I tried to give a score of minus 100, but was only allowed to score as 1. Then an interesting section....had I heard of Calor Gas, did I ever think of using them, etc etc......(poll on behalf of who ?) Then was I in or out of contract, and more.
Took about 10 minutes, someone else's call, chance to wreak revenge on Flogas, felt good at the end.
They said they had got my details from Flogas.......
Anyone else had this, or is it just the Flogas SAS team targetting me.

DAVID.T_3

INTERESTING, Flogas are now partners with.............

COUNTRYWIDE GO WITH THE FLO

Rural supplier Countrywide has extended the reach of its energy offer, the company has announced.
From April 1st 2011, customers in the east and north of England plus north and west Wales, areas outside Countrywide’s conventional delivery area, can now buy their LPG from the rural specialists. This follows an agreement with LPG supply firm Flogas, in a partnership to be known as ‘Countrywide LPG Powered by Flogas.’
Countrywide’s Commercial Director David Asquith comments, “The deal with Flogas is a perfect fit for Countrywide. It allows us to widen our customer base and opens new opportunities for the business.
“Countrywide is synonymous with providing a range of products, services and expertise to those who live and work in the countryside and Flogas have an excellent and well established national network. Combining that infrastructure with our long standing relationship with the rural community provides an ideal solution for LPG customers throughout England and Wales.” continues Mr Asquith.
“For existing Countrywide LPG customers, who are primarily in the Midlands, the South West of England and in the Welsh borders, nothing will change. They will continue to receive the same comprehensive package of LPG services from Countrywide as before, ensuring convenience, technical knowhow, advice and fuel level monitoring service, all delivered by a dedicated customer service team. Our partnership with Flogas is designed to specifically reach new customers.”
Flogas, who are owned by DCC PLC, are a major nationwide supplier of LPG. Henry Cubbon is their Managing Director, “We are a UK business supplying LPG in bulk tanks and cylinders to a wide range of customers, including private homes, hotels and pubs and also to larger industrial and agricultural customers. We also provide LPG for fork lift trucks, cars and trucks.
“We are delighted to be working alongside Countrywide given their strong presence and respected reputation in the rural community. We are very excited by the prospect of this partnership; it makes perfect sense for us to supply the rural community through Countrywide’s already well established position. New customers will be able to benefit from our national network and strong delivery capabilities. These are already enjoyed by Flogas’ existing customers - for whom nothing will change.
“As back-up, Flogas also provides a 24 hr national Emergency Hotline, and can reach customers in short order,” concludes Mr Cubbon.
“By definition LPG fits well with the rural community as many areas are not connected to the grid,” continues David Asquith. “New customers can come into a Countrywide store, talk to their farm or rural business account manager, log onto our website or call our customers services team. Negotiating and signing a contract is then straight forward with Flogas installing the tank, providing the fuel supply from one of their 21 terminals across Britain, and maintaining the tank for the duration of the contract.
“Switching LPG supply to Countrywide is extremely straight forward,” concludes Mr Asquith. “We are very much looking forward to working alongside Flogas and subsequently being able to offer our services to a greater number of rural people across a far wider geographical area.”
For further information call Countrywide LPG Customer Services on 0800 169 1735 or email [EMAIL="lpgas@countrywidefarmers.co.uk"]lpgas@countrywidefarmers.co.uk[/EMAIL].
Back to top

HateLPG

DAVID.T wrote: »

This follows an agreement with LPG supply firm Flogas, in a partnership to be known as ‘Countrywide LPG Powered by Flogas.’

I can see where this one is going. Anyone taking bets on how long it is before it becomes simply 'Countrywide LPG', a Flogas company???

longforgotten

OMG. I told myself I would never have any dealings with Flogas ever again (now with Countrywide).

Even more sure I will be ringing around when the current contract comes up for renewal.

HateLPG

longforgotten wrote: »

OMG. I told myself I would never have any dealings with Flogas ever again (now with Countrywide).

Just a thought on this, and in the context of my previous post: anyone who is (or is considering) becoming a Countrywide customer should be aware of this section from the OFT's "Unfair contract terms guidance" document (OFT 311)

Group 16: Supplier's right to assign without consent – paragraph 1(p) of Schedule 2

Schedule 2, paragraph 1, states that terms may be unfair if they have the object or effect of:

(p) giving the seller or supplier the possibility of transferring his rights and obligations under the contract, where this may serve to reduce the guarantees for the consumer, without the latter's agreement.

16.1 If a supplier sells ('assigns') his business, consumers will find themselves dealing with someone else if the contract is a continuing one (like an insurance contract) or, when it is for a single transaction, if any problem arises with the goods or services supplied to them. Their legal position should be unaffected by the 'assignment'. A term is unlikely to be fair if it allows the supplier to sell on to someone else who offers a poorer service.

16.2 The last three words of the quotation above point to one solution – for the consumer to be consulted and assignment to be permitted only if he or she consents. Where services are being provided, and payment is being made, on a continuing basis (as, for example, with membership of a club) a more practicable approach may be for the consumer to have a penalty-free right of exit if he objects to an assignment. Alternatively, an assignment clause may be considered fair if it allows the supplier to assign only in circumstances which ensure that the consumer's rights under the contract will not be prejudiced.

GrandadRob

Quote....."given their well respected reputation in the rural community" unquote. Flogas talking about Countrywide.

Well I guess that if you have lost your own respected reputation, the next best thing is to buy someone else's and hide behind it.

But can a leopard change it's spots...........................

HateLPG

GrandadRob wrote: »

Quote....."given their well respected reputation in the rural community" unquote. Flogas talking about Countrywide.

Well I guess that if you have lost your own respected reputation, the next best thing is to buy someone else's and hide behind it.

Don't understand why Flo would be so concerned about such things. Well rotted manure already has an excellent reputation in the rural community

LittleVermin

brandeberryj wrote: »

Below is the site for all the companies that will deliver to you:-http://www.uklpg.org/supplier-search/search.php

All suppliers put there details on here as they would lose sales if they didn't.

<snip>

Wrong. ALL suppliers do NOT "put there details on here".

As HateLPG wrote in post #751:

HateLPG wrote: »

Hi Dee0 - welcome to the "Wonderful World of LPG"™


<snip>

• To find potential suppliers, your best initial port of call is probably the uklpg supplier search tool (http://www.uklpg.org/supplier-search/). But be aware, that lists only suppliers that are paid-up uklpg members. If you are lucky, you may be able to find further local suppliers in addition to those offered by uklpg, so more homework could be required on that score;

<snip>

I was talking to the MD of an independant LPG supplier earlier today and he said not all companies were members. I guess he should know!

The membership fee for UKLPG for suppliers depends on volume - and so is rather dominated by Calor. His company were thrown out for some months (allegedly for being transparent about prices) and had to resort to lawyers to get re-instated. Other companies have not joined at all SO - as HateLPG advised - check out to see if there are other suppliers locally. As he/she says: the website is the "best initial port of call" but then try Yellow Pages or a web search. Good luck, Dee0!



Let's try and make sure the info on this forum is correct!


.....

HateLPG

LittleVermin wrote: »

The membership fee for UKLPG for suppliers depends on volume - and so is rather dominated by Calor. His company were thrown out for some months (allegedly for being transparent about prices) and had to resort to lawyers to get re-instated.

Which is very telling, very worrying and, if true, smacks of something of a cartel!