Oil supplier cancellation of original order

Doxidog

Goff petroleum just cancelled my heating oil order. They cited an "unexpected influx of orders" due to the global situation. However, it appears they may be fulfilling orders at higher market rates using existing stock that was originally committed to lower-priced contracts. This market requires stricter regulation to prevent such profiteering. Just back from surgery to remove a cancerous organ, this is one stress I could do without.

Exodi

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6658967/oil-supplier-cancellation-of-original-order

To be honest, this happens in all markets and industries.

I'm on the fence about whether I disagree with it or not.

On one hand, I agree it's a bit rich to increase the price of stock they might have bought at the 'old' price, but on the other hand, if that is the market price for that item, they're a business, why shouldn't they sell it for what they can get for it?

Another example of this is the RAM crisis (the price of computer RAM has shot through the atmosphere over the past year). Many retailers have doubled, tripled, quadrupled the price of their existing stock, even in cases where they bought the stock before the surge. Many were cancelling lower-priced existing orders everytime the market price jumped. I don't necessarily blame them, if they decided to be honourable and sell the goods far below the current market rate, chances are someone would come along, scoop them all up, and relist them for easy profit.

There was also the same situation with Mounjaro recently when the manufacturer increased UK supplier prices. As I said, happens in all markets and industries.

CasSkelt

The same has just happened to me with Goff Petroleum, I ordered on 26th Feb for delivery 12th March, and I have received the no delivery email and an offer to re buy at the current prices. Surely we can challenge their decision somehow?

Lorian

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2026/03/heating-oil-feedback-request/

saajan_12

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81917175#Comment_81917175

I dont see that as the same at all. If they bought cheaper and held inventory before the price went up, thats their good luck and LATER they can then sell that at whatever higher price that customers are willing to pay.

Here OP had already bought at the lower price, so the company should have to honour that. Not because its what they paid but because its what they agreed with OP. Also the customer here isnt' a chancer buying cheap after the price rose, as when they placed the order the price was still the lower amount.

IMO if companies can't update prices over weekends and don't want to honour them, they shouldn't accept orders at that time.

Exodi

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81917286#Comment_81917286

I'm not too sure it's completely different, as just like what's happening currently, RAM and Mounjaro suppliers were also cancelling orders that had already been placed, by virtue of the market price increasing in the interim. It's well known in these circles, but you can see examples with a quick google, e.g.:

https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/1q28w6w/another_corsair_order_cancel_price_hike/

https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/1q2a2fv/corsair_has_canceled_everyones_order_from/

(for impartiality, it wasn't just Corsair!)

I'm not suggesting it's exactly the same and should be treated as 'you win some, you lose some' as obviously heating oil prices can have very serious on peoples health and living standard - compared to a discretionary upgrade for a home PC or a weight loss medication.

I was just pointing out that retailers cancelling existing orders because the market price has gone up isn't something particularly new, hence pointing out a few examples of the same thing happening in different sectors recently. Undoubtedly there will be countless other examples.

timmo69

Same has happened to me with Goff Petroleum, I've used them for years but won't be using them again, we agreed a price on the phone( which in my world is recognised as a contractural agreement) then they cancelled 10 days later. The price would be based on their stock price at the time, and my oil would have been delivered from their current stock, which is the whole point of how they price things. To cancel an order, and give 3 options, cancel it, or they'll deliver when the price drops to our agreed price, or re negotiate at the 'new' price, but whos to say if it goes higher they won't cancel again? Its profiteering pure and simple and needs to be regulated properly.