Reform Needed For Propane Prices In Connecticut

Part of a continuing series examining the least transparent business in Connecticut: the propane industry.

[greg]

Good job by Mr. Wood. Customers should never be afraid to ask questions and take a stand.
Relatively good article by the Dog for a change; although he can't get through the article without patting himself on the back at least once. I'm sure the lawyers at the Courant took a hard look at this one Also the bit with quotes from both Farrell and the AG is pass old.
Looking forward to the article about vet pricing.

[Be a real watch dog]

Pricing transparency? The solution is easy.
www.propane.ct.gov ! All dealers are required dalily to upload a data file of their prices. Two columns, dealer owned tanks and customer owned tanks, and rows would be the volume breaks based on the previous years useage. Also include a calculator where the customer can enter their yearly useage and they can see the total cost including fees and delivery of multiple dealers..... Why is this such a hard concept, why wasn't this done back in '95 or '96? You can do the same thing with the oil, natural gas, and electricity dealers.

[ctwatchdog]

I wish it were that easy.

Be a real watch dog wrote:

Pricing transparency? The solution is easy.
www.propane.ct.gov ! All dealers are required dalily to upload a data file of their prices. Two columns, dealer owned tanks and customer owned tanks, and rows would be the volume breaks based on the previous years useage. Also include a calculator where the customer can enter their yearly useage and they can see the total cost including fees and delivery of multiple dealers..... Why is this such a hard concept, why wasn't this done back in '95 or '96? You can do the same thing with the oil, natural gas, and electricity dealers.

[Churchnotes]

Surely thre state or fed govt should bail out the folks who contract high, but want the free market low price when that price is more attractive. What's a contract for anyway? perhaps a loan from GMAC, using bailout money, so those with dubious credit can buy the car of their dreams, along with the flat screen tv.,and the overflowing shopping cart at Big Buy. bailuts for all. Speaker Amman The Loser will donate his $120,0000 fat cat old boy salary if the state falls short?

[Adam]

Just for your information Northeast and Uncas are the same company, so
when you mentioned in an earlier article that Uncas was a fair dealer,
and are now saying Northeast is charging prices you are actually
seeing how their game works. That is to say they use the Uncas name to
get lots of new customers at a below market price then make up for it
by charging long term existing customers high prices with the
Northeast brand.

Just thought you should know

[Hank Hill]

Your all a bunch of idiots.... this is America, land of the free, home of the brave. Call around if you dont like your company... there are plenty of companies out there who will sell you propane. Dont blame soemone else because you were to stupid or lazy to check pricing...

[greg]

Hank....you're King of the Hill!

[WH Res]

This issue isn't just calling around asking for prices! It is having the prices change (at exorbitant increases) seeming at the whim of the company you signed with, and who placed their tank with you for rental. If you find a better price then, what are the options?

[Bill]

Just filled up my 100# tank at my local propane station last night.$60 out the door..........

Half of what my former propane company would have charged.(And I didn't blow myself up)

Go Watchdog!!!!

[Delivery Driver]

This story is very well known in this industry and is true threw out all of the united states in its practice. Reading this lets me know that also in California the state im employed in is common practice. I know what is fair to the public for the cost of propane at a decent margin but it has gone to far as to cheat or you can call it ripping out the american consumer. This seems that there is no stopping of this practice, bragging rites in this industry is stated as so ( propane is unregulated so why not ?) Dont stop on this issue keep up the good work.

[Bob Townley]

I live in Andover CT and get robbed by Uncas Gas. They just charged me 3.10 per gallon which seems to be robbery. When I purchased the home, the previous owner was paying at least $2.00 more than market and I had to pay for the full tank at closing. When I called they told me the previous owner had rate increases over time. I asked if they ever went down and the basic answer was that when price goes over what the highest price you have paid to date, the new higher price is now your new price unless you call. So this is how CT propane companies treat loyal customers. Something needs to be done! We are hostages!

[jim blunk]

I would buy a corn stove. Our customers heat their homes for $700 with corn as opposed to $2500 for propane.

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