If you’ve been wondering lately if you should change to a different propane supplier, you’re probably not alone. But changing suppliers isn’t necessary a free process, so it’s important to know when it’s the right time to make that switch.
In this guide, we’ll show you five scenarios that suggest you should consider changing propane providers.
1. Your Propane Supplier Contract Is Up
Just because a contract is up doesn’t mean you should definitely change gas company contracts. However, it is an excellent opportunity to review your current situation because when your contract is up, you won’t have to worry about early termination fees.
What Fees Do You Face When Changing Propane Suppliers?
We’ve mentioned early termination fees, which usually cost about $100, depending on your current provider and contract. You may face other fees and should be prepared to weigh those costs against other criteria.
- Tank removal fees
- Tank pump-out fees (if your tank is more than 5% full)
- Closeout fees (separate from early termination fees)
Some companies charge additional fees for changing to another company. Be sure to review your contract and make sure you understand what fees may be charged should you decide to switch companies.
2. Propane Prices Are Spiking
Sometimes prices spike and there is nothing your current provider can do about it, such as when the cost of the fuel goes up industry-wide. However, sometimes companies raise prices because of supply and demand or for other reasons.
The average price spike can lead to a $100-$200 difference in filling your propane tank. To determine if a price spike is enough of a reason to switch propane tank companies, you need to look at what prices other companies are offering.
Also consider the costs of switching and how many times you have your propane tank filled each year. This can vary between households since customers may have different size tanks or use them for multiple purposes.
3. Fees Are Getting Out Of Hand
If your current provider is charging you a new fee every time you turn around, it might be time to consider switching to a different propane company. When a supplier starts charging random fees, or when fees start to rise for no reason (separate from the propane price), it’s usually not a good sign.
Some companies are happy to charge as much as customers are willing to pay. If you keep paying it, they will keep charging you. Sometimes, switching suppliers is the only way you can keep your propane affordable.
4. Bad Customer Service
There is absolutely no reason why any customer should receive poor customer service, but it happens. You hear stories about propane suppliers who give customers a difficult time when emergency service or a refill is required. If your supplier starts treating you horribly, it’s time to consider switching to a new provider.
Make sure that you do your research. Ask your family and friends who they use, and ask them about their experiences with the customer service.
Then, do some rate shopping. With some companies, you get what you pay for. Even so, it’s important to know what you’re getting into, especially regarding payments and fees.
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, you’ll want to contact each company to see if they’re a good fit. You’ll want to make sure you ask these questions to get an idea of which company is the best fit for you.
Remember: you’re the customer. If you’re being treated rudely or not being serviced when you need it most, it’s definitely time to seek out a new propane provider.
5. Your Current Provider Is Trying To Scare You
It’s happened before: someone mentions to their current propane company that they’re thinking of switching. Maybe they are hoping to get some of their fees reduced. Maybe they’re ready to make the leap and want to schedule removal of their leased tank.
Regardless of the reason, some unscrupulous companies employ scare tactics to keep customers from jumping ship. If your provider tries to scare you into staying with them, then it’s definitely time to leave. This goes beyond bad customer service.
The usual way an unscrupulous company will try to bully customers is by scaring them with fees. Yes, it can cost money to leave your current provider. But if they’re trying to convince you to stay by quoting your cost to exit at thousands of dollars, chances are they’re trying to frighten you into staying.
This type of customer-company relationship is an abusive one and you should extricate yourself as quickly and as inexpensively as possible. If a company threatens to leave you without propane or service, you should know that in many places, it is illegal for a provider to leave a customer without a way to heat their home.
The bottom line is this: No company should have to scare people into being customers. Even if you stay with a company employing scare tactics, the situation will not improve.
Final Thoughts
Before we conclude, we want to give you a tip for if you do change your propane supplier. To avoid any service interruptions, schedule the pickup of your old tank on the same day your new tank is set to arrive. This way, you can keep your house warm, or keep your appliances going without significant inconvenience.
We know that changing propane providers can be a headache. Between contracts, fees, having to research new suppliers, and orchestrating the removal and arrival of tanks, you might be hesitant to make the move.
However, if you’re in any of the five situations we discussed above, it’s worth at least considering. If you have additional questions about switching suppliers, or about using propane to heat your home or power appliances, contact us. We would be happy to talk you through the process so there aren’t any expensive surprises.
