News That Matters

If you're a regular News That Matters reader you saw a reference to this in the
column on Monday, January 4. Here's an update.

Here's what they said they would do:

1) Since they didn't have - in writing - my request not to deliver until
I called it's my fault.

Even though for every year since 2002 they've delivered in September,
October, November and December and this year they did not is not proof
of my request from last July. The girl said that they're using a new
computer database that figured I needed propane based on my usage and
that's why they didn't deliver.

Their database says that I use gas for heating, hot water, cooking and
for a gas dryer. Problem is, I don't have a gas dryer (never did and
it's never been on the list before this call nor on any of my bills) and
I haven't used it for heating since 2005. My usage shows I'm going
through barely a half gallon a day which negates both a dryer and heating.

2) They cannot pump gas out of the tank. At least that's what she said.

3) She'll lower the price from $6.04 a gallon to $3.99 for the propane
delivered.

If I don't like that they'll come and take the tank away and pay me for
the gas that's in it based on past delivery amounts and prices. They
will not refund the delivery (or "Admin") charges. I asked that it be
pro-rated with adjustments for inflation. After all, it's my gas -
bought and paid for. I should be able to set the price.

I said that it didn't seem like a cost-effective thing to come and pull
the tank. What with man-hours and a Big Truck and getting behind the
garage to get it they'd have to tear up the ground all over the place
then pull, transport, pump out and store the tank.

What "pump out the tank"? Yes. That's what they'd do when they got it on
site somewhere. I said that if she could pump the tank out somewhere
else they should be able to do it here. She said it wasn't "cost
effective" to pump out only 85 gallons and leave the tank in place just
like it was no longer cost effective for them to deliver 25 gallons at a
time even though I've been paying inflated prices *plus* a delivery, um,
Admin charge each time.

4) I suggested that I'm not paying for the 85 gallons regardless.

The girl said they'd be happy even if I paid them $10 a month until the
bill was paid under the lower price (which is still $340 which I do not
have.)

5) I suggested that since we could not come up with an amicable solution
other than my paying for the gas or their coming to take the tank out
(which I view as an extreme position on their part) that we call each
other again in a few days to see if anyone's position has changed.

She said Burnwell would not change their position. I either accept the
delivery and agree to pay for the gas or they'll come and pull the tank.

That's where we stand.

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