Four years ago, I had to quit a good-paying job for health reasons. This led to some serious financial issues as it took a long time to be able to work full-time again. In the end, I filed bankruptcy mainly to save my home.
During that time, I have tried to the best of my ability to pay my bills, however Sunshine Propane, with whom I have been a customer for about 15 years, was a difficult balance to tackle because of the continuing need for propane. At one other time in the past, I was also unemployed, and the previous owners of Sunshine were very patient, and I was never worried about collections. They knew that I planned to live in my house for a very long time and would get their money when things got better. When I got back on my feet, I did not have difficulty paying my bill until my health deteriorated. I admit that my payments have been sporadic between then and now, but I am going to receive Social Security in the next month or so, so was starting to feel like I'd be able to make regular payments again.
Now that Sunshine Propane is under new ownership/management, they have been the worst of all to deal with during my latest difficult time. I was actually making progress on my bill, but still the phone calls and nastiness persisted. I talked to them in late March or early April about my bill, explaining my circumstances again as I had in the past, and they were adamant that they would not deliver any more propane until I paid my bill. We had quite the go around on the phone, but they did not budge. I did not budge, and told them I was fine with them not delivering anymore as I would use what I had and then change companies.
So, what did they do? They came and filled my tank the very next week to the tune of $204.85 when they had expressly said they wouldn't the week before. I felt at the time that they did that just to run up my bill before I changed companies. Kelly is the person I spoke with. I was so frustrated with this that I mentioned it to my co-workers when it happened. If I was having trouble paying my bill, was it smart to run it up for me when the need for propane was diminishing as spring approached? No.
The new company ownership, which I am told is not local, also has a new policy of which I was unaware of that they now turn off your propane. I have over 60 gallons in the tank, and now they are holding it hostage until I pay $380.24 plus an $85 reconnection charge. If they had NOT filled the tank like they said they wouldn't, I would only owe $175.39 at this time and might be able to swing a sizeable payment, if not all of it, in the next day or so. They would not even work with me, and since they think I'm so awful for telling them they could use a lesson or two in customer service, the idea of waving the reconnection fee is probably unthinkable (I didn't even bother to ask). I will be without propane until I pay this bill, which may take more than a week or so now. Kelly said to me, "I wish there was something I could do," like all of it is out of her hands. I don't believe this.
In summary, do not use this company if you are from the working class of Jefferson County, WA. They apparently feel they only need the affluent retirees here as customers and not anyone who may have trouble paying their bill from time to time. read more