We used Associated propane for our residential propane tank here in #sonomacounty for many years. It was a smooth, good experience; they would come fill propane tank, charge card on file and all was a consistent positive customer experience until it wasn't.
Associated propane sold-out to big corp. Thompson Gas, which was the beginning of the end for us and many of our neighbors.
Around March 2024 Thompson Gas un-enrolled all credit card auto-pay accounts to force those customers to re-enroll and signature accept their new "policy" that included charging customers a 1.99% fee for those using a credit card for payment.
In the State of California it's to charge customers any sort of processing fee for customers who use a credit card for payment. Of course, Thompson gas phrases the fee as a "convenience" fee to shift around State laws. However, what they are doing under the guise of "convenience fee" is still illegal, using certain words doesn't mitigate the harm they are doing to customers.
A "convenience fee" Is a fee that merchants are allowed to charge if credit cards were not their primary method of payment and they are making an exception for their customer, a "convenience" allowing/accepting a credit card as a non-standard payment.
Associated propane required credit cards as a primary payment method for years, when Thompson Gas took over they incorporated the same payment processing method. Credit card payments have been their primary method they are not making any new "convenience" for their customers, hence they are not entitled to receive "convenience fee" for credit card payments.
Further, they don't itemize that fee on your invoice! They just add it to the total when charging your credit card and send you an invoice that omits the "convenience fee". Besides harming customers with the illegal fee, they continue their libelous behavior by failing to comply with transparency merchant laws
Truly a wolf in sheep's clothing operation now that a big corporation has gotten a hold of the company. If you point out the above facts, their corp rep will eventually ghost you, Kimberly in the office will get lippy and snarky with you as she tries to defend her employers egregious new billing practice.
What they are subjecting Sonoma County residences too is abhorrent, any company using verbiage as a work State laws to pocket additional financial gain is not a company that is for the community! read more