It is a sad truth that I pay 4.85 for a gallon of heating oil when the actual price is wee bit shy of 2$. Its not just me. Lot of people in my town are in the same boat.
I live in a rural town up here in Northern Maine in a town called Fort Kent. Winter here is severe. We get an average of 100 inches of snow a year, but last year alone we got about 200 inch (which is 16.67 feet if you convert). An average household around here burns 1000 gallons, or even more during the long 6 month winter. Every fall, people up here sign a contract with one of the two oil suppliers (this or this). There are two choices; a Budget plan, where you pay a high premium to start with but if the market price goes down then you get billed with the current price. Or a plan where you can lock in your price at a fixed rate. People like me who got deceived by the “experts”, signed up for the latter.
That was bit of a background. I called up my gas company to find out whether there is an option for me to cancel the contract and start all over again. Ooops .. not going to happen; Even with a premium, like the one you pay when you breach a contract with a mobile carrier
They said “A contract is a contract, you can’t break it until you exhaust you volume”.
(The contract is in such a way that you agree to buy this much gallon per year, mine is 1000 gals). The gas companies have contracts with their distributors as well.
While I understand their argument, some how I feels like being ripped off. Come on, the big guys got a bailout. Why not ordinary people like me.
I know there is no point griping about it. But, I am not sure how to deal with this situation. Consumer Protection ?, Coourt ?; What are my options. Chances are bleak, but still … anything ?!
Well at least venting out helped a bit. I feel lot better. :-)