Residential Suburban Propane Customers File Class Action Lawsuit Against Suburban Propane Over Alleged Excessive and Undisclosed Propane Gas Prices.
A class action lawsuit was filed against Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. and Suburban Propane, L.P. (collectively “Suburban Propane” or “Defendants”) in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey on behalf of a putative class of current and former residential propane customers of Suburban Propane (styled Robert Slack, Caroline Oat and Michael Farber v. Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. and Suburban Propane, L.P. , Case No. 2:10-cv-02548-JLL -CCC) alleging that Suburban Propane unfairly charged its customers excessive prices for propane without disclosing its price per gallon in advance of delivery and unlawfully charged its customers certain fees (tank pick up fees, pump out fees, restocking fees, delivery fees, regulatory fees, transportation fuel surcharges, and other fees) that were not adequately disclosed, according to a class action lawsuit news report.
For more information on the Suburban Propane class action lawsuit, read the Suburban Propane class action complaint or visit the Suburban Propane Class Action Lawsuit website:
www.suburban-propane-class-action.com
If You Have Thoughts On The Suburban Propane Class Action Lawsuit, Share Your Class Action Comments Below.
Suburban Propane has been ripping me off! I am switching my propane provider. Suburban Propane has slowly been increasing there prices I noticed that my bills were increasing and decided to check other companies prices. WOW!!!! Suburban Propane is charging me $3.74 per gallon, my new provider is charging $1.79 per gallon. Suburban Propane is pocketing $1.95 per gallon what a bunch of theives.
Hello Michael,
Who did you find that was cheaper than Suburban? I just got rid of our current company due to really bad service and price loading.
Thanks
Dale
they are charging me fees on top of fees to pick up my tank I have 200 gal. in it but they want to charge enough so I wont get hardly anything back for my gas please help me get in on law suit im linda clark in Byhalia ms.
I am having a lot of trouble with suburban propane. The other companies that service our area charge between $2.19 and $3.57. Suburban Propane is charging me $5.08. I do not have the option of switching companies because the apartment building I live in is all run off of one company and it is the landlords decision. So basically I am stuck. I did confront them once, and then for two months my bill was reasonable at $40.00/mth. Now, it’s $156.00 for the same usage. I don’t know what to do.
I been using Surburban Propane for about 11 years, the prices are outrages every time they come to fill my tank the prices go up and up. Than they come every other month to fill my tank, but when the summer comes they don’t come much, because their prices are lower in the summer. The company is a big joke. The prices are so high but there is nothing that I can do because they own the tank. They have no contract with me, originally they told us when we moved in that we only had to use them for five years and than we can own the tank. Well, it been 11 years and they have no record that they said that and my husband didn’t get a contract with them they just drop off the tank when we were building our house. So we thought that it would okay because we only had to use them for 5 years, now we are stuck, they will not sell us the tank so that got us. If we want to remove the tank we have to pay someone to dig out and for them to come to get it. What a joke I have to pay them to come and get their tank out of my yard. What kind of crap is that. If anyone has any advise what I should do please let me know…..
Thanks
i got one better. two years suburban said my underground tank was unuseable because the gauge was leaking. the put in two above ground tanks. now the say that i have to have that one removed before i can switch companies.
Joanne,
I was told by Suburban that I would have to dig up just the top surface area so that they could attach their cables to some hooks on the tank. They would then remove it from the ground at that point. My advice, do what you have to do to get it out. Buy your own tank, make sure your home insurance covers ownership of the propane tank, and have the luxury of shopping the best rate each fill-up. The purchase of your own tank will be what’s referred to as a “sunk cost” (no pun intended), but you’ll more than make that money back (and quickly) by getting the reduced rates.
I live Nampa Idaho. Our energy prices are very modest compared to most. I have been using Suburban Propane for about five years. I called today for an account inquiry and was quoted 3.17 a gallon. I told them the guy down the street charges 2.05 a gallon whats up with that. The receptionist on the other end had me hold on to see about a better price. A few moments later she came back and said we can do 2.45 a gallon. I use around a 1000 gallons a year. That is around 700 dollars a year I am overpaying. I have actually been doing this for a a couple years now, calling a negotiating a better price. The guy that quoted me 2.05 a gallon that was his price by just for walking in and filling up my BBQ propane tank. Needless to say bye bye Suburban. For changing to the local guy my intro price for 500 gallon will be 1.95 a gallon. Oh and I will be filing a complaint with the Idaho Attorney general and will be pursuing others to maybe join in a class action
Join Suburban Propane class action
I had used Suburban for over 10 years. I did not realize how overpriced they were for several years but this year was so egregious (4.33/gal vs. 2.03/gal) I decided to ger rid of them. They took two months to get rid of tanks and sent me a statement for my credit for gas and then charged me the EXACT amount of my credit for removal fees on tanks. Total scam. Accounting says in contract there is a charge for removal but they just make it up…Horrible company and should fined heavily for abuse.
there gas prices are outrages they charge $2.39 for there summer fill up when others company s in my area charges under two dollars for their summer fill up
The Suburban Co. stated that we were charged $5.69 because we used a small amount of propane gas. Whereas, if you were to purchased a larger quantity it would cost less. This company needs to be investigated for their practices.
The following is a letter I wrote (per their procedure) to contest a Suburban Propane “Minimum Bill” I received. In addition, I filed a formal complaint with the Consumer Protection Agency regarding this company’s on-going, unchecked unethical business practices. I suggest others do the same! I am in full support of this Class Action suit! Suburban Propane must be stopped from victimizing consumers!
Re: Bill Dispute
To Whom It May Concern:
Today, 9/15/2010, I discovered a Delivery Ticket (Invoice 1136-139471) for the amount of $151.29 attached to my door. The ticket indicated that I had received 2.1 gallons of LPG. Clearly, propane costs have not currently reached more than $75 per gallon, so I immediately called the inquiry number on the ticket to request explanation, specifically the “Minimum Bill” comment that was, prior to 9/15, completely unfamiliar to me during my years as a Suburban customer. During my conversation with the Suburban representative, I was told it was irrelevant that I had only received 2.1 gallons of LPG and that I was still responsible for paying the $151.29 “minimal” fee. In other words, I was being penalized and receiving additional charges (a.k.a. “Minimal Bill”) because I had not used what Suburban Propane indiscriminately and subjectively determined to be a “minimum” amount of propane! I informed the representative that I would pay for the 2.1 gallons of LPG that were replaced in the tank; however, I would not pay for something I had not received or used, at which point I was threatened with having my propane tank turned-off, thereby making the gas inaccessible to me. The gas in the tank (minus the 2.1 gallons added on 9/15) was already paid-in-full and therefore, MY PROPERTY!
In addition, and without any notification of change, I received a tank rental fee of $60 (plus tax) last year. Upon calling to inquire about this fee, I was informed that because I did not use enough gas (amount undisclosed, of course), I would be charged this fee, which I had never received in prior years. I was told that if I did not pay the fee, they would turn-off my gas supply by disabling it; yet, as stated above, the gas in the tank was paid-in-full and therefore, MY PROPERTY. I did pay the rental fee, however.
I do not know the amount to dispute (per the “Summary of Your Billing Rights” inclusion demand for this letter), as THERE IS NO COST PER GALLON IDENTIFIED ON THE INVOICE, so I am unable to determine the rightful charges for the 2.1 gallons I received and for which I am prepared to pay. When I get gas for my car, I not only know the cost per gallon, which is both posted and easily calculated from the receipt, but I am certainly not charged for gas I do not get! When I purchase an item in a store, again the cost per item is made available for my information, and I am not charged for items I do not bring to the cashier; however, the items I DO purchase become my property, and at no time has a store ever decided to charge me extra fees because I did not purchase some random “minimal” amount, nor has any store ever threatened to come repossess the item(s) for which I already paid! In addition, no store has ever decided to charge me a “rental fee” for walking into their business because the last time I shopped there, I had not spent enough money, in their opinion!
Upon researching the Suburban Propane Company, I found a multitude of complaints, including price-gouging, inexplicable and unannounced rental fees, and exorbitant removal charges (or more appropriately, punishment fees) for customers who terminate service. This is an egregious abuse of ethical business practice, if not illegal, and is worthy of formal complaint to the Better Business Bureau, as well as potential legal action on behalf of the consumer. If at any time prior to this dispute being resolved, I discover that my gas tank has been disabled and/or its contents rendered inaccessible to me, I am prepared to report theft and destruction-of-property to the authorities. I expect to hear from a Suburban Propane representative in a timely manner regarding this dispute.
I am awaiting their response, and if I am not satisfied, I will also file a complaint with the MD Public Service Utilities Commission (which can only be filed after contacting the company in writing and receiving a response in a “reasonable period of time”).
A am having the SAME exact issues with Suburnban! This “minimum bill” nonsense is BS!! I WILL NOT be paying $183 for NOTHING!! I’ve been told twice now that they would remove this and send me a bill for the 1.8 gallons they gave me! Yet… here we are months later and I keep getting the same $183.00 bill; only now they are trying to take on late fees!!! I couldn’t have said it better myself Jane!!
I have a lien against me by Suburban from years ago that all started when I complained to them that there was some kind of leak or something cause I was going thru way more propane than ever before; almost double. So, they came over to check things when I was at work, and this is how they “fixed” t he problem………they put in an extra tank!!!! Long story short, after numerous letters, calls, etc I finally just ignored their constant bills, etc and switched companies. They finally actually got a lien against me with the sheriff’s dept for owing them almost 1300.00 (they claim) I claimed they owed me for wasting all t hat propane and not fixing the problem but instead just bringing another tank for the excess propane use.
Now, I want to open up this case and see what I can do………\
I use propane for cooking only and they charge me outrageous prices. I pay about 125.00 for 4 gallons of propane in addition to a $75.00 fee of tank rental per year
I had their tank pulled to switch after the same as everyone eles. They have billed me $130 for my bricks & rebar where the tank sat since 1991. I have a second tank to pull after it’s empty. Grown to hate them after reading I am not the only one. GIVE THEM BACK THEIR BRICKS when flipping tanks. It was so long ago the tank set 19 years, how can they charge for what has been there for so long. & Charge $90 to pick their tank in labor. No love loss here. I paid them over $1 million in commerical account over 19 yrs ago. So ugly of an end.
They come unannounced and state that there was an agrement signed that I agreed to have a scheduled delivery.
I use the propane for cooking. Not heat. Not power. Nothing else. You tell me how to go through a 200# tank every three months!? So when they come, they only put in (on average) 5 to 15 gallons. Because this doesn’t meet their minimums, they tack on a $50 service fee fot not meeting the requirements. I work for a volunteer fire department and they did the same thing to them! 7 gallons at a cost of about $67..!
Cooking LP/gas should be on a “as needed” basis… not scheduled.
I recently had my tank filled by Suburban. The first I saw of their price was $4.912 per gallon printed on the delivery stub. I called two local suppliers and their prices were $3.39 and $2.329 per gallon respectively. To add insult to injury, the actual price they charged me was $4.936 per gallon ($707.41/143.3gal).
Yup,
Just got my latest bill. 5.95@gal. Last year it was 1.89.
Can you say “SCAM!!!!! “. Somewhat my fault for not reading contract thoroughly before signing. Got it out and realized it,s for three years : $96.00 Min Annually for propane and $72.00 annually for the tank . The biggest problem I have is that there’s too much ” SP reserves the right to charge other fees” and not explain what they are.
This should be illegal! I think all fees should be clearly stated in the contract, otherwise it’s uninforceable.
I will also be getting in contact with my Senator Office.
A couple of years ago I was charged a huge price per gallon for propane–I complained and wanted to switch companies but Surburban told me that I couldn’t because I had an underground tank–I run a beauty salon businesss in my home so my hands were tyed to Surburban unless I signed a lease with them to be forced to get a lower price…when I locked into this so called lease the natural gas co. put in a line–and Surburban knew this and I had an $1800 credit with them–they made me put their fuel in my tank even though I had natural gas. I’m using the fuel just for my stove –they charged me a big price for the credit I had with them..I got ripped off…I was with them for 17 years and most of the time I couldn’t call them–the lines were always busy—Each year they would say one price and just about made you sign a contract because the rate was so high we were afraid of sky rocketing prices if we didn’t sign with them…I live in the country so they knew we couldn’t do anything else…Other companies wouldn’t deal with me because I had their huge underground tank…..that I thought I paid for…..there seems to be no record of that ….
I am having the same dilemma right now with Suburban propane. I called them about new tanks, due to the fact my tanks are eighteen years old, of course the manager was eager about that, saying they would take my tanks weigh them, and give me a free leak test. Once I thought about this I rescinded. I just remembered I would be charged for these new ones. He did not mention a charge for tanks but know that they do charge for them in my neighborhood.
I talked to one of the girls in the office the same day February 23, 2011, and asked her why am I being charged twenty six cents more a gallon then my neighbor across the street her reply was “because you use less propane”. I then asked her to defer my delivery for next month due to the fact I have already been filled 3 times, and did not feel like being refilled for one month, that only benefits them. I am also disabled and on a fixed income, so I do try to budget. Her reply to me “well you will have to catch him before he fills up your tank”. I asked her how much was my bill for the fill up? She told me $381. 67 I believe, and also $9.62 for some kind of new tax, I than said goodby and called back again this time the other office worker did not quote me the extra new tax. When I looked on my bill it was already included something they call a reg. fee, Which really made me angry. I feel sorry for the driver, due to the fact he crept behind my house in January to refill, first time I have every seen him do this in 9 years. Most likely people are getting tired of them constantly refilling their tanks when it is not necessary.
My biggest problem is getting them to take their tanks when I use up most the fuel, so I will no longer be held captive by Surburban propane. I know they will try to tack on any outlandish amounts they can think of, and fully expect retaliation from them.
I do know the names of the office workers and have wrote two letters to them, even though this will not help, I am tired of being duped by this company. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
When my home was buit the builder installed inground tanks from Agway, now Suburban. He did this for everyhome he built in subdivision. Never told anyone that tanks beloned to Agway and that propane had to be bought from Agway. Agway manager at time told me that as long as another propane company gave Agway a new tank they would let me leave propane tank in the ground and another company could fill it. I found out later on when Suburban took over that this was not true. No other company will fill it for liability reasons. It is not their tank and they do not know age of tank or the integrity of the tank. We have to pay to have tank dug up in order to get rid of Suburban. Haven’t pursued legal action again Suburban yet. Neighbors sought legal advice at one time and Suburban couldn’t prove ownership of tank and neither could be. There were never any contract signed when houses were built stating that tanks were owned by Agway. Quite a mess!
Can anyone tell me where this class action suit is at?
How do they rate your propane gallon costs?
If you own your own tank is the gallon rate lower?
I have been a Suburban Propane customer since 2002. I have 2 tanks. One for the pool and one for my house. I went from 1.89 per gal to now almost 4.00 per gal. Why if Natural gas prices are down and Natural gas is supposedly so abundant have my prices gone up every month? Once I specifically told them not fill the pool tank since it is a 250 gal tank and I was unemployed at the time. They filled it and billed me $800.00 for it. Then I told them sorry charlie, I am not paying for what I did not order so they came and took the tank. They didn’t swap it out like they said they would, they just removed it. Now they are charging me nearly $400.00 for 80 gal. of propane! Sure no “King of Hill” pride in propane here, that’s for sure.
I have been a Suburban Propane customer since 2002. I have 2 tanks. One for the pool and one for my house. I went from 1.89 per gal to now almost 4.00 per gal. Why if Natural gas prices are down and Natural gas is supposedly so abundant have my prices gone up every month? Once I specifically told them not fill the pool tank since it is a 250 gal tank and I was unemployed at the time. They filled it and billed me $800.00 for it. Then I told them sorry charlie, I am not paying for what I did not order so they came and took the tank. They didn’t swap it out like they said they would, they just removed it. Now they are charging me nearly $400.00 for 80 gal. of propane! Sure no “King of Hill” pride in propane here, that’s for sure.
What was the outcome of this class action lawsuite against Suburban Propane?
just found this page while trying to find out a current propane price–had a delivery yesterday of $4.989/gallon, plus fees for “safety and P&T”, also fee for transportation ! I guess they learned NOTHING from the class action suit of 2010!!
Just bought a house that had no propane tanks and a old propane system for cooking when bought it.. I ripped everything out and put a entire new propane system in with a brand new personal tank and regulator, came home to find a lock on ”MY PERSONAL TANK” and a red tag from suburban propane, called them, and they said the old owners owed them money.. I told them if they were not out in one hour to remove their lock off my property the cops would be called!!! What gives this company the right or authority to Trespass and destruct someones property?? Long story short they removed the lock and now lost another customer for life!!!
My story is long and tedious. I got propane from this company for many years. Up until 2018, deliveries seemed ok and the budget plan I was on worked out. My balance come September was always $0.00. Then something happened. They were making many more deliveries at times I did not plan for. Their rates sky rocketed in ways I never saw before. Similar stories that I have read here. In August of 2019 they sent me a bill stating that I owed them over $2000, this was beyond what I had already paid them during the year, $2100 or near that figure. I thought, how could I owe them another $2000 or more? Must be a clerical error. Someone in billing must have mixed me up with another customer. They insisted that I owed them this money. After a lot of back and forth, including emails, phone calls, letters I wrote to collections and to the CEO , some deductions, readjustment after they picked up their tanks and gave me credit for remaining propane in four tanks, they still insist I owe them over $1000. I am on a fixed inc9me. I do not have that money. I continue to argue with them over this amount. They continue to come after me. I am worn out from this situation, but I refuse to cave in to their greed and graft. I need legal help. This company should be shut down.