I obtained propane gas service with Thompson Gas in Boonsboro, MD on 10-1-2006 and in doing so I had to sign a "customer agreement" w/ Thompson Gas. However, I was not made aware of numerous stipulations in this agreement which were located on the back of the agreement in "shadow print". After examining the back of my copy I did notice the stipulations. One stipulation required me to abide by the agreement for a period of five years. For the last five years Thompson Gas has had the highest price per gallon propane gas prices in my area. I know this because I have had to do price comparisons for each bill that I have received in order to get a lower price comparable with other companies in my area (over the last five years). Thompson gas has consistently been 30-50% higher on their propane gas prices than others in my area.

With that said my contract is due to expire on October 24, 2006. Today (October 2, 2006), I called to advised them that I would be cancelling their service effective 10-24-2006. I was told that they will charge 99.00 to remove their propane tanks, which I have no problem paying. However, I then told them that my tanks are at 75% capacity and asked how they will refund me for approximately 150 gallons of propane @ $2.26 per gallon. They stated that they do not give refunds, so I will be giving them $336.00 worth of propane that they will be re-selling. I then asked "Jason" (customer service rep) what I could do. He told me that I would have to use the gas in the tanks then call them. My "customer agreement" states that if I let my contract extend past October 24, 2006 then it will be extended for an additional year. "Jason" confirmed this as well. In fact, this now creates a cycle that I cannot get out of. There is nothing in this agreement that states that they will not refund me for unused propane gas. I have abided by their "customer agreement" for five years and would like to move on, however, I feel it is unfair that I will not be refunded for propane gas that I have not used.

Company details:

Thompson Gas and Electric Service
Boonsboro, Maryland 21713