AmeriGas Propane Delays Spark Frustration Across North Carolina and the East Coast
'Out of 1000 gallons, I have 100 left,' says Joseph Folk, a 79-year-old resident of Colvard Farms, as he anxiously monitors his thermostat. The delay in his propane delivery from AmeriGas Propane has left him and his wife, who is also 79, without heat and facing growing concerns as winter weather approaches. This is not an isolated incident, as numerous residents across North Carolina and the East Coast are experiencing similar delays in their propane shipments from AmeriGas.
'Never heard anything, except that 'we tried to deliver' but didn’t do it,' Folk said, expressing frustration over the lack of communication and the two-day delay in his delivery. Despite his efforts to contact the company, he hasn't received a clear answer on when to expect his next delivery. This situation is further complicated by North Carolina state law, which does not allow companies to refill propane tanks owned by other companies, potentially leaving customers with limited options.
'You may shop around for the best price if you own the tank yourself, and that is the return you get for your investment of buying a tank,' officials from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services stated. This means that customers like Folk are unable to switch to other propane gas companies, even if they offer lower prices, as they are tied to the company that owns their tank.
The issue is not limited to Folk's experience. John Prince, a resident of Durham County, also reported customer service issues with AmeriGas in recent weeks, with his auto delivery supposed to have arrived in late January but still not delivered as of Wednesday morning. Danielle Ratcliffe, a mother from the Charlotte area, placed an online order on January 19 but still hadn't received propane or heat as of Wednesday morning, despite being told the delivery would be on February 3.
Navarrie Southerland, a resident of Asheville, placed an order with AmeriGas on January 16 when her tank level dropped to 30%. Despite being told a delivery would come between January 23 and January 26, she began calling on January 28 after not receiving the delivery. Three days later, she canceled her order out of frustration and had to source propane from another company.
WRAL News reached out to AmeriGas to inquire about the delays, and officials attributed them to increased demands for service and weather conditions. They stated that the company has brought in additional drivers from across the country to assist with deliveries, emphasizing the safety of drivers and customers as the top priority. To maintain timely service, AmeriGas asks customers to maintain a safe delivery path, clear equipment and vents, mark underground tanks, and order early.
This is not the first time AmeriGas has faced delivery delays. WRAL News has previously reported on issues with AmeriGas and customers receiving their deliveries on time. In 2022, the state's Attorney General's Office received several AmeriGas delivery complaints. Customers are encouraged to check their tanks and request a refill as soon as their gauge hits 30%.
'Our delivery trucks are significantly larger and heavier than standard vehicles, requiring clear, safe access to completed deliveries,' a statement from AmeriGas read in part. This highlights the challenges the company faces in ensuring timely and safe deliveries, especially during peak demand periods and adverse weather conditions.
As the winter weather approaches, the delays in propane shipments from AmeriGas are causing growing concerns for residents across North Carolina and the East Coast. With limited options and the potential for penalties for switching companies, customers are left with little choice but to wait and hope for timely deliveries. The situation underscores the importance of timely and reliable propane deliveries, especially during the colder months, and the need for companies like AmeriGas to address the issues causing these delays.
