HOLY SHIT.

[CheshireGrin]

My house uses oil heat. I'm on a monthly budget plan, where I pay a flat monthly fee based on my average usage (and a capped price), which then gets recalculated every spring and the payment amount adjusted for the following year.

I've been with the same company for four years now, and the amount has gone up some years and down others, but never more than about $50 variation in either direction.

I just got my letter for the coming year, and my monthly payment is LESS THAN HALF of what I paid last year.

I feel like I have to call them, because it has to be a mistake, but I'm afraid to. I'm also afraid not to, because I don't want to get halfway through the winter and have them suddenly tell me I owe hundreds of dollars for extra oil.

I mean, we did have an unusually warm winter, so it's possible my usage was just way down and they're now pricing me out at that rate instead of where I was previously. But I don't really want that either, because chances are the next winter will be colder again.

Or I could just enjoy the lower payment and hope for the best. But that's too good to be true, right?

[pittsmcgee]

That's a tough one, but if I didn't call, they would find like a $10,000 mistake or something and I would have a week to pay it. Call so you aren't sorry later.

[lucky513]

I probably wouldnt say anything, if they try to bill you later fight with them because thats not what they quoted

[CheshireGrin]

May 11, 2012 18:49:18 GMT -5 pittsmcgee said:

That's a tough one, but if I didn't call, they would find like a $10,000 mistake or something and I would have a week to pay it. Call so you aren't sorry later.

See, this is my fear.

My price is calculated based on average usage. The contract explicitly states that I am responsible for paying any amount above that which was budgeted (i.e. if I use more than they predict).

I'm afraid of getting to the middle of winter and all of a sudden not being able to afford to fill my tank.

[greylady]

You probably over paid (by paying the same per month during a warm winter) and they are applying the over payment against your estimated costs (instead of giving you a refund). I would call to be sure.

[CheshireGrin]

May 11, 2012 18:55:58 GMT -5 greylady said:

You probably over paid (by paying the same per month during a warm winter) and they are applying the over payment against your estimated costs (instead of giving you a refund). I would call to be sure.

That's a good point. I think if they tell me I have a significant credit on the books, I'll take the lower payment and see how it goes. Otherwise, I'll ask them to increase it, just to be safe.

[pittsmcgee]

I get so stressed out every Sept because I know I have to fill the oil tank. It costs us like $800 to fill it. I am grateful this winter was completely bizarre. I didn't use the snowblower once

[CheshireGrin]

Yeah, I loved the warm winter, and lack of snow. I'm sure we won't be that lucky two years in a row though.

[pittsmcgee]

It was really strange.