Complaint Review: Valley Propane

10/16/09, I called Valley Propane (VP) for info re cost of estab an acct for propane. I was quoted the price of $2.46/gal. On 12/7, I was again quoted 2.46. The tank was filled on 12/10; I was billed $340.68. More than 2x the quote! [67.9gal@$4.94/gal +5.25 del fee (which is fine)=$340.68, when it should have been, based on what their employees had told me twice, $172.28. I was overcharged $168. 40. I had also been told by 2 VP employees that I would get "50 free gals"-never happened-since I don't want to be a customer, I just want the $168. 40 refunded to the VA Depart of Soc Serv-I'm disabled and qualed for heating assistance through DSS; I told VP of this on 11/18 prior to the tank being filled & suspect why I was charged 2x. I was never informed of the increase in price prior to the fill. Around Jan 1, I finally received the apps for the acct and tank rental, filled it out and sent it back about 1/5.

On 1/6 my landlady left me a VPbill delivered to her in her name. The bill was dated 12/31 and still showed the amount owed as $340.68. Sometime between January 6th and 10th, I received a form letter from VP, dated 1/6, stating that due to my past credit history I would need to prepay for a full tank, with the request that I remit $360.00 by 1/15 prior to fill?  I find this curious, as there hadnt been time to get my app or run my CR, & no other util has reqed any type of dep or prepay of me of any kind in yrs. I called VP to explain but was told it was handled elsewhere and she didnt have any control over it.  She was busy and would call me back-never did. VP overbilled the VDSS 100% and severely affected my funds and warmth this winter. I want a refund of $168.40, the amount of the overcharge, be given to DSS, and the late charge that is still in my landlady's name to be corrected to my name & removed.  (the late charge was incurred because I disputed - & still d0 - being charged twice the quote. Thanks!