Royally screwed by propane company - What can I do?

beppington · Oct 7, 2011

Extremely irritating, no doubt about that ... but I don't think I'd be willing to spend any more than a little time & minimum $ on it (small claims court).

beppington · Oct 7, 2011

LD1 said:
I give, what is a "tar baby"

From Wikipedia: "The Tar-Baby is a doll made of tar and turpentine used to entrap Br'er Rabbit in the second of the Uncle Remus stories. The more that Br'er Rabbit fights the Tar-Baby, the more entangled he becomes. In modern usage according to Random House, "tar baby" refers to any "sticky situation" that is only aggravated by additional contact."

jonyyuma · Oct 7, 2011

I remember the tar baby and anybody whom has used roofing tar to seal a leak or pitch pocket can attest it will spread all over you in a minute. I would be upset too if they had screwed me like this. The obviously get to do it often and knew if they could load it, the SHAM would work in their favor. Small claims court should be able to help you out. I don't care much for our local cops either, butt they would take over 30 mins. to Help any way?

LD1 · Oct 7, 2011

beppington said:
From Wikipedia: "The Tar-Baby is a doll made of tar and turpentine used to entrap Br'er Rabbit in the second of the Uncle Remus stories. The more that Br'er Rabbit fights the Tar-Baby, the more entangled he becomes. In modern usage according to Random House, "tar baby" refers to any "sticky situation" that is only aggravated by additional contact."

I see I see

I learn something new everyday

jonyyuma · Oct 7, 2011

LD1, I bet you have used roofing pitch or tar before? It is like Never-sieze for spreadability. An tiny amount will ruin a lot of clothes and don't let any get near the laundry room?

LD1 · Oct 7, 2011

jonyyuma said:
LD1, I bet you have used roofing pitch or tar before? It is like Never-sieze for spreadability. An tiny amount will ruin a lot of clothes and don't let any get near the laundry room?

Cant really recall using much tar, but it kinda sounds like what red RTV will do. That will get all over and ruin clothes in a hurry too:confused2:

Domush · Oct 7, 2011

It seems plenty of lawyers elsewhere jump at the chance, some without cost, to sue for unlawful repossession (which apparently this became when I confronted them), but not here in podunctsville KY. The lawyers here seem more Mayberry than Manhattan. Makes me wonder if that is why the companies get away with it, even the lawyers can't fight them properly.

I'm not even sure which angle to go about this.. do I sue for my propane to be returned? Fraudulent billing practices? Illegal repossession? In small claims for pennies or add damages from this all in real court with a real lawyer (if I can find one)?

This all comes down to one universal rule... mean people suck.

Robert_in_NY · Oct 7, 2011

Domush said:
It seems plenty of lawyers elsewhere jump at the chance, some without cost, to sue for unlawful repossession (which apparently this became when I confronted them), but not here in podunctsville KY. The lawyers here seem more Mayberry than Manhattan. Makes me wonder if that is why the companies get away with it, even the lawyers can't fight them properly.

I'm not even sure which angle to go about this.. do I sue for my propane to be returned? Fraudulent billing practices? Illegal repossession? In small claims for pennies or add damages from this all in real court with a real lawyer (if I can find one)?

This all comes down to one universal rule... mean people suck.

I have found the same thing around here, you need to find a litigation attorney but their not cheap. When I was dealing with my tractor problem with the dealer the lawyer I talked to asked how much I was hoping to save and it was going to cost me about the same as I was going to want to save. He was willing to take my case but warned me that if the judge ruled in their favor all I did was bury myself further as I was debating a $13k repair bill that was originally told to only cost $2200. I decided to just leave the tractor sit at the dealership and not pay them and they can't do anything with the tractor either since they never have tried to collect from me other then sending a bill.

Most of the lawyers around here deal mainly with divorce, custody or real estate with a few that deal with criminal. There are not many litigation lawyers in small towns.

Barry 1 · Oct 7, 2011

Did you go see your county attorney?He is the one to bring criminal charges against them if possible. You might get a judgement against them in small claims, but you will Probably never see any money.