Countless calls and several emails from concerned consumers, questioning the price they pay for propane.
Even local companies have reached out to NBC Connecticut Responds offering information about the pricing structure and even discounts for consumers to take advantage of.
“We saw the story that you ran. It just made me realize that a lot of people don't even know that we're out there,” said Rosie Stanko, Vice President of the Citizen’s Oil Co-Op.
The Citizen’s Oil Co-op negotiates prices with oil and propane companies at cheaper rates than the average consumer would find.
“We can be anywhere form a dollar to sometimes we're three dollars lower than another company that's working with propane,” said Stanko.
For long time customers like Colleen Masse who uses oil and propane, the savings is well worth the $30 a year membership fee.
“So our last bill we were paying $1.54, $1.55 per gallon and it's my understanding the going rate is $1.89, $1.99 per gallon,” said Masse.
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A more than 40 cent discount adds up when you're buying about 900 gallons a year.
That's more than $350 dollars in savings.
“They have the bargaining power of more people than you have as an individual consumer,” said Masse.
The price per gallon for propane is often higher if the consumer rents a tank. How much propane is needed weighs into the rate as well; the more you use, the lower the price.
For those customers unhappy with what they're paying, Stanko says the co-op works as an advocate for the consumer to help get them an affordable price for a very basic necessity.
