To think that they should supply at the price paid

[MayBMaybenot]

We have oil fired central heating. The price of heating oil has gone through the roof in recent weeks, of course. But we ordered a supply on 15th February, paid an agreed price in full and awaited a delivery date. The supplier usually delivers within a few days and notifies of the delivery date. We're still waiting and are now running out!

I have been in touch with the supplier and they are saying that, in view of price rises in recent days, we need to pay today's higher price if we want the oil (almost twice what we paid - £400 paid already, they want and extra £375 on top!). I think that we have a contract and that they should deliver at the agreed price which was paid in full on ordering, regardless of the subsequent increase. AIBU? ... or should I just pay up and take the hit.

* But we ordered a supply on 15th February, paid an agreed price in full and awaited a delivery date.*

^YANBU. I wouldn’t pay anymore to them either

I doubt they'd have given a refund if the price had gone down since ordering. Yanbu

You risk them cancelling the order if you don't pay it though

Can you get it elsewhere?

@TellMeMoreHellebore … not at the price paid already. We would have to pay the higher price for a re-order. Catch 22!!

A supply request or a supply order, did you have a written contract of the unit cost?

Post this on legal
No point posting on the ordinary board.

YANBU. You had a concluded, enforceable contract. Warn them that if they don't deliver you will be suing for breach of contract.

Not to be a doomsdayer but it might go up more the longer you delay. Chances are it had already gone up since you paid on 15 Feb and the delivery date. Is it a bit cheeky though- would they accept £600?

Sounds to me like you had a valid contract with them but I’m not an expert - depends if there were any ts and cs I guess that mean they can change the price

Arggh, I ordered last week at 74p/l and its currently at £1/l.
I don't want to consider them reneging on my order! Which was 12 working days rather than the usual 10. I'm keeping the heating off as much as possible as don't want to run out and have no hot water.

Whether they should supply at that price will depend on their terms and conditions, which are probably on their website or the back of your receipt or somewhere.

If they're an established business of reasonable size, they're likely to have something written down about the price the customer pays and how it relates to market price and when the price contract is agreed.

I don't think you're being unreasonable to expect to get it at the price paid. Legally whether you are entitled to goods at the price paid depends on what exactly is in the contract between you and the supplier. Enforcement is harder, is there a watch dog type body you can report this to?
Sometimes threatening to report can help you if what you're asking for is what they're legally obliged to give you. Contract enforcement is usually through something like small claims court as these are issues of civil law. Realistically you may end up having to pay the higher price to get what you need.

I'm surprised they allowed you to pay up front knowing they had a backlog of deliveries. I ordered heating oil last Friday and was told that due to increased demand they can't deliver until today/Monday. I was given an indication rate as at last Friday but it was made very clear that they did not know what price I would pay as it would be whatever the price is as at delivery.
No idea what your legal position is though.

Most of the oil companies have social media pages. I would ask them once more to provide the oil at the price agreed and if not I would post all over social media.

People are naturally worried about the price of oil increasing. They should honour the sales agreed. This would put me off using a company and I would say a lot of other customers would be outraged too.

The price went from £300 to £450 in 3 days this week. It will still rise.

For 500l.

It was £195 last March. And £135 March 2020

Did you order through someone like BoilerJuice? Usually you pay the price at the end of the buying weekend so I'm just wondering if one of their suppliers is refusing to fill the order at that price given the rapid price rises. I'd definitely get advice on where you stand and check the small print on the website.

As pp said post on legal snd look at the contract. I’m not qualified but could you ask on that board about paying but with a letter that it is under protest and you are considering legal action to recover the difference. That leaves open that you may not take any action. However I suppose that risks them saying they won’t supply at all in the future.

It won't be worth your while trying to enforce the contract. They will simply refund you and then say that they couldn't supply the goods. In the meantime you have no oil.

You'd be better off just cancelling and placing another order asap (or paying them the extra).

Its shoddy practice though

Oh no, this is so out of order. We’re on oil too, when we ordered 3 weeks ago we had a 10day delivery and they delivered as ordered, even though it was much more expensive after those 10 days, but surely the point of being given the price at the point of sale is that is the price they order it for? So either they’ve messed up and didn’t order when they should have or they are trying to make a profit? Either way you should not have to pay.

Check with trading standards but if they've emailed you a receipt showing you have paid for x litres of oil at y price per litre, then I would think that's pretty conclusive you've paid at the agreed price.