Latest Calor Press Release on Calor Lite

Have had a reply from my email enquiry to Calor, please see quoted below particularly last paragraph which appears to have been added on in my original email.  i am sorry, I had photographed a copy but somehow I can't upload it to this site.  I am happy to forward the email to others although I have requested for this additional information to be made more public knowledge.  Shame no other formal organisations we subscribe to could not address this and avoid me wasting a morning!  

I hope it helps others.

Alison

"Good Afternoon,

Thank you for your online enquiry.

A decision has been taken to replace the 6kg lite cylinder with another lightweight product which we plan to bring to market in the future (Expected 2018). Actual release dates, and exchangeability for current bottles is not yet determined

- There will be no ‘new’ 6kg lites entering the market in 2017 - existing cylinders in the market will continue to be available they are not being withdrawn

- To minimise customer disruption, we’ve invested heavily in standard 6’s for 2017 so there will be sufficient availability

What this means to the customer is:

Customers returning an empty 6kg lite should be offered one in return - If no 6kg lites are available the customer should be offered a 6kg in return

In summary the 6KG Lite bottles are no longer being manufactured however the bottles in circulation will continue to be available.

.
Please note: we are aware some customers may have brought their original bottle and refill agreement at a more expensive cost then it currently is. If this is the case in your situation you will still get the correct refund provided you still have your original proof of purchase ( Cylinder refill Agreement)."

Well i was one of the original purchasers, and as it was several years ago now I certainly do not have a proof of purchase still available. I doubt if I am alone in that!

It would be a little unfair of me to suggest that Calor must be aware of that, so I won't!

TF

I wonder how much money is made manufacturers because of people not having their original documents and not just Calor?  My original Calorlite paper "should" be with all the other caravan blurb adding weight to my van - but the person who bought it didn't ask for it I don't think - and I am not sure I would look for it for you Charlie you got too good a deal! 

From reading the thread it is apparent that calorlite users fall into two seperate camps, those that obtained their cylinders free of charge as swaps for other calor cylinders (like I did) or those who paid a cylinder rental agreement  (CRA) for a Calorlite that was dearer than a "conventional" cylinder.

It is undoubtedly cynical of Calor to request that you turn up with your agreement, I'm sure that they realise few people will be able to find it after years of caravanning, although in the circumstances (of a customer requesting a refund for a returned Calorlite cylinder) I am not sure how else they would play it as many, like me didn't pay extra, they are hardly going to "refund" me are they....??

Looking at ALLY's email above, the critical bit seems to be.....

"Actual release dates, and exchangeability for current bottles is not yet determined"

We will see their decency as a company when their "exchangeability" criteria for the new cylinders is published. I for one am hoping that they will be exchanged on at least a like for like basis, a new lightweight cylinder for a Calorlight. I won't be reverting to old iron clad 6/7 kg cylinders as they are too heavy for me to comfortably handle and affect my payload. I would also be reluctant to pay for a new CRA both on principle and for financial reasons. I would rather put the money to the one off purchase of Safefill......

TT115. I can completely agree with your final paragraph. The CC should forward it to Calor!

TF

How long have the Lites been on the market?  It seems totally unacceptable practice for such a huge company.  I am so glad I don't have to hold my breath for the outcome and I know where I would place my bet if anyone opens a book on it!  

Just a guess on my part but I would imagine that it is too early for Calor to make an exchange policy decision when they have no firm date for the introduction of the new cylinder. We don't even know what size it will be in terms of capacity, it may even have a different connection. There are too many unknowns yet. Rather than rely of the Club doing anything I would have thought personal representation direct to Calor would have more influence especially if they get enough people write to them.

David

STOP using Calor, they are rip off merchants,

their gas is over £3.00 per kilo,

I have safefill and pay £1.00 to £1.20 per kilo, and save on nose weight

It seems a no brainer to me too Dakota especially with the uncertainty that is showing in this thread and the apparent limited availability of the Lites even now.  Unless someone is a really light user of course and not concerned with nose weight.  The Club should have some clout with Calor since all sites I have been on use it - although I can't help wondering if they could get a better price from one of the many other suppliers of LPG out there.  Running my heating for the house on LPG I know the advantages of shopping round - and Calor come back with an even better price when you do!  Even so I go elsewhere because of the rip - off element. 

We replaced one or our two Calor Lite Propane cylinders a couple of months ago at the site where we store our caravan with no problem at all.  In fact, they hadn't even heard that Calor are withdrawing them in the future.  Having read about Safefill and Gaslow by reading posts on CT over the years, I had a look on the relevant web sites, and it seems there aren't any stockists within a reasonable distance of home so, I guess, we haven't a choice but to stay with Calor.  Fortunately we don't use much gas, except for cooking.