What Does CIA (Cash-in-Advance) Billing Status Mean?

That is a great question, and we’d first like to start off by saying Thank You for allowing us to provide your propane delivery service.  Part of having service, of course, is figuring out how to best pay for the propane that you may need to keep you and your family warm, or perhaps you use propane for your hot water heater, cook stove, generator, or even to keep your pool warm in the summer.  Propane is an extremely versatile fuel, and the ways to pay for propane may seem just as diverse.

With having an account set up as “CIA” – this means we need to make payment arrangements to collect IN ADVANCE of any requested propane delivery or service work.  The account is setup on a “Will-Call” basis by default, meaning you would contact our office when you would like to request a delivery/service appointment.

What Payment Methods are Accepted?

Perhaps the easiest way to pay is online or over the phone.  We accept VISA, MasterCard, or Discover.  You may choose to mail in a check or money order instead, or even stop by our office located at 2701 12th St, Shelbyville, MI 49344.  We are open Monday-Friday from 8am-4pm and do have a drop box to the right of our front door if you choose to drop off a payment after-hours.

Additional Information Regarding CIA Payment Terms:

1. We request that you call us when your tank gauge reads between 20%-30%. (Please lift the lid of the tank a few inches and let it fall back down when opening to get the most accurate tank percentage reading as the gauge of the tank may occasionally stick). We recommend checking the tank on a routine schedule, such as once per week, to reorder between 20%-30%.
2. Please do not let yourself run completely out of propane. Doing so requires a Leak Test to be performed (required by law) and the current cost is $50.00 (Tiered, Subject to Change) and an adult must be home for the delivery.
3. Payment must be received in advance before any future deliveries will be made (it is best to pay over the phone, online, or mail in your payment when the tank reads between 20-30% to allow time to process your payment and route your order). A delivery representative will be sent out within 10 days of payment receipt.  Our delivery representative will not collect any money on delivery unless it involves a “Special Run Charge” and/or a “Leak Test.”
4. For a same-day emergency delivery, there will be a Special Run charge of $150.00 (Subject to Change) on weekdays, with weekends and Holidays being a higher charge. The Special Run charge must be paid on or before the time of delivery.
5. The minimum delivery for tanks of 475 or 500 gallon capacity is 200 gallons, with a 300 gallon or more delivery having the better price per gallon. The minimum delivery for tanks of 1000 or larger gallon capacity is 500 gallons. Smaller tanks must be filled to capacity—no minimum delivery can be requested.
6. Cash-In-Advance (CIA) accounts may participate in our Budget Program, however, it is the customer’s responsibility to ensure there is enough credit on the account to cover each delivery. Any shortage would need to be paid prior to a delivery request being dispatched.
7. If desired, you can build up a credit on your account by sending in additional money to be applied to your account before running low on propane and therefore your amount due will not be so high at one time.
8. Agencies may be able to offer assistance if you are having trouble affording your propane.  Please contact our office for additional information.

As always, please be sure to read the terms of your Lease Agreement for additional information and if you may have any questions or concerns, please contact our office right away.  We want to help you before you may find yourself in an out-of-gas situation.

We thank you again for allowing us to serve you and look forward to providing you with many years of warmth.