We tried to change the gas contract to the regulated market: over the phone it was an adventure (laughs), living was so much better

The decree-law allowing the change has already been published – so you no longer have to wait until October 1 to change your gas contract to the regulated market. And that’s exactly what CNN Portugal was trying to do

“Dear Customer, the extraordinary regime expected to come into effect from October 1 that will allow contracting in the regulated market for the supply of natural gas is awaiting publication of the legislation containing the rules applicable to this supply. If the conditions that are currently legally provided for are.”

Between 4:20 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, this was the old message we’d been hearing on call after call. It made me smile instead of despairing. Can we talk to anyone? Yes and no. Of the twelve retailers of last resort (CUR), only two served – Tagusgas (Santarim) and Transgas (Lisbon). However, this same employee forwarded the call to another number that, surprisingly, had the same autoresponder as everyone else.

On each call, CNN Portugal waited five minutes. But without success. When we contacted our Galp suppliers, we heard the following message: “Welcome to Mundo Galp. Today is a good day to talk to us.” But the truth is, we can’t talk to anyone to ask for information.

Living: the best

Like any customer wishing to join the regulated gas market, we went to Loja do Cidadão de Marvila, located in Lisbon’s Pingo Doce shopping center, where one of the 12 suppliers of last resort is located. On arrival we found the Citizen’s Classic store with the typical ticket system, but the expectation of the usual long wait was exceeded by about five minutes: after receiving the ticket for the Gas Distribution section, we were called to counter #2.

We are told here that only three requirements are needed to change the gas supply to the regulated market: Attendance of the contract site, citizen card and an updated gas bill (You can see the manual over here With all the details of how to change the contract).

This applies to customers who are Galp or any other supplier. The process does not incur any cost and until the change is made, it is supposed to take about three weeks, which may vary depending on the previous contract.

On farewell, after an explanation that took no more than 10 minutes, we asked at which establishments changes could be made and they answered that at which “Galp Store” – with the caveat that at brand gas stations it would not be possible to. And this is where the process gets a bit confusing. From Marvila we went to Gare do Oriente, an easily accessible place for most people in Lisbon, from where we could go to three different establishments listed in the “Electricity and Natural Gas Stores” section within a short walk from work. Galp . website: The store in Gare Oriente, the Worten mobile store in the Vasco da Gama shopping center and the Galp Tangerina gas station opposite the Gare do Oriente bus station.

We began the journey in the mobile shop of Worten, where we were quickly informed that in that establishment it would be impossible to make a contractual change – we were directed to the Gare Oriente shop, which looked more like a café, in which it was also impossible to talk about gas amid the hustle and bustle of the professionals who were They try to distribute croissants, milkshakes and coffee to customers who have already gathered in the big queue. Then the security guard advised us to go to the Galp Tangerina gas station across the street, where “there was a counter” for this kind of problem. Something that was confirmed, although he was told that it would be impossible to carry out such an operation at a gas station.

Faced with confusion, we contacted Galp in an effort to understand which organizations could change the gas contract to the regular market – we’re waiting for the list to be sent to us.

These are the 12 currencies that CNN Portugal contacted: Beiragás – Companhia de Gás das Beiras, SA; Dianagás – Natural Gas Distributors Association of Évora, SA; Duriensegás – Sociedade Distribuidora de Gás Natural do Douro, SA; EDP ​​Gás Serviço Universal, SA – Porto; Lisboagás Comercialização, SA; Lusitaniagás Comercialização, SA; Medigás – Sociedade Distribuidora de Gás Natural do Algarve, SA; Paxgás – Sociedade Distribuidora de Gás Natural de Beja, SA; Setgás Comercialização, SA; Sonorgás – Sociedade de Gás do Norte, SA; Tagusgás – Vale do Tejo Gas Company, SA – Santarém; Transgás, SA – Lisbon.