Changing propane tanks need help

[Duffster]

That's pretty cool! I'm under the belief that they can't (won't??) come to my place to fill the 100# tanks because they need a scale.

I might add, I've NEVER seen anyone use a scale when I schlep the tanks to the co-op to get filled

they probably don't want to fiddle with small tanks like that!

(wouldn't blame them either)

The co-ops here have mobile filling for small tanks or they just exchange the 100# "pigs". Either way comes at a charge wether transparent or built into the price of the gas.

 

[Patriotic Stabilist]

We bought out own tank, before that they had metered fill. They would read the tank monthly and bill for usage but had an $8 fee per month. Hubby didn't like that so bought our own. He ran new lines, put in new regulators and everything. The propane company tested it before filling. The other lines and all were very old, plus we were putting in a new drive and patio over the line, and I wanted it further out rather then the main view from my patio door so he moved the new one back. The same propane company services it, I just have to monitor the % left. It's no big deal as we only use 3 tanks a year. We heat in the winter and cook and heat water with it also. I couldn't manage a 100 gallon tank, why not just buy your own regular tank?

 

[J35]

I played that game for seventeen years.

The main tank I used was a old railroad tank off of a caboose, 32 gal. Can you say Heavy Duty.

I kept a 7 gal tank as a back up. The way it worked at my house was my wife would say I smell propane, I would say OK I will switch tanks tomorrow and go fill the big one.

I learned to switch tanks fast so as not to loose my pilot lights . Nothing fancy just two hands and a wrench.

I have bought alot of propane and always by the gallon never weight.

Back then 30 miles one way to buy propane and that was at a Truck Stop.

I moved 3000 miles and now have a 300 gal tank and get it filled once a year. I think I am getting soft.

Have fun

 

[MikeD74T]

George2615, Sorry to hear that you were able to be intimidated by some scum propane manager. When you started with them did you have to sign a contract? That's required in my area. If so, they shouldn't be able to change the contract at their own convenience. Since you paid the rental the tanks are yours for the rest of the year. When empty I'd place them in a visable spot with a sign expressing my displeasure & deny the propane company access until the rental is up. Check with your state consumer protection agency, that fee change might not be legal. If so you might be entitled to a refund. MikeD74T

 

[George2615]

George2615, Sorry to hear that you were able to be intimidated by some scum propane manager. When you started with them did you have to sign a contract? That's required in my area. If so, they shouldn't be able to change the contract at their own convenience. Since you paid the rental the tanks are yours for the rest of the year. When empty I'd place them in a visable spot with a sign expressing my displeasure & deny the propane company access until the rental is up. Check with your state consumer protection agency, that fee change might not be legal. If so you might be entitled to a refund. MikeD74T

Mike,
As I said, we had no choice. Either pay the tank rental fee or pay to have it pumped out and take a loss on what we paid for the propane. No we do not have a contract. This company took over Agway customers in my area and we were on auto fill (once every 3 months). Yes, I paid the rental fee. Tank was last filled in December, we only use it for cooking and here its July and its not empty yet. Based on our previous usage we'll probably use it up by December before next years rental is due. I've let all my friends know and everyone I know with this company has canceled their service and went elsewhere.

I think this company will be hurting next year with the loss of customers. The new company I bought my tank from said they've had hundreds of people from the surrounding 3 counties come in and either buy tanks or set up new accounts. They don't charge rental fees on their tanks. I also think many people complained to the State Attorney General since there was an article in the paper mentioning propane tank rental rebates being mailed out. I haven't got one yet but if they are mailing them alphabetically I'm close to the end of the list. It really doesn't matter since the damage to the company has already been done. Even if I get a rebate they've lost me as a customer. I buy my diesel, heating fuel, gasoline, and now my propane from the company I am with now and no contracts or rental fees.

 

[heehaw]

i'm in the process of buying my 500gallon propane tank: $75 a year for 3 years and have to buy my propane from them during that time, no minimum amount, so probably 50 gallons a year, and then its mine...plus they will match any competitors prices: couldn't see how i could lose on this one..
heehaw

 

[TUG HILL ADDICT]

I hooked up my new tank yesterday and everything is running perfect. Called Suburban Propane to tell them to remove their tank and they said they would be here in SEPTEMBER.

The tank rental was bad enough, worse yet was the high prices they charged for the propane.

I feel very fortunate I heat my home with wood off my own land.

 

[MikeD74T]

Called Suburban Propane to tell them to remove their tank and they said they would be here in SEPTEMBER... quote]

Just over 20 years ago I ran out of gas on Saturday morning of July 2. I had a 120 gallon tank on auto fill. I called the weekend number & the callback person said my tank had not been filled because of nonpayment. By coincidence I'd had a heater repaired & payed the plant manager for the repair & gas bill at the same time. He posted the payment an an overpayment on the repair & nonpayment on the gas bill ???? When I asked if their delivery man, who had a truck with 100 lb bottles about 1 mile away, could get me thru the weekend, because we had company & no hot water, I was told "we only do emergengy fills in the heating season". I hooked up a 20 lb bottle & got thru the weekend. Called back on Tuesday to tell them to come get their empty tank & got the same answer you did. I told them I didn't care when they picked it up as it wasn't on my property -it was on the curb! It was gone within the hour. That company is now Amerigas, which might have been Suburban at that time. MikeD74T