Back to this old thread again... has anyone tried purchasing a tank recently. I still have my rented tank in the ground, but I don't want to continue with the company I have for another year. I finally found one company that has a tank to sell at about $5K installed. The current company would sell me their tank (15 years old) for about $2700.00. Used to be, not too long ago, that I heard of companies selling their rented tanks that old for under $1K. I'm thinking I'd rather buy a new one at extra cost that and old one for that price. Thoughts??
Propane Tank, rent or buy 500gal
- Thread starter gmason
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jyoutz
Super Member
That seems really expensive. I sold my 20+ year old 500 gallon tank to the propane company last year for $800. They were going to install a new valve and paint it, then resell and install it for $1500.
deserteagle71
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???What size tank? New tanks around here sell for around $1500 for a 320 gallon. $5000, even installed, is ridiculous.
bumperm
Veteran Member
Hi coaster,
If that rental is and in-ground tank, as you wrote, they sure's heck don't want to come and pull it. I'd say you have them over a barrel of sorts and you're holding the cards. Around here, they won't put a rental in-ground, if you want one in the ground you have to buy it. (Mine is a 1,000 gal underground that cost me $5K installed about 8 years ago). So, I'd call their bluff. Tell them you'll give them $1000 for it or they can come take it out.
Having said that, you'd need to line-up at least a temporary tank first. Right now, at least in western Nevada, tanks are scare due to shipping and apparently most are being sourced in Mexico. I'd expect a a refurbished 1000 above ground to cost about $1,500, not sure of other size current pricing but tanks have been scarce.
If that rental is and in-ground tank, as you wrote, they sure's heck don't want to come and pull it. I'd say you have them over a barrel of sorts and you're holding the cards. Around here, they won't put a rental in-ground, if you want one in the ground you have to buy it. (Mine is a 1,000 gal underground that cost me $5K installed about 8 years ago). So, I'd call their bluff. Tell them you'll give them $1000 for it or they can come take it out.
Having said that, you'd need to line-up at least a temporary tank first. Right now, at least in western Nevada, tanks are scare due to shipping and apparently most are being sourced in Mexico. I'd expect a a refurbished 1000 above ground to cost about $1,500, not sure of other size current pricing but tanks have been scarce.
It's a 500 gallon tank. I'm in VA. Seems that places out west always report cheaper prices for tanks and installation. Here in VA, it's been hard to even track a 500 gallon tank down.
I don't think they REALLY want to come and dig up their tank, but with tanks being scarce (as you say), maybe that's changed in the last couple years. I think once when I was talking to them, they wanted to charge me a fee to come out and dig up THEIR tank and haul it off. How crazy is that?
bumperm
Veteran Member
Yeah, that's nuts. Like I said, try to line up a tank (even a rental), then call their bluff. Offer them $1K to buy it or tell them they can pull it and you expect the ground to look perfect when they're done (no holes).
Depending on how much gas you use, I suggest a big enough tank to take you through the year. That way you can buy once when it's cheapest (usually in late summer/early fall around here - though that was before all this government caused insanity, so I don't know what's going to happen going forward - November may help.
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5030
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Good luck with buying a new one. Only 2 tank (bottle) manufacturers in existence, Manchester and Chemtrol and neither will sell an individual a bottle that I know of.
I own both of mine (above ground) and both started life as nurse tanks for AN. I bought them both at public auction.
I own both of mine (above ground) and both started life as nurse tanks for AN. I bought them both at public auction.
So I do have the one tank lined up, but it is costly. I'll go that route though, before paying $2700 for the used tank. We use around 300 gallons a year - sometimes a bit more. As far as the possible damage to my yard (and anything else), I understand that companies want to include a "Removal Damage Waiver" that exempts them from any damage to your yard, the gas line, etc. Again, that doesn't make sense for a tank that they own and they paid to have put in. I wonder what would happen if I refused to sign something like that and just put a tank above ground and left theirs there - LOL. I supposed I'd just have their tank sitting there underground doing nothing.
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Paid $250 for the 500 gallon...
At the time contract signed in 1964 it had a purchase price.
30 years later and several gas owner changes they had to honor it after saying they don't sell tanks but we had it in writing...
At the time contract signed in 1964 it had a purchase price.
30 years later and several gas owner changes they had to honor it after saying they don't sell tanks but we had it in writing...