Propane tanks - buy own or exchange?

[ArtW]

used to be the Blue Rhino tanks had a stick on gauge that apparently worked off temperature
It was pretty accurate, dunno why they shucked them, probably to save a penny

 

[John61CT]

Simple enough.

People being afraid they might run out, causes them to exchange/refill sooner than necessary, sooner than they would if their tank had an accurate gauge.

Most people pay a fixed price per "fill up" or exchange, more gas left in the tank, higher profits to the seller.

And Blue Rhino doesn't even give you the full 80% level either, making huge margins off both ends of their scamming rip-off.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

Suppose that makes sense. Whenever trying to figure out a why or why not question, just follow the money trail to the answer.

 

[Weight]

Blue Rhino or any other exchange service are not scamming any one. They clearly list the amount of fuel you are buying. I would be more worried about the guy at the local Sonoco Station. The exchange services are where I "buy" my new tanks when the old ones get within a year of expiration.

 

[caretaker]

i've had propane tanks wash up on the beaches, and I've taken them to HD exchanged them in the outdoor rack (and folks those tanks were done had to be totally unsafe) exchanged them used up the propane and took them back and cashed them in for $40.00. done it three times now.

 

[caretaker]

so if you find one no matter how bad they look you can exchange them

 

[Weight]

Some times the attendant will. But most do a visual and if too much rust and dents, they will not exchange. I know a hardware store that exchanges anything. What do you mean, cashed them in for $40?? Who does that?

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

 . . .  cashed them in for $40.00. done it three times now.

I want in on this too!  I can buy new 20# tanks for $30.  I see a money making proposition here 

There are a lot of self serve propane exchanges here, nobody inspects the tanks before exchange.

 -- Spiff

 

[Weight]

I think, no one gives any cash back on any used bottle. I would want details of this deal.

 

[John61CT]

Maybe means to sell it on CL, but can't see getting more than half the new price.

 

[caretaker]

at the HD we have here in KW we have a 24 hr. exchange where you can use a CC,DEBIT or cash machine no attendant needed, there are scales in each one of the cages, or something that can tell i don't know what it is because you can't get a full one unless you put in an empty one

 

[caretaker]

the deposit here is $40.00. as far as the other stuff goes, i don't know, all i know is thats the way it works here.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

I could go get 200 empty tanks tomorrow, my town's DPW has a free drop off for old, outdated, or just unwanted propane tanks. But I don't understand the $40 part. You leave a $40 deposit and then just get that back? So you're not actually making money right?

 

[caretaker]

ERLH, thats what they charge in KW HD, its a deposit,,as far as 200 i bet they wouldn't. you have to turn them in person, thats why you should re read my post. as far as $30.00 tanks go after $29.95 in shipping,,,,do the math,,,,or if you drive down here to try and profit off a few tanks,,don't forget gas here is between .50 and .75 more per gallon go for it,,,,to give you some idea about things costing more,,I've bought books off of amazon for .10 and $3.95 shipping,but to answer your orig. Q: if you want a 20lb propane tank and don't have one to exchange you pay a $40.00 deposit plus the cost of the propane $17.95 for 15 lbs,,at the last time i checked. i don't make the rules. just live by them.