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Buying Own Propane Tank?

Waxman

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Has anyone bought their own tank for propane?

Mine is owned by my Propane supplier and I may like the flexibility of owning my own and making companies compete for my business.

I looked them up and got sticker shock so I thought I'd see if anyone has had any luck with a particular source.
 

MEP001

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How much do you think you could save by buying one?

Could there be liability issues on your part if you owned it and something catastrophic happened? Would you have to insure it if you owned it; would that negate any savings?
 
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Has anyone bought their own tank for propane?

Mine is owned by my Propane supplier and I may like the flexibility of owning my own and making companies compete for my business.

I looked them up and got sticker shock so I thought I'd see if anyone has had any luck with a particular source.
You could get your own but what about when it has to be replaced?
They can compete for your business all you have to do it tell them to pick the tank up. Thats what we have done and they always seem to come back in line with price. How much is your propane per gallon?
 

soapy

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You can save a lot of money if you own your own propane tank. It is much easier to shop around for a good price. Propane tanks tend to last for decades as long as they just hold propane. I would check with some of the local heating contractors. They usually have used ones that you can make a great deal on. Get the biggest tank you can so you can buy in the fall when prices are cheap and coast through the winter. You might even consider 2 if you have the space. You could pay for the tanks in one year just in savings between winter prices vs. summer prices of propane.
 

Waxman

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I am currently calling other propane suppliers to see if any offer a contract for buying propane that includes a buyout clause for the tank or a small monthly payment so that at the end of X# of years I own the tank.
 

jimbeaux

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Check around for a used propane tank, in our area they are easy to find and many times they will still have gas in them. Also most propane companies will sell you a refurbished one.
 

Waxman

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My supplier wants to charge me the same price as 5 years ago for the tank. But now the tank is 5 years old and, as such, a used tank. I explained this to them and am waiting to see if they follow my logic or would rather use another means to determine fair market value of a 5 year old tank.

I am negotiating to try and buy the one I have possibly but am still looking at used/refurbished in case I want to go that route.
 

Washmee

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What ever you do, be careful.

Portage County woman, grandson die in propane explosion

The Proudfoot family built the house themselves over the last eight years, but Regina Proudfoot's husband never got the chance to live in it.

There have been 15 propane-related explosions in Ohio since 2001, according to the State Fire Marshal's office. Just one person was killed in the last decade, in the first 13 explosions.

Today, the death toll rose to five, with the Suffield deaths and the husband and wife killed Feb. 7 in a propane explosion in Hinckley Township.
Fatal Blast: Grandmother, grandson killed in propane-fueled house explosion
 

Waxman

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Getting the Runaround!

Found a local company with a huge amount of used propane tanks on their lot (gas company).

Called to see about buying one. They do not sell used tanks only 'new' ones.

I said 'how much for a new one'. They couldn't say. What???

"Who do you sell the used ones to?". Reply:"it's handled 'in house'". What???

I think they refurb the old ones and sell them as new.

What do you think? This is a classic 'run around' deal. They take an old tank, rip it out of the ground, paint it and pressure test and sell as new is what I think. Pure B.S.
 

Indiana Wash

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You can save a lot of money if you own your own propane tank. It is much easier to shop around for a good price. Propane tanks tend to last for decades as long as they just hold propane. I would check with some of the local heating contractors. They usually have used ones that you can make a great deal on. Get the biggest tank you can so you can buy in the fall when prices are cheap and coast through the winter. You might even consider 2 if you have the space. You could pay for the tanks in one year just in savings between winter prices vs. summer prices of propane.
What he said. I used to own one at my home. My wash uses NG though. There was a huge difference in price if you own your tank and aren't married to one company.
 

Sudzie

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Besides running car washes we also opperate an oil & propane co. If you can purchase your tank locally do it you should save .60 plus cents a gallon depending on your market. Make sure it is installed up to code. Have the company that sells you the tank install it. We sell a lot of tanks and keep our customers (not shopping around) by giving very good service and being price competitive, but not the cheep guy in town.
 
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