Amerigas Tank Rental Fee?????????

pcmc · 06-08-2010, 02:32 PM

Hello to all,

I have read threads here for a while, and finally decided to join in.

My wife and I have a home in Suissevale, and love it here! What I would like to ask is, did anyone else recieve a $100 bill from Amerigas for "tank rental" this year. We haven't contacted them yet, but we're wondering if this typical for everyone.

Thankyou for any responces,
Peter

feb · 06-08-2010, 03:11 PM

I got a bill for the rental fee too. Been getting 1 for a couple of years now. I think it was only $40. I have two of the smaller upright, 4 foot high tanks. I suspect they started charging this fee becuase I wasn't ordering enough propane and they needed more of my money. Have been thinking of switching but never got disgusted enough to follow through yet.

Also just paid about $100 for about 24 gallons of propane. Again, I suspect my low usage helps them justify this outrageous price.

Pineedles · 06-08-2010, 03:17 PM

Welcome pcmc! I think it is fairly typical that a rental fee is charged for the tank. I don't like it, but if local regs. permit it, you can always buy a tank and then go out for bids as to who has the lowest price.

hancoveguy · 06-08-2010, 03:26 PM

I can't remember the specifics, but I went with Rhymes Propane because there was either no fee or cheaper rates. Wish I could remember, it was only 2 months ago.

HCG

RLW · 06-08-2010, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hancoveguy

I can't remember the specifics, but I went with Rhymes Propane because there was either no fee or cheaper rates. Wish I could remember, it was only 2 months ago.
HCG

Your starting to sound like this ole geezer now.

trfour · 06-08-2010, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcmc

Hello to all,

I have read threads here for a while, and finally decided to join in.

My wife and I have a home in Suissevale, and love it here! What I would like to ask is, did anyone else recieve a $100 bill from Amerigas for "tank rental" this year. We haven't contacted them yet, but we're wondering if this typical for everyone.

Thankyou for any responces,
Peter

Some winters, they have to rent M-1 tanks to break trail for their home delivery trucks to get to their what used to be above ground storage tanks!

Kind'a like the airlines these days that charge a bag fee, whether you have, or just look-alike upon boarding...

However, look at the big picture!... And I hope that everyone saved their first penny.

Irrigation Guy · 06-08-2010, 04:51 PM

I too went with Rymes specifically because they didn't charge a tank fee. I just got a delivery and it wasn't inexpensive for the gas. I don't use a lot either(one delivery a year) about 45 gallons for close to $4.00 a gallon. They get me on price. I have considered buying my own tank and bringing it to get filled, but it's still a $$ game.

bigRazor · 06-08-2010, 06:22 PM

Not sure if Palmer Gas delivers up there but last week I got 47 gallons at $2.57 a gallon. I haven't been charged a tank rental fee.

BroadHopper · 06-08-2010, 10:05 PM

We have a 250 lb tank that is filled once a year. Amerigas started charging us $100 a year for tank rental a couple of years ago. Thet say we don't use it enough. How much gas are you suppose to buy in a year?

Propane is expensive compared to LNG I used in Breckenridge. The LNG dealers don't charge for rental.

CARDER LANE · 06-09-2010, 05:14 AM

I finally got tired of not using enough gas and being overcharged for gas and no service. I bought my own 100lb tank and fill it twice a year at the local campground. You will also need your own regulator which is about $15 to $20.

pcmc · 06-15-2010, 08:49 PM

Hi everyone, THANKYOU for all of your input!

For future options:
Where would I go to buy a large tank?( I don't know what sizes are avaliable)
How big is a 100lb. tank in comparison to gallons?
What do I do with the 500gal. tank here now, will Am. Gas come get it (and charge me for that to)? Maybe I should stop service and charge them storage fees.

Sorry for the delay in my responce, and thanks again,
Peter

ishoot308 · 06-15-2010, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcmc

Hi everyone, THANKYOU for all of your input!

For future options:
Where would I go to buy a large tank?( I don't know what sizes are avaliable)
How big is a 100lb. tank in comparison to gallons?
What do I do with the 500gal. tank here now, will Am. Gas come get it (and charge me for that to)? Maybe I should stop service and charge them storage fees.

Sorry for the delay in my responce, and thanks again,
Peter

You can buy 100 lb tanks at Lowes in Gilford. I saw few there just last week.

Dan

phoenix · 06-16-2010, 05:26 AM

Eastern requires 200 gallons per year to avoid a fee

Lakepilot · 06-16-2010, 06:17 AM

They have a 100 lb tank at Tractor Supply in Ossipee. Propane weighs about 4.2 lbs. per gallon.

meredith weekender · 06-16-2010, 08:29 AM

You can buy 100# propane tanks at the Depot or Lowes. The cost is right around $110 each. Most campgrounds or hardware stores will fill them up for you.

Irrigation Guy · 06-16-2010, 08:04 PM

What does a campground or hardware charge to fill a larger tank per gallon? Anyone know? Say as compared to my $3.74?

fpartri497 · 06-16-2010, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LocalRealtor

What does a campground or hardware charge to fill a larger tank per gallon? Anyone know? Say as compared to my $3.74?

My son In law fill his 100 Lb. tank In Concord for $55:00

Irrigation Guy · 06-18-2010, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fpartri497

My son In law fill his 100 Lb. tank In Concord for $55:00

Thats about $2.00 per gallon. Buying a tank would have a quick payback then, but not sure I could get those prices up here.

Any local prices from someone else?

Lakesrider · 06-18-2010, 09:12 AM

I live in Suissevale as well. Year round. I have two of the big above aground tanks. No fee for either tank. but I heat and cook with propane. So maybe I use enough. make sure you are getting the Suissevale price as well....

Seeker · 06-18-2010, 02:56 PM

I took 100 gallons 2 weeks ago from Eastern at $1.815. Unfortunately next year the price is going up. I use about 1100 gals per year.

fpartri497 · 06-18-2010, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LocalRealtor

Thats about $2.00 per gallon. Buying a tank would have a quick payback then, but not sure I could get those prices up here.

Any local prices from someone else?

I have a 300 lb.? tank at home all I know Is energy north charges me $ 3.38 a gal. Its for my fire place and i only fill It twice a year they tell me the tank holds 26 Gal.

no-engine · 06-24-2010, 07:26 PM

When amerigas started charging rental and were very rude, I jumped to another. My tanks were put in place about 1980, and old then, so I'm glad to have them off my property....

songkrai · 11-05-2010, 07:49 PM

Locally. Wallace Propane was bought out by Columia Gas and Columbia Gas was bought out by Amerigas. Lot's of debt in that company.

For those with just one or a couple 100 lb. tank/tanks - the cost to make a delivery is high for all propane companies.

Yes, you can purchase a 20 lb. 30 lb. 40 lb and even a 100 lb. tank. Tough to lift a 100 lb. tank though.

None of the propane companies actually own the tanks. They are all leased.

You can buy your own big tanks also. Tis a tad expensive. But you can purchase them. And your cost of propane is somewhat less and you can shop around for propane. The payback though is quite long.

There is no one "good" company. A lot depends on who owns the company and who manages the area.

Some charge by an escalting scale. More propane - less unit cost.

Some have better repair service and more knowledgeable repair people.

One company (name not mentioned) was going around and doing "Energy Audits" - and advising homeowners that they needed a new furnace. And it didn't matter how new or how old the furnace was.

If I were building a new home I would never use propane as heat. Yes, it is a little cleaner then oil but every time you change companies - you have to get another tank - and then the propane guy/gal goes trancing around your home looking for "issues" and writing down all serial numbers of all propane appiances.

So much simpler with oil heat. They do an annual cleaning and deliver oil. And one can switch companies at any time.

fatlazyless · 11-06-2010, 07:14 AM

That's some good advice about using oil as opposed to propane, and then just get the oil boiler or oil furnace cleaned up of the old oil soot residue every one or two years. When the oil service company does a yearly or two-yearly tune-up and cleanout, they spend a lot of time using long skinny scrub brushes and a vacumm to get all the old soot out from around the heat exchanger area in between the inside and outside of the boiler or furnace. Plus, they replace the oil nozzle, which you can purchase for about six dollars at Lowe's-Gilford or just window shop various boiler-furnace heat parts like nozzles, hot water circulator pumps, and thermostats, plus a few other heating parts.

Most local hardware stores do not carry heating parts, and businesses like F W Webb will only sell to a plumber or heat-installer and refuse to be helpfull to someone they do not know, so it can be very helpfull to be able to window shop heating parts at the Lowe's-Gilford.

no-engine · 11-06-2010, 08:05 AM

Amerigas took lots time to remove the tanks, long after disconnected. However, they did live up to ussuing me a refund check for the propane in the filled tanks.
I will never suggest them to another. The people at Eastern are very efficient.
YES, they need to inspect propane connections periodically.

BroadHopper · 11-06-2010, 08:21 AM

I switch from Amerigas to Eastern. Eastern will not allow you to bury their tanks. A recent change in their policy.

songkrai · 11-06-2010, 10:46 AM

Eastern.

Just this past week I viewed the truck delivering a buried tank from them.

Belmont Resident · 11-07-2010, 07:38 PM

I just bought a heater and a 100 lb tank at Lowes. Same tank at HD is $110.00 There are only a few left.
Remember that by law the tank must be secured and transported in the upright position, it cannot be laid down in the back of you truck or car.
I was told this is suppose to apply to all propane tanks from 20 lbs up.

SIKSUKR · 11-09-2010, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

and businesses like F W Webb will only sell to a plumber or heat-installer and refuse to be helpfull to someone they do not know.

Yet another FLL post with bad info.I buy from Webb all the time and am neither a plumber or HVAC installer and they didn't know me at one time.Just a building owner.Anybody can buy from Webb.

Irish mist · 11-10-2010, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Yet another FLL post with bad info.I buy from Webb all the time and am neither a plumber or HVAC installer and they don't didn't know me at one time.Just a building owner.Anybody can buy from Webb.

More like bad intent. His posting history shows this kind of thing over & over again.

Charlie T · 11-10-2010, 10:11 PM

A lot of Plumbing supply houses won't sell non licensed consumer "do it yourselfers" Oil burner or Gas Burner parts. It has to do with liability of selling parts and perhaps offering advice to repair products that could Blow Up and cause personal injury if done incorrectly. There is a reason Heating Tech's need a license.

Irish mist · 11-10-2010, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie T

A lot of Plumbing supply houses won't sell non licensed consumer "do it yourselfers" Oil burner or Gas Burner parts. It has to do with liability of selling parts and perhaps offering advice to repair products that could Blow Up and cause personal injury if done incorrectly. There is a reason Heating Tech's need a license.

Yes......bad intent. FFL said "Webb" does not sell products to the general public, not some random plumbing supply company.....he picked out Webb like SIKSUKR pointed out. If you have read FLL's posts over the years you will see this kind of thing over & over again. It is what it is. He gets no benefit of the doubt from me. I just find this type of thing so unfair......a business like Webb could lose customers in this bad economy cause FFL is making stuff up.

fatlazyless · 11-11-2010, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irish mist

More like bad intent. His posting history shows this kind of thing over & over again.

Sorry....no....no bad intent here....just my ignorance about what's the latest over at F W Webb's big supply house on Hounsell Ave on the Laconia-Gilford border. Last time I went to the Laconia - Webb's was at the old location on the Winnipesaukee River, and they pretty much refused to sell to me about ten years ago, so I went to the nearby Goulet's Plumbing Supply.

The Gilford-Lowe's is an excellent plumbing supply, and it's obviously pretty much all self-service as opposed to working with a counter person at a supply house. ...gotta luv that Lowe's.....plus the freebie coffee....and yellow tag specials. Lowe's even has lawn irrigation system parts by Ortho and Rainbird, plus a threader machine for cutting & threading black & galvy iron pipe.

How can you tell if a plumber is any good at what he does?

He never takes a leak!

songkrai · 11-11-2010, 10:39 AM

In the old days, wholesalers only sold to contractors or those with a contractor account.

Time are tough. And all sell to anyone. But you may pay a price. Some do provide same price to all while most do not.

For little low cost parts it is no big deal.

Years ago, I priced a propane furnace at one of the larger wholesalers. My price was $1,200. A licensed plumber friend got a a price for the exact same furnance from the same wholesaler for $410.

And all have to understand the concept. The wholesalers do have to keep the contractors coming back. And the contractors have to make a living.

06-08-2010, 02:32 PM	#1
pcmc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 412 Thanks: 211 Thanked 106 Times in 73 Posts	Amerigas Tank Rental Fee????????? Hello to all, I have read threads here for a while, and finally decided to join in. My wife and I have a home in Suissevale, and love it here! What I would like to ask is, did anyone else recieve a $100 bill from Amerigas for "tank rental" this year. We haven't contacted them yet, but we're wondering if this typical for everyone. Thankyou for any responces, Peter

06-08-2010, 03:11 PM	#2
feb Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Meredith (Winnisquam) & Nashua, NH Posts: 209 Thanks: 25 Thanked 20 Times in 17 Posts	rental fee I got a bill for the rental fee too. Been getting 1 for a couple of years now. I think it was only $40. I have two of the smaller upright, 4 foot high tanks. I suspect they started charging this fee becuase I wasn't ordering enough propane and they needed more of my money. Have been thinking of switching but never got disgusted enough to follow through yet. Also just paid about $100 for about 24 gallons of propane. Again, I suspect my low usage helps them justify this outrageous price.

06-08-2010, 10:05 PM	#9
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,509 Thanks: 3,116 Thanked 1,089 Times in 783 Posts	Amerigas We have a 250 lb tank that is filled once a year. Amerigas started charging us $100 a year for tank rental a couple of years ago. Thet say we don't use it enough. How much gas are you suppose to buy in a year? Propane is expensive compared to LNG I used in Breckenridge. The LNG dealers don't charge for rental. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

06-09-2010, 05:14 AM	#10
CARDER LANE Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Meredith, NH Posts: 10 Thanks: 2 Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post	Propane Tank I finally got tired of not using enough gas and being overcharged for gas and no service. I bought my own 100lb tank and fill it twice a year at the local campground. You will also need your own regulator which is about $15 to $20.

06-16-2010, 05:26 AM	#13
phoenix Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: phoenix and moultonboro Posts: 1,519 Thanks: 58 Thanked 265 Times in 186 Posts	Eastern requires 200 gallons per year to avoid a fee __________________ it's tough to make predictions specially about the future

06-08-2010, 03:17 PM	#3
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,535 Thanks: 1,058 Thanked 652 Times in 363 Posts	Welcome pcmc! I think it is fairly typical that a rental fee is charged for the tank. I don't like it, but if local regs. permit it, you can always buy a tank and then go out for bids as to who has the lowest price.

06-08-2010, 03:26 PM	#4
hancoveguy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 276 Thanks: 95 Thanked 65 Times in 30 Posts	I can't remember the specifics, but I went with Rhymes Propane because there was either no fee or cheaper rates. Wish I could remember, it was only 2 months ago. HCG

06-08-2010, 04:51 PM	#7
Irrigation Guy Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 484 Thanks: 89 Thanked 138 Times in 72 Posts	I too went with Rymes specifically because they didn't charge a tank fee. I just got a delivery and it wasn't inexpensive for the gas. I don't use a lot either(one delivery a year) about 45 gallons for close to $4.00 a gallon. They get me on price. I have considered buying my own tank and bringing it to get filled, but it's still a $$ game.

06-08-2010, 06:22 PM	#8
bigRazor Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pelham, NH Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Not sure if Palmer Gas delivers up there but last week I got 47 gallons at $2.57 a gallon. I haven't been charged a tank rental fee.

06-15-2010, 08:49 PM	#11
pcmc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 412 Thanks: 211 Thanked 106 Times in 73 Posts	Hi everyone, THANKYOU for all of your input! For future options: Where would I go to buy a large tank?( I don't know what sizes are avaliable) How big is a 100lb. tank in comparison to gallons? What do I do with the 500gal. tank here now, will Am. Gas come get it (and charge me for that to)? Maybe I should stop service and charge them storage fees. Sorry for the delay in my responce, and thanks again, Peter

06-16-2010, 06:17 AM	#14
Lakepilot Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 446 Thanks: 70 Thanked 57 Times in 40 Posts	They have a 100 lb tank at Tractor Supply in Ossipee. Propane weighs about 4.2 lbs. per gallon.

06-16-2010, 08:29 AM	#15
meredith weekender Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Meredith / Manchester Posts: 373 Thanks: 87 Thanked 83 Times in 56 Posts	You can buy 100# propane tanks at the Depot or Lowes. The cost is right around $110 each. Most campgrounds or hardware stores will fill them up for you.

06-16-2010, 08:04 PM	#16
Irrigation Guy Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 484 Thanks: 89 Thanked 138 Times in 72 Posts	What does a campground or hardware charge to fill a larger tank per gallon? Anyone know? Say as compared to my $3.74?

06-18-2010, 09:12 AM	#19
Lakesrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 380 Thanked 1,016 Times in 345 Posts	I live in Suissevale as well. Year round. I have two of the big above aground tanks. No fee for either tank. but I heat and cook with propane. So maybe I use enough. make sure you are getting the Suissevale price as well....

06-18-2010, 02:56 PM	#20
Seeker Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Effingham Posts: 408 Thanks: 37 Thanked 19 Times in 15 Posts	I took 100 gallons 2 weeks ago from Eastern at $1.815. Unfortunately next year the price is going up. I use about 1100 gals per year.

06-24-2010, 07:26 PM	#22
no-engine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: West side Winnipesaukee, Lakes Region Posts: 516 Thanks: 20 Thanked 52 Times in 40 Posts	When amerigas started charging rental and were very rude, I jumped to another. My tanks were put in place about 1980, and old then, so I'm glad to have them off my property....

11-05-2010, 07:49 PM	#23
songkrai Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 725 Thanks: 35 Thanked 145 Times in 98 Posts	Locally. Wallace Propane was bought out by Columia Gas and Columbia Gas was bought out by Amerigas. Lot's of debt in that company. For those with just one or a couple 100 lb. tank/tanks - the cost to make a delivery is high for all propane companies. Yes, you can purchase a 20 lb. 30 lb. 40 lb and even a 100 lb. tank. Tough to lift a 100 lb. tank though. None of the propane companies actually own the tanks. They are all leased. You can buy your own big tanks also. Tis a tad expensive. But you can purchase them. And your cost of propane is somewhat less and you can shop around for propane. The payback though is quite long. There is no one "good" company. A lot depends on who owns the company and who manages the area. Some charge by an escalting scale. More propane - less unit cost. Some have better repair service and more knowledgeable repair people. One company (name not mentioned) was going around and doing "Energy Audits" - and advising homeowners that they needed a new furnace. And it didn't matter how new or how old the furnace was. If I were building a new home I would never use propane as heat. Yes, it is a little cleaner then oil but every time you change companies - you have to get another tank - and then the propane guy/gal goes trancing around your home looking for "issues" and writing down all serial numbers of all propane appiances. So much simpler with oil heat. They do an annual cleaning and deliver oil. And one can switch companies at any time.

11-06-2010, 07:14 AM	#24
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,525 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 295 Thanked 957 Times in 698 Posts	That's some good advice about using oil as opposed to propane, and then just get the oil boiler or oil furnace cleaned up of the old oil soot residue every one or two years. When the oil service company does a yearly or two-yearly tune-up and cleanout, they spend a lot of time using long skinny scrub brushes and a vacumm to get all the old soot out from around the heat exchanger area in between the inside and outside of the boiler or furnace. Plus, they replace the oil nozzle, which you can purchase for about six dollars at Lowe's-Gilford or just window shop various boiler-furnace heat parts like nozzles, hot water circulator pumps, and thermostats, plus a few other heating parts. Most local hardware stores do not carry heating parts, and businesses like F W Webb will only sell to a plumber or heat-installer and refuse to be helpfull to someone they do not know, so it can be very helpfull to be able to window shop heating parts at the Lowe's-Gilford. __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

11-06-2010, 08:05 AM	#25
no-engine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: West side Winnipesaukee, Lakes Region Posts: 516 Thanks: 20 Thanked 52 Times in 40 Posts	follow up Amerigas took lots time to remove the tanks, long after disconnected. However, they did live up to ussuing me a refund check for the propane in the filled tanks. I will never suggest them to another. The people at Eastern are very efficient. YES, they need to inspect propane connections periodically.

11-06-2010, 08:21 AM	#26
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,509 Thanks: 3,116 Thanked 1,089 Times in 783 Posts	Switch I switch from Amerigas to Eastern. Eastern will not allow you to bury their tanks. A recent change in their policy. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

11-06-2010, 10:46 AM	#27
songkrai Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 725 Thanks: 35 Thanked 145 Times in 98 Posts	Eastern. Just this past week I viewed the truck delivering a buried tank from them. Last edited by songkrai; 11-06-2010 at 10:48 AM. Reason: spelling

11-07-2010, 07:38 PM	#28
Belmont Resident Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belmont NH but prefer Jackman Maine Posts: 1,857 Thanks: 491 Thanked 409 Times in 251 Posts	100 lb tanks down to $93 at lowes in Gilford I just bought a heater and a 100 lb tank at Lowes. Same tank at HD is $110.00 There are only a few left. Remember that by law the tank must be secured and transported in the upright position, it cannot be laid down in the back of you truck or car. I was told this is suppose to apply to all propane tanks from 20 lbs up.

The Following User Says Thank You to SIKSUKR For This Useful Post:
BroadHopper (11-09-2010)

11-10-2010, 10:11 PM	#31
Charlie T Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 303 Thanks: 248 Thanked 178 Times in 84 Posts	Maybe not bad intent A lot of Plumbing supply houses won't sell non licensed consumer "do it yourselfers" Oil burner or Gas Burner parts. It has to do with liability of selling parts and perhaps offering advice to repair products that could Blow Up and cause personal injury if done incorrectly. There is a reason Heating Tech's need a license.

11-11-2010, 10:39 AM	#34
songkrai Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 725 Thanks: 35 Thanked 145 Times in 98 Posts	In the old days, wholesalers only sold to contractors or those with a contractor account. Time are tough. And all sell to anyone. But you may pay a price. Some do provide same price to all while most do not. For little low cost parts it is no big deal. Years ago, I priced a propane furnace at one of the larger wholesalers. My price was $1,200. A licensed plumber friend got a a price for the exact same furnance from the same wholesaler for $410. And all have to understand the concept. The wholesalers do have to keep the contractors coming back. And the contractors have to make a living.