Propane tank ownership

NorthCountryWd · #21 07/19/12, 06:35 PM

They've been playing these games around here too. Had one company for a few months and they tried to charge extra for not using a certain amount per month!?!

Told them to come get their tank....bought another one on Craigslist and just decided to fill it myself. Costs 30-40% less that way and only have to fill a 100 gal tank once a year.

Funny, but after telling them to come get the tank, it sat in the driveway for 4 months. Called and told them they had one week to come pick it up or I was going to roll it down the hill. They never came. Now I have a backup.

mnn2501 · #22 07/19/12, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lurnin2farm

If they ask if you own the tank say yes. Since its in your disclosure agreement you have every right to assume it belongs to you. If the company you just called still wants to claim its their tank then they will have to prove it. If it is their tank you may have some recourse with the previous owners.

Or your title insurance company - didn't see its already cleared up until after I posted.

unregistered41671 · #23 07/19/12, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doozie

I always say the face of a company is the first contact, too bad they have a misinformed person manning the phones.

So true. Glad you got your tank.

Drizler · #24 07/21/12, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doozie

We bought a place in the fall, the previous owner said they owned the propane tank. It was noted on the property disclosure page of the contract.

We have never used propane, or dealt with propane companies.

We called the local co-op for a fill, and they claim the tank is one of their leased tanks. There are no company markings or tags on the tank. They said they would sure like us to set up an account.

We have no proof of ownership, and that is where I think our problem will be.
I dont want to get into a "lease" for some old propane tank I own.

We wont be using much propane, it is a smaller tank, and we would only use it in the fall for the furnace and for the cooking stove. A fill would probably last a few years.

Has anyone ever had to deal with this?

I am about to tell them to come get "their" old tank off my property, just to see if it suddenly becomes mine.

Just unhook the tank, put it in the truck and take it to the local gas station that fills them. Don't ever mess with a propane company as you can simply fill it yourself and cut them out of the cost. Too bad for them, they are absolutely the worst thieves out there anyways. Don't ever feel sorry for these idiots or any other sense of loyalty either. Believe me they will rip you off in ways you can't even comprehend. I just filled mine up 100 lb the other day for the clothes dryer, $56. Don't worry about the ownership/ markings ect nobody gives a hoot but the thieves themselves. If some gas station attendant demands papers tell him to stuff it and go elsewhere. You don't want to deal with them either. Don't worry about the age either. Tanks rust out at the weld on the bottom where the stand is welded to the bottle. keep that painted and up on a block so it's not buried in the mud and it will last nearly forever. Don't be surprised if the propane company won't come and get their old tank either. That's how I got my new ones. A friend to them to take them got a new company. They refused to take the other guys and I did

. Nut's on em, they are scum. These days there is no reason at all to deal with these people, it's way too easy to get around them and save a pile of cash. If they do come get their tank you can buy them at Lowes.

Joe.G · #25 07/21/12, 06:26 PM

Is it even legal to transport Propane tanks, I think in NY you need permits for anything bigger then a BBQ size tank.

unregistered41671 · #26 07/21/12, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe.G

Is it even legal to transport Propane tanks, I think in NY you need permits for anything bigger then a BBQ size tank.

I know here in GA the DOT will get you quick for hauling a big propane tank. Empty or full.

TnAndy · #27 07/21/12, 08:55 PM

Yep.....that's why I put a big tarp over it.

Silvercreek Farmer · #28 07/21/12, 09:01 PM

Went through the same thing, they had no proof, possesion is 99% of the law, it's mine now...

Drizler · #29 07/21/12, 10:17 PM

I never had any problems filling my 50 and 100's for 20+ years in NY. As for all the rest of it a tarp will take care of the details if I ever need it.

flewism · #30 07/22/12, 01:44 AM

In Michigan 100lb (24gal) is the magic number, Over a 100 lb tank you need a hazmat endorsement and equipment to move. You also need to have any size tank certified every 10 years I believe. The fill station does the testing and re-tagging of the tank for $10 around here.

salmonslayer · #31 07/22/12, 09:39 AM

We have had great service and support from our propane company. We had an old 330 propane tank we owned that came with our property that had issues including a bad regulator and when I checked on getting it fixed its was far cheaper to rent for $19.00 a year. The propane company even came out and used their little crane to remove the old one and put it where I wanted (since sold) before replacing it with the rental.

I like renting the tank because if there is any problem they fix it right away. We just paid $1.89 a gallon to fill it (summer rates are great) and when they showed up we were gone so they called the Mrs cell phone and asked if it was okay to come on the property and fill it. When we said sure and asked about paying they just said come in and settle up next time your in town.

Yup, we are real pleased.

Horseyrider · #32 07/22/12, 01:20 PM

We get our fuel from the local farm co-op, since our previous vendor was bought out and that buy out generated a huge jump in costs. I had to wait for the old vendor to get their tank before the co-op could bring theirs in, and boy did they drag their feet.

Until....

I called them and told them if they didn't get their tank before the close of the week I would consider it abandoned and sell it for scrap.

That did the trick. It was gone in three days.

nodak3 · #33 07/23/12, 03:52 PM

We bought a house with a propane tank.

We called re a fill, and got the run around from both local companies claiming ownership of the tank.

We were converting over to natural gas anyway, so we asked each for proof of ownership.

Nada. Zip.

We sold the blasted thing--to one of those companies!

airotciv · #34 07/23/12, 05:39 PM

I don't have probane, but I checked into it about a year ago. This is what I was told, "You are borrowing the tank and as long as We fill up this tank. We will remove Our tank, if you change companies."

NorthCountryWd · #35 07/24/12, 09:19 AM

100 gallon is the largest DOT approved tank so we are allowed to fill in VT. Granted, you need a tractor with forks or chain hoist to unload it once it's full (80% full plus tank is over 400lbs).....and really wouldn't want to have an accident while transporting.