Refill Propane vs Exchange
We were camping at Killbear Provincial Park recently. It's a park we routinely go to and there is store just outside the park that sells the usual supplies including refilling of propane tanks. I was ...
Forum Discussion
gkainz wrote:
and the 15 gallon fill in the 20 gallon bottle is part of that profitability formula.
Actually, it come about to make money not lose money. When a large major discount retailer demanded lower prices on the exchange cylinders, the company said it wasn't possible considering all the cost (product, refilling, maintaining cages, advertising, taking in expired cylinders, regulation cost, and transportation) but they offered a lower price if the amount was reduced from 20 lbs to 17 lbs. The retailer balked and threaten to go to another vendor. However the major vendors already were aware of the price squeeze so they got together and agreed to set a minimum price and not to budge. They agreed to reduce volume to match the price that retailer wanted to pay even if it meant only 15 lbs of propane. The concern was if they did that deep discount for one all the other retailers would make similar demands.
However, that major discount retailer ratted them out to the feds.
The feds sued and a settlement was reached. The vendors agreed to a fine but was able to get a concession that those exchange cylinders will have a posted and inspected minimum of at least 15 lbs while some may be more. The price advertised is based on that minimum with no additional charge for any extra lbs in the cylinder.
As a consumer, you just have to know you are really paying for 15 lbs of pre-packaged propane in a currently certified cylinder. If you want the best deal, get a cylinder that has a content weight over 15 lbs. I have no shame in weighting the cylinders and picking the one with the most content weight. If I can't read the Tare weight, I grab another. Takes all of 2 minutes to find a 18+ content lb cylinder.
