How would you handle this problem? I took a 100 pound propane tank into Cactus Propane here in the Yuma Foothills to get it refilled Monday morning. The young guy started to refill but then he said" cannot refill as it has a leak" I said "cant be leaking as I was using 30 min ago" He said "it needs a new valve" The tank is less than 5 yrs old, never dropped, abused etc as I transport in a cargo trailer with a tailgate that drops down. I use a hand truck etc. I said "ok, put a new valve on it" He said it would be ready that day. I called before they closed and it was not ready. Called again twice the next day, again not ready. Called the 3rd day and they said no record of you having a tank here. I went to the propane place and the young guy saidanother guy said the tank was his even tho my name was on it. He said "sorry nothing I can do other than say I made a mistake" He said they don't have any other 100 pd tanks other than ones for rent. I have tried talking to the manager but she hangs up on me and will never return my calls. I will turn the problem into the Better BB.Would take to Small Claims Court but they said there behind by at least 6 months. That does not work as I am a Snowbird and will be leaving Yuma the 1st April. Cactus Propane has no intention of making this right IMHO. Again, what would you do? They are any where new$120.00 up in price. The propane place across the Freeway on the north side was 35 cents cheaper my wife informed me

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I would ask to talk to the actual person you dropped the tank off with.Go in person only, no phone calls. Be nice.Otherwise I would post on yelp if there is no resolution.Then begrudgingly buy a replacement and move on.

You might want to file a police report for theft. Since it's not an emergency, call the police department's non emergency number and not 9/11. This does not sound like a mistake, but a clear case of business fraud.

I would call the local police or Sheriff and report your theft, and that you have located your stolen property. The Sheriff is obligated to return your property to you!Say you had a engraved watch, and walked into a pawn shop, found it, and could prove it was yours and stolen, the pawn shop must return it to you. They will have to go to the person who brought it in and try to attempt to get their money back. That is how the law works, if you can prove it is yours, they must return it to you. .. As for the original loss, if I could not smell the propane leaking, I would have taken the tank to another dealer to fill it.If you are sure you can see your tank, why not just put it back into your trailer and go home? They will have difficulty proving it is theirs, and what can they do? Call the Sheriff? Good luck getting it back.Fred.

Talk to the manager in person even if you have to wait around to do it. Then move on to her boss if she doesn't make it right. Do that before you involve the police. Did they not give you any reciept when you left he tank or paperwork of some kind. If not it's just your word against theirs.

Propane Tank problem | Good Sam Community

27 Replies

Gene_Ginny
Explorer
Nov 25, 2015
04fxsts wrote:
I have a question; they wouldn't fill "your" tank without a new valve, so did they put a new valve on it for the "new owner?" ....
The so called "leaking valve" was probably part of the scam.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Nov 24, 2015
Unfortunately, he's up the creek as far as any way to verify any of his claims. No receipt, and no proof of ownership of tank serial #XXXXX pretty much seals it.

I'm sure the kid made a dumb mistake, and the manager just doesn't want to deal with it. If the kid were in on it he never would've admitted to ever touching your tank, let alone giving it to someone else. The manager's attitude is it's your fault for leaving the tank and not getting a receipt.

In short it wasn't premeditated fraud, or even intentional fraud. Stealing 100lb propane tanks is not exactly a big money-making scheme.
hawkeye-08
Explorer III
Nov 24, 2015
Guessing you are going to buy a new tank somewhere and then deal with the mess on the old one. Lots of good ideas mentioned. Sounds like a time that my Dad would have rolled up his sleeves and offered them a "tuneup". I never saw anyone call his bluff (I don't think he would actually beat someone up, but he could sure make you believe he was going to).

Best of luck on getting your tank back/replaced by that outfit. Document what happened, including names, dates, times and what was said. It will come in handy later.
carl2591
Explorer III
Nov 24, 2015
write you name on your tank in a couple of place.. the top right up there easy to see. then lay it down and do the same on the bottom., that way if someone removes the permanent marker on the top they will most of the time not look on bottom..

you can prove it yours. plus like another poster stated get the serial number info.
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Nov 23, 2015
Wow did you ever get scammed.

Up front I would have loaded the tank and hit the road.

Since the Sheriff seems to be some kind of a relation, I personally think you are not the first and you've been had.

A real head shaker.
04fxsts
Explorer
Nov 23, 2015
I have a question; they wouldn't fill "your" tank without a new valve, so did they put a new valve on it for the "new owner?" This whole situation stinks in so many ways it's amazing. Also; did either of the older tanks they offered to switch for yours have the "thief's" name and address? Jim.

P. S. If you can't tell, I hate thieves.
samsontdog
Explorer
Nov 23, 2015
Thank you everyone for the great advice. I will keep you updated if any thing happens or I get a tank back but its at the point where no one at Cactus Propane will take my call or will even call me back. It is awful how they run there business !!
jwmII
Explorer
Nov 23, 2015
Really shoddy treatment and business practices. Definitely do the BBB complaint. Also regardless of the time involved take it to small claims. They might move faster and get you on the docket in a timely fashion. Next get together with some fellow winter visitors and make up some pickets and picket the place and discourage people from stopping there. Stay off their property and don't tie up traffic. Check with the Chamber of Commerce and see if they are a member and lodge a complaint with them. Write a letter to the editor of all the news papers in the area. Take out a classified ad in the want ads telling how they ripped you off. Be sure it is all true and verifiable. Make an inquiry with the local fire department regarding whether or not they pass their yearly safety checks. Are their employees doing the dispensing of flammable gas trained in the proper procedure. Do they have the proper number of fire extinguishers and have they all been inspected by certified fire equipment maintenance personnel. Turn up the heat on'em. They'll be glad to return your 100 gal. tank and probably full too.
rbturner
Explorer
Nov 23, 2015
Is there a local TV station with an "Action Team" that you could contact? I will wager that Cactus Propane doesn't want this story told on the 11:00 news.
Dandy_Dan
Explorer
Nov 23, 2015
Send your complaint and what has been done to Trailer Life Action Line.

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Propane Tank problem

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