Propane bottle exchange, a target for thieves?

Haven't heard of it until now.

I don't know how common cylinder theft is at exchanges, but it's pretty common from what I've seen that the "empty" cylinders cannot be taken in the store for safety reasons.

Never heard of it happening before until now. Not sure why anyone would take an empty tank.

Just curious, why do you do an "exchange"? If you have an RV dealer anywhere near you, almost all dealers fill propane tanks. No threat of theft this way. Or ACE Hardware, or another local Hardware store? It's much cheaper to do refills, and you have the assurance of keeping a propane tank you have confidence in?

Never heard of it happening. If it worries you, take your empty one into the store with you. It's empty - it's light.

Bill

I see more and more decals on windows at stores that say

"No propane bottles in store"

I asked my local ACE hardware store. The guy has worked there for some time.

He said...Peopled drop them and screw up his floor and drag in all kinds of junk. Then he went on saying, besides when their arms are full, how can they buy other stuff? But on the other hand; he says when people put them by the propane locker, that some people end up blocking the wheel chair path to get in.

Bring along a cable chain with lock if you're that worried.

Leave it in your vehicle until you pay, then meet the clerk at the cage with your empty.

I prefer fill stations because they actually fill to max capacity. Not so sure with the exchange.

wrgrs50s wrote:
Leave it in your vehicle until you pay, then meet the clerk at the cage with your empty.

I prefer fill stations because they actually fill to max capacity. Not so sure with the exchange.

This is what we did when we used the exchanges. Since then we've bought two tanks and take it to be filled ourselves.

We found in this area that the exchange places short you considerably on the fill level of the tanks. Yet they charge you the same price as what a full tank would cost getting it filled yourself somewhere.

I'll wait the extra 5 minutes for the fill compared to a swap and get my monies worth.

wrgrs50s wrote:
Leave it in your vehicle until you pay, then meet the clerk at the cage with your empty.

Now there's a good idea. You can't bring it in the store but you don't have to leave it at the exchange cage.

Trackrig wrote:
If it worries you, take your empty one into the store with you. It's empty - it's light.

Never seen a store that would allow that.

wrgrs50s wrote:
Leave it in your vehicle until you pay, then meet the clerk at the cage with your empty.

I prefer fill stations because they actually fill to max capacity. Not so sure with the exchange.

That's what I do. I leave it until the person doing the exchange is at the place where the tanks are. Then I drive up there , receipt in hand , and swap them out.

I don't do very many fills because the only place in my area that fills them is rarely open when I need it. Plus, then they get all picky and look at the date and stuff on the tank. When you do the exchange the kid handing you the tank could care less.

I can fill them at home myself from the big propane tank on the farm but, I have gotten lazy. I only do that when we have 3-4 of them that need filling at once.