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| Beware of Blue Rhino | Login now/Join our community |
 7/09 |
You're right on that ccctimtation....there are less broken chips in the Lay''s bag now. Aaaand I didn't mean to pick on Lay's, but it seems that everything is overpackaged these days. Now I understand the vulnerability of a potato chip, but this also applies to cereal, CD's, and so on. I still remember when sugar was sold in a 5# bag, the bag is still the same, only it's 4# now. It's also fairly clearly marked, so now my grocery list reads 4# of sugar..... Back to Blue Rhino, seems these companies can get these stickers to announce 25% free, etc. Guess Blue Rhino does not want to broadcast 25% less. It would appear that a lot of these companies (Wal Mart included) start small, get going, get trusted, then do whatever they have to do to cut down on product, inch up the price, and most important make more money, all at the expense of us, the consumer. I think Blue Rhino needs to have their feet held to the fire, unfortunately, they are not the only ones imho that need that. It's time  Tina 36' Barth Regency 3208 Cat 250 HP Allison 4 speed Transmission, Gillig Chassis "If it ain't a CAT it's a DOG" | |||
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"Host" of Barthmobile.com 1/19 |
An interesting read from The New York State Consumer Protection Board The New York State Consumer Protection Board (CPB) is reminding consumers who thought they were getting a full tank of propane gas for their grills to check to be sure. According to a May 22, 2009 report from the Associated Press (AP), when oil prices increased in 2008, propane suppliers reduced the amount of gas pumped into each 20-pound tank by two pounds without posting the change or conspicuously alerting shoppers in an effort to avoid raising prices. Some companies also exchanged the size of the tanks they provide to consumers who obtain refills, converting them to 15-pounders instead of the earlier version 20-pound tanks. "Consumers have the right to know what they’re paying for," said Mindy A. Bockstein, Chairperson and Executive Director of the CPB. "The CPB strongly advocates for transparency in the marketplace, as sometimes consumers are not provided with all the facts they need to make informed decisions. While we continue to work with the business community to enhance protections and the amount of information provided to us, it is imperative that shoppers pay close attention to deals and offers to make sure they are getting their money’s worth." The CPB is advising consumers to:  HOW TO TELL IF A PROPANE TANK IS FULLThe only real way to tell if a propane cylinder is full is to weigh it. But there is a trick to weighing it, because, according to the web-based Propane 101, the cylinder capacity is determined by two things: water capacity (WC) and tare weight (TW). The WC shows how much water the propane bottle can hold in pounds, and this amount is stamped on the outside of every tank. The TW is the weight of an empty canister, and is also displayed on the tank. For example, on a 20-pound tank which is normally used for a gas grill, the numbers shown would typically be "WC 47.8, TW 18." By referring to a standard chart used by the industry (shown at right) a person will be able to determine that 47.8 pounds of water converts to 20 pounds of propane. Therefore, when a 20-pound cylinder is weighed, the scale would have to read 38 pounds (20 lbs + 18 lbs = 38 lbs) for it to be full.
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| First Month Member 11/13 |
That's spin. As posted here in 2006, Blue Rhino was selling tanks filled to only 18 lbs. They have lowered the amount every year since.
The signs on BR stands all say 15 lbs. No mention is made of some tanks being smaller than standard. They seem to be filling to 15 lbs, regardless of the size of the tank, if a 2 lb smaller tank even exists. Has anyone seen any bottles two pounds smaller than the standard 20 pound tank? Amerigas is still at 17 lbs.
Is this a NY thing? All I have ever seen in CA and AZ is a date stamped into the metal. No sticker, no mention on the BR label. And I have found a number of BR tanks with long-expired inspections. Never saw a fresh one. However, I have exchanged all my old non-OPD bottles, so my BR experience is not current. . 84 30T PeeThirty-Something, 502 powered | |||
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| 2/16 Captain Doom  |
There are both 5, 10, and 11 (which is the little fat guy) lb. tanks, which some folks use for portable gas grills and the like, as well as the "disposable" 14 oz. canisters. The latter can be refilled (safely) with an adaptor. The trick is to put the little canister into the freezer, and fill from a larger tank. I refill mine from the Barth's tank, since because I replaced the propane genset, the 29 gal (25 useable) tank lasts a year. Rusty  "StaRV II"'94 28' Breakaway: MilSpec AMG 6.5L TD 230HP Nelson and Chester, not-spoiled Golden Retrievers Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not. In either case the idea is quite staggering. - Arthur C. Clarke It was a woman who drove me to drink, and I've been searching thirty years to find her and thank her - W. C. Fields | |||
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| First Month Member 11/13 |
The NY article intimated that there were tanks out there just two pounds smaller than the standard 20 lb tank. That would be an 18 pounder.
Does your tank have a wet leg? . 84 30T PeeThirty-Something, 502 powered | |||
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| 2/16 Captain Doom |
That would be an all-new size. And I'd suspect Blue Rhino behind the impetus to adopt it. My tank has been queried, and refuses to discuss "wet leg", citing Federal pornography strictures. However, I'll chime in with the fact that the output is liquid until around 60% capacity.. Rusty "StaRV II"'94 28' Breakaway: MilSpec AMG 6.5L TD 230HP Nelson and Chester, not-spoiled Golden Retrievers Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not. In either case the idea is quite staggering. - Arthur C. Clarke It was a woman who drove me to drink, and I've been searching thirty years to find her and thank her - W. C. Fields | |||
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| "Host" of Barthmobile.com 1/19 |
I've never seen one either. I guess, but I have no way of knowing, Blue Rhino could be getting the same sized tanks and then re-certifying them to a lower "water capacity (WC)"
Like you, as far as size and certification stamping, that's all I've seen myself. Thus, the title of my post. An interesting read from The New York State Consumer Protection Board I was hoping for a little insight and discussion as I truly don't know. Maybe it's like Rusty said. Seeing that I reluctantly funded this report I decided to copy it word for word without permission or attribution in the form of a link back... They didn't ask me, why should I ask them! Any-who, now that my exercise in civil disobedience is done, here is the link back to that NYS Watchdog Website.
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| "Host" of Barthmobile.com 1/19 |
I contacted AmeriGas last night and asked them about their propane cylinder volume. I also asked if they would be willing to accept a Blue Rhino propane tank as an exchange. AmeriGas services Home Depot while Blue Rhino takes care of Lowes. Here is their response.
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| First Month Member 11/13 |
That's what the sign said last week. Today, I was at the same hardware store, and made it a point to check, since Bill N.Y. had posted on this. They had a brand-new (or at least repainted) cage with new signs that said 15 lbs. There was also the rebate notice mentioned in Slick Willy Katz's reply to Bill N.Y. I asked how long the bottles had been 15 lbs, and was told, "quite a while". I asked if anyone complained, or even noticed, and the reply was "Not that I know of." I asked if the bottles were marked 15 or 17 lbs, and he didn't know. I'm not sure they were even aware (or cared) that the sign on the cage said 17 lbs. The ones in the cage today had labels that said 15 lbs, but I don't know what tank labels were there last week when I noticed the 17 lb sign on the cage. Since Slick Willy said, "We immediately changed our cylinder label to be sure consumers knew they were buying 15 pounds of propane," but made no mention of the signs on the cage, my spin detector is beeping here. He also said. "We are also taking steps to make the change even more visible, including cylinder stickers, banners ....." The sign on the brand new cage is exactly like the old one, except that the new weight is 15 lbs instead of 17. The tank labels are also the same. Nothing is "More Visible." Someone with photographs of the discrepancy between cage signs and tank labels could make them a little uncomfortable in a class action suit, methinks. Another hardware store sells Presto 15 lb tanks, with the sign also saying 15 lbs. . 84 30T PeeThirty-Something, 502 powered | |||
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| "Host" of Barthmobile.com 1/19 |
Which store and what address Bill? Not that I want to be the AmeriGas spokesperson... I do want to see what his reply is to this will be. Could you supply a picture or two?
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| 3/12 |
At 17 lbs. or 4 gallons, you are paying $6.00 a gallon for your propane. No thanks, not when i can have a tank filled at around $2.50 a gallon or less. | |||
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| First Month Member 11/13 |
Ummmm..........I seem to have missed your post. Anybody---PM or E mail me if I don't respond in a day or so. I don't mean to ignore anybody. Anyway, the store is Culver City Hardware, 5429 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230-5511 Sure, I can take a picture of the new cage and sign. But, since it now reads 15 lbs (or did the day I posted) I don't know what it would be worth. Too bad I didn't photograph it the week before when it read 17 lbs. I really didn't consider it particularly noteworthy, as Blue Rhino, et al, have been short-weighting customers for years. But, lemme know. I always need an excuse for a bike ride or a trip to the hardware store. . 84 30T PeeThirty-Something, 502 powered | |||
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| "Host" of Barthmobile.com 1/19 |
Not worth anything as I'm sure the sign is the same one I saw last weekend that said 15lbs. If anyone see one that says 17lbs... snap a picture and post the location. But Bill, if you want to go to the hardware store... don't let me stop you.  So, they are going to give you 2.50 if you fill out their rebate form for the missing 2 gallons... It just doesn't seem "Fair"  I think Danny said it best... 
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| 3/12 |
Took another look at the local Blue Rhino tanks and they do say 15 lbs. in small print so the deal is even better! 3 1/2 gallons for $23.99....over $6 a gallon.  | |||
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