Changing Propane Companies..????

[Coach1310]

Anyone care to shed some insight on changing your propane provider?? My wife and I have had numerous customer service issues with our current provider and we are ready to move on. We currently have like 300 gallons in the tank and our current company owns it. Can we change companies without losing those 300 gallons? Is there a process for this?? Also, we checked with some competitors and found them to be 30 cents cheaper per gallon!!! I couldn't believe it. Thanks in advance for any help.

[Barony]

Coach, we changed providers a few years ago to our neighbor who owns a propane company. He simply brought in his front end loader, hooked up the tank that we wanted to have removed and moved it off to the side, put the new one in and hooked it up, and then took the propane from the "old tank" and moved it to the "new tank" with a hose. we then called the old company and they came and picked up the tank.

Make sure that you know what they are charging you for tank rental.

[minndonn]

I expect you will have to use it up before changing tanks unless the new company would agree to pump out the old tank, install the new and fill. You may want to consider purchasing the new tank instead of leasing it. I also know of a difference of 25 cents on pre-buy. If you own your tank you can then purchase from anybody. My company charges $10.00 a year for tank rental but my mother-in-laws house they charge 50.00 year. That is in another community.

[Coach1310]

Thanks for the info. The prices I got for propane was not with a pre-buy it was for a new customer which I am trying to become. Is it possible to buy a tank somewhere??? I have to believe most companies won't let you buy one as then there is no guarantee of business for them.

Barony- Did this workout for you just because you personally know the owner of the company or do you know that other companies do this?? Thanks

[Barony]

I thought it is standard practice, but I could be wrong. I guess that I assumed that I, as a consumer have the right to switch companies if I choose to. I did not get charged for the switch (other than a cold beer) and the other company didn't charge me for picking up their tank. I'd call the gas company that you want to switch to and see what they'd advise.

[wooly1]

I've changed LP companies 3x in the past 12 years. It is just as easy as Barony states. First time I switched it was because the Company was bought by another and they were more expensive with poor service. Switched to a local Co-op, service was worse, price was better. Wife just switched again to another more customer friendly company with good prices. Another co-op. Initially we had a 1000 gal tank. Told 2nd company we wanted to move tank off yard to more concealed spot, they brought in a 500 lb tank and relocated to new spot. This last switch the wife requested a 1000 lb again. They didn't want to bring it to our home but wife told them we have a treacherous winter drive way and they agreed. Wife doesn't like unannounced Company, that's why she likes the 1000# tank.

All companies did this without issue even pumping remaining gas into new.

They always install a new house regulator.

[Coach1310]

Thanks for all the info. I will check it out with the company we would like to go with and see where it take me. Thanks again!!

[Chad Halvorson]

Not sure where you are, but what are you paying a gallon? Red Lake Fuels just filled mine at $2.00 a gallon. Im in Bagley, fyi. As far as transferring the lp, I would say there is going to be a substantial charge, but I may be wrong. I guess if they are getting you as a customer they may transfer it , but it seems unlikely.

Now if you need your heating system serviced/repaired, I can help you out there, thats what I do for a living.

Good Luck.

[fishtrap3]

So what is the price going to be after you sign up with them.

(you say you got quoated a new customer price.. They may just be trying to suck you in then switch to the higher price)

[Surface Tension]

Pre-buy or getting locked in on a price is done in the summer.

Its late in the game now to be shopping. Call around and get prices for propane. Go back to your company(the one that owns the tank) and negotiate a price. Do what you can to get that set for the remainder of the heating season.

Whether you own your own tank or not makes little difference for getting locked in.

Its a slight advantage when buying between tank fulls but your still paying the market price at that time which is a lot higher then if you took care of the price in the summer.