Feel like I’ve been ripped off

[Dr_Jeff]

If I get tank that is really ugly and it bothers me, I'll simply paint it.
Problem solved.

 

[soccerdad]

If I get tank that is really ugly and it bothers me, I'll simply paint it.
Problem solved.

You paint it pretty? Or you paint it ugly? Pretty ugly?

 

[balrog]

filled at a large fire protection outfit for $22, while waiting.

See if there are any fire extinguisher places in your area.

+1. Fire extinguisher or fire safety training places. Find them.

 

[Dr_Jeff]

You paint it pretty? Or you paint it ugly? Pretty ugly?

Usually with grey primer paint.
I'll oftentimes use a steel brush to knock off the loose paint.

Sometimes I'll add a sticker or two.

 

[homebeerbrewer]

That may be true for a lot of people (and I agree if I originally gave them one) but not everyone will do that, and during the time that you were a customer, they had an extra tank on the books.

It's semantics guys, in a perfect world, they would win. In reality, I think they loose more than gain.

I'm still not getting it. So, I buy a brand new shiny tank from XYZ company. I use the CO2, and bring the empty tank to ABC company and swap it for a full one. They give me an ugly steel tank. Their inventory doesn't change, they still have the 10 tanks you mentioned. Only one is a shiny new one instead of the old steel one.

 

[hout17]

If you trade your car in and drive away with a new one, sure, you'll pay more for the new car cuz your old one was worth less, so you pay the difference. But the car dealer's inventory didn't "go up". Even if they're the only car dealer within 500 miles, so all car deals need to go through them.

More like I bring my brand new f-250 power stroke in that I paid a good amount for and get a Fiat in a straight trade now they have my f-250 and my Fiat because I have to bring my fiat back in to be swapped because now it's branded and if I go with somebody else they will see it belongs to said place and won't fill it.

The better model would be what rhino does with their propane and just get a cylinder from them and just start exchanging.

That's how I see it if you feel differently more power to you.

Brew on!

 

[IslandLizard]

I buy a brand new shiny tank from XYZ company. I use the CO2, and bring the empty tank to ABC company and swap it for a full one. They give me an ugly steel tank.

Easy fix: only swap aluminum for aluminum!
But yeah, chances are it won't be as shiny, but still just as functional.

The only solution is to get them refilled. Fire Protection agencies are a good resource for that. 5 years down the road, it needs a recertification (hydro test). ~$30 and a week or so.

 

[homebeerbrewer]

Yeah, I do get them refilled. I have three shiny aluminum 5#, that I get filled. The 20#, I swap because I bought it from someone getting out of home brewing. It was a rusty old steel one, and I've had nicer ones and I've had worse ones whenever I do swap, (see my post above).

But my point is: the shop that I swap with doesn't add a tank to their inventory. I bring one, then leave with one.

 

[homebeerbrewer]

More like I bring my brand new f-250 power stroke in that I paid a good amount for and get a Fiat in a straight trade now they have my f-250 and my Fiat because I have to bring my fiat back in to be swapped because now it's branded and if I go with somebody else they will see it belongs to said place and won't fill it.

The better model would be what rhino does with their propane and just get a cylinder from them and just start exchanging.

That's how I see it if you feel differently more power to you.

Brew on!

Ok, aside from the F250 PowerJoke, why would you swap for something other than another F250 PowerJoke? If you bring a 20# tank in, swap it for a 20# tank, it's not the same thing as swiping a F250 with a Fiat. That would be more like swiping a 20# for a 5#.

 

[hout17]

Yeah, I do get them refilled. I have three shiny aluminum 5#, that I get filled. The 20#, I swap because I bought it from someone getting out of home brewing. It was a rusty old steel one, and I've had nicer ones and I've had worse ones whenever I do swap, (see my post above).

But my point is: the shop that I swap with doesn't add a tank to their inventory. I bring one, then leave with one.

But they do because now they can use the tank they would've loaned you to give to somebody else because you supplied one and that person probably did the same thing you did.

Brew on!

 

[hout17]

Ok, aside from the F250 PowerJoke, why would you swap for something other than another F250 PowerJoke? If you bring a 20# tank in, swap it for a 20# tank, it's not the same thing as swiping a F250 with a Fiat. That would be more like swiping a 20# for a 5#.

Ok ok an f250 for an f250 that's rusted with the paint peeling off lol.

 

[homebeerbrewer]

But they do because now they can use the tank they would've loaned you to give to somebody else because you supplied one and that person probably did the same thing you did.

Brew on!

Yeah, they get a shiny new one to swap with someone else after they fill it. Maybe you could be the lucky guy that gets the new shiny one the next time. And, it's not loaning. It's swapping. You bring your empty one in, they give you a full one, you pay for the CO2 is contains. Repeat as often as necessary. You still own that tank. Not the one you swapped, but the one you got back.

 

[JAReeves]

In support of my LHBS, I have purchased two 5# tanks and just swap one empty for full when it taps out. $20. It may not be the cheapest, and what the tanks look like changes all the time, but it's a tool-tools are made to be used. My first tank was used from Craigs List, the second I bought new when I realized that I didn't want to be in danger of not having CO2 when I need it.

I force carb about 5 Gallons of Mineral Water every week (for the fam), carb up a keg of beer 1-2 times a month (sometimes spunded or keg primed), and serve as needed. I go through 5# in 1-2 months. It's a small price to pay for the benefits that result.

 

[Konadog]

I'm still not getting it. So, I buy a brand new shiny tank from XYZ company. I use the CO2, and bring the empty tank to ABC company and swap it for a full one. They give me an ugly steel tank. Their inventory doesn't change, they still have the 10 tanks you mentioned. Only one is a shiny new one instead of the old steel one.

OK, I'll try again.

Let's say I own a shop, and I have 10 tanks on the shelf, 9 homebrewers walk in without tanks and each need CO2. I give them a tank full of gas and only charge for the gas, not the tank. Now I only have 1 tank, but 9 are out in the general population, but I still have 10 tanks on my books. Now happy homebrewer #10 walks in with his nice new shiny tank and swaps it for my last tank and leaves his behind. Now I still have a tank, but have 10 in the general population (10+1=11). So now I have 11 tanks on the books.

The reality is that I was riped off of 10 tanks (if no one comes back), and only have a shiny empty one to look at

 

[duffy5018]

OK, I'll try again.

Let's say I own a shop, and I have 10 tanks on the shelf, 9 homebrewers walk in without tanks and each need CO2. I give them a tank full of gas and only charge for the gas, not the tank. Now I only have 1 tank, but 9 are out in the general population, but I still have 10 tanks on my books. Now happy homebrewer #10 walks in with his nice new shiny tank and swaps it for my last tank and leaves his behind. Now I still have a tank, but have 10 in the general population (10+1=11). So now I have 11 tanks on the books.

The reality is that I was riped off of 10 tanks (if no one comes back), and only have a shiny empty one to look at

Where does this mythical shop exist that only charges for the gas, not tank? I mean, I've been charged $50+ for empty tanks, and thats pretty much industry standard.

The LHBS shop has 1 tank on the books now because they sold one. If those 9 came in for an exchange, they have 10 still, because they gave one to get one.

 

[JAReeves]

IDK whose business plan that is. My LHBS sells you the tank+gas the 1st time. Then when you swap out tanks, you only pay for gas. He makes sure they are in compliance. So unless there is a run on purchased and taken home tanks, he will always have the same number of tanks in the shop because he is swapping full for empty.

Now, does he have any full tanks on the floor? Different story.

 

[soccerdad]

That's it. I'm going back to bottling. I was not aware that you needed an F250. WTF??

 

[hout17]

That's it. I'm going back to bottling. I was not aware that you needed an F250. WTF??

Yeah you didn't know that? Lol

 

[bracconiere]

hmmm

Let's say I own a shop, and I have 10 tanks on the shelf, 9 homebrewers walk in without tanks and each need CO2. I give them a tank full of gas and only charge for the gas, not the tank.

damn, where do you swap at??? i called up my place, asked them how much for a 5lber, been a bit but he asked if i have a tank, and when i said no i think it was somewhere in the neighbor hood of $200, price of tank, and fill.....

(and i got to thinking, mightest well just go with a 20lber.)


P.S. wait what ever happened to my old 5lber? been 15 years since i upgraded! i know they kept, don't remember if they gave me a discount now!

 

[Bassman2003]

OK, I'll try again.

Let's say I own a shop, and I have 10 tanks on the shelf, 9 homebrewers walk in without tanks and each need CO2. I give them a tank full of gas and only charge for the gas, not the tank. Now I only have 1 tank, but 9 are out in the general population, but I still have 10 tanks on my books. Now happy homebrewer #10 walks in with his nice new shiny tank and swaps it for my last tank and leaves his behind. Now I still have a tank, but have 10 in the general population (10+1=11). So now I have 11 tanks on the books.

The reality is that I was riped off of 10 tanks (if no one comes back), and only have a shiny empty one to look at

I think you need to try again!

Nothing is "staying on the books" so to speak with a tank swap. They have one on their books, they swap it out when you come in. That LEAVES their books and is replaced with your empty tank. They fill it and SELL it to another person.

You referring to these tanks as loaners like library books but that is not the case. Stores sell the tanks and they are treated as never to be seen again items. Hope this help clarify.

 

[Tom R]

OK, my turn now.
I need a CO2 tank.
I pay for a new, full tank.
Later, it's empty, so I TRADE my empty for a full one.

So I came in with a tank, I left with a tank. That part was free.
I only paid for the CO2.
And the LHBS and I both have the same number of tanks as before!

 

[bracconiere]

and they are treated as never to be seen again items.

exactly!

 

[bracconiere]

OK, my turn now.
I need a CO2 tank.
I pay for a new, full tank.
Later, it's empty, so I TRADE my empty for a full one.

So I came in with a tank, I left with a tank. That part was free.
I only paid for the CO2.
And the LHBS and I both have the same number of tanks as before!View attachment 733999

but you still have the F250! and can impress your friends with it! even though you actually would probably beat it up just as much if you used it for actual work.....

 

[Dialator]

I had this happen to me one time and learned how to avoid this going forward. What you are paying a premium for is for the tank recertification. They have to run tests on the bottle and valve to make sure it meets industry standards. The bottles are stamped with a date. Make sure the one you are bringing in doesn't have an expired date. Problem solved.

 

[Beermeister32]

If I get tank that is really ugly and it bothers me, I'll simply paint it.
Problem solved.

Agreed. I have plenty of Rustoleum, good use for it....

 

[homebeerbrewer]

It's math, I don't like it, but it's math.

I'm gonna take one more swing at this dead horse... 1 empty tank in, 1 full tank out = 0 tank loss or gain. At least for tanks. CO2 is another matter...

 

[soccerdad]

CO2 is another matter...

Or it could be anti-matter.

 

[DarrellQ]

Just think of the next guy that rolls on and sees that brand new cylinder and the joy he will have! Pay it forward I say!

Nah, they put the new one the shelf and sold it for $75!

 

[homebeerbrewer]

Or it could be anti-matter.

Maybe that's how he's getting the free tank. Anti-matter vs. matter usually ends catastrophically, but if you can somehow manipulate the reaction, you might be able to create something else entirely. Why isn't he a billionaire with that kind of invention?

 

[Skyline225]

That's not cool. Please let us know what you find out.

Unfortunately that fee is normal here in Indiana... been paying it for years. Try pressure fermentation and natural keg carbonation! Fermzilla is a reasonably priced pressure fermenter that will allow you to utilize a spundimg valve to save some co2. Then rack onto priming sugar solution. You'll scrub O2 as well as save on carbonation.