LHBS Ouratgeous Prices

[beernutz]

Nothing on that receipt is outrageous except the C02. My local gas distributer charges $9 for 5# and $17 for 20# refills or exchanges.

Op, why didn't you just say no thanks on the C02 exchanges when you were told the price at checkout?

 

[IslandLizard]

$25 here for a 20# CO2 swap at a welding supply. Aluminum for aluminum. Yeah, I schlepp that tank to serving events too.
One, not so local to me, gas place does 5# refills, usually within the hour. Not sure what they charge now, but many club members from that area seem to be fine with them, and I never heard about price gouging or absurd charges.

Like everyone has posted, the other items seem reasonable.

Motueka is not that unique, but Nelson is always in demand and short on supply, so a pretty average price for an LHBS, yes. But overpriced given suitable alternatives.

7 years ago I stopped buying hops from either of my 2 LHBS' since they only sold by the oz, and after paying well over $20 for 6 oz of IPA hops (Simcoe, Amarillo).

A few years ago, one LHBS started selling hops in 4 and 8 oz packages and some at whole pounds (mostly leaf), but still at staggering prices given online alternatives, such as Farmhouse Brewing, HopsDirect, and as I found later, YVH. I buy mostly by the pound, and my freezer content is testimony to that. CO2 purged and/or vacuum resealed, they last many years, 4-5 years, at least.

Perhaps it may be beneficial for you to plan ahead better.

That's probably the ultimate solution, having time in your favor to select better pricing. Buying in bulk over piecemealing. Keep an eye on shipping as it may kill an otherwise good deal, especially when heavy or large items are involved.

I can remember paying about 35 bucks a piece for 2 simple BSG plastic fermenting buckets (sorry no receipts to post for that).. Needed them that day so I bit the bullet on that one too.

Whaaa! Time to shop elsewhere, as well as planning better ahead.
IIRC, I paid $12.70 each, 5-6 years ago. Plus $3.25 for a drilled lid. I thought that was highway robbery, as I remember seeing the same buckets for $6.70 a year or so before. Oh well, they can last a lifetime if treated with respect. I picked up quite a few free ones, over time.

 

[IslandLizard]

The one (local) LHBS does CO2 refills for $3.60 a pound, regardless of size. A really good deal for 2.5 pounders (oh yes!), not so attractive for 5# and sheer robbery for anything larger.

 

[bucketnative]

@HB_ATL73, Did you speak with the LHBS about their pricing? They're going to charge what the market will bear, and letting them know that you are unhappy is one way of letting them know that you won't bear it.

 

[IslandLizard]

@HB_ATL73, Did you speak with the LHBS about their pricing? They're going to charge what the market will bear, and letting them know that you are unhappy is one way of letting them know that you won't bear it.

In that light I wonder if that $0.00 charge for the 2 tank swaps on the customer's receipt is not merely coincidental. $90 and not much to show for it. Ouch!

@HB_ATL73 BTW, is sales tax 8% over there?

 

[HB_ATL73]

is sales tax 8% over there?

Yes, I believe so

 

[HB_ATL73]

How is the new location?

Its just ok.

Have most things you could need. Seems much of the store is devoted to wine making and to hosting classes for it. Not the best but not the worst home brew shop ive been in

 

[HB_ATL73]

I would make a call to the LHBS owner and ask them about the CO2 pricing... a 35% increase. Maybe they will adjust the bill for you.

That's a good idea. Yes I understand planning ahead would be ideal.

Planning ahead wouldn't have made a difference for the CO2 in this instance. Had to fork up the money not knowing the price went up 7 bucks in the matter of weeks and had to keg that day.

You are right though I should bring up the matter with the LHBS and see what they say

 

[VirginiaHops1]

That's about what my CO2 fills cost, albeit in a very high COL area. But there is very little difference between 5-10-20. Like only a few extra bucks for each step up. So I quickly ditched by 5 lb for another 10 lb and I've been keeping my eye on craigslist trying to land a 20. My advice OP get at least a 10 lb tank.

 

[CascadesBrewer]

That's about what my CO2 fills cost, albeit in a very high COL area. But there is very little difference between 5-10-20. Like only a few extra bucks for each step up. So I quickly ditched by 5 lb for another 10 lb and I've been keeping my eye on craigslist trying to land a 20. My advice OP get at least a 10 lb tank.

Yep. Here in Northern Virginia I pay $28 plus tax for a 5# exchange at the local industrial gas place (they are good about taking expired tanks without a charge though). I could exchange at a local homebrew shop for $29. I picked up a 15# tank with plans to get it refilled...but the refill place is one of those 6:00 to 4:00 type places the opposite direction of my work.

 

[IslandLizard]

Here in Northern Virginia I pay $28 plus tax for a 5# exchange at the local industrial gas place (they are good about taking expired tanks without a charge though). I could exchange at a local homebrew shop for $29.

Ouch! The problem may well be the 5# and 10# sizes that scream homebrewer/kegerator. 50# and up are welders. 20# dual use.
Now it takes about the same time and effort to fill a 5# or a 20#. Liquid CO2 is pretty cheap, like a dime a pound, or so, wholesale.

I picked up a 15# tank with plans to get it refilled...but the refill place is one of those 6:00 to 4:00 type places the opposite direction of my work.

Just a note about 15# (aluminum) tanks, they are not very common, especially outside homebrewers circles, and thus about impossible to swap out as no-one stocks them. But you could try, maybe they'll bite, or just don't know, or even care. Standing by itself it doesn't look all that different from a 20# as long as you don't put it next to one, it's a little skinnier. Play dumb...

How do I know? Well, I have one of those 15s, it was sold to me, nearly new, as a 20#, way before I knew what was what in kegging world. A year later, when I had it refilled, it only took 15#, that's how I found out...
It served me well for about 4 years and a yearly refill, until the hydro date expired a few years ago. It's ~$30 to get retested at a local fire protection agency. But I haven't had the need to, with a 2nd, "real" 20# on hand which I can so easily swap out at $25 any day. Yup, someday I'll get the 15# back into use... it's a tad easier to lug around to events, and could last a couple years, just for that purpose.

When swapping, make sure you get aluminum for aluminum. The one supplier I used had none in stock and wanted to swap mine for a steel one. No-no... They're much heavier and don't have a handle either. My wife swapped it out at their other location the next day, I had called ahead, just to make sure.

 

[SEndorf]

Be of good cheer my friends. No one said this hobby was economical.
My local gas/welding supply store is $29 for a 20# food grade, and $19 for a 5#
I just don't care. They got my back. They support my hobby. They ask about my beer. They appreciate my samples. And they do free welding when I need it.

 

[Conehead]

Yeah the CO2 price is the only thing on that list I’d say is outrageous. I want to say I pay $30-35 to exchange 20 lb tanks at my local weld shop.

I pay $73 Canadian for my 20 lb. tank.

 

[sleev-les]

CO2 aside, LHBS are going to be a bit more expensive than online. Depending on overhead it makes a difference. I know mine is a bit high. There are certain things that I just can't justify buying there, but I grab ingredients, small bits and stuff that I know isn't marked up much. The area they are in is expensive as well so I'm sure rent inflates the overhead cost.. Great guys though and I'll always support my local shops if I can.

 

[redllama]

@HB_ATL73 I used to go over to Beverage Control in Tucker before I moved and it was just too far to slog all the way over there. Only downside is that they are only open during the week/business hours but last time I got a fill there it was $10 for a 5# tank. They also do "first tank free" when you buy a new tank. IIRC their pricing was pretty on par with online retailers on tanks and you don't have to pay shipping/go get it filled when it comes in.

 

[HB_ATL73]

@redllama Thank you! I will give them a try that's right around the corner for me!

 

[mdscole]

The gases all come from the same basic sources. (Air Products, Air gas, Linde, Air Liquide) the food grade has an analytical report and the industrial doesn't. Same tank. Steel vs aluminum on an inert gas source is not going to make a difference. This isn't semiconductor grade activity.

 

[bleme]

View attachment 656073

Based on the OP, I figured medium-high prices and was surprised how close I got to your numbers:
2x$25=$50
3x$4=$12
2x$5=$10
1x$8=$8
-------------
$80
x 1.08=$86.40

I usually pay $18 for my CO2, but $25 is pretty average for my area.
I've considered getting a 20lb tank because they are only a couple dollars more to fill but I've had so many problems with leaks lately, I think that might just give me more to leak...

 

[WeHeavy]

Just had a 5# filled for $17.
Shop around for refills. A local welding supply wants $27 and another place wants $23. I get mine refilled at Snows Fire Protection for $17. That's 3 places in a small town.

 

[user 254557]

IN the last couple years the federal government added a Hazerdous material handling fee to ALL tanks that are shipped or transported, yes even the not hazerdous CO2, and it basically doubles the price we were paying, I also agree with the welding supply store to see what they will do for you

 

[IslandLizard]

@HB_ATL73 I used to go over to Beverage Control in Tucker before I moved and it was just too far to slog all the way over there. Only downside is that they are only open during the week/business hours but last time I got a fill there it was $10 for a 5# tank. They also do "first tank free" when you buy a new tank. IIRC their pricing was pretty on par with online retailers on tanks and you don't have to pay shipping/go get it filled when it comes in.

I think this is @HB_ATL73's best bet for next time.

 

[juggabrew]

5#

27$ a pop.. up from 20 dollars a few weeks ago

Geez! That’s steep. I just payed $10 for my refill at the liquor store I go to in Denver. I use 5#