We're full time RVers who spend $200-$250+ on propane at this store every month. Unfortunately, a couple months back it seemed one of their guys didn't purge our two 40# tanks properly -- so we think that the trapped air inside them condensed and froze while they sat outside unused in the cold for a couple days.
EDIT: I'm no propane expert, but have used it just about every day for the past year and have never experienced this problem before. All I know is that when we needed it, no gas flowed... The other times when they took more care to purge the tanks, we had no issues getting gas to flow -- even when the tanks sat longer in colder conditions.
Since the problem happened after closing on a weekend night, we didn't have many options for heating. Luckily, we were able to thaw out the tanks for a few hours in a neighbor's house while we huddled around a borrowed anemic space heater.
EDIT: I forgot to mention that when the tanks finally warmed up I opened the purge valves on them while holding up my propane detector wand. At first, I got nothing but regular AIR. Seems to confirm that they weren't purged right...
I left a "heated" message about the problem on their voicemail, got a call back and an apology the next day, with the offer for a free 40# refill. I was satisfied, and thought that was the end of it.
The reason I gave them only two stars is because a few days ago right after filling one of my 40#ers, my wife overheard a couple of their guys complaining about me -- how nitpicky and what a problem customer I was. I took a few minutes to cool off by grabbing a Mountain Burger (5 stars!) at the deli inside B&F Mountain Market across the street, and went back into Ace Hardware to discuss what my wife heard.
I told them that I didn't have a problem with them venting about their jobs, but wanted to make sure they knew I only made a single complaint (for good reason) months ago that was immediately addressed. I thought everything was settled; afterward, the guys still acted nice to me -- at least to my face. They denied they were whining about me, but were just complaining about the regs they have to follow. That's not what my wife heard, but I let it pass... One of the guys apologized about it and shook my hand, at least.
Maybe what branded me a "problem customer" that they still griped about is that I always chat with each guy who fills my tanks, and ask him questions about propane. The reason I do this (other than the fact that it's hard to think of anything else when standing outside freezing), is that EVERY one of their guys fills/purges differently. Some purge with the purge valve; others purge by taking off part of the hose. Some purge until white gas (propane) comes out; others don't wait and only purge for several seconds; a few purge the whole time gas is being pumped into the tank. Some look at the meter and stop it regardless of what the scale reads; others only look at the scale and stop when it's balanced despite what the meter reads. One guy recently checked the tare weight of my tanks (heavier than usual) and told the others to check it, too; before this, they didn't bother and didn't adjust the scale accordingly. Others ignore all of this and simply let the OPD valve cut off the flow.
Adding to the inconsistency and confusion is that they told me that regs prevents them from filling tanks beyond about 80%, and could only give me approx. 8-something gallons out of the ~9.4g a 40# tank is supposed to hold. However, some of the guys ignore this and give me a little more, anyhow. I've never asked them to violate regs, but I was grateful to get more gas. I figured they felt sorry for me getting less gas and having to pay more money for it after a recent price hike. A couple weeks ago, one of their guys let the meter hit 10.1 before he cut it off. That scared me, and made me wonder if sometimes I got more gas not because of generosity, but due to a confusion about or disregard of proper filling practices...
Anyhow, if I wasn't "that guy" they complained about before, I'm pretty sure I became him after talking with them about the situation. I'm shopping around, and will go elsewhere if the price is better, or if the drama continues at Ace Hardware in Nederland. I hope I find somewhere close by, because I love the drive to Ned and need an excuse to pick up those Mountain Burgers. :-)
Thanks for reading,
Brian read more