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Blue Rhino and AmeriGas Agree to Settle FTC Claims of Propane Tank Price-Fixing Latest Thinking Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

Blue Rhino and AmeriGas Agree to Settle FTC Claims of Propane Tank Price-Fixing Latest Thinking Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

Other people may have different experiences with how much they get at a propane refill station.. The decision about propane tank exchange vs refill is less about what is the better option, and more a matter of convenience vs price. Blue Rhino has a specific focus on grilling accessories, while AmeriGas offers a broader range of outdoor living products. The “better” choice would depend on what specific accessories you’re looking for. A propane tank for a home prices between $400 and $seven hundred for a a hundred-gallon tank and $1,200 to $1,800 for a 500-gallon above-ground tank. The price to install an underground propane tank runs $1,600 to $2,four hundred for a 500-gallon tank and $three,one hundred to $four,500 for a one thousand-gallon tank.

  1. On the other hand, Blue Rhino also offers nationwide availability, a convenient tank exchange program, a range of tank sizes, emphasizes safety standards, and maintains positive customer satisfaction.
  2. In my experience, there isn’t much added convenience with the cylinder-exchange services; they’re not much closer to me, and I still have to wait for an employee to be free to unlock the cage of “filled” cylinders.
  3. Both AmeriGas and Blue Rhino offer high-quality propane and convenient exchange services that can fuel your grilling adventures.
  4. Most of the time, the costs you will discover for propane tanks concern an empty unit.
  5. My local U-Haul lot does while-you-wait propane refills for $4/gallon.

For small grilling and auxiliary propane tanks, anticipate to spend between $50 and $one hundred fifty for an empty shell. Under the Sherman Act, per se illegal agreements are not strictly limited to agreements on price. Agreements that restrict output or other terms of sale also fall in the per se category. Here, the FTC challenged concerted action that it determined had the effect of an anticompetitive agreement to raise prices, even though the competitors did not exchange information on price or agree on prices to submit to a customer(s).

Buying New vs. UsedLeasing a TankWhat You Need To KnownFrequently Asked QuestionsGet free estimates from trusted propane firms near you. It’s a propane tank digital scale for 5LB, 10LB, 20LB, 30LB, or 40LB tanks. There’s simply a button on the top to select your tank size. Might be useful if you have more than just a typical 20 pound propane tank. Whether you choose to refill or exchange your propane tank, propane is the best way to keep your summer cooking.

Propane Tank Weight Calibrated Gauge

Walmart, which purchased tanks from both Blue Rhino and AmeriGas, refused to accept the fill reduction. Faced with resistance from Walmart, Blue Rhino and AmeriGas colluded by secretly agreeing that neither would deviate from their proposal to reduce the fill level to Walmart. This secret agreement between Blue Rhino and AmeriGas had the effect of raising the price per pound of propane to Walmart, and likely to the ultimate consumers. In the US, consumers typically use propane exchange tanks for barbecue grills and patio heaters.

FTC Action Leads to $2 Million Penalty Against Kubota for False Made in USA Claims

In conclusion, both AmeriGas and Blue Rhino propane brands offer their unique advantages. AmeriGas provides nationwide availability, a convenient tank exchange program, various tank sizes, high safety standards, and positive customer satisfaction. On the other hand, Blue Rhino also offers nationwide availability, a convenient tank exchange program, a range of tank sizes, emphasizes safety standards, and maintains positive customer satisfaction.

Chairwoman Edith Ramirez and Commissioner Julie Brill issued a joint statement, Commissioner Joshua D. Wright issued a separate statement, and Commissioner Maureen K. Ohlhausen issued a dissenting statement. Copyright © 2024 Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, All Rights Reserved. The contents of this website may contain attorney advertising under the laws of various states. Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is headquartered in New York and has office locations in Boston, Brussels, Dallas, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Miami, Munich, New York, Paris, Shanghai, Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C. That is, they have a total internal volume of about 5.7 gallons; if you managed to fill it all the way up to the valve threads with LP (which would be unsafe) it would hold about 24 lbs of LP. Regulations limit the propane level to not exceed 42% of the water capacity of the tank.

Most labor costs are included within the worth of the entire set up. In contrast the by-the-gallon refill places will refill your tank until the “overfill prevention device” (OPD) shuts off the flow, which will be much closer to the true safe fill level of 19.2 lbs (4.6 gallons). Please note that all the cylinder-exchange places do this; it has become a standard practice in that part of the propane industry to only put 15lbs in a 20lbs tank, as if they were following a farcical “63% fill” rule. The typical 20-pound (5-gallon) size barbecue grill tank will hold 47.6 pounds of water.

The safety of transport and the load of larger models calls for that delivery (and set up as needed) occur separately from gasoline supply. If the pure gas value is $15.00 per 1,000 cubic ft, the same https://cryptolisting.org/ $15.00 will buy round a million BTUs, that is the equal of slightly over eleven.20 gallons of propane. If propane costs $2.50 per gallon, on this instance, natural fuel is the cheaper various.

So not only am I saving a lot per gallon, but I’m getting a much fuller tank that will last longer and not need to be refilled as soon. Their propane tanks undergo thorough inspections and maintenance processes before being refilled. Always follow the safety guidelines provided by the company and general propane safety practices.

Is there a difference in the quality of propane from AmeriGas and Blue Rhino?

Propane tanks are available in many sizes and types and may be put in each in floor and above ground. The average home-owner with a 1,500-sq.-foot home who uses propane for heating and all appliances will usually use a 500-gallon tank. The costs to purchase a big propane tank averages $1,500 for a 500-gallon tank, and $2,500 for a one thousand-gallon tank. Propane tanks larger than 500-gallons will require permanent underground set up generally. Tanks from 250 gallons upward can be installed underground, with 500- to 1,000-gallon tanks being the commonest. Most of the time, the costs you will discover for propane tanks concern an empty unit.

Blue Rhino, AmeriGas Settle FTC Charges of Restraining Competition

The FTC’s administrative complaint alleges that, together, Blue Rhino and AmeriGas controlled approximately 80 percent of the market for wholesale propane exchange tanks in the United States. In 2008, Blue Rhino and AmeriGas each decided to implement a price increase by reducing the amount of propane blue rhino vs amerigas in their exchange tanks from 17 pounds to 15 pounds, without a corresponding reduction in the wholesale price. Faced with resistance from Walmart, the two companies colluded by secretly agreeing to coordinate their negotiations with Walmart in order to push it to accept the fill reduction.

When making a choice between AmeriGas and Blue Rhino propane, consider your specific requirements, pricing in your area, and the availability of exchange locations. Remember, propane is a versatile and efficient fuel choice that can enhance your grilling, heating, and numerous other applications. Costs can vary depending on location, current market conditions, and the specific services or products you’re purchasing. It’s best to check the current prices at your local retailers or on the companies’ websites. Both AmeriGas and Blue Rhino propane can be used for smokers.

Running the gasoline line costs around $100, and some propane companies contract with a plumber to do this work. It’s higher to put in an above-floor propane tank if your property is in an space with frequent flooding. There can be a problem with the tank “floating, inflicting the tank to shift or float if the water rises above the propane degree in your tank.