Propane Prices: Bulk Tank vs. Barbecue Cylinders
Many propane consumers that use propane for home heating also use propane for other uses around his/her home, including propane patio heaters and propane barbecues. Many propane consumers are aware that most propane suppliers choose not to publicly post current propane prices for consumer comparison. Some propane suppliers attempt to justify this decision by claiming that propane prices change so frequently that attempting to publicly post propane prices is not practical.
Consider the following: Propane that is used for home heating is commonly delivered by a bulk truck that visits your property and connects a hose to the tank at your home. Conversely, propane that is sold in barbecue size cylinders (barbecue bottles) may be delivered or picked-up at a local retailer that offers propane cylinder sales or propane cylinder exchange service.
Considering that the propane for both of the uses above typically comes from the same source, it is interesting to consider that many propane suppliers claim that it is not practical to publicly post their current propane prices for bulk home deliveries, but, many retailers that sell or exchange propane cylinders manage to publicly post the current propane prices for the cylinders on the cages outside the retail store that contain the inventory of full propane cylinders.
If propane prices change frequently, as some propane suppliers indicate on their website, and many of the same propane suppliers encourage customers to "call the office for current propane prices", how can many propane retailers that sell or exchange propane cylinders (propane bottles) publicly post their current propane prices for the propane cylinders directly on the cage of available propane cylinders? Shouldn't the propane retailers be consistent with the propane suppliers and put a sign on the propane cylinder cage outside the door that states: "Call the store for current propane prices"?
If the propane comes from the same source, why would it be impractical for many propane suppliers to publicly post propane prices for one type of propane use while is it evidently practical to post propane prices for another use? Perhaps this is a good question for your propane supplier.
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