Home Depot Propane Tank Exchange Review
We’re having a crowd over for the fourth tomorrow and I realized we were a little low on propane. The tank on the grill is running a bit low, and I have a second, half-full tank that could run out before the cooking is over. Our third tank was completely empty. (Don’t ask why we have three propane tanks… even I can’t remember).
I tossed the empty container into the back of the Corolla (ensuring, of course, that the valve was shut tight), and headed off to Home Depot to exchange it for a new tank. I had a good, fast experience that could basically be taken for granted. In a world where its not always easy to get in and out of a store, this was worth noting. Here’s what impresses me about Depot’s propane return system:
- Home Depot exchanges, rather than re-fills, tanks. Most of our tanks get pretty messy. We forget to empty our grill’s drain pan cup; it overflows and covers the propane tank with some of the oil from whatever we’re cooking. I like being able to hand the tank back over to Home Depot and get a fresh tank each time.
- Home Depot has a kiosk-based self-exchange program now. You don’t even have to go into the store to exchange a tank [usually]. Simply swipe your credit card at the kiosk, put your old propane tank into the appropriate bin, and the system automatically unlocks a new tank for you to take home.
- Good customer service (tonight). The kiosk machine wasn’t taking payments tonight so I had to make a quick trip inside (note: leave propane tanks outside or you’ll be asked to take it out. I discovered this at a previous visit). The cashier at the nearest check-out was very helpful, rung me up, came outside and made sure the system allowed me to return my tank, and receive a new-propane filled take.
The whole process took no more than 5 minutes from the time I walked up to the kiosk, to the time I was taking my tank home. When something like that happens on an otherwise very busy day, it’s a real treat.
Way to go, Depot.
What do you think? Have you had a good experience with Home Depot? Do you exchange your propane tanks or get them re-filled?
P.S. You may be able to use one of our Home Depot Coupons on your next purchase at big orange!
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13 Responses to Home Depot Propane Tank Exchange Review
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July 6th, 2008 9:56 pm
Fred,
Glad to see you didn’t have a problem with the kiosk at Home Depot. James has had a few issues with the one here in Halethorpe. He’s gone up and it isn’t taking money outside. He’s also had it open to a used tank.
Lisa
November 13th, 2008 11:01 pm
Just had a tank exchanged.The tank I took in had a overfill protection valve and the one I picked up had a non opd valve. I didnt notice till I got home. Wont use the program again.It costs more money and only did because had a leaking valve
March 12th, 2009 12:48 am
I just tried returning a tank that I don’t need anymore because I moved into an apartment where I can’t use the gas grill I had. I sold the grill but the buyer didn’t need the tank so I took it back to the Home Depot where I got it, figuring I’d get the $25 deposit back that I had to pay the first time I bought a tank of propane. OOOOhhhhh nooooo, we don’t give you your deposit back, you’re stuck with a tank you can’t use. What’s up with that?!?
March 12th, 2009 12:48 am
I just tried returning a tank that I don’t need anymore because I moved into an apartment where I can’t use the gas grill I had. I sold the grill but the buyer didn’t need the tank so I took it back to the Home Depot where I got it, figuring I’d get the $25 deposit back that I had to pay the first time I bought a tank of propane. OOOOhhhhh nooooo, we don’t give you your deposit back, you’re stuck with a tank you can’t use. What’s up with that?!?
May 7th, 2009 11:45 am
I also need to get my “deposit” back on 3, yes three tanks. I’ve run into the same problem. The fact is that “Depot” is, and has been, deceptive regarding the tank “deposit”. If I cannot get my $ back … it was a purchase!
Thank you Home Depot for reminding me why I frequent my locally owned and operated lumberyard. Sometimes I pay a little more at the “mom & pop shop” but at least they don’t lie to me.
The lumberyard doesn’t have propane tanks but the locally owned and operated feed store does! They fill tanks for 1/2 the price of Depot and I don’t have to wait in line or deal with an idiot in orange.
I implore each of you reading this: research your local area … you will find a local merchant that is willing to beat Depot one way or another … that means you win.
Good luck. Be safe.
Kizer
Plano, Texas
May 11th, 2009 3:11 pm
I work for AmeriGas who provides the tanks to the Home Depot. There isn’t a deposit when you exchange the tank. When you purchase or exchange the tank, you own the tank.
Denver, CO.
May 11th, 2009 11:30 pm
So, Greg, tell me this: why is it labeled a “deposit” on the receipt???
May 20th, 2009 6:11 pm
I recently purchased three tanks from home depot. Right from the start I was suspicious… The first two tanks the Home depot employee handed me were obviously empty, but both had the white seal on the valve, I had to argue with the guy to convince him the tanks were empty. I have been using propane long enough to know the difference in weight between a full and an empty tank. After a rather pointed exchange with the employee I left the store with three tanks, all three tanks felt about half the weight they should have, but being rather frustrated I took them anyway.
Now fast forward, the three tanks lasted an average of 6 days each on my grill. To confirm my thoughts on Home Depot selling obviously underfilled tanks I went out to Sams and bought an empty new tank, had it purged and filled by the local filling station, and then put it on my grill.. Guess what it lasted about 3 weeks which is normal for my usage.
My question is has anyone else had this problem with home depot or AmeriGas. I know I will no longer use home Depot for this particular service.
For those who may be interested the Home depot referanced in the Levittown, PA Home Depot in the Levittown Town Center.
May 27th, 2009 8:04 pm
I exchange tanks at Lowes. I usually have to wait 5-10 minutes for a service person to come out which bugs me. The tanks are spec’d at 17lbs but called “20lb tanks”. I don’t know who supplies Lowes. I run it about 90 min/week on a 4 burner grill 3/4 wide open and the tank lasts 2-3 months, so I get about 12-18 hours running time. I too was naive about the deposit option. I now have 2 tanks which is OK, but I agree that companies like Lowes/Home Depot are not forthright about the fact that once you pay for the tank you “own” it.
June 9th, 2009 12:01 pm
Just a quick heads up for anyone exchanging at Home Depot/Lowes:
Their suppliers, AmeriGas and Blue Rhino respectively, no longer fill up the tanks to the normal 17lbs. As of last year, they dropped the amount to 15lbs without any type of notice in-stores “to keep prices from going up”, or rather, to sucker you into paying more without realizing you’re paying more. I won’t purchase from companies that use such underhanded tactics, no matter how convenient their dealers make it.
Here’s an AP article about it:
http://www.dailybreeze.com/business/ci_12431388?source=rss
July 20th, 2009 2:00 pm
Is this why they are also called “Home Despot”? I have two tanks to return because I can not ship them overseas where I am moving. “Businesses” treat them as hazardous waste items with negative value, even though they charge you to buy one, and would gladly accept it back in exchange. I agree that “deposit” is misleading, and our country has to stop treating everything as throwaway, and accept real values, not imposing imaginary economics on the public. Sounds like a great way to lose customers! I’ve even been recommended to just leave them at the exchange point, and walk away, which of course is the lowest cost option.
August 14th, 2009 10:06 pm
Go to your neighborhood U-Haul rental location. Most will refill your tank, not exchange it.
August 28th, 2009 2:27 pm
I just returned from my local Home Depot after exchanging 2 tanks. It used to be “go to any register and pay you money and someone would meet you at the rack to exchange the tanks.” NOW you have to go to the “tool rental” section ” at the other end of the store. Then when I made comment about poor customer service the guy says “Your the only one who has complained.” Now after him starting to punch in at one register and I move to that register to pay, he goes to a printer and gets some receipt that he printed off and goes to another register at the other end of the counter and ring it up and says I have to come down there to pay. I made comment that prices have gone up now because they now wast more paper and he say “actually prices have gone down.” When I got home I noticed that AmeriGas has a $2.50 rebate paper attached to the tank. In reading it says, last year prices went up so they started to short fill the tanks by 3 lbs. or 1 gal so as not to change the price of the tank. So you think you are getting 5 gals. as before but you are actually getting only 4 gals.