Can I get a 300cf tank filled?

[700R]

I haven't been around much lately, but I've ran into a problem and figured this is the best place to get an answer.
Early this past spring, I bought a 300cf O2 cylinder from a large seller on Ebay for a good price. He had about 40-50 of them available. I bought one and had it shipped to me. Upon receiving it, I noticed it had Airgas stamped into the collar. I thought, No problem right? I deal with Airgas for my smaller cylinders anyways. I call them to get a price quote on having it filled, and they said they couldn't fill it as I cannot "own" a cylinder that large. It must be leased from them. For them to fill it, I would have to sign at least a 1-year lease.

Most of you guys on here knew this already, but for me...I'm just a home hobbiest and knew nothing about it.
So what do I have here? A 100lb paperweight? What happens if I sign a 1-year lease to have it filled, then never renew it? Will they attempt a repo of sorts on my cylinder? Freeze my account with them voiding any future cylinder fills on my smaller ones too?
Is there any way they would "trade" me for a smaller cylinder? (On that point, whats the largest tank that I can OWN and have filled just like my current 80cf cylinder?)

I just feel like I got shafted out of $250 that I can never get back...

[shovelon]

Yes you got scammed. Can you get Ebay involved? When a name on the collar, it belongs to that entity. In that case, Airgas.

[WeldorWes]

Its not the fact that you can not own 300 / 330cf tanks / cylinders
Its the fact it has Airgas on the neck ring
I have cylinders from 40cf to 330cf all ownership bottles and have no problem getting them filled no lease i own them but as i have read that varies by area and supplier

[700R]

This is the same seller and ad that I bought from. Is it OK to own these in WV? Maybe Airgas swapped a tank with their name on it to him by accident? I messaged the seller just now as well...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Size-T-300-C...3#ht_64wt_1141

[gnm109]

The local Airgas where I am won't sell anything larger that 160 cu. ft. cylinders for customer owned. I think that is a company-wide policy. If you shop around, you might find an independent LWS that will exchange your 300 cu. ft. for you.

[soutthpaw]

Not company wide for airgas. I have got 330cf tanks filed multiple times at my local Airgas

Sent w/ Tapatalk using Swype, pls excuse typos

[Gamble]

Each airgas is different. Everyone makes up their own rules.
Best best is to find a mom and pop shop and see if they will fill it.
Or ask airgas if they will take yours in on trade for 2 that are half the size.
Or try to sell it on Craigslist.

[jontheturboguy]

I think they are blowing smoke up yer @$$.

I have both "owned" tanks and rentals from my LWS, and guess what?

When I get "rentals" from them, Ive had everything from Linde to AirGas stamped on the neck.

Find another supplier in your area that will fill it and call it a day.

[killdozerd11]

I own 2 /244 bottles that i exchange at my LWS and 1 /150 that i bought from airgas but the little one is trimix and have yet to exchange it

I go to my LWS for exchange because their cheaper and closer to me than airgas

I would never rent after seeing the cost cheaper to buy off CL even if you have to pay for hydro which is noted on my account as being good until X years from that date on both my big bottles

[Drf255]

Definitely depends on geography.

The last used 125 I bought from my LWS had a ring with someone else's name on it. I asked the guy about problems with refills and he looked at me like I had two heads.

My 244 has a name on the ring, never had a single problem filling it.

[Renagade]

In central ky - if it's not theirs they wont touch it - we have two supply places local -
they wont swap out - you cannot own a 300

[vwguy3]

I guess if I were up for a tiff I would go back to Airgas and make him prove IN BLACK AND WHITE that I cannot and do not own and they will not fill this cylinder.If they give in protect the sales slip/packing slip that says "customer owned" with your life and that is your leverage the next time.
One more time guys,a neck ring does mean absolute unequovical ownership by the gas company.

[wb4rt]

If it says Airgas on the neck ring, they should exchange. My local Airgas will.
If it's not theirs they won't.
I have 330's from 2 places and have to exchange each one at the appropriate place but neither asks about a lease.

[forhire]

I think the ebay seller took you. If not then have a blank neck ring installed. Most cylinder service shops can do it... not that they will. They might with the correct paper work.

Maybe you need one of these glue on rings: http://www.atlweldingsupply.com/Cust...ng_p_5456.html

[DSW]

I've swapped multiple cylinders that I don't have a lease or rental agreement on with no issues. If I borrow a cylinder from someone I know I usually swap it out and return a full one to the guy I borrowed it from as a courtesy. I do however have an account with my welding supply. As long as I have a cylinder with thier name on it, and an swapping it for a similar sized cylinder, they could care less if it shows up on my account as a rental/leased cylinder or not. For years my account was COD. That means while I'm in the system, I have to pay as I go, either by CC or cash, and I never once had any one comment on the fact I had "rental" bottles.

[JD955SC]

Each gas supplier tends to have their own rules.

Many of them want you to "lease" or "rent" the big tanks from them. Basically they treat the big tanks like a cell phone service contract...no lease or contract, no service. They don't particularly care about the cylinder itself, it's all about the service.

And then others will fill anything you bring to them so long as it's got a current hydro cert.

Yeah it's weird but that's the way it's done.

[MikeGyver]

If you own the tank and it's still within the hydrotest date then they should be able to fill it no problem... not swap you out for one of theirs, but fill that same tank, so you'd have to wait a day or so.

[Hemi-T]

I bought two 300cf Argon tanks on CL. They both had Airgas rings on them. I took them to a local gas company (not an Airgas), and they swapped tanks with 300cf of their own, no questions asked. They will only swap 300cf tanks. Anything smaller has to be sent to a separate facility to be filled manually, and that usually takes a week or more. No lease, no rental, no hassle. Just the way I like it. I figure they probably just trade tanks with Airgas anyway.

[700R]

I received the original receipt from the seller where he bought the tank from the mine company. I took the tank and receipt to Airgas not 30 minutes ago, and they still refused to touch it. He kept saying over and over that an individual cannot own this size tank...saying "we'll they think they own it..." with an attitude. He told me to send it back (which I cannot and will not do). I will try Arcet on Monday hoping they won't laugh at me either.

At this point, I would really like to trade it for a couple 125's, as this tank is too big for me anyways...

I will call a couple out of town Airgas' and see what they say...and try to find a small mom & pop shop or something.
Anyone near SW Virginia that can help me out?

[12345678910]

All of my local welding stores are under national brand dealerships.

3 different brands.


They have all have the same standardized sizes they consider to be owner bottles and lease bottles, there is no where else to go.

[gnm109]

I received the original receipt from the seller where he bought the tank from the mine company. I took the tank and receipt to Airgas not 30 minutes ago, and they still refused to touch it. He kept saying over and over that an individual cannot own this size tank...saying "we'll they think they own it..." with an attitude. He told me to send it back (which I cannot and will not do). I will try Arcet on Monday hoping they won't laugh at me either.

At this point, I would really like to trade it for a couple 125's, as this tank is too big for me anyways...

I will call a couple out of town Airgas' and see what they say...and try to find a small mom & pop shop or something.
Anyone near SW Virginia that can help me out?

Airgas in my area only sells 160 cu. ft. cylinders. They don't sell 300 cu. ft. sizes. There may be an Airgas somewhere that sells the larger ones, but not in my area in Northern California.

When you buy a used cylinder, you are taking a risk that your LWS will exchange it. I think part of it has to do with their trying to discourage private sales in cylinders. They lose out on big money when you buy on Craigslist or eBay.

It's kind of like car or motorcycle tire sellers. Many of the dealers I frequent hate it when you buy tires on line and then want them installed at the regular price. They will either refuse to install them or charge you double for mounting, valve stems and balancing.

[denrep]

. . .I will call a couple out of town Airgas' and see what they say...

Hang up the phone already, you're just stirring the pot.
Just walk in the door with one over each shoulder, and in your most presumptuous tone say: "Exchange please. Where would you like these?"

[vwguy3]

Again it must be the German in me but I would go back to Air Gas and DEMAND he PROVE in black and white Air Gas policy that says you cannot own the cylinder and if they refuse ask for his managers name and phone number.
If you can find another gas supplier that will take the Air Gas cylinders good for you if not I dam sure wouldn't let Air Gas trip you up unless they have proof......not just hearsay from a counter jockey.

[700R]

I might be grinding the "Airgas" name off the collar and sanding it flush this weekend. Seems to be a lot of panties in a wad over what name is on it.

[gator9329]

will they refill it if the ring is ground flat?