Propane tank settlement

[twobjshelbys]

I saw this today. It's a settlement for class action that the two major propane exchange companies - AmeriGas and Blue Rhino) conspired to reduce the amount of propane in a 20lb tank from 17 to 15lbs. I'd noticed that the amount had gone down and was always less than what I got when I went to a refill station like at U-Haul.

https://www.propanesettlement.com/

I stopped using them years ago and now today only do so when the age on one of my tanks expires. You can drop off an old tank and get a current one for less than you can buy a new tank, certainly for less than a new tank and a 3/4 charge of gas.

[Highwayman]

I saw this today. It's a settlement for class action that the two major propane exchange companies - AmeriGas and Blue Rhino) conspired to reduce the amount of propane in a 20lb tank from 17 to 15lbs. I'd noticed that the amount had gone down and was always less than what I got when I went to a refill station like at U-Haul.

https://www.propanesettlement.com/

I stopped using them years ago and now today only do so when the age on one of my tanks expires. You can drop off an old tank and get a current one for less than you can buy a new tank, certainly for less than a new tank and a 3/4 charge of gas.
I have been doing the exchange for years once it started instead of having the tank refilled. So they did what the potato chip companies do :look:

[Tommy Gun]

I’ve always had mine filled directly at a propane company. Used to be $12 and now is about $15 when completely empty. Exchanges around here are typically $20-$22. So I save enough money to make Dave happy about my spending habits. :look:


I never really liked the exchanges when I looked into it because it always seemed like a hassle getting someone’s else to do the exchange or in some cases even confirming a price. And the tanks always looked old and dirty w a wrap just thrown around them. My tanks are nicely painted and clean in case OCD stops by.


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[Tommy Gun]

Just read some of that, looks like a pain to claim and maybe what they are hoping for.

Who has propane receipts back to 2009? :haha:


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[twobjshelbys]

Just read some of that, looks like a pain to claim and maybe what they are hoping for.

Who has propane receipts back to 2009? :haha:


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Class A is with receipt and are unlimited. Class B claims don't require proof but are limited. I could probably claim 3 or 4 but the problem is this is just AmeriGas. I think mine were Blue Rhino. I know I have at least one since the tank in the garage going to get filled has the Blue Rhino label on it.

[Tommy Gun]

But even worth it for a few dollars? :(

[68fastback]

That's what I do too, tho sometimes if I'm at HD or Lowes I'll just do an exchange just because I'm there with the tanks in the car and it's either too late for the fill place or the tanks are getting ratty. We BBQ often so probably use about 6-7 tanks per year, maybe half exchanges and half refills.

Class action lawsuits are always interesting, imo. Yeah, 20# tank and only filled to 15# but they charge you about $20 for 15# vs $15 for 20# at the refill station -- that's 1.8x the cost but you're paying for the convenience :shades: :lol: But the price or % of fill are not the issues -- they can charge whatever they want. But if they conspired to both reduce the contents (as it seems they did -- see below) then no matter what the price they potentially have a problem ...and the lawyers love it! The consumers will typically, once the dust settles, get very little ...the lawyers who bring a successful class action suit profit handily!

I guess the value of filing a claim for the consumer will come down to how many people file claims and how much the court requires AmeriGas/BlueRhino to set aside. Typically class action lawsuits try to scoop up as many claimants as they can because the REAL purpose is to fence off any further liability -- the court cares about the size of the payout being reasonable but does not know in advance how many will file. I was part of two other class action lawsuits and the ratio of claimants to court-ordered set-aside monies turned out to be so ridiculously high that all I got in both cases was a COUPON (one was $5.00 the other was $20-something) toward a future LARGE purchase (like a lawn tractor :rofl3:).

I'm thinking this propane suit better be way over $1B because there could be 100M people who are affected and that would only be $10/person ...$20/person if 50% file, etc. However if few bother filing then it could almost be worthwhile to file. That said, I probably won't bother -lol- even tho I've probably done a couple dozen or more exchanges (2 tanks per) over the years. I knew what I was buying and that it only had 15# in the 20# tank so mox nix -lol.


As an aside: as far as I'm concerned the greater 'offense' (not addressed in this case) is that of consumer deception because so few would suspect there is only 15# in the 20# tank. It says it on the label so they're legally covered but few actually check because it's been (and still is!) a 20# tank and it's the same 20# size tank that's been around since Moby Dick was a minnow. It's sort of like buying what has always been a gallon of bleach not knowing it's now 96 ounces, not 128. The difference is that the bleach container isn't a gallon container filled with only 96 ounces (as the propane game is done), it's physically a smaller container that only holds 96 (or whatever) ounces which prompts one to check the label. Also, AmeriGas and BlueRhino had to go out of their way to only fill them to 15# because the safety still trips the fill when the tank is full -- 20# ...and the blow-off won't activate until the a safe fill is exceeded. I suspect everyone (the manufacturer, the lawyers and the court) know the game -- only the consumer is hoodwinked by the slight of hand. That's the real issue, imo, (tho not addressed in this suit) but it's not prosecutable and they all know it (that's likely why it is as it is), so the lawyers knew the only way to get a class action lawsuit to stick in a court would be if there was collusion. Also, an earlier case with similar charges to the current charges was thrown out (since reversed in 8th circuit) so maybe they felt they could do what they wanted?


Anyhow, the same law firm is behind reopening the case -- not surprisingly they may stand to get as much as 30% of the kitty that the court deems appropriate -- if the case flies ...it's still seems in the exploratory phase since 8th district court reversed the earlier dismissal.

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Hagens Berman is investigating and pursuing claims that Ferrellgas Partners and Ferrellgas (Blue Rhino) and UGI Corporation and AmeriGas Partners LP (AmeriGas) over allegations that the two companies conspired to fix fill levels of exchangeable portable cylinder tanks containing propane gas – commonly referred to as propane exchange tanks – as a way to increase retail prices across the country.
The suit also alleges that during spring and summer 2008, Blue Rhino unlawfully shared pricing information with its direct competitor AmeriGas, informing the company’s competitor that it intended to implement the fill reduction. AmeriGas then reduced its exchange tanks from 17 pounds to 15 pounds without a corresponding price decrease – leaving consumers paying the same amount for less propane.
The case follows up on the same illegal conspiracy to reduce fill levels that Hagens Berman litigated in 2009 and addresses antitrust claims arising after the old settlements with Amerigas and Blue Rhino were complete. The trial court dismissed this case in 2016 citing the statute of limitations, but in 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth circuit reversed that ruling and the trial court has now ruled that claims in several states may proceed. The case is currently in the fact-finding phase.

[Tommy Gun]

Give me a day or two to read all that...



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[68fastback]

No prob. :haha:

[onecrazydog]

28303

[Tommy Gun]

:sneaking:


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[Highwayman]

Give me a day or two to read all that...



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Yeah me too

[Highwayman]

Give me a day or two to read all that...



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Have you gotten time to read it yet :look:

[68fastback]

:spitcopy: Don’t bother — it’s really not worth it. :haha: :haha:

[Tommy Gun]

Have you gotten time to read it yet :look:



You made me lose my spot!!! :rant:



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[68fastback]

:lol: