On Friday, September 27, 2013 10:33:41 AM UTC-4, Alex Gunderson wrote:
On Fri, 27 Sep 2013 08:41:20 -0400, Stormin Mormon wrote:



Are you unhappy with the present company?

Nope.



Why discuss all the work to change tanks,

if the existing tank is in acceptable shape?



Only for economy.



The propane company charges one rate for people who

rent the tank (in addition to the monthly rental fee).



But, they charge a lower rate for those who own

their tanks (with the benefit of no rental fee).



I'm assuming (rough calculations) that the tank will

pay for itself in a year or two given those dynamics

(at least that is what I had calculated years ago).

But unless I've gotten it all wrong, you're not paying
anything to rent the tank now because no one is billing
you for it. So, why worry about it? You said the gas
company would charge $15/mth to rent you a tank and you
can buy one for $1000. So, why do anything now?

If someday they come to you and claim it's been their
tank for the last 7 years and you owe them money, that's
when I'd do something. And the something would be to
tell them you believed it was your tank, and it's
not your problem. If they persist,
offer the company some reasonable amount to settle it.
There is a statute of limitations on any claims for
money owed. Find out what it is. They can't go after
you for 15 years worth of bills. More likely, it's
about 3 years or 5 years. And then, who really owes the
money? You didn't sign a rental contract with them.
Presumably the previous owner did. It would seem to me
that their claim is against the previous owner, not you.
In other words, even if they say, pay up, once they
realize the screwed up situation, I'd bet you could
settle it for $500. Which is better? Maybe paying $500
someday, or paying $1000 for a tank, plus the cost of
laying a pad, securing it, etc maybe $1500 total today?