We’ve confirmed with tier 1 bulk producers and end-users that certain distributors are selling butane cylinders filled to only 100 lbs, which is 20 lbs below the DOT fill capacity and the industry standard of 120 lbs per refill. This makes it seem like you’re getting a better price per cylinder, but in reality, your price per pound of butane is increasing by 17%. This also drives up your delivery, service, and operational costs because you have to re-up more often to get the same amount of gas.
What’s more mind blowing is that the paperwork from these distributors doesn’t even specify the fill weight, leaving you guys to guess the actual amount of product you’re paying for and how to maintain your MAQ’s.
Building SD from the back of my pickup truck after a long run with Illadelph over the past 20 years, I just can’t understand why anyone would want to pay more for less product—especially at a time when we should be focused on reducing costs, improving operational efficiency, and maintaining the highest possible standards and integrity for extraction.
i wish there was a list of these offenders. I know this happens in the commercial propane business as the tanks i get from home depot only have 15lbs of propane compared to the 18lbs my local propane fill place does it for.
I think home depot, lowes and publix sells 15lb tanks but its certainly listed on their websites and buy stations.
Sucks not knowing which business you guys are finding and not willing to throw them under the bus… im assuming afraid to get sued.
edit: i dont know who chose the tags but its a little weird.
Most importantly, so customers with low max allowable quantities can actually have their MAQ on site. Kinda hard to deliver 300# in 120# tanks.
Consistency amongst types of solvent and easy math for the per pound price. No need to keep a chart of fill weights on hand if every tank has 100#.
Anecdotally, the extra head space helps act as a larger “spring”, helping to push gas out of the tank at a faster rate, especially towards the end of the tank. Think of a sprayer filled to the top with liquid. You can only pump it a couple of times to pressurize it, and then the pressure doesn’t last. If it is only filled to the fill line, much more air can be compressed, allowing for longer lasting flow from the container.
The 300 lb MAQ generally refers to the control area inside of the building where the extractions are taking place.
As you know, customers take more than 300 lbs of gas all the time.
Also your comment about the headspace providing a larger “spring” is an interesting take. I believe most end users can simply add nitrogen to the tanks to help spring that butane right out of the cylinders. What difference in flow rate would 20% more headspace provide?
Other than “easy math” I can’t think of a real reason why the customer would benefit from 100 lb tanks vs 120 lb tanks.
Our priority is to maximize logistical efficiency and provide optimal value to our clients by filling cylinders to the legal limit. That said, if a client requests under-filled cylinders we can certainly supply them upon request.
He thought it strange that you claimed to list the weight, but yet his invoice did not have it listed. Seems someone is working overtime to make sure reality matches their story. Thank you for sharing Will!
I’m assuming it must have been a glitch on his invoice earlier today. Maybe you can share an invoice that shows the date, like prior to today, to show that you aren’t trying to pull a fast one on all of us…
@BigM be honest with us, you know that’s an invoice from the SD POS system which automatically generates an accompanying BOL that clearly indicates cylinder weight per federal law.
If I were honest about what I know, we would be in a sticky situation. I’m not interested in divulging my knowledge of Solvent Direct, as I’m not interested in being pursued for breach of NDA. I don’t really care to get into a back and forth smoke screen, but I also don’t care for deceptive discourse.
How about you try being honest with us? Are you saying you posted a pic of a BOL, or was it a pic of an invoice? What was the pic sent to Will Nye earlier today? Even if I know the answer, I cannot divulge it, due to the aforementioned NDA. Your customers definitely can check their invoices to see what they see.
I wouldn’t say I’m selling under filled cylinders, as they are filled to the amount claimed, which is 100lbs, regardless of type of gas. I make a point to let my customers know that they are getting 100lbs.
Your “friend” will nye has a fake phone number and no physical address. If the order had been fulfilled by SD, it would have included a Bill of Lading (BOL), which is required by federal law and clearly states the weight of the cylinders.
Wish you the best selling those under-filled cylinders Mike. We are done here.
do you not allow cylinder pick up at your locations? and if a you do, do you issue a BOL for non shipped cylinders?
Seeing the invoice was a cash invoice, and no address. could that have been a local pickup tank?
is that why you removed the word invoice? we can all see the edits. i dont have a dog in this race but this looks bad on both of you. Saying this is on all your invoices and chastising other distributors for not having on their “invoices” is a bit shady… then you change your statement.
OF COURSE every BOL is gonna have the weight if your shipping anything. But on a BOL you fill out the information and can state that tank is any weight in reality.
There is nothing from stopping any company from putting the weight of a pallet is only 20lbs heavier. Typically we over state our pallet weight by 50lbs so there is no discrepancy in billed weight when we get the freight bill. Scales have variation and this prevents us from possible over charges. So what is stopping a company from saying its only 20lbs over especially when you do your own logistics.
I think this is a lot of misleading information WHEN it could have been very useful information.
It looks like the company @BigM is working for is selling tanks with 100lbs of gas. If they are charging for 100lbs only then there is no problems. This could have been incredible information if it was proved some of these companies only filling with 100lbs are charging for 120lbs but there is no proof thats the case.
this looks pretty bad guys and i like you both so this is just friendly feedback. do what you want with it.
I checked my latest invoice that was handed to me from the driver after delivery and it shows no weights. I did weigh a new tank rite now and it did weigh 115 pound. Personally i have no complaints about SD or there products.
