Owned cylinder yearly maintenance fee

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I just purchased a new cylinder from SJ Smith. I purchased my first cylinder at praxair about 5 years ago and have been refilling it at praxair exclusively. SJ Smith had a better deal so I purchased the new cylinder from them. Right after I paid for the cylinder the salesman told me that they charge a yearly maintenance fee of $12.50 on owned cylinders. Is this a normal practice for SJ Smith? Praxair never once charged me a yearly fee so I was a bit shocked by the "maintenance" fee that will be charged to my account.
Reply:Never heard of that. If you own your own cylinder and keep it as opposed to exchanging it, you'd need to cover the hydro's on the cylinders. That would be every 5 or 10 years depending on the hydro stamp. Hydro's for me usually cost between $20-25 typically.I don't have to deal with that if I exchange cylinders. I'm sure they bake those costs into the price of the exchange/fill, but don't know what it breaks down to. Since I don't go thru all than much gas because I use large cylinders, it's mostly a non issue..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:May be just owned tanks that have to be certified I believe every 5 years and you're footing the Bill while at your former place you were only buying content. I've never owned bottles in 46 years of buying gases. Just exchange bottles and pay for the contents. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by papasmirfMay be just owned tanks that have to be certified I believe every 5 years and you're footing the Bill while at your former place you were only buying content. I've never owned bottles in 46 years of buying gases. Just exchange bottles and pay for the contents. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Just went to a supplier for the first time in Southern Wisconsin that was posting on craig's list. I took in my owner 150Cf argon with current test date.Tank neck was stamped Linde. I got even size exchange ,current date, and neck stamped air gas. Cost was  $45.00 . As long as tank is current date no issues for exchange. Another supplier was about same cost for same tank fill. However, he wanted like $35.00 for a REPAINTING charge, even though it was a owner tank for exchange. So now I have a 125 CF 75/25 that is painted with their company colors. Seems like each one makes THEIR own rules.Both would only take 150's or smaller.
Reply:Did they explain what you get for $12.50?I'm still trying to figure out the "hazardous materials" charge on my invoice.
Reply:''I'm still trying to figure out the "hazardous materials" charge on my invoice.That's another make a buck charge that SOME add on for extra money without reason. Air gas was doing it on tanks and rod. Front what I read there is no reason for it other then supplier wants more money. There was a posting about this.
Reply:I've only paid for contents. No bottle fees, paint fees, ever in 46 years. I'm now retired and don't use near as much gases as I did, but they, three different supply houses, only charge me for contents. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by asdfDid they explain what you get for $12.50?I'm still trying to figure out the "hazardous materials" charge on my invoice.
Reply:Don't pay it, just take your bottle somewhere else for a fill.
Reply:SJ Smith had a better deal on the purchase price of a new cylinder with fill then Praxair. Is the refill price the same from both ? Do you leave your cylinder there and come back when they have it filled ?  OR do you just get a exchange ?  Will Praxair refill / exchange the tank you bought from SJ Smith ?  Suppliers do strange things for sure.