You know it's sad when it's cheaper to buy a brand new new aluminum 5# CO2 tank and exchange it to the local welding store than it is to get a used bottle off of them to exchange later. (new bottle $65 shipped + $11 to swap vs $85 to get first bottle from the welders). Or are these prices the norm?
No sadness involved, just the lack of competition. You can get a 20 lb'er from Amazon for 'bout 125 bucks shipped and to "buy into" an exchange for the same would cost a small fortune at my local rip-off joint. Many exchangers charge more for the same reason a dog licks his balls . . . because they can. In an exchange you are paying for a hydrostatic test (every 5 years) at about double (?) the rate of the actual inspection. If you live in an area with multiple exchangers you'll probably see more competitive pricing. In a large area you can usually find a fire extinguisher refill'er that will beat an exchange . . . if more than one re-filler then prices actually become pretty good (my area is 25 bucks for 20 pounds). Shop, beat the bushes, compare . . . before you take the plunge. For my area it's cheaper to buy/refill and hydro test ($30) every 5 years. Also search this forum on opinions of 5 lb'ers and the merits of something larger. The only advantage of a 5 lb tank is when it all leaks out on the first day there is less to replace.
Two words: Craigslist, Dude! As I've said before, you'd be amazed at what people are willing to practically give away in the interest of cleaning out the garage. There are an awful lot of half empty CO2 tanks out there that people have no use for and don't know how to get rid of. You can sometimes find these at estate sales, though that can be a long, boring quest. It also helps to have friends in the business - it looks like I may have fallen into six free 20# tanks from a bar that recently closed (though I'll probably tip the guy). Still waiting for confirmation on that one (I've already got takers for those - sorry) My point is, if you don't need it today, you're not limited to the traditional 'buy-it-from-a-retailer-like-everybody-else' approach.
Don't know where you are in TX, but I take my bottle and get it filled locally for about $12. I have to drive a little bit, but I get to keep my new shiny bottle.
I just paid $17 for 5 lbs refilled on a Saturday. Last time I got it filled at a Fire Extinguisher type business and that was $12, except they are only open during the week and I was thirsty.
Wait, Did we just discover that mail order is cheaper than bricks and mortar? So either pay the $9 premium and get instant gratification, or go mail order and wait.
I live in Huntsville, TX. North of Conroe, which is North of Houston, but I'm not willing to drive that far. While Conroe does have more competition, the prices I sampled are the same. Their is a place that does delivery on campus here (SHSU) for CO2, other gas, fire extinguishers. When I called them they said they could not service the bottle I had of CO2. I'm not familiar enough with bottle types to know what they have vs. I can use. But they were cheaper.
Cheaper to take it to a place that does CO2 swaps rather than paying for a hydro test. Stores that swap don't check dates.
Central CT has a beverage company that does fills for $10, fantastic deal! Most places only do swaps for exorbitant prices.
Guess I'm lucky where I live. The local liquor store keeps 5lbs tanks on hand from a welding supply place for people like us. When my tank emptied, I took it in and $35 and 2 minutes later I'm out the door with a fresh tank.
I guess our definitions of 'lucky' are different. While I realize that prices vary, $35 for 5lb of CO2 is hideous, IMO. Surely, you can find it cheaper than that. I suppose if it's super convenient, it may be worth the price. The last 20 lb tank I swapped at a LHBS was $25. That's about a 2 1/2 year supply for me (obviously, ymmv). 5 lb was $20, which I thought was a bit on the high side. My son recently refilled a 5 lb tank for $12 at a welding supply. Maybe you should go directly to the welding supply place that the liquor store uses.
It's all relative. The liquor store is 2 1/2 miles away the welding supply place the tank came from is 35 miles and a $4 toll away. My time is more valuable to me than saving a few dollars and I may actually be a little off on the price tag because a 5lb tank lasts me a good 2 1/2 years as well so I might not accurately remember what I paid.
Convenience definitely is a factor. 2 1/2 years, for me, is about 40 corny kegs (sixtels), or about 13 half barrels, give or take. That's flushing, carbing, racking, etc. If you're not homebrewing, 5 lbs likely goes a bit further.
