I Have Spent 2 Years Creating 'gasbottlerefills'. a Website to Help OzBargain Members Find Cheap Refills/Swaps in Australia

Hi fellow OzBargainers!

I've spent two years creating a powerful tool for you all.

www.gasbottlerefills.com/

These are the reasons I created gasbottlerefills:

I am nearly 80 years old. My wife, Barbara, and I are 'grey nomads'. We travel Australia in our motorhome for 8 of the colder months each year.

Our first major trip was from the East Coast to the West and back via the Nullarbor. We had no idea in advance how much gas we would use, no idea where to refill (we did not want to swap our new bottles), nor how much we would have to pay.

As it turned out, we refilled our 9 kg bottles FIVE times at an average cost of $36.00.

I decided there had to be a better way. So I started a Facebook Group called 'BBQ Gas Bottle Refills' and invited grey nomads and others to join, on the understanding that within 6 months they would report on at least one location where they refilled or swapped and how much they paid.

The idea went gang-busters! Within 18 months there were 3,000 members and 1,200 locations.

Our second big trip was up 'The Centre' and down the East Coast, thru some of the priciest gas country in Oz.

This time, because we knew how much gas we were using and where we could get it cheap, we were able to refill SEVEN 9 kg bottles.

This time the average cost was $19.02 … a saving of almost $17.00 per refill.

On that trip we told fellow travellers about our Facebook site. Sadly, the majority said they didn't like Facebook for a variety of reasons I won't bore you with here.

So Barbara and I 'bit the bullet' and spent a considerable amount of our retirement savings having one of Aust leading web design companies build us a classy website.

Eventually, if we build a big enough audience, we may be able to re-coup some of our money through advertising.

If not … well, at least we are doing something to help others … and that's really all you can do in this life.

I'd like you to check the website out … www.gasbottlerefills.com … but please … be sure you also look at the menu item "Great Travel Tips" http://gasbottlerefills.com/great-travel-tips/

That way you will get a whole lot of information not readily found in the "Find Cheap Gas" section

If you find any issues with the website, or know any locations and prices we don't have, there is provision on the site for you to tell us about them. I'd love to hear from you!

Best wishes

from an old bloke, known to his mates as

Ranndy Stone.

Related Stores

gasbottlerefills.com
gasbottlerefills.com

Comments

  • +14

    Nice website Gordon, I'm sure it'll help out others!

    • +9

      Forskin - Thank you. Yes, we have had rave reviews everywhere and we haven.t even finished our Search Engine Optimisation. I am so relieved OzBargain moderators were able to see we were not 'sockpuppeting'

  • +3

    Looks like a great resource. Is the pricing automated at this point (where it can be)?

    Please take the following as constructive criticism: there's a map below the fold on your home page and it has location drop pins… My instinct was to click them, which doesn't work. Might cause a few issues for users just browsing as it breaks typical UX norms. Also being able to flag a given search result as inaccurate is also probably easier than having a contact page requiring users to fill out their own information to do so.

    • +8

      pais - your comments are MOST APPRECIATED and are very constructive. Could we continue this discussion via email so that we don't clog OzBargain's forum with protracted dialogue. You (and anyone else for that matter) are at most welcome to contact me via [email protected]

  • +8

    Well done and I applaud you for this! I can see it could be helpful to soooooo many people. It seems you have put a lot of effort into this.

    P.S. - to entertain my dry sense of humour, is Randy Stone your working days porn name?

    • +3

      dlf73 - Are you old enough to remember the radio serial 'Night Beat' and it's star, a Chicago reporter named Randy Stone? He was as well-known in pre-TV days as 'Eddie Everywhere' is today. I was a cadet journo in my early working life.

      • Sorry mate before my time.
        Hmm, Michaela Cash not that well known I would have thought!

      • Was curious and googled. Can see how Night Beat would be an extremely captivating program back in the days - a reporter covering night beat, encountering all sorts of characters … Why, it would make an interesting tv show today.

        Thought this might interest you for a bit of nostalgia (if you are not aware already) - article

        In December 2012, Old Time Radio distributor Radio Archives published Nightbeat: Night Stories, an ebook anthology of six new Nightbeat stories.[2] Authors included were Howard Hopkins, Paul Bishop, Will Murray, Tommy Hancock (who also served as editor), Mark Squirek, and Bobby Nash. Each story used the traditional radio opening and closing, as well as Stone's first-person narration. Several characters from the radio series appear, and Hancock's entry – "Lucky" – attempts to explain who "Lucky" Stone from the original pilot really is.

        Nightbeat: Night Stories was also released as an audiobook, read by Michael C. Gwynne.

        • +1

          Yes bluesky … know the piece well. If you research a bit more you will find podcasts of some episodes. You would love the closing moments of each episode. (RANDY STONE) Copy boy!!!

      • +2

        Speaking of old radio serials. Have you got an iPhone?? If so you might like this app which is currently free for a limited time. https://itunes.apple.com/app/id455577974

        • Gravy - no all Android

  • +24

    I clicked on every one of your banner ads.

    • +1

      Ryanek - and you found that the Supagas offer has expired. Yes … we are waiting for them to supply new ads. We want them to get a good result so they will continue to advertise.

    • +3

      same here

    • +4

      Thank you all for "clicks"

    • same here, clicked on the supagas ad thrice. lol

  • +3

    Just out of curiosity, how many bottles can you carry on your vehicle? I was told by a food truck vendor that they could only legally carry 2 of the bottles.

    I wonder how coffee trucks and food trucks get their power/

    • +1

      voteoften - the food truck vendor was correct. The vehicles you refer to … coffee trucks etc … have diesel powered generators as their power source

      • +2

        Thanks. Since you seem super knowledgeable, can you tell me if a food truck could also have a diesel powered generator and would it have a much bigger capacity?

        • +1

          voteoften - sorry don't know the answer to that one. Spent some time talking to a coffee vending operator about his unit but have no knowledge otherwise.

  • +2

    Hey mate, great job. I looked up my location, and indeed the prices are correct at my local camping places where I fill up my gas bottle, so the website does work.

    Kudos.

    I fill up at my local camping place for 2 reasons:

    1. My gas bottle is newish, I didn't want to swap for a crappy one at swap and go places.
    2. I didn't know if there was any difference, but most swap and go places advertise their bottles as 8.5kg, whereas mine is a 9kg bottle. I didn't want to swap for less. :)
    • +2

      geek001 - you will find that 8.5 kg swap bottles are actually 9 kg REFILL bottles under another name. As explained on our Bunnings feature found under 'Great Travel Tips', there is no such thing as a swap n go ONLY bottle. All ‘in date’, undamaged, POL fitting, gas bottles can be refilled (other than Elgas' Go Green bottles) even if at some time in their 10 year life cycle they came through a swap and go outlet.

      • +2

        Thanks for that. I learn something new everyday. Cheers again.

  • +2

    Using Google Chrome + uBlock Origin it did not show me any results after putting in a post code.
    I switched to internet explorer and it works fine.

    Great site.

    • +8

      bonezAU - Yes you are right. There are still a few 'glitches' we have to get straightened out. The website was launched only at the end of May and it has been an enormous job to eliminate such problems. Barbara and I are on the road in FNQ at the moment and most nights I am up at 3am while she sleeps or I might have divorce proceedings pending for neglecting her by day.

  • +4

    Great site mate. I'm surprised that it cost a "considerable amount of your retirement savings". Just thought websites would be fairly cheap to get a well designed in 2016. I hope the idea takes off, will tell others.

    • +4

      wolfenator87 - LOL … it depends on how large your "retirement savings" were in the first place as to whether the cost represented "a considerable amount".

      • +3

        It looks professional so you got what you paid for.

        If you add social media buttons to the results pags, you can connect Facebook users to your website

    • +2

      Even if they spent a few grand it'll take quite a few years to recoup costs I would say.

      But bravo to the OP for making a useful site for people.

      • +7

        serpserpserp - we agree with you 100%. We are resigned to a loss situation but so much enjoy the accolades we are getting. If we spent those "few grand" on a cruise we'd have nothing but memories and 10 kgs extra in excess avoirdupois. At least this way we're doing others a service

        • +8

          Good on you mate! You could also consider adding a donation button? Something like: "Has this site helped you? Buy me a beer/gas refill/contribute to the running costs". Might help cover costs a little?

  • +2

    "Our first major trip … we refilled our 9 kg bottles FIVE times at an average cost of $36.00."

    "Our second big trip … the average cost was $19.02 … a saving of almost $7.00 per refill."

    OP wouldn't that be a saving of almost $17.00 per refill?

    • +2

      Just a typo. From the webpage

      Just $19.02!!! What a huge difference compared to the first trip … a saving of almost $17.00 a refill.

      • +3

        Thank you PJC and bluesky - both correct

        • +2

          Were market gas prices much different between trips one and two. This is so cool. I'm learning all sorts of shizzle on here.

          Just out if curiosity, do you have someone who handles your mail?

        • +1

          voteoften - your first - no - 12 months apart, but WA is a tough market because of the vast distances between towns, especially in the North. But then again, so are the places up thru The Centre. The major difference was in the PLANNING of purchases … knowing IN ADVANCE what prices to expect.
          Your second - yes - we have house-sitters who dispose of junk mail and most of our accounts are by email and direct debits. Hope that answers your queries.

  • +2

    A very useful website! Thank you.

    • +2

      bluesky And thank you for saying so. The more friends and rellies you can tell, the better our chances of attracting advertisers

      • +2

        I will definitely do so :-)

  • +2

    Excellent! More intelligence for the consuming masses \o/

  • +3

    Thanks Ranndy - i'll pass this onto my parents, they've just returned from their first 6-week journey, i'm sure dad will appreciate it :

    • +1
    • +5

      jv … you were joking I know. Hope it wasn't meant to be a sarcastic comment. You wouldn't want that of your 40,000th effort on this site I'm sure

      • +3

        You wouldn't want that of your 40,000th effort on this site I'm sure

        Oh my… only 6 more to go…

        Then I evaporate !!!!

        • +1

          And then only one of your shoes will remain!

        • +3

          Now that would be a GAS!!

        • +1

          39,999th as of 08:10 24Sep2016 AEST.

          Btw: great work OP, will forward the website onto some of my camper friends.

  • +2

    So nice to see someone put in so much effort into something they are passionate about!!

    My partner's parents will be moving across the country and plan to do so in their caravan, ill pass on your page, no doubt it'd be helpful for them :)

  • +2

    Damn it I can't believe what a cool site you made!

  • +2

    Site looks great. It would be good if the results could be ordered by price (e.g. cheapest to most expensive).

    • +2

      Coynoy - We have the "Think Tank" working on it. But really doubt it is possible.

      • +2

        It is very doable with the right tools :)

        good site, but this would be an excellent feature

        • +1

          Shawncrow - Thanks for you kind words. Please see my reply to AFFABLE later in the thread.

      • Nice work. We don't have any such comprehensive website covering price of petrol cross EACH and EVERY petrol station. There are for bits and parts. It might be a great idea to think of it though it's far more challenging since it's almost real-time data and change everyday.

        • virhipool Barbara is the expert on that one. She uses a free app called FUEL MAP which is put out by the same developers that have the hugely successful WIKICAMPS (sells for about $8.00). As for me doing a such a thing - nah - too hard. I'm supposed to be retired - and what am I doing? - sitting up at 1:40am in a motorhome on a sugarcane farmstay at Ayr in FNQ 'nursing a baby' called gasbottlerefills.com! I don't need twins thank you.

  • +2

    I came across your site a while ago and had already bookmarked it.
    Good job. Thanks!

  • +3

    Just checked out your site and wanted to congratulate you / thank you i will definitely be using this in the future

  • +2

    Glad you sorted this out with the mods, they are nice fellows

    Looks like a winner. Saves having to drive the streets to find out where to get the cheapest.

    Where I live according to your site refills are obtainable from $17 - $40

    and Swaps $20 up

    So I'll go with the $17 and then swap when the bottle is close to expiry. Last time I swapped I got a bottle with near on 10 years (it was new)

    • +2

      RockyRaccoon Yes I am sure they are - it's just that their instructions are too difficult to understand. They need to be rewritten in plainer English. Would many near-80 year olds understand what "sockpuppeting" is and what to do if the subject of the post does not have a website … and all this after being banned for a month. Too difficult!

      • +2

        I know what you mean. I have signed up for over 3 years … and still much I don't understand, learning as I go, making mistakes especially in regard to posting, guidelines etc. Fortunately, the moderators are very understanding, they know it is tough, and make allowances, when genuine mistakes are made.

  • +3

    Are you aware of the CamperMate App? We used this for finding similar information in NZ recently, and there is a version available for AU.

    • +2

      Roughana - yes I have been aware of Adam and his remarkable exuberance for some time. Oh boy … if only I was his age again. But I don't think clock springs can be turned back 60 years!!! Never mind … I'll just keep plodding on (with my walking frame), providing gas buyers with precise locations, ACTUAL PRICES, phone numbers and turn by turn map directions to find each refill point. There are plenty of apps for all the other fluff.

  • +3

    JUST LISTED - a refill site in the Sydney southern suburb of GRAYS POINT . the Grays Point Corner Store . a 9 kg gas bottle refill for $14.99 and a 4.5 kg bottle for $11.99. There's not too many cheaper than that in Sydney. See SAM and say you saw it on www.gasbottlerefills.com

    • +1

      How do we submit missing stores?

      • rememberme - If you had private messaging turn in your settings, I would send you a screenshot. But you haven't so I'll try to explain. Go to website www.gasbottlerefills.com > Scroll down home page 'til you see big red square with wording "Know A Missing Site Or Price? Submit Your Find Here"> Click on that and complete the appropriate form> Easy Peasy!

  • +2

    Well done, making a website and so on is a top achievement..

  • +2

    Awesome

  • +2

    Awesome site. Very useful. My neighbour has been paying $30/9kg at the servo down our street.

    Used your app and found a place for $20/9kg. I'm sure she'll be delighted to be introduced to your site. A grey nomad herself.

    • +2

      tshow - I think you just wrote the latest testimonial for my website. Thank you

      • +2

        Please do. Again, all the best with the project. I applaud your effort and your attitude towards tech adoption, especially given your age.

  • +5

    Nice site.

    Any plan to expand your site for 'Eneloop' search?

    = P

  • +2

    Great site. Simple and easy to use. Well done. Bookmarked!

  • Good site, however I could see no way to sort so lowest price is at the top, rather than sorting by distance? Also, the list should filter to what is showing on the Map rather than a 100km radius as my result is 60 screenfuls.

    • +1

      affable - Thank you for your kind words. As I replied to COYNOY earlier, the 'Think Tank' team is working on it, but we doubt it. Price is not the ONLY criteria for grey nomads (for whom the website is principally designed). 'Stay at home' gas buyers are not really our target 'market'. Who is going to make a round trip of, say, 30 km to save $5.00, especially if they use only, say, 2 x 9 kg bottles a year? It is estimated by the ABS that there are as many as 800,000 grey nomads on the move at any one time in Australia. If our website appeals to only 10% of those oldies it would knock OzBargains' total audience into a cocked hat! By the way, how many gas bottle refills/swaps do you need each year? Just out of interest.

      • +4

        I like to know what's a great price… It gives me some bargaining power!

      • +1

        Don't underestimate the value of your site for stay home gas buyers, there are not too many Aussie decks without a gas BBQ. The 30km round trip example likely doesn't apply for larger towns and cities where gas fillers would be bunched much closer together.

      • +1

        Well, I spent 6 months doing a lap of Oz in 2004 in a Kedron with 2x9kg and didn't need a refill, probably because I went with an electric fridge i guess? However if I did, I don't know it would change my choices vs bbq gas? After owning 3 vans and storing mates, I now have a spare and don't swap that often.

  • +2

    Thanks for that - great website. I love your writing. Will pass details on to my parents who are in your target demographic. I've clicked all your links :)

  • +3

    looks like your website has been ozbargained

  • +2

    Excellent site!

    Whilst the site is very straight forward and simple, I think your instructions are too much. (Using chrome on a note 3)

    I think they need to be numbered instead of dot points, and have spaces in between the steps, and have less words.

    I feel like at the moment, it's similar to someone speaking too fast, and if your target audience are grey nomads, they won't remember/understand that much information when they go back to the search page.

    There is nothing for my area, so I will update the closest one to me tomorrow.

    • +1

      smpantsonfire - I really appreciate your suggestions. I am sending you a private message to ask for some help

  • +2

    I regularly use gas bottles and now save $3 per refill, thanks!

  • +2

    well done mate.

    simple and effective. did find a typo for "Stratco" you have it as "Stratro"

    • +4

      baytrail - That's what we want - good sleuths like you. Thank you. Will correct that straight away and sack our resident proof reader - hang on THAT'S ME!

  • +2

    wow that website is really well done, great job on spending the time and resources to make it happen, the world needs more people like you!

  • +2

    Great site +1

  • +3

    Your site is great! It easily and quickly fulfills it's stated purpose of finding closest and cheapest gas bottle refills in Oz.
    Whilst the site, as you say, is geared towards Australia's 800,000 grey nomads, I found it handy to locate cheapest and closest refills for my BBQ gas bottle.
    Thanks for devoting so much time, energy and brain power(to say nothing of financial investment!)to develop a truly useful resource.

    • +2

      rosemoon - Oh wow - my whole family knows I can shed a tear while watching a sad movie on TV. Now you've gone and done it with your lovely comments. Just as well Barbara is sitting up the other end of the motorhome and can't see me!

  • +1

    Great useful site. thanks.

  • +1

    Bandwidth meter exceeded.. uh wot?

    • +4

      Too many people jumping on the site this weekend! It's been Ozbargained

      • +1

        therog but I like it … lol

    • +2

      justin_tsoi Yes but I have paid for an upgrade several hours ago, Waiting for support to activate

      • +1

        Sounds like you might want to consider changing hosting providers. To take your money but not activate till Monday isnt very good.
        checkout www.panthur.com.au I use them for all my clients hostign needs.
        Great site BTW

  • +2

    Website down…

    • turk182 - and AG2015 - yes, not enough band width. Didn't understand the warnings that were being sent. Thought it was spam. Site still working, just store locator and maps are shut down til tomorrow am.

  • +1

    Also found website down still 2hours after last poster commented

  • +1

    Great website Ranndy! Very useful.

    Can I ask - do you have a Weber Q? They are very light on gas usage.

    • +1

      Tony76 - yes Tony, Barbara prepares the most scrumptious meals on our Weber Q

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