U-Haul Adds Fast Pay-at-the-Pump Service for Propane

PHOENIX - July 1, 2009: U-Haul, North America's largest propane-refilling network, has added new U-Haul Fast Pay-at-the-Pump machines to many of its locations across North America.

The handheld scanning device makes refilling your propane cylinder or tank faster and easier than ever before! In addition to the increased speed, U-Haul is reminding the public that refilling your own propane tank can be more cost effective for customers.

Recent news articles have reported that when you exchange your propane tank for a prefilled unit, you are actually getting less propane for your money. In these difficult economic times, every penny counts, and refueling a tank vs. exchanging a tank makes all the more sense. When exchanging a propane tank at a gas station or convenience store, you must wait for someone to unlock the cage and switch the tanks, and then not only can it cost more per gallon than getting it refilled, you also lose any propane left in your tank when you exchange it. With U-Haul, the tank is yours and you pay only for the propane that is added to the tank. Please visit the following links to read about propane-tank-exchange companies being investigated or sued over what is called "short filling."

"Our customers clearly appreciate the fact that U-Haul fills the tank right in front of them and charges for propane only by the gallon, rather than charging a minimum fill or flat fee. They also prefer having their own propane tank refilled, but nobody wants to stand in lines or wait for service," explained Bob Wesson, vice president of U-Haul Retail Sales. "The lines and waiting at busier locations are service issues that challenge exchange and refilling locations alike. Our customers spoke, and we not only listened, we decided to do something about it!"

U-Haul worked aggressively to develop the handheld scanning device and the U-Haul Fast Pay-at-the-Pump machines in time for the 4th of July weekend. Approximately 750 of more than 1,000 U-Haul propane-refueling locations have the new U-Haul Fast Pay-at-the-Pump machines. These devices are designed to make the propane-refill experience go faster and smoother than ever before!

To learn more or to find your nearest U-Haul propane-refilling location, please log on to www.uhaul.com/mypropane.

Since 1945, U-Haul has been the undisputed choice for the do-it-yourself mover, with a network of more than 15,950 locations in all 50 United States and 10 Canadian provinces. U-Haul customers' patronage has enabled the U-Haul fleet to grow to more than 100,000 trucks, 78,500 trailers and 31,100 towing devices. As a result, U-Haul offers more than 384,000 rooms and more than 33.8 million square feet of storage space at more than 1,055 facilities throughout North America. U-Haul is the consumer's number one choice as the largest installer of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket industry. U-Haul supplies alternative-fuel for vehicles and backyard barbecues as one of the nation's largest retailers of propane.