How to sell new propane heater, purchased in error?

Hello forum! I’m new.  My husband and I are in a fix because we just bought an AO Smith propane water heater by mistake.  Only after the plumbers had spent hours with it and installed it did they realize that it’s useless to us because we have natural gas here (in Crown Heights, Brooklyn).  It’s now been unplugged etc and we’ve had an appropriate heater installed.  BUT the company refuses to take it back because they say it’s technically second-hand now, having been ‘installed’ by the plumbers.  The plumbers say it’s as good as new, so it’s just a matter of getting it to someone who wants it and trying to recoup some money.  It cost us 2,117.95 incl tax! AArgh! Here is some info.  It’s a 50-gallon heater, 10,000 BTU Vertex/00 power, Direct Vent Residential Gas Water Heater (LP Gas).   We bought it this week from PexSupply.com. I was recommended to try this forum for advice on selling it.  Please give me any pointers on this – will be most grateful.

sykorova

in Heating 13 years and 5 months ago

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sykorova | 13 years and 5 months ago

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Oh God, I just did a long posting and it’s vanished.  Briefly, I checked out the total cost of a NG conversion, and it’s prohibitive.  Was recommended to put more effort into selling it as a propane heater, so am trying again on Craigs list, having dropped price to 1600 cash only and pick up only…we’ll see.  thank you again, please lt me know of any additional places I can advertise it.  I haven’t done ebay yet…rather expensive..

Master Plvmber | 13 years and 5 months ago

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Call A.O.Smith’s area representative here: http://www.walesdarby.com They’ll get the part number for you, give you a list price and tell you where to get it, which should be AF Supply or Park Slope Plumbing Supply.

sykorova | 13 years and 5 months ago

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That’s very useful to know, but I can’t seem to find the link for the conversion kit anywhere…just some pdf document about AO Smith’s policies about these conversions.  I’m not going to buy it from the people who sold me the heater anyway, since they’ve earned my dislike.  If Tinker could supply the link, I’d be hugely grateful.  Perhaps I could get the conversion done and then try to sell it? Or perhaps that doesn’t make sense.  I’m not sure, just very stressed out at this point.   In our financial situation, I have to try to recoup a good chunk of this money!

Master Plvmber | 13 years and 5 months ago

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Tinker is right. Just convert the unit with the factory-ordered kit and it’ll be like you ordered the natural gas version.

restorationcontractor | 13 years and 5 months ago

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 If you ship (especially UPS) you are going to have to crate it or it will get destroyed. If you have no luck I would be a buyer (pickup myself) in the 500- range. Sorry for the low offer but I do not have a use for it at the current time. I would stick it in my warehouse for future projects as I own properties in the Hudson Valley and Catskills where we all use propane.

sykorova | 13 years and 5 months ago

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Thank you to everyone who has replied so far.  As far as Craigslist goes, it seems that posting on NYC means the posting is duplicated throughout the NY area, because they refused an additional posting for the Hudson Valley.  I’m also contemplating ebay.  I”ve already brought the price down 300 from what I paid (but I got free shipping) but I suppose I should also offer free shipping…nervous what UPS will charge for this monster machine.  Anyway, please keep the ideas coming, I’m interested in all of them.  That one about the jet size sounds interesting.

stevecym | 13 years and 5 months ago

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any place outside of the city which allows propane (in excess of the 20# bbq tanks we are allowed here).  All of Suffolk County allows it so if you list on CL, use Long Island.   I would not rule out selling this to someone in the city if they can find this out:  will chaning the jet size allow this LP unit to be used with NG.  I have researched running different equipment on different gasses and they are the same but for the jet size.  Steve

curiositykilledthecat | 13 years and 5 months ago

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Yep, no one in NYC will need this water heater.  And while it’s a good thought, Elbow, a 50-gallon water heater on a boat doesn’t seem likely. We have friends who live up in Sullivan and Orange counties who rely on propane.  Maybe craigslist for the Hudson Valley? Good luck.

elbow | 13 years and 5 months ago

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People with houseboats and house barges use propane and probably have water heaters.  Although I’ve never seen one advertised there, you could try under boats on Craigs List.    There are also al ot of web sites for the live aboard community.  In NYC, besides the 79th St. boat basin, there are live aboards at Venice Marina, Kings Plaza Marina and a couple of smaller marinas.  There seems to be a large live aboard community in Saeford and maybe Medford and Patchogue, as well as some locations in New Jersey.  Otherwise you’re takling places off the natural gas grid.  The closest I know of are south of here near TVA hydro dams.  They’re all electric but frequently have propane delivered for heat and, perhaps, hot water.

jockdeboeraia | 13 years and 5 months ago

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You will need to file someone out in the country that does not have gas service. Maybe you can find a list or even try eBay. Did your plumber order it, if so it is their problem.