$50 for 'old style' gas containers

[feralkid]

If it's such a problem, wouldn't the marketplace demand drive companies to develop a product to address that issue?

Yes, and trickle-down economics really, really works.

 

[CPA]

I have two of the older style - a one gallon and three gallon - and one of the newer style - a five gallon. So wish I could get an old-style 5 gallon.

 

[PokerGuy]

Yes, and trickle-down economics really, really works.

Don't be an idiot. The two are completely unrelated, why bring something completely unrelated into the thread? If people want a spout that doesn't leak fumes and are willing to pay for it, then obviously someone is going to make such a spout and sell it at Lowes for $9.95. Instead, we have a more expensive product that doesn't work nearly as well and is probably even less "green" because of how much more people spill with these crappy CARB designs than before. But hey, it's the intent that matters right?

This is pretty much the textbook example of identifying a problem that doesn't exist, misdiagnosing it, then mandating a "solution" to "fix" the problem that makes things worse.

 

[darkewaffle]

If it's such a problem, wouldn't the marketplace demand drive companies to develop a product to address that issue?

No. Consumer dollars demand cheaper with far greater strength than they demand safer.

 

[shortylickens]

If it's such a problem, wouldn't the marketplace demand drive companies to develop a product to address that issue?

If you look around America you will see the demand is for flashier products of low quality. People spend 600 bucks on a phone then go and eat garbage and buy junk products for their household. Americans just arent into durable goods anymore.

BUT, you can still get good quality metal gasoline cans on the internet. The quality products exist, they're just much harder to find.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Speaking of how goods are so cheap now, today I bought some phono plugs at The Source (Canadian version of Radio Shack) and when I took them out of the package they literally disintegrated into my hand. No joke. It was as if the plastic was actually sugar.

I ended up having to duct tape the metal part to shield it from the elements as the only thing left of the plastic cover was a small pile of plastic dust. Just unbelievable how cheap some stuff is made now days.

 

[lxskllr]

Tell you what-take your old style gas can, fill in up, seal it and put it in your car overnight. If yours is like either of mine the car will reek of gas fumes in the morning.

I'm not saying this new design is good, but that the problem exists and is real. For some reason it seems to take engineers several years to design effective solutions to apparently simple problems (witness the first few years of low flow toilets, any 1970s or 1980s automobile emission system, early CFL lightbulbs, etc.).

I have a plastic gas can from the 90s. It has a vent cap and the spout is the kind that pulls through the cap, and holds with friction. Questionable, but it hasn't leaked yet. Anyway, that thing puffs up with scary pressure in the sun, and no fume leakage. It's also easy to use.

In contrast, I have the "same" plastic can from the late 90s that has no vent, and some ridiculous spring loaded spout. It doesn't leak fumes either. It also doesn't leak gasoline without hurculean effort. I use that for storage only, and pour gas into my good can for use.

Gas cans aren't the place for "clever" engineering. It's a solved problem, and any "enhancements" are worse than what we already have.

 

[HeXen]

If you look around America you will see the demand is for flashier products of low quality. People spend 600 bucks on a phone then go and eat garbage and buy junk products for their household. Americans just arent into durable goods anymore.

BUT, you can still get good quality metal gasoline cans on the internet. The quality products exist, they're just much harder to find.

I don't think it's actually a demand, no one wants POS products. It's just that many products for most are just temporary or occasional usages. I've seen people put gas in a milk jug, they are not looking to store it, they just want something to put the gas in for their lawn mower or whatever. That guy will be the one that gets a cheap gas can. Same with things such as tools, they need to turn a bolt and China tools from Harbor Freight will do it despite the riskier fact that it may break a lot easier than a quality one. Now a mechanic, carpenter, daily user type of guys would actually seek out better tools.

I myself have been guilty of buying the cheapest product option many times. Like my $10 toaster...3 yrs, still works. Money well spent. My pack of 12 disposable razors for $3, not the smoothest shave but it works and I'm man enough to take a little rough shave so why not?
But everyone has their types of products that they won't buy cheap on.

 

[SlitheryDee]

I bought a new gas can about a month ago. At first I was disappointed to see that all the cans they have now have the spring loaded spout on them, but over a few weeks of use I've decided I prefer it. The flow speed on this one is awesome. You just have to be careful to position the can exactly where you want it before you allow the spout to open because when it engages gas is coming out fast. It is possible to operate one handed with pretty precise control over the amount of gas you allow to flow out because all you have to do to stop it is lift directly up.