"In the meantime, however, I have got my 609."--johnd

OK ! Now you are in charge of what happens and can do it right at the least cost.. Since you are getting guages why are you not going to install the R-12 yourself ( and buy it for the least you can on Ebay for instance ) ?

Oil is usually found either in regular quart containers ( and there is a tool to pull it out and install it with ) or in cans pressurized with the refrigerant you are going to be using ( so you use your can tapper just like the small freon cans).. with a couple of ounces of the refrigerant ...which you take into account when doing your weighing....