LWS markups

admin

Currently pricing some victor torch outfits... so I see at weldfabulous and several other "online stores" are carrying the victor performance outfit for right around 230$. However, I really feel like helping my LWS out and decided to drive 15 miles north to see if they could at least "compete " with the online stores. The online stores have the price beat by 130$... The LWS wouldnt budge on the price... just seems crazy. How do LWS's stay in buisness with markups like that? Maybe just a rant but would anyone here pay 130$ more for the outfit that would cost 230$ in the mail? Really want to keep my buisness local just cant afford it at these rates!Miller Bobcat 250Miller Multimatic 200 Miller & 3M PPEHobart electrodesDeWaltz toolsPT standsVictor MD torchRadnor HD  torch
Reply:absolutely would not hesitate to go to an online store in that case. They've already proven your business doesn't matter to them. No skin off your a$$ to get it from the online place. My lws was willing to match the price on a miller digital elite for the same as an ebay seller which was their cost with no markup at all. Can't argue that kind of service. Probably why I'm willing to drive the hour and a half to go see those guys.
Reply:No way I'd pay. I rarely buy anything in the store unless it is absolutely needed. In this case, though, I would still not buy it even if needed, I could probably ship it overnight and still be cheaper. I'll go to a store and look at something, but buy online.
Reply:Originally Posted by IronWillHow do LWS's stay in buisness with markups like that?
Reply:Thanks for trying Will,the retail industry is a funny enterprise.  I imagine there's incentives from mfgr's in play also, along with what DSW said.  But it's good to at least try and shop local.Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:Prices depend on the customer, the LWS is one of the last places you can dicker over the price. I for one love to be able to negotiate and beat up the salesman. Also as a regular professional customer I get a little extra that the off the street guy does not get. One of my supply houses has a sign behind the counter that simply says " We serve the trade first". I know I pay less than most folks, but I don't advertise the fact. I appreciate the service, and they appreciate the business, it is a mutual agreement.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:If you need it NOW, you need it now.  If you can plan ahead, you can shop.  The LWS also has to stock the item and that costs them money unless they can turn over the inventory quickly."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Originally Posted by IronWillCurrently pricing some victor torch outfits... so I see at weldfabulous and several other "online stores" are carrying the victor performance outfit for right around 230$. However, I really feel like helping my LWS out and decided to drive 15 miles north to see if they could at least "compete " with the online stores. The online stores have the price beat by 130$... The LWS wouldnt budge on the price... just seems crazy. How do LWS's stay in buisness with markups like that? Maybe just a rant but would anyone here pay 130$ more for the outfit that would cost 230$ in the mail? Really want to keep my buisness local just cant afford it at these rates!
Reply:Just be sure you are comparing apples to apples, I love on line shopping but  have been burned when a name like Victor Performer is sold online for $149.99 this package came with standard regulators and the Victor Performer with Edge regulators sell for 229.00 on line..
Reply:Had a guy show me a add, in the fine print after the bold letters it said VICTOR style!I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:How did you find weldfabulos, never heard of them until today.
Reply:Here's my local suppliers website. Check them out for price comparison.http://www.weldersupply.com/products...ipment|Outfits
Reply:2 weeks ago, I was ready to order a miller dynasty 350 package frombrick and mortar supplier that has online store--I.O.C. Indiana Oxygen.In the past with machine purchases I've made and others have made,Airgas was extremely competitive with on line pricing--even withoutasking them to 'do good'. But on this deal, consideringthe relatively high price and my impression of Airgas corporate(not the local store) management practices, I guessed they wouldn'tbe even close.More as a courtesy, I called the branch manager. Just told himwhat was going to happen, without giving him pricing....what could/wouldhe do? Bottom line, including sales tax,, free shipping, they wereonly $140 more than the IOC pricing which meant dealing with PayPal.and a trucking company (if damaged---which means no coverage,with lots and lots of hassle. Paypal protects sellers and screwsthe buyers. If one has to Paypal--do it with a credit card for leveragein disputes).Price before sales tax--they had anybody and everybody beat,hands down. It was easily worth the $140 not to deal with items out of my control and unknown parties. I asked the manager about this later and he said that it's his option/judgmentas to pricing. The fact that every welder I've ever bought, in 24 years hasbeen thru this store, that I get my gas and some consumables as well,that I pay my account like a clock and don't screw them around hasEVERYTHING to do with how they look at you.I'm still surprised.Blackbird
Reply:Additionally, Airgas send folks to me. They have for years....and I reciprocate.Blackbird
Reply:Shipping costs and availability generally determine my shopping local.  If I need something basic, I shop local but if I need something special order and if I don't need it tomorrow, I shop online!Other factors include customer service.  For example, I go through praxair local as opposed to air liquide (across the lake!  The two times I have been in there, the customer service left me feeling dirty and awkward!)  A local welding supplier also went under awhile back, based on service...When I was working up in PG, Canadian Cylinder and Gas was my go-to place.  I loved the fact that they had a 3' long cutting torch hanging on a shelf and the staff was always helpful!I get my welding hats from Pam (Best tradesman hats ever, IMO!  The wait time is worth it!)...And I have this epic pink camo one that I break out for special occasions!  I need to get some new ones though; all of the ones I have..err...have become sentient...so yeah...What I am getting at is, the cost of buying local is worth it, but it's mainly based on service and availability!  I support local businesses, but if it takes them x of y to get it or if it isn't in stock, I will order online.  Customer service makes the difference!Last edited by mb_welder; 10-05-2012 at 08:59 AM.
Reply:Well, I guess the fact that i've been in there several times before ... I also used to go in there and charge things for the company I used to work for, and that I have an account there now personally, seemed to mean nothing to the lady that runs the place. I agree with what MB said in saying that the customer service left me feeling like a turd. I was honest with her and told her what I was looking for and how much I could get it for online. The lady actually acted like she didn't believe me about the prices. I was even willing to pay a reasonable mark up. Just didnt seem reasonable... 160$ more? I can almost buy two outfits for that much from legit online companies. I just feel like you shouldn't have to "haggle" a price at a store.... I always felt like that sort of thing should be left for garage sales and pawn shops... but that's me. I guess for now my broke *** will be buying tools online... will try to give the LWS as much buisness as I can in hopes that it generates a repor and maybe someday they will think i'm special and deserve a "break" on the outrageous prices   Enjoyed the replies .Miller Bobcat 250Miller Multimatic 200 Miller & 3M PPEHobart electrodesDeWaltz toolsPT standsVictor MD torchRadnor HD  torch
Reply:I have to agree, in most secnarios online can be less personal and possibly less supportive.  There are however some that differ.  There some sites I am aware of where the seller offers full support from purchase to installation and trobleshooting.An online store that builds relationships with customer's.
Reply:Online stores shouldn’t be trusted as per my experience. You must go and buy it in stores because it needs a proper check to see if its worth your money or not.
Reply:Most online welding stores are brick and mortar stores as well.  In fact most were established locally long before the internet was around.  They were just the fastest and earliest adopters of the online e-commerce world.  Cyberweld - Established locally in 1947Weldfabulous - Established locally in 1973CentralWelding - Established locally in 1975Indiana Oxygen - Established locally in 1915Bakersgas - Established locally in 1936Harriswelding - Established locally in 1980Weldingsupply - Established locally in 1950Not every website has a brick and mortar store behind, it but some of the biggest names in online welding websites are backed by years of servicing a local area and growing additionally through the Internet.As with anything, just because a location has been around for a long time doesn't guarantee quality of service, but it can be helpful to understand that the place you might be buying from isn't out of some storage unit in New York.Last edited by JRupp; 10-08-2012 at 09:52 [email protected]