Air Gas still '' SUCKS '' !

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A local supplier was bought out by Air Gas this year. This supplier was where I bought a machine, exchanged tanks, and purchased goodies from . Air gas was only three blocks from them but were miserable to deal with.  I called Air gas about exchanging the tanks I bought from the other supplier. For '' ONE ''  125 of 75/25 Air Gas exchange cost was $94.00 !!! WTF, $94.00 !!!! Same tank exchange at a MA/PA supplier $41.00.   They are about 25 miles away but they have my business. I don't know why anyone goes there. Maybe they are better with big business accounts.
Reply:Yup.. They've become a monopoly Bob. It's a damn shame.Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749Yup.. They've become a monopoly Bob. It's a damn shame.
Reply:While still at the counter or on phone, when they tell you what the price is---you need to complain, ideally to thestore manager. You paid something close to full bore 'retail' for that--you don't need to,I don't and make immediate discussion-ususally with manager about this.The counter/phone help doesn't usually have any pricing discretion--they're to quote 'full retail' then seeif the customer takes the bait. Airgas and every other LWS has lots of latitude on gas pricing.Airgas has more latitude than the small or independents, since it owns a bunch of fill and processing plants.More often than not--out here---the independents or small LWS actually get their fills/bottle exchanges, etc.…..from the Airgas fill plant in West Sac.Blackbird
Reply:Even as a bigger customer they still suckVantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:They like to play bait and switch too. Back when Airgas was the new kid in town locally (late '90's) one of their salesmen came into a shop  I was working at, promising great deal and employee discounts, etc.When I went in there and asked about it, they counter guys treated me like I robbed the place. Nope. No discounts or special pricing. Just lots of attitude and high prices.Within ten years of them setting up shop here, they effectively bought out and closed every other weld supply in town (namely AGA/Linde & Airco/BOC) except Purity. They tried to buy them out too, but Purity is big enough and the family that owns it, wealthy enough that they basically told Airgas to stick it. Purity has been around since the late 30s tho and have a very, very loyal customer base.They also have their own Acetylene plant and don't need to buy anything gas wise from anyone. I think they have seven stores between Michigan and Indiana.Thank God for that! It would royally suck to have Airgas as the only show in town. Funny how lots of ppl will drive long distances to avoid dealing with them. I know there are some good stores out there, but it looks like they're few and far between.Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:My local Airgas is pretty much the opposite, its actually gotten quite competitive.  They are the only dealer in town, and the next nearest is 45 mins away...but their prices are basically the same (without the drive).  Wasn't always like this, though, but they have changed over the years and will now swap out any customer owned tank (doesn't have to be an Airgas marked tank).
Reply:no one likes air gas... they do suck! i don't know how they are still in business!?? I travel 60 kilometers to get to praxair (canada), they are the best around! Praxair treats you with respect, honesty, they have a great line of products and they have great cylinder prices...Say no to Airgas!!!!! hahahaVictorPraxairAir LiquideMillerLincoln Electric
Reply:Where do you get your gas from Bob? For some reason I want to say you said you were in Gurnee? Ever tried American Gases?John 3:16(2) Miller Pheonix 456(2) Millermertic 252Dynasty 210DXHobart 210MVPDoringer D350 SA Cold SawScotchman 350LT Cold SawWebb 10x50 MillWebb 15x40 LatheGeka Bendicrop Ironworker
Reply:The local employees are good people. They seem to have no authority to alter pricing. They can delete charges such as shipping, fuel surcharges, and the dreaded hazmat fee on some items. I accept hazmat charges on bottled gasses, a back cap for my TIG torch is not hazardous.Corporate bosses are predators mimicking Mafia.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:Think you are getting hosed, gouged. My LWS was bought out by them, 125 bottle TIG mix 55 bucks exchange. Got another area, next town to check? After reading the complaints here, was expecting the worst.Magazines have issues, everything else has problems
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1A local supplier was bought out by Air Gas this year. This supplier was where I bought a machine, exchanged tanks, and purchased goodies from . Air gas was only three blocks from them but were miserable to deal with.  I called Air gas about exchanging the tanks I bought from the other supplier. For '' ONE ''  125 of 75/25 Air Gas exchange cost was $94.00 !!! WTF, $94.00 !!!! Same tank exchange at a MA/PA supplier $41.00.   They are about 25 miles away but they have my business. I don't know why anyone goes there. Maybe they are better with big business accounts.
Reply:Before I had my account I got great deals from Airgas and now I get even better but its only because the manager is an awesome guy who worked at the same location when it was locally owned. Having the option for a tax break on a multiple grand purchase really helps out but again I spend more on tools than I make.  Seems like Airgas only has a couple of good stores and I am lucky compared to all the people who chime in about Airgas.Matheson tri gas really sucks as they charged me $90+ for a 60cf cylinder of c25 and I took them a 80cf cylinder, MOTHER $@#$@ !!! I walked in one day to ask about helium and got laughed at, guy says no helium and I took off to look at their lincoln rods but in confusion the guy thought I walked out of the store and could hear him telling the other employee that 2 bean bags came in asking about helium.  I am Hispanic and my wife is Caucasian but it was the first time I ever experienced that ( don't know what to call it) but the guy was clearly a racist son of a b!tch!  I was shocked more than anything else but had it happen to me in my 20's I would of probably grabbed a chipping hammer and had at him , next week I went to Airgas and got 110cf lab grade helium $50. Matheson around here is also more expensive, when I was shopping around for an engine drive years ago I was looking for the bobcat 250, Mathenson wanted $4,500 went to Airgas and got it for $2,800.
Reply:My local Airgas is one of the better lws in my town. They will swap any bottle 150 cf or smaller where a couple of others won't. I paid $28 for a 150 cf c25 last week.
Reply:Originally Posted by EcondronWhere do you get your gas from Bob? For some reason I want to say you said you were in Gurnee? Ever tried American Gases?
Reply:Originally Posted by Willie BCorporate bosses are predators mimicking Mafia.
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1American Gases and Scott are great people to deal with. The company I worked for bought from them exclusively after switching over from Air Gas. American was almost half the cost on tank  exchanges . We talking lots of tanks. I did talk to them about tanks years ago for my personal use. I had some tanks I bought from Craigs list. Back then they were a little concerned about where your tanks came from and were not too happy about exchanging tanks where certification has expired and were not their tanks.  Their prices were higher then Rockford Welding. So I went to Rockford Welding in Pleasant Prairie Wisconsin, nicer easier drive. There were great and no issues with expired tanks. That was great until Air Gas bought them outNOW I go to Advanced Welding Supply Company, Inc  www.AdvancedWeldingSupply.com . It's a small MA /PA setup and the guys are great. A little bit of a drive but worth it. Now all my tanks are from them. No issues at all and reasonable prices plus they'll exchange the large 330's too. Here's their prices on tank purchase, http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/tld/5149653982.htmlCurrently I think American Gases are about the same price as where I go now from what I was told by others. Actually, Scott gave a friend of mine a box of new stick rod for me to try for evaluation. I think American Gases is more accommodating now.
Reply:If you go , CALL FIRST !!! CHRIS, (414) 281-9502   They do there own deliveries and just lock up the joint . and leave        Their prices were not bad on mig wire. I did buy some SS small spools and it was about what online were. They are awesome with tanks. I had a OLD 135 acetylene with the key valve that had to be thirty years old . I asked about exchange and no problem, charged a few bucks for certification and came home with another.
Reply:I'd quit welding and go into basketweaving sooner than I'd EVER deal with Airgas ever again. I could go on for hours, but suffice it to say, the only thing that exceeds their incompetence is their crookedness.It's just too bad they're not more incompetent at being THIEVES.
Reply:The airgas near me is the best one I have around we have arcet Welding and they are the worst to deal with extremely high pricing no company discounts. No customer service and the people behind the counter have no idea what there selling make are inconvenienced when you ask them a question. They are pitiful I have bought my last 4 engine drives , 2 plasma cutters and my mig from them. They are further away but I will drive the extra to deal with people who have the knowledge to answer questions about the product they are selling.Sent from my C811 4G using TapatalkVantage 300 kubota ,miller 304 xmt ,lincoln ln 25 pro , ranger 305 G, plenty of other tools of the trade to make the sparks fly.
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749They like to play bait and switch too. Back when Airgas was the new kid in town locally (late '90's) one of their salesmen came into a shop  I was working at, promising great deal and employee discounts, etc.When I went in there and asked about it, they counter guys treated me like I robbed the place. Nope. No discounts or special pricing. Just lots of attitude and high prices.Within ten years of them setting up shop here, they effectively bought out and closed every other weld supply in town (namely AGA/Linde & Airco/BOC) except Purity. They tried to buy them out too, but Purity is big enough and the family that owns it, wealthy enough that they basically told Airgas to stick it. Purity has been around since the late 30s tho and have a very, very loyal customer base.They also have their own Acetylene plant and don't need to buy anything gas wise from anyone. I think they have seven stores between Michigan and Indiana.Thank God for that! It would royally suck to have Airgas as the only show in town. Funny how lots of ppl will drive long distances to avoid dealing with them. I know there are some good stores out there, but it looks like they're few and far between.
Reply:Don't even get me started on those over priced lowlife rip off wanna be big Whigs. I sold both my 300 airgas bottles for 700$ and went to matheson and bought two owner 300 bottles for my mig and my tig. Paid 300 each for the bottle and the exchange is 40$ and some change. I love matheson. I pay $1.05 a pound for hard wire mig. $1.95 a pound for Lincoln outersheild. $2.15 a lb for 7018. I get free gloves, strikers, glasses, cleaner drills all the time.
Reply:The only time I deal with Airgas is when I have to for work (they have a contract with Airgas). For my own stuff it is cheaper to pay for the gas to drive an hour to Haun welding supply. Back when it was Merriam Graves it was great now it sucks.My "collection":Homemade Stick WelderVictor O/A TorchAC 225Ideal Arc 250HF 90 Amp Flux CoreHF Mig 170Solar 2020 Plasma CutterPower i-Mig 140EHarris O/A torchHF Dual Mig 131140STAlpha Tig 200x
Reply:In east Tennessee and NW GA we now have Holston Gases and they are great to work with. Try them if near you.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Originally Posted by vwguy3Steve, I thought with 18 stores and a state of the art fill plant Mittler Supply would not be bought up.........wrong. Not saying it will happen to Purity.....but money can do funny things to people.The majors will grow through acquisition......we, on this site, don't like it but it is going to continue to happen. It's sad that large corporations run by college educated know nothings are going to phuck over the small guy....and the big guy if they can.The power of money. I knew of a company where they were losing jobs by a small margin. The owner who was on the losing side got pissed enough that he bought out his competitor. You can do that if your wealthy.
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749Jim Maguire is retiring at the end of the year tho. I'm still trying to process how big of a loss to the local guys and to Purity that's going to be. He doesn't even know who they're gonna tap to replace him, if they do. It's gonna suck and I'm not looking forward to it. I'm super happy for him, it's just gonna be a huge pair of shoes for someone to fill.He's been my go to guy for close to 13 years.
Reply:Originally Posted by storemanSounds like a good job for YOU Steve.Jerry
Reply:I just bought a 125 tank from Airgas, they told me 65 bucks to refillAm I in for a surprise when I go back in?