WOW. Awful experience at local Airgas.

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Preface: new welder, with a new TIG machine on the way.I went up to airgas (Louisville, KY) on my lunch break to pick up some supplies for my soon arriving TA 185.  All I decided to get was 1lb of 1/16 and 1lb of 3/32 ER70S-2 filler.  I let the guy pick it out for me and ring me up, and it was $18.xx total.  Sounded weird, I thought it was around $6 a lb.  So I go to the car, and look at the reciept, there is a $4 hazmat fee (which I was not told about).  I look at the rod... and it says R45 on it... not what I asked for.I went back into the store and the guy at the counter (he was pretty rude and seemed like he could really care less about me) asked what I needed.  I asked about the haz fee, and he looked at me like I was stupid and said "thats been around for at least 6 yrs, and said it helps pay for airgas' operating expenses, etc" (right...)I then ask why he gave me R45 rod instead of the ER70S-2  that I asked for.  he replied "you wont notice a difference"  I went and looked at the rack, and sure enough, they had the filler I wanted in stock, on a shelf below the R45.  I later found out that R45 is gas welding rod (I'm sure you more experienced guys knew this already, but I didn't find out until I went to another LWS that was MUCH more helpful and better to deal with).So, basically I felt like he was jerking me around and trying to line his pockets with my money.  I may be young (23), but I am not stupid.  I asked for my money back, and he huffed and puffed and finally canceled the transaction, however, he wanted to keep my copy of the receipt and said "you'll see it process tonight, but tomorrow you will get it credited back".  I had to ask him to give me my copy of the receipt back, and write on it that I returned the items, in case something didn't process correctly with my bank.Overall... An awful experience for an admitted welding newb (maybe I shouldn't have let him know I was new to welding?).  I wouldn't step foot back in that place for all the tea in china.  I dont know why some people do this (try to take advantage of young people).  The little bit they gain from the ones that dont ask questions surely cant be more than what they loose from potential long time customers.  At any rate, rant off, I went to another LWS and was treated great.  Got my filler rod and a pair of gloves for what it cost for just the filler (and the retarded $4 haz fee) at airgas.
Reply:Well, I'd say you should expect to get talked down to a lot.  I'm 25 (but look 15)and started working in a welding shop when I was 16.  I'm no welding expert, in fact I just do it on the side now since I'm an engineer, but even knowing the guys at my LWS they still talk to me like I'm an idiot.  I just accept it and move on.  Personally, I do my homework before I go there and don't rely on the guy there to make any decisions for me.  At you'll leave with what you wanted, rather than something he accidentally grabbed or something.Millermatic 135Syncrowave 250
Reply:Funny you say that, I'm graduating soon as an electrical engineer.  I would have thought knowing what rod to ask for specifically would have been sufficient, obviously I was wrong.  I also think if you are going to charge someone a fee of any sort you should let them know about it before processing the transaction.
Reply:I'm sorry you had a bad experience, but I doubt it has much to do with your age.  Most of the customers at an Airgas franchise are going to be in the trade and pretty familiar with how the process works.  A lot of them are going to represent big-dollar, long-standing accounts.  Those customers aren't looking for an experience like you'd get at a Home Depot or an Ace Hardware where the employees are there to hold everyone's hands while they dip their toes into the DIY world.  I think as you get more comfortable with what you're doing and what you need, you'll find the world less irritating.  You're not going to get pampered; you're just going to get your consumables.That said, I don't much care for my local AirGas.  They charge too much.  I use a local outfit (Sims Welding Supply, here in Los Angeles) instead.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:I think no one should have to deal with piss poor service just because they arent a multi-thousand dollar customer.  If your doors are open to the general public, then you should be prepared to handle all types of customers, regardless of age, experience, purchasing capacity, etc.  If you only want to deal with large accounts, lock the doors, take down your open sign, and have an application to become a customer.  I also didn't say I found 'the world' irritating.  I had a great experience at another LWS (welders supply).  They got me the filler rod, talked to me about different hoods and gloves, how their cylinder leases work, etc, and did so with a smile and without talking down to me like im an idiot.
Reply:Sounds like the cop who pulled my wife over for running a STOP sign.  He had to do some serious back-pedalling when she pointed out that it had been changed to a YIELD sign.  Some people just can't admit it when they made a mistake.It's not just youth that gets the "he's too dumb to know" treatment.  My gray hair is sometimes seen as a target, but my face is much younger and usually nips that treatment.  The treatment is often a little nicer if I'm armed..  A soft-voiced old man who uses "Please" and "Thank you" with store clerks is seen differently when there's a firearm on his belt ;-)   (I'm licensed for concealed carry but am more likely to open carry.)John
Reply:Well, excellent work, no way I'd have been able to hack it as an EE.  I'll keep the jokes about EEs to myself.  hahaha.  Anyway - you're right, you shouldn't have to deal w/ that crap but welders are a different breed.  I got real thick skin working at my old shop.  Maybe the guy was having a bad day - I always try to give two chances.  I may just be a DIYer for now, but I still do spent a lot of money there so I expect service.  Really makes it hard to try to support your local stores when they provide poor service - might as well just order it on the internet and not deal with them.  I wouldn't say asking a question like that is getting pampered, nor is asking what all of the fees are or expecting him to ring up your purchase without an attitude.  BTW, not to hijack but you have an amazing garage/car, Jack.Millermatic 135Syncrowave 250
Reply:Originally Posted by papaof2Sounds like the cop who pulled my wife over for running a STOP sign.  He had to do some serious back-pedalling when she pointed out that it had been changed to a YIELD sign.  Some people just can't admit it when they made a mistake.It's not just youth that gets the "he's too dumb to know" treatment.  My gray hair is sometimes seen as a target, but my face is much younger and usually nips that treatment.  The treatment is often a little nicer if I'm armed..  A soft-voiced old man who uses "Please" and "Thank you" with store clerks is seen differently when there's a firearm on his belt ;-)   (I'm licensed for concealed carry but am more likely to open carry.)John
Reply:I had the same experience last time I bought tig rods from airgas, with similar statements...I buy from another distributor now on most of my wire and filler metals.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:And..... more bad news.... LOLMy dad has an extra argon cylinder he was gonna let me have... but its an airgas cylinder.  Can I take the damn thing up there and get money for it so I can buy a cylinder from a company that doesnt treat me like sh!t?  Welders supply says they will only fill their tanks, and that its against the law to fill another companies tank.  What are my options here... as I dont want to give a penny to that place (airgas).
Reply:I usually say something and then give a second chance, if they blow it the second time I let them know they lost a customer.The local Airgas here was rude to me once because they did not have the 6010 rods I wanted and tried to tell me to get 6011 because "they are the same thing IF you know how to weld."  I told him I did not appreciate his smart a$$ answer and would go elsewhere. Went back a couple months later and got a different guy, same attitude with "the just get what I tell you" to attitude. So I told him about it and left.About three months later a friend of mine wanted to buy a new engine drive welder. He went down there and was talking to the guy and got a little irritated at them and called me to help him decide what to buy. He wanted the Lincoln Ranger 305G with the Kohler engine which is about $6500. I told him not to buy anything until I get there.When I walked in one of the previous problem people I had saw me walk in and ignored me. I went to my friend who was talking to another guy and was also getting the "Just buy what I tell you to" attitude.We left and went to another welding sales place and bought the Lincoln Ranger 305G and they loaded it up. We went back to the Airgas place and asked for the manager, showed him the welder and receipt. He asked why we went to the other company and my friend said; "Because of that guy right there," pointing at the gut he was talking to earlier. After about a 30 minute chewing from my friend on their service we left and the manager went back into the office quite irritated.I am very happy with the small LWS that I use now, no need to go anywhere else.
Reply:Double posted somehow.Last edited by Bob Warner; 11-29-2010 at 08:34 PM.Reason: Double post
Reply:Sorry you had a bad experience at AIRGAS. I agree that its not your age its them.I have an account with them for my company, we do thousands of dollars of business with them monthly and have the same issues. Example: I ordered gas last week for the container yard and they sent me 7 acetylene, 2 oxygen & 2, 75/25 mix. They were asked to send 150 LBS of 1/8 6011, 2 acetylene, 7 oxygen and I told them we still had 75/25. Point being thats a thousand bucks of crap I didnt need! So I wound up driving them back and exchanging them on my dime and getting the rods they forgot to send. Waisting time and it takes forever for them to keep get my account straight! I just cant beat the prices they offer us. Arcet was the same way with me, thats why I went to airgas.Sorry for the ramble, but I have heard and had so many issues with them! You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else. Albert Einstein
Reply:Originally Posted by KylecivicsiAnd..... more bad news.... LOLMy dad has an extra argon cylinder he was gonna let me have... but its an airgas cylinder.  Can I take the damn thing up there and get money for it so I can buy a cylinder from a company that doesnt treat me like sh!t?  Welders supply says they will only fill their tanks, and that its against the law to fill another companies tank.  What are my options here... as I dont want to give a penny to that place (airgas).
Reply:I hear what your saying. Ialways try to deal with the mom and pop shops because you get to deal one on one usually with the owners and you can wheel and deal with them. Also your not stuck buying brand products that are inferior and only what airgas, praxair, linde or what ever the corporate monsters call themselves have in stock at the time.Thermal arc raider 10,000 proESAB multimaster 260300 amp ac/dc heliweldhobart handler 140lincoln LN 25 wirefeedermiller spoolmate 200profax sp 200ramsond cut 50dy plasma cuttercampbell hausfield 30 gallon air compressor
Reply:That sucks, If they told me 6011 burns the same "IF" I knew how too weld.....Then why are you behind the counter ********? Why am I tooling around with thousands of dollars of company gear and material if "YOUR" the hot-shot??The more Im around, the less attitude Im getting....Our Airgas is good, they dont kiss my boots but I dont get attitude from them either...Lincoln Power MIG 210 MP ( boat anchor )Lincoln Weld-Pac 100 HDHobart IronMan 230Cutmaster 42Jackson NexGenSumner Ultra ClampsDWM120
Reply:Originally Posted by mot krigWell, excellent work, no way I'd have been able to hack it as an EE.  I'll keep the jokes about EEs to myself.  hahaha.  Anyway - you're right, you shouldn't have to deal w/ that crap but welders are a different breed.  I got real thick skin working at my old shop.  Maybe the guy was having a bad day - I always try to give two chances.  I may just be a DIYer for now, but I still do spent a lot of money there so I expect service.  Really makes it hard to try to support your local stores when they provide poor service - might as well just order it on the internet and not deal with them.  I wouldn't say asking a question like that is getting pampered, nor is asking what all of the fees are or expecting him to ring up your purchase without an attitude.  BTW, not to hijack but you have an amazing garage/car, Jack.
Reply:My airgas is pretty good... Theyre the only place ive ever been to, and ive only bought gas and gloves there, so i dont really have any experience.I will say, that ive seen pictures of cylinders "de-badged". I dont condone the practice, and im sure not telling you to, but it can be done. Some work with a pry bar, an angle grinder with a cutoff disk, some bondo to smooth out the grinder marks and a hack job with the cheapest paint you can find, and no one will ever know. Again, i dont condone it, and if you do it, its at your own risk.[Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:Originally Posted by joedirt1966You could have said to the guy behind the counter…..”Good thing I went to college and earned my EE, otherwise I would have a $#!t job like you.”  “I won’t hold your poor customer service and bad attitude against you because you seem to be too ignorant to know any better.”  Have a nice day.Of course, then you would have to send your dad to get the tank refilled.
Reply:Originally Posted by LanseMy airgas is pretty good... Theyre the only place ive ever been to, and ive only bought gas and gloves there, so i dont really have any experience.I will say, that ive seen pictures of cylinders "de-badged". I dont condone the practice, and im sure not telling you to, but it can be done. Some work with a pry bar, an angle grinder with a cutoff disk, some bondo to smooth out the grinder marks and a hack job with the cheapest paint you can find, and no one will ever know. Again, i dont condone it, and if you do it, its at your own risk.
Reply:The LAST time I used the local Airgas store was an issue with an argon regulator that I bought from them.  No gas would come from the regulator to the torch.  I pulled the regulator and looked it over.  It was obvious that the outlet hole was not open.  I didn't have time to mess with it so I took it with me to the university's welding shop since I was on my way over there. One of the instructors there looked at it and found the same thing that I did.  The hole was scored but not drilled through, a manufacturing defect.  When I took it back to Airgas for replacement the jerk at the counter took the regulator and said " I'll be right back". He comes back and it had a perfect hole drilled in it.  I asked him if he drilled it and he denied that he did and would not give me my money back or exchange it. He said that it just had something in the hole and that he just blew it out.  He must have thought we were just too damned stupid to have already thought of doing that. May not have been a problem had I known it had been drilled to the proper size and that it would meter gas correctly but he did not instill any sense of confidence with me. He just lied to me about what he had just done.Never been back.StephenMillermatic 251Miller Syncrowave 200Miller 30A SpoolgunHypertherm Powermax 30Etc., etc., etc.............Cancer Sucks!
Reply:Perhaps Airgas should change their name to Arrogant @$$.
Reply:Originally Posted by joedirt1966You could have said to the guy behind the counter…..”Good thing I went to college and earned my EE, otherwise I would have a $#!t job like you.”  “I won’t hold your poor customer service and bad attitude against you because you seem to be too ignorant to know any better.”  Have a nice day.Of course, then you would have to send your dad to get the tank refilled.
Reply:Wow that sucks, I guess we are lucky here in Tucson, I have been to 4 different LWS here including Praxair and Consolidated, always been treated really well. There is a lot of competition for business and they all do their best to get yours. I have not been to Airgas though.I've been treated rudely in other kinds of stores though, one time I told a clerk out loud for all to hear " Are you having a bad day or are you always this rude?"Try that sometime, you have a right to be treated well by the people you are giving your money to.Miller Challenger 172Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC 225/150Miller Maxstar 150 STLVictor 100CVictor JourneymanOxweld OAHarris O/ASmith O/A little torchNo, that's not my car.
Reply:I know how u feel im 20 and ive been dealing with industrial suppliers since i was 14 ive been treated like i was sh#t or stupid at everyone but praxair and tenaquip and those are the 2 i deal with now.  When ever a LWS or industrial supplier were being rude towards me i reminded them that the young guys were the future of the industry and told him i was going somewere that realizes that. I did and now i get great discounts and treated like anybody else or even better considering i get tillman 850,s for $20 and 24c's for $15 and guys i know that spend thousands a month get them for $27 and $24 lol. Lmao i also remember being 15 pickin up a $400 block of aluminum for the machine shop i worked at, the owner of the metal supply was trying to get me to sign the p.o. when there was a massive dent in the block and i remember argueing with him for awhile and yelling at him i left and he ended up having to kiss my boses a$$ to keep him as a customer, my boss was quick tempered and not happy to have to go over there and get the block.Our airgas down here in belton has pretty cool guys in it, atleast i never had any problems with them, ive had bad experiences tho in other stores that seem to promote  bad customer service by hiring retards that seem to be upset that they are stuck working a 6 dollar an hour job 40 hours a week with 3 kids.
Reply:Originally Posted by blubyu02Our airgas down here in belton has pretty cool guys in it, atleast i never had any problems with them, ive had bad experiences tho in other stores that seem to promote  bad customer service by hiring retards that seem to be upset that they are stuck working a 6 dollar an hour job 40 hours a week with 3 kids.
Reply:It can get worse, here in Yuma if UR an old guy they automatically assume UR a winter visitor.  Unfortunately many visitors act like jerks to the clerks... so pretty soon each season the sales staff decides to dis the 'birds. The snowbirds get more and more  touchy and it gets worse and worse till they ~fly~ home in March. Yelling, hissy fits all that from BOTH sidesI am going to get a cap that says " I am a local yokel, BE NICE".  Hmmm, probably just figure me for an old stupid dude and still get the cold shoulder.  I would like to spit some beechnut in the eye of that broad on the Progressive TV ad, yup, old folks talk funny... but I would NEVER buy insurance from those guys. I go in Lowe's  near every morning like clockwork, and I freely spend $ there, every clerk knows me on sight, I return stuff with no squabbles,and it is a keen store... for me.   Airgas is weird aren't they?  I get the bums rush in there and I've laid down some $ there several times.  They got a poor image to the weldors, can't be doing them any good.cold morning here, I don't feel like messing in the shop. I think I'll go over to Airgas and ask a lot of goofy ?s and buy nuthin'. enjoy,Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Originally Posted by PapaLionIt can get worse, here in Yuma if UR an old guy they automatically assume UR a winter visitor.  Unfortunately many visitors act like jerks to the clerks... so pretty soon each season the sales staff decides to dis the 'birds. The snowbirds get more and more  touchy and it gets worse and worse till they ~fly~ home in March. Yelling, hissy fits all that from BOTH sidesI am going to get a cap that says " I am a local yokel, BE NICE".  Hmmm, probably just figure me for an old stupid dude and still get the cold shoulder.  I would like to spit some beechnut in the eye of that broad on the Progressive TV ad, yup, old folks talk funny... but I would NEVER buy insurance from those guys. I go in Lowe's  near every morning like clockwork, and I freely spend $ there, every clerk knows me on sight, I return stuff with no squabbles,and it is a keen store... for me.   Airgas is weird aren't they?  I get the bums rush in there and I've laid down some $ there several times.  They got a poor image to the weldors, can't be doing them any good.cold morning here, I don't feel like messing in the shop. I think I'll go over to Airgas and ask a lot of goofy ?s and buy nuthin'. enjoy,
Reply:nothing but good to say about the Airgas folks around here
Reply:I have no use for Airgas, I buy from my LWS. I get better service, better prices, and I can actually talk to the counter guys without wanting to throw them off the loading dock.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Hey guys,I see the majority who have posted appear to have had really crappy experiences with Airgas, although a few have a good relationship. I guess I'm fortunate to have a really superb Airgas LWS only 7 mi from my home. They have been quite accomodating, very friendly, & even bent a bit backwards to provide me with refilling my small(40cf) bottle of C2 &7 keeping a spare filled for me. When I first asked, the counter fellow said they only filled the 320cf bottles of C2. The fellow in the tank area who does all the refills, knowing I was also a biker, told me to bring in my bottle & he would take care of filling & keeping a spare for me when I needed it again. He even exchanged a few bottles I had from years ago, not theirs, & indicated I had to pay an xtra couple-dollar test fee with the price of the refill. Can't beat that kind of service & I repaid my gratitude with sending them additional customers that they acknowledged & thanked me with some nice discounts. I guess you gotta kinda get the "feel" of the employees at any LWS & if necessary, have a talk with the manager. If they have that "really-don't-need-you" attitude, simply move on & just tell them what a shame they don't need your business or recommendations.... THEIR LOSS!DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:the air gas in henderson ky is absolute crap, i had several disappointing experiences at airgas.... they completely lost my business... their contents and consumables are completely overpriced and they force you into a yearly lease that you dont need.. i bought my lincoln 180c mig and Thermal Arc tig from indiana oxygen because airgas is a complete waste of time and space.. they think they are the only welding supply place on the planet.. i was ready to buy a tig weldeer and mig welder from airgas if they would come down on their prices some, they wouldnt come down on their prices.. so i went to Indiana Oxygen for my purchase, saved several hundred dollars also, enough to get 2 125cu.ft bottles from weld-rite  i took my business to weld-rite in princeton indiana, much better service, friendly people, argon and c25 is half the cost.. here they deliver to my house, which is very nice... kyle, honestly i would take your dads bottle and return it to airgas if it were me, tell the manager of your experience shake his hand and be on your merry way... you dont need airgas, especially after the way you were treated..  you have a Welding & Therapy Service in Louisville, its at 5010 Crittenden Drive Loiusville,KY.... the weld-rite i use is a satellite company owned by Welding&Therapy Services.. if you use your welder quite a bit, i think you'll make your money back in savings on the price of contents alone pretty quick.. i know compared to what airgas wanted for contents, i pay right at half of what airgas wanted for a 125cu.ft. of argon and also c25...what more could you want?heres a video[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uxPPv2eXkI[/ame]Last edited by brucer; 11-30-2010 at 02:23 PM.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:My local Airgas treated me great.  Guy actually went out of his way to not charge me for a tank, when he easily could.  That was the first and only time I have been in there, but I will be back for refills, and other supplies UNTIL I get treated that way.  So far, so good though.