Another Airgas cylinder question/rant

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Today I was at my local Airgas (always been wonderful, great service unlike most air gases) getting one of my 80cf cylinders filled. I asked if I could upgrade to a 125cf, and I was told that they no longer give a credit towards a up size cylinder. So the only way I can get a 125 now is to straight out buy one off of them. Being I own the 80 (even though they exchange with a another 80 one for a refill) they will not take it in as a trade in. Before I could just take my cylinder in and they would give me credit towards a lager one if I wanted to upsize. I was told no more though.  If I want the 125 I have to buy it, they will not buy back my 80. By the way argon went up for me,  I got a 80cf refill for $20.00 a year ago, today it was $48.00. He told me all gas prices went up. He said he can't even get helium anymore?Ya gotta spend money to make money!
Reply:Maybe try a different supplier for a 125 tank and just keep the 80 too. you could sell it on craig's list too.
Reply:Originally Posted by welderShaneToday I was at my local Airgas (always been wonderful, great service unlike most air gases) getting one of my 80cf cylinders filled. I asked if I could upgrade to a 125cf, and I was told that they no longer give a credit towards a up size cylinder. So the only way I can get a 125 now is to straight out buy one off of them. Being I own the 80 (even though they exchange with a another 80 one for a refill) they will not take it in as a trade in. Before I could just take my cylinder in and they would give me credit towards a lager one if I wanted to upsize. I was told no more though.  If I want the 125 I have to buy it, they will not buy back my 80. By the way argon went up for me,  I got a 80cf refill for $20.00 a year ago, today it was $48.00. He told me all gas prices went up. He said he can't even get helium anymore?
Reply:as shovelon said your airgas moron is full of **** as for the bottle deal thats up to them go somewhere elseI can walk into or have it delivered from airgas here or cameron or praxxair and get UHP argon or helium or industrial argon with no problem price has not changed on anything I have gottenwhat sounds like happens is the individual store managers are taking advantage of there customersside note praxxair will let me down size say i bring in a 330 and want a couple 154s they have no problem doing that or if i want to trade a 40 to a 80 to a 154 no problem they just charge for the gasLast edited by WeldorWes; 10-07-2013 at 08:16 PM.Miller Xmt 350Lincoln Ln-25Ahp 200xSmith Gas Mixer AR/HTig is my Kung FuThrowing down dimes and weaving aboutInstagram http://instagram.com/[email protected]
Reply:I just dealt with the same BS at my airgas, I paid 60 for a 60 cf bottle of argon in NY. I heard the same story that helium and argon doubled, six months ago I had the same 60cf bottle filled with argon for 30 bucks. I called a independent dealer last week and he was at 35.00 for the same bottle. I also asked about trading an airgas bottle for a larger 125cf bottle and paying the difference and was shot down. IT WAS THERE CYLINDER!!! Really!!!  I'm done with airgas!!!I also posted under"argon prices" about airgasLast edited by Basicwelder54; 10-07-2013 at 09:48 PM.
Reply:On one hand, it may not really matter if they "give you credit" when upgrading if the "credit" is a rip off.  My LWS's "credit" is little enough that I'd keep the smaller bottle anyway or sell it on CL.  YMMV.
Reply:I have about had enough of the Airgas monopoly. This has gotten completely out of hand. I am going to draft a letter to the do nothing closed congress. Monopolies and larceny are both illegal. If anyone is interested maybe we can get this thing going with all the welders in the US. Airgas is going to continue to escalate the screwing until somebofy does something. Anyone willing to help?Millermatic 211Lincoln Precision TIG 225Century 250 MIGLincoln 225 AC Box (sold)I support my local welding store (Amazon, McMasterCarr, Cyberweld, EBay).
Reply:I was told by a PraxxAir sales person that AirGas just bought a Welding Supply company in Beloit, WI. This company (Rockford Welding?) used to undercut Praxx and Air by a lot! Now with them buying this company, we will only have 2 choices to go to! Memory is foggy this morning!
Reply:Air ga$ = $ervice with a $mile. The local AG folk$ are friendly & knowledgeable, but, I only go there if I cant find stuff elsewhere.
Reply:Rockford Industrial welding supply,Inc has a store in Machesney Park and south end of Rockford, they have changed there name to Encompass gas back in the spring .Don't know who  they are owned by but there is a Airgas store less then 3 or 4 mil. From the one on the south end of Rockford  that is still open.There is also an Airgas store in Beloit, this is all I can add to this at this time but will do some checking and see what I can find out.Joe
Reply:as i have said before-you have to stand in a long line to hate air gas.