Is buying cylinders from ebay or off the internet worth it?

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I seen my local airgas can sell me a 40cf cylinder for 138.00 no charge for first refill. Then 19.00 for refills after that. But anyway i noticed on ebay there are alot of places (indian oxygen co) selling new cylinders such as a 40cf for 60.00 free shipping. I know you have too look for certain numbers and such to see if they will accept them. Anyone every buy a cylinder off ebay or on the internet? ThanksShane
Reply:Originally Posted by welderShaneI seen my local airgas can sell me a 40cf cylinder for 138.00 no charge for first refill. Then 19.00 for refills after that. But anyway i noticed on ebay there are alot of places (indian oxygen co) selling new cylinders such as a 40cf for 60.00 free shipping. I know you have too look for certain numbers and such to see if they will accept them. Anyone every buy a cylinder off ebay or on the internet? ThanksShane
Reply:A few years ago, I bought a pair of 80's from IOC.   The price was about $40 less per tank than at my local shop and the tanks were delivered to NE Ohio in ONE day (UPS Ground).The LWS raised an eyerow about filling the tanks the 1st time, but now he doesn't seem to mind.When the guy at the counter b1tched about my not buying from him, I showed him the invoice from IOC.   Shut him up real quick.There are no small projects
Reply:It's sad but every day another business goes under.  Bought one of my 250 cu.ft. Ar cylinders from a local business gone under and advertising it on Craigslist for $105.  It still had the paper sticker from my LWS on it.  Took it to the LWS and swapped it for a full one for the regular refill price, no questions asked.  Don't know if this scenario fits your definition of buying off the internet.  Hope it helps.ScottMiller XMT 350 CC/CV w/gas solenoid opt.Miller S-22A wirefeederBernard 400A "Q" gunMiller Spoolmatic 30A / WC-24C-K 200A torch/gas lensWeldcraft WC-18 watercooled torchHypertherm Powermax 30Victor O/A
Reply:Picked up my tanks off of Craigs List. Full size oxy/ace for $25ea. (approx 4' and 3') and my AR/Co2 for $50. Called the LWS and they told me how to tell if the tanks were owner tanks. One way they said was the PSI, the rented tanks have a much higher PSI rating than the owner tanks. I think it was ~1800 owner and 2400 for rented, something like that. The other thing I found, e-bay was selling a smaller new tank with an off size, called the LWS and they said they could not exchange that size only special order.
Reply:I used to lease my cylinders from Airgas.  Prior to my retirement from full time rig and shop welding I decided to buy my own tanks.  Found some on eBay.  Mine are the full size tanks.  I keep 2 oxygen, 2 acetylene, 1 argon/co2, 2 argon.Prior to buying the tanks, I talked to the folks at my supply house.  No problem, even if they were out of test.  They would retest and certify them.Here's where it gets a little different.  I had to show them the Bill of Sale for the tanks.  They checked them and noticed a couple were out of test date.  No problem.  I expected to pay the testing fee.  Nope, again no problem.  I've done so much business with them over the years, they picked up the tab.  However, when I exchange cylinders,  I don't receive tanks that are stamped "customer owned".  They told me they don't do that anymore, and what few they have in their inventory would require the possibility of moving many tanks to get one that is stamped.  Their records will reflect I own my tanks.  Haven't had a problem so far, but, my question to them will be "what if I totally retire and sell the cylinders to someone.  What's the problem going to be for the new owner?  I hope nothing, as I will supply a bill of sale.So, even if you do find some on eBay or Craigs list, you shouldn't have a problem.  I recommend you talk to your local supply house prior to doing so.  Also, a few years ago,  after exchanging tanks,  I noticed the first test date stamped on the Oxy bottle was in the early 1940's.  Tanks can be used for many, many years.  Might have to change valves periodically though. BTW,  many compressed gas cylinders are made here in Harrisburg, PA  by Taylor-Wharton Co.  I toured their plant once,  Interesting how they start out with a solid chunk of steel about 12" square and 18" tall (not sure if that's the exact size), heat it all night, extrude it in progressively smaller rings with a long sizing ram, to form the tank.  Next step is in another shop that only heats the neck area, then it is spun and the tank top and valve stem is formed by computer controlled rolls, then on to cutting off the excess extruded metal where the valve goes, threaded, and valve inserted.  The threaded area the cap screws on is nothing more than a ring pressed on to the tank.  The process is a little more involved than what I just mentioned, but it's representative of how they are made.Last edited by paweldor; 11-27-2008 at 07:18 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by paweldor  I had to show them the Bill of Sale for the tanks.  They checked them and noticed a couple were out of test date.  No problem.  I expected to pay the testing fee.  Nope, again no problem.  I've done so much business with them over the years, they picked up the tab.  However, when I exchange cylinders,  I don't receive tanks that are stamped "customer owned".  They told me they don't do that anymore, and what few they have in their inventory would require the possibility of moving many tanks to get one that is stamped.  Their records will reflect I own my tanks.  Haven't had a problem so far, but, my question to them will be "what if I totally retire and sell the cylinders to someone.  What's the problem going to be for the new owner?  I hope nothing, as I will supply a bill of sale.
Reply:Originally Posted by DmaxerNot quite sure what you mean by 'stamped "customer owned"'   In my experience cylinders that have no ownership stated on the neck ring are by default "customer owned" and a receipt for purchase of the cylinder only backs that up. Are you saying that the cylinders they gave you are neck stamped with their company name?  If so, it appears that in exchange for waiving the hydro fee, they put you in the position of having to prove to another LWS or cylinder purchaser that you in fact own those cylinders despite evidence to the contrary on the cylinder necks.  Bad news; that's a losing proposition!  I'd never go for that. My LWS will always exchange a cylinder purchased from them for the refill fee, even if out of hydro, in order to keep my business.
Reply:Originally Posted by paweldorThe cylinders I bought that were out of test were exchanged by my LWS.  They were sent by them for retest, and put back in use.  That's the tab they picked up.
Reply:Originally Posted by JTMcCNo, every cost associated with bringing a full bottle to you, is included in the price of that exchange. JTMcC.
Reply:I understand that people who work as employees don't generally understand this, or need to but think about this .The cost of a good or service (in bare bones simplicity) is the sum total of EVERY cost to bring that good or service to you plus profit. Believe me, you are paying the cost for the replacement of the valve in your exchange price, you are also paying for the nice lady to do the paperwork and send your bill at the end of the month, plus the electricity bill at the welding supply, you're paying for the coffee they make at the store, for the wages and benefits of every employee involved in bringing you a full, safe, tested cylinder, for the lease or payments on the building, EVERY single cost associated with that refill is passed to the customer plus (hopefully) a little profit. Business' don't "pick up the tab" on anything, if you sren't billed directly, the cost is figured into the price.Of course they aren't going to charge the price for a valve replacement on every refill of a cylinder, but rest assured that there is someone in the organization that can tell you on average how often a valve is replaced in the lifespan of a cylinder, and how many pennies per refill you are paying as part of a swap to cover that cost.This is the most fundamental principle of doing business.JTMcC.