help your fellow welder

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whats up everyone, I posted because ive been really thinking about starting my own small business(like an independent contractor)when i get out of school all I wanted to know is does anyone know where i can get a good deal on welding machines and supplies. any websites or companys that ship would be helpful.
Reply:I know it's for just about anything, but eBay and Craigslist have been very popular for welding machines as well.  Several welding shops sell brand new machines on eBay for the best prices on the 'Net, too.www.cyberweld.com is another popular one.
Reply:IF you are going into business then make the effort to have a GOOD relationship with your local welding supply.  There will be a time that you won't be able to wait for something to be shipped to you, and I guarantee you that if they know they can depend on you for your business then they will look after you.  I for one have never bought welders online.  Mainly because service after the sale.  I called my LWS last week when one of my machines quit on a job, and they brought me a loaner to use.  Try getting a website to do that for you when you are in a tight.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Originally Posted by Hammack_WeldingIF you are going into business then make the effort to have a GOOD relationship with your local welding supply.  There will be a time that you won't be able to wait for something to be shipped to you, and I guarantee you that if they know they can depend on you for your business then they will look after you.  I for one have never bought welders online.  Mainly because service after the sale.  I called my LWS last week when one of my machines quit on a job, and they brought me a loaner to use.  Try getting a website to do that for you when you are in a tight.
Reply:I'm all for saving a buck but it can cost you in the long run. Buy local. Your LWS will appreciate your business and this can be a big help to you if your business takes off. If you have more than one LWS I would do a little comparison shopping. A lot of times I have needed some small something and my dealer would tell me he would get it on the next big purchase but he never has.
Reply:If you have a business (or not) you need to establish a relationship with a real welding store in your area. That does not mean Home Depot. Sorry.The reason is that you may need technical advice that is critical and correct.You will need welding gasses too. I have seen a Home Depot employee give the most ridicoulous information to a customer!!! The good employees just say they do not know. I was recently at a home depot and all the welding glass for welding helmets were #10's!!!!Also at the local welding store you can meet other welders in the area that can give you valuable information about what is going on.A lot of information on the internet is NOT CORRECT. Just guesses.Sorry but that is the reality.You want a major brand welding machine that you can get parts for.If the welding machine name is "TURBO" whatever forget it.MILLER, LINCOLN, HOBART, ETC. is what you want. They are proven.
Reply:My LWS sucks... I like them for what they are, but I went to them to buy a new machine and they did not have it in stock, and if they ordered it they would not match the price I can order it for online.  I agree that buying local is good, but when it costs me and extra $500 to do business with the guy down the road I will get it online or by phone.Now I do buy from my "other" LWS about 65mi away, they are good and have everything.  But it is a drive... kills 1/2 th day.   If you find the machine online and the price is a lot better go for it, but ask you LWS if they can match the price.  Also don't forget tax.Me!
Reply:I have been to welding stores in my area like red ball and air gas these palces are very high in prices but i do understand what yall are saying if you want quality you gotta pay for it. It looks like im gonna have to dish out the dough. Thanks for the advice everyone and will let yall know how it goes.
Reply:Especially in airgas, and most other LWS's don't be afraid to ask them for their best price on a machine.  Once you start doing business with them they will sell to you alot cheaper than a one time guy.  If you look at the posted prices on machines at the airgas I deal with you would think I was insane for buying from them, but I have yet had anyone else (including online) sell me a machine cheaper.  They have room to deal.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:I agree about using your LWS if at all posible and building a reputation with them. One thing to be aware of when aproaching your LWS about matching an on line price is to be reasonable about how you go about it. I've worked retail in an industry that has taken a real beating by online sales. I understand how many of the guys at the LWS feel. Most online sales places are box movers. Often they don't even stock the machines but have them drop shipped from the factory. No overhead to cover, very little inventory on hand to pay for, no hazardous material fees to worry about, few employees to pay benifits to and so on. I asked my LWS guy recently about why his price was so much higher than what I had seen online and got a rude answer that if it was so much cheaper I should buy it there. I have always had a good relationship with these guys so I politely explained that I just wanted to understand the difference on what I was comparing. Turns out we were comparing 2 similar but different configurations on the same machine. When he looked up the matching machine his price was only about $50 different with tax and I told him to go ahead and order it.Storm in with a chip on your shoulder and you will get squat. They have some room to manuver a bit and most would rather have a sale than loose it, if you are reasonable about how you speak to the counter guy.I have also built up a good reputation with a local welding repair shop that I use for hydros. It's helped me several times to find nice used machines. I pass on that I might be in the market for a used machine and ask that they keep me in mind and call if something comes in that I might have a use for.Connections with suppliers, LWS or even clients are all about the same I find. Treat them with respect and don't make thier live miserable and they will help you out.
Reply:usually when I go to my lws, I have to bring my own vasiline. Most manufacturers have regional authorized repair shops.
Reply:From what i have found from running a welding business part time (I am a full time firefighter), everybody has hit the nail on the head. Get in good with the lws. I have been doing business with airgas, formerly kanox, for about 8 years now and have a good relationship with all the store guys in there. If they don't have it today, it's usually waiting on me the next business day. They also cut me a nice little break. I have my bottle lease through the other lws in town and I am finally starting to get a few breaks with them. They stay open a little later than airgas, which has been a lifesaver a couple of times, but they don't have the service or in stock selection. As far as buying stuff, I have bought from the store and online. These guys in the store know if they can't match the price, they won't get my dollar. You have to make that clear from the start. Don't be rude or difficult about it, just tell them that's how it works with you. You show them honesty and integrity in your dealings with them, and that too will go a long way in making them more willing to help you out. It won't happen overnight, but a good relationship will make part of your business headaches a little easier.Good Luck, Chris1965 Red Face SA2001968 AC 180 Tomstone2003 Sp 175+ Wire MachineSmith O/ALots of Homemade Tools and StuffNo, its supposed to do that
Reply:Originally Posted by 65 PipelinerFrom what i have found from running a welding business part time (I am a full time firefighter), everybody has hit the nail on the head. Get in good with the lws. I have been doing business with airgas, formerly kanox, for about 8 years now and have a good relationship with all the store guys in there. If they don't have it today, it's usually waiting on me the next business day. They also cut me a nice little break. I have my bottle lease through the other lws in town and I am finally starting to get a few breaks with them. They stay open a little later than airgas, which has been a lifesaver a couple of times, but they don't have the service or in stock selection. As far as buying stuff, I have bought from the store and online. These guys in the store know if they can't match the price, they won't get my dollar. You have to make that clear from the start. Don't be rude or difficult about it, just tell them that's how it works with you. You show them honesty and integrity in your dealings with them, and that too will go a long way in making them more willing to help you out. It won't happen overnight, but a good relationship will make part of your business headaches a little easier.Good Luck, Chris
Reply:For some reason I couldn't log in yesterday, but here goes. If you are near New Orleans the best prices I have found on machines are at Industrial Welding Supply's repair shop in Harvey (they actually beat the warehouse in Belle Chase). I have never walked into either of them and had to explain what I was looking for, unlike some of the others around here. I seldom even bother with Airgas anymore. Most times they don't have it, won't get it or if they do it's not the right part. Nothing like the welding supply stores back home. If they don't have it they will get it, even Airgas.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.