Thoughts on Purchasing

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Well I am in the process of pricing out a new Trailblazer and a few accessories and wanted to know what your thoughts were on where to buy. I've done alot of research on the web and gotten the general idea of pricing. My question is do you support your local dealer and pay a little extra (his prices were real close to the best on the net), plus a few hundred in sales tax, or go for the bottom line prices with no tax on the web? I'm kinda leaning toward the local guy, if for nothing else but convenience.
Reply:I am in the same camp as you.  If there is any problem IE shipping damage. You will be glad you bought local.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill
Reply:i have a trailblazer and love it.  i bought local, thought of having it shipped in didn't even cross my mind.  of course there was no way to get freight service to my home which was a big factor.  i don't know what kind of work you do, but i would talk to an accountant, often times you can get a credit for any sales tax paid.
Reply:I went local on mine for two reasons. First, I had to pay tax on it anyway since I was getting it through my leasing company.  Second, I wanted the brownie points. That has paid off more than anything. I am getting better pricing on most things now. Drop nearly 5 grand on the counter and they will take notice for a little while. Stay a regular and it will last a while longer.As for shipping, we did have a problem. The Dallas hub sent the wrong unit, and feeder the first time. They sent a 275DC and a 12VS feeder...it was supposed to be a 302 and a 12RC.  My LWS handled all the calls and had the feeder the next day, and the unit the day after. Seems if they mess it up, they will really hotshot it to you. I was just glad I didn't have to deal with it.
Reply:Thanks guys, the shipping issues are one variable that I thought could be a headache, so going local and paying a few tax $$ looks like the way to go, not to mention the brownie points. I'm lucky enough to be within a few miles of several dealers, so I'll shop around.
Reply:I buy local.I have an account with the local shop, and its a rare month that goes by that I dont spend at least a couple hundred bucks on gas, wire, tungstens, gloves, safety glasses, grinding wheels, wire brushes, or parts for one of the welders.Since I buy my machines there, and I buy my consumables there, they know me, and I find I get good service- if a machine breaks, the salesman will run a new part out to my shop for me- and plenty of times I get better prices on lots of stuff than the guy who walks in with cash in his pocket, that they have never seen before. I get the occasional freebie as well. So in the end, I find I saved money by paying a bit more in the beginning.Also, I dont know if they still do it, but I financed my first few welders thru Miller- 1/3 down, the rest in 12 monthly payments- a program they only did thru local dealers. I would never have a tig welder without that financing.
Reply:Ries, financing might be an option for me. Where did you find out about it? I can't find anything on their website.
Reply:Like I said, I dont know if they do this any more- its been a few years since I used it. But I was told about it by my local full line miller dealer and welding supply shop.
Reply:Sorry, I read thru so fast, I missed that line.  I posted it over on the Miller board too, so I should be able to find out there.