Matheson Open House with reps....worth the wait?

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I went into the LWS which is only one shop that is 45 minutes from where I live and it is a Matheson.  I was checking out their place and more specifically the millermatic and multimatic welders.  They are extremely sold on the Lincoln 210 Powermig MP but I have my reservations with it especially the lope in the drive roller assembly that I have seen on youtube and read about.  Thing is they also told me that they are having an open house middle of November with Lincoln, Miller yada yada in house and if it were them they would wait to purchase.  I am wondering if you have been to one of those functions and if so found better deals than normal?  I am not in a super rush but could be working on things for the next half month before the weather turns particularly crappy.  Kind of a crystal ball question I know but thought I would see at least what people have experienced before.
Reply:Most open houses I have been to there will be lots of machines set up to demo......great time to run both side by side.
Reply:Thing is I won't know my arse from my elbow...just getting started in welding.
Reply:I am a long term Matheson customer. I am bummed since my rep had to quit due to health although my pricing is set in their system. I like that company but it is really who you know there. Find someone you can hit it off with. I could try to find a good contact for you depending on where you are located. Not sure what state you are located in. In Az, I filled out the "tax resale" form AZ5000 and there is language on there specifically about welding metal fabrication equipment that exempted it from state sales tax. No tax and no shipping for me from the LWS. Might read up on that where you are located. Dont get a weder you have reservations about. That new, inverter type multi machines are just more tech than I ever wanted to deal with. I am fairly young but my mind is pretty set to believe real welders either have wheels or lift rings. good luck.
Reply:Originally Posted by Jimmy_popI am a long term Matheson customer. I am bummed since my rep had to quit due to health although my pricing is set in their system. I like that company but it is really who you know there. Find someone you can hit it off with. I could try to find a good contact for you depending on where you are located. Not sure what state you are located in. In Az, I filled out the "tax resale" form AZ5000 and there is language on there specifically about welding metal fabrication equipment that exempted it from state sales tax. No tax and no shipping for me from the LWS. Might read up on that where you are located. Dont get a weder you have reservations about. That new, inverter type multi machines are just more tech than I ever wanted to deal with. I am fairly young but my mind is pretty set to believe real welders either have wheels or lift rings. good luck.
Reply:Originally Posted by TDog78Thing is I won't know my arse from my elbow...just getting started in welding.
Reply:Do they typically offer a better deal at the open houses, as in get both red and blue drunk then start a price war pissing match?
Reply:Miller has a current rebate program. https://www.millerwelds.com/en/about/special-offers.Even a rebate on their Helmet.
Reply:I'm a Miller man. They make a good product, and stand behind it. While I like the idea of patronizing a LWS, I have only huge chains in reasonable distance. I got Pissed off at Airgas regional management, and saved over a thousand buying from Cyber Weld. They too have been excellent. Further, you may get away with paying no sales tax. Buying a welder at one of those open houses is risky, those salesmen are a bit too good. You end up with what they want to sell, not what you want to buy. Been there, done that. Ask some people who use them. My vote is for a Millermatic 252. I love mine!An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:For us that don't know....what is a Matheson? I'd only be guessing at a local chain?
Reply:Originally Posted by BrianCFor us that don't know....what is a Matheson? I'd only be guessing at a local chain?
Reply:Worse then Praxair?.........Lucky you folks! Floating prices , on all I ever get there.
Reply:Matheson is the pits. They bought out the local guy here. The 80cu. Ft.  argon and C25 cylinders read 1100# or 1500#. The same cylinder from a smaller chain read 2000#-2100# and had a little "92cu.ft" sticker on it. The guy at the counter just says the cylinders are full. As I work in a little shop and we are not an important customer there is no interest in finding a remedy in the matter.
Reply:Forgot to clarify we have 3 harris or victor argon regulators and all read close on the high pressure side. Maybe within a 100-150# pounds of each other.
Reply:They make a good product, and stand behind it.
Reply:Originally Posted by Willie BI'm a Miller man. They make a good product, and stand behind it. While I like the idea of patronizing a LWS, I have only huge chains in reasonable distance. I got Pissed off at Airgas regional management, and saved over a thousand buying from Cyber Weld. They too have been excellent. Further, you may get away with paying no sales tax. Buying a welder at one of those open houses is risky, those salesmen are a bit too good. You end up with what they want to sell, not what you want to buy. Been there, done that. Ask some people who use them. My vote is for a Millermatic 252. I love mine!
Reply:I how I love being up in the middle of the night with the flu.  Hopefully my fever and credit cards don't meet!.  I will say I was more then impressed with their knowledge and kindness; Ihave dealt with retail and customer service most my professional life but then they are paid to be cordial and that is what i expected.  I have only been in there once and guess I would not burn a bridge if i got my machine and other items from cyberweld and then only got consumables there.  They wanted to charge 200 for the c25 first fill free, is that in line with what you all pay?
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawIt's a really crappy national chain.   From my own experience they are worse than. Airgas or Prxair