How loyal should be enough, with your LWS

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I decided to take the plunge and get a 211I, almost ordered from Cyberweld last Wednesday and decided I should check my LWS on Thursday first. Sure enough they would do $925. + tax of course, and have it sent from another store overnight. Here we are a week later and many excuses and still no welder. Now the real kick in head today, of course they close at 5 and closed weekends, I bust my buttox to get off early today and get there at 4:45, well its in the building across the way-20 feet maybe, and we are ABOUT TO CLOSE, and someone would have to try and find it!!!!!!!!!! What? Haven't lost my cool with them and just left with no welder. Question is hold on and spend local or internet the sucker and be done? I'm pretty much done!Thermal Arc 210 - Tweco 211I - Cutmaster 52
Reply:You were in the door at 1/4 of?.......I would be leaving with my machine!.....to hell with 5 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by vwguy3You were in the door at 1/4 of?.......I would be leaving with my machine!.....to hell with 5 PM.
Reply:Yep, it is really making me wonder, if they don't care about selling and customer service, Ain't making me feel warm and fuzzy if I needed any warranty issue taken care of. Gee, think how much of a hassle that would be.Thermal Arc 210 - Tweco 211I - Cutmaster 52
Reply:The only thing keeping the brick and mortar stores alive is convenience and service. They have chosen to provide neither one to you. If it was me- I would share my displeasure with them and find a different source.
Reply:Originally Posted by kizeThe only thing keeping the brick and mortar stores alive is convenience and service. They have chosen to provide neither one to you. If it was me- I would share my displeasure with them and find a different source.
Reply:its hard. im not a "big" account by any means, and get really frustrated when im treated as a nobody. lucky for me, i have 3 local shops (prax, west, and barnes) to choose from with airgas not too far so as long as im willing to "shop around", i always end up with the right price. one of them started charging me double for argon, so i just went to another with my honest story. problem solved.loyalty goes as far as the other side is willing to go as far as im concerned. i give two chances, (mistakes DO happen eg. missing paperwork, new employee, miss order) and i think that is ok, but two mistakes in a row is where i personally draw the line.    stick with em and see if they dont "get" you again, but you dont need them by any means. i get made fun of for not having direct deposit. i like to go to the front office and ask for my check, i like to drive to the bank, and if im off early enough, i like to go inside and say my hellos and deposit in person. i like going into the welding shops and face to face spending money also, but im pretty wierd. internet is cheaper and less hassle, but then, i enjoy pulling up a stool and hearing all the local drama and shaking hands with the person im giving my card number tobosses stuff:trailblazer 325maxstar 200my stuff:sa 200fronius transpocket 180100 amp Lincoln w/f97 f350 DITKevin
Reply:Try to find a lws you trust and has good service. With you Spending 1000$ they should have tried harder. Sounds like bs to me
Reply:Cyberweld is a local welding store! Lots of brick and mortar also have a web presence or eBay store. I buy from cyberweld and eBay stores because they are the little guys. Screw paying $1000 and being turned around.
Reply:I would have just asked for my money back.
Reply:Haven't paid them any money since it was brought over from another one of their stores. They don't have me locked in thank goodness.Thermal Arc 210 - Tweco 211I - Cutmaster 52
Reply:I would have told them 15 minutes is plenty of time to refund my money.   Never would see my business again.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Maybe the counter guy is the problem, I'd call the store and speak to the manager and tell your story.  If that manager is any good they will deliver that welder to you pdq., maybe he'll throw in something to help ease your pain.  If the manager doesn't care then get a refund and go elsewhere, if we accept poor service then we deserve what we get."The reason we are here is that we are not all there"SA 200Idealarc TM 300 300MM 200MM 25130a SpoolgunPrecision Tig 375Invertec V350 ProSC-32 CS 12 Wire FeederOxweld/Purox O/AArcAirHypertherm Powermax 85LN25
Reply:Originally Posted by 92dlxman I give two chances, (mistakes DO happen eg. missing paperwork, new employee, miss order) and i think that is ok, but two mistakes in a row is where i personally draw the line.    stick with em and see if they dont "get" you again, but you dont need them by any means. i get made fun of for not having direct deposit. i like to go to the front office and ask for my check, i like to drive to the bank, and if im off early enough, i like to go inside and say my hellos and deposit in person. i like going into the welding shops and face to face spending money also, but im pretty wierd. internet is cheaper and less hassle, but then, i enjoy pulling up a stool and hearing all the local drama and shaking hands with the person im giving my card number to
Reply:I think a lot of the guys working the counter at the LWS are just hourly guys with no real vested interest in success or failure. Guys that keep one ear tuned for the whistle to blow trying to get everything wrapped up so they can actually be out the door and turning the key at 5:00, not closing at 5:00. That's why you see a new guy at the counter every few months. Low drive with no management provided incentives to do better other than a whip. Management is no better, probably wouldn't pay the guys an extra dime if they did hang around taking care of a customer and finishing up paper work till 5:30 or so anyway. Boss man is gone by noon on Friday. Setting around the bbq drinking wine bragging about the benefits of being the boss. Want to see them in there best 'zero sales' mode catch them right at lunch time. They can't wait for you to pick out your chit and git so they can run to the back room and have their sammich."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:Certainly more patient than I am After waiting a WEEK for the machine there would be no way I was leaving without it .. if it was on their property. Definitely time to order online.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:I've been wondering the same thing. I'm in the process of setting up to do a lot more work so am buying a lot more consumables and torches and specialised stuff, I want to buy from brick and mortar stores but I also want what I want and not only what they can get. Do I buy from sources online and know I'm going to get exactly what I want or do I buy from the store with the possibility that they may not be able to get what I want.Gear: Esab power compact 205 with tbi industries torch         BOC Smootharc 185dc tig         Miller Syncrowave 350LX
Reply:I'm loyal to a point, but not about to get screwed or jerked around.  Not welding, but I'm pretty sure I pissed off the local parts store manager/owner(?) recently.  Went in to get shocks for my truck.  $290+ tax and they had to order them.  I ended up getting them and a steering stabilizer for like $148 from rock auto.  I stopped in the other day wanting to pick up an oil pressure sensor.  I had shopped ebay already so I knew I could order one for $12-$35 shipped.  The parts store wanted $67 and that was with a discount!  They wouldn't work with me at all.  Zero.  Said they weren't going to "give it away".  I said fine and ordered the exact same part off Ebay for $24.99 shipped.I'm willing to pay something like a 10 or 20 percent premium for local stuff most of the time.  Maybe more depending on item and urgency.  I AM NOT going to pay double.  Those guys on the internet are making money at their prices...My name's not Jim....
Reply:I'm not loyal at all. In fact all of my local places can suck my ****. A few places the employees and owners are nothing short of assholes. I was loyal to one place because they were open on saturdays and the guys always took care of me. Last time I went in there, they said they are no longer open on Saturdays and had two other guys working that were complete dick heads. And one guy tried to charge me $25 for a delivery fee when  I was picking it up.I am loyal to places that have treated me well in the past such as cyberweld, bakersgas and weldfabulous. If they were local that would be even better. You should cancel your order and get it from cyberweld. Those guys have never given me any issues and I ordered a fair amount from them.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:store loyalty means nothing nowadays, and thats across the board with any trade..the store  only cares about $$ with minimal effort...who ever has the best price gets my money....ill give the locals a chance to meet or beat the price....Of all the things I lost I miss my mind the most...I know just enough about everything to be dangerous......You cant cure stupid..only kill it...
Reply:Well you waited this long so try one more time Monday. If not, then say thanks but no thanks. At some point you'll need something right this minute and you might have to go there to get it.
Reply:In all fairness. There are boners that intentionally come in at the last minute because they think they can get something. I got no time for them. I have put in countless last minute hours. I have also said f you! I am not going to undo the work I just did because you are the gm and could not be bothered to inform me of what was going on until I was walking out the door. Unacceptable is unacceptable no matter what gain is in it. I have been over the years against my lws on pricing but each deal is its own and I have become more open to buying from them.
Reply:I see this as a management problem. If the manager was in this store at the time he should have kicked someone to service this customer or did it himself. After the jerking around you got they aught to through you in some extras gratis. If there was no one in that store with the ambition to get you a grand worth of merchandise at a quarter to five on Friday afternoon then there was no one in that store who wanted to have a job on Monday morning and the manager should fire the lot. And if he was there he should be shown the door as well. Bricks and mortar retail these days is about service and they failed miserably. Hope you can get some satisfaction.---Meltedmetal
Reply:If it's a chain, a letter to regional and national management and a copy to yelp and Google search/maps reviews should be in the worksTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Nothing wrong with going in 15 minutes before closing to buy something but with the caveat that you know exactly what you want and don't figure that since you got in before closing, you can spend the next 45 minutes looking at everything in the show room and asking a lot of questions before finally leaving without purchasing anything. Had that happen too many times when I worked in a welding supply. This wasn't your case so I'd be talking to the manager. If he's any kind of manager, he'll apologize and ask who you were dealing with so he can give them chit. He might throw in something or give you a discount on a roll of wire or something. Reminds me of a time the oldtimers MX club went to a pizza place after a meeting. There was about a dozen of us and it was about 25 minutes before the placed closed and they said they couldn't serve us even when we said we would leave at closing time. The one guy said it must be nice to have enough money to turn away business.If paid with a credit card, ask the LWS to cancel the order reason took to long.  They should do it right then if they balk at all, say nothing. Call the CC company they will back you, never received the product. Had you mail ordered the welder you would be welding today. I bought two a mig and a tig, not at the same time of course, over a period of 5 years mail order....... the machines arrived with in a week both times.. Locals think they can jerk the customer around, the web solves that problem. Hell when ordering welders you never pay shipping to boot. Come to think of it I bought three mig 110, 220 and then the tig.  Store tells me they need to order, I am out the door. I can do that myself and it is delivered to the door.... FK them.I say this within reason, sometimes things are unavoidable, that is allowable somewhat.Last edited by pepi; 09-13-2015 at 07:42 AM.Magazines have issues, everything else has problems
Reply:Originally Posted by kizeThe only thing keeping the brick and mortar stores alive is convenience and service. They have chosen to provide neither one to you. If it was me- I would share my displeasure with them and find a different source.
Reply:Originally Posted by pepi Store tells me they need to order, I am out the door. I can do that myself and it is delivered to the door...
Reply:Originally Posted by noriteif we accept poor service then we deserve what we get.
Reply:I don't want the day to come when I need to make an online order for a $5 purchase, I like just going to the LWS and picking up what I need.  I like that instant gratification and I also like the fact I can leave my spare parts inventory and consumable inventory at the LWS until I need it.  I guess I am old school on this but having a LWS is important to me.   I know I could save a few dollars buying online and the LWS will probably never beat the best online price but that is the cost of having that service at hand.That being said, I agree the LWS that the o/p dealt with is not likely to survive.  They need to excel on service since that is what they are selling.  I'd really like to know what the manager said or did to rectify the situation."The reason we are here is that we are not all there"SA 200Idealarc TM 300 300MM 200MM 25130a SpoolgunPrecision Tig 375Invertec V350 ProSC-32 CS 12 Wire FeederOxweld/Purox O/AArcAirHypertherm Powermax 85LN25
Reply:I am a 'principle of the matter' and 'eye for an eye' type of guy.  I would order it from cyberweld and never tell you LWS anything about it until they call you 4 or 5 times to come pick it up.  Let them hang onto it for a few weeks then go in and speak with a manager.  Tell him their 'next day' turned in to 'next week' and the counter guy refused to go look for it when you came in to pick it up ... so you bought one elsewhere and want to know what he is going to do to keep your business.All of this assumes, of course, you have other options.AWS CWI xxxx21711968 SA200  Originally Posted by WelderMike  I hate being bipolar, It's awesome.
Reply:It's Tuesday..........still no welder???
Reply:Originally Posted by mxpapaYep, it is really making me wonder, if they don't care about selling and customer service, Ain't making me feel warm and fuzzy if I needed any warranty issue taken care of. Gee, think how much of a hassle that would be.
Reply:I used to have a great LWS -- they were a small chain with 3 or 4 locations, and they went out of their way to be helpful.  They manager at my closest store knew that I wasn't a commercial or industrial customer, and he still gave me generous discounts (in one case, his price on roll of quality #1 welding cable was lower than the same length of #2 would have been at Tractor Supply).Unfortunately, they were bought out by one of the biggies.  They kept the same employees, but the employees no longer had much discretion... and if I recall correctly, they also dropped their Saturday morning hours.I've since moved and I haven't had the opportunity to visit any of the stores here -- because they are only open 8 - 5 weekdays.  There's still an independent local chain here, and they did quote me a fair price for C25, so I'll give 'em a try when I can get over there.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonAir gas?
Reply:As a specialized small shop welder I have found the LWS to be more hassle than they are worth.In my area, the better sales people don't want to bother with small shops. Small shops get the recent tech school graduate who was unable to get a job as a welder. It is pretty clear in their knowledge and attitude, why there were not hired as welders.Neither of my LWS post their prices either in the store or online. You have to talk to one of the sales reps to get a price quote. Price quotes seem to be pretty random. It is common for one person a quote a price, and then go back and have another person explain why that quote is not valid.Maybe others have different experiences. But, I take my business elsewhere.David
Reply:It's a Gas and Supply store, this is the same store that gave me a super deal on my 180c, different employees now. I still haven't bought one and debating on whether to give them another chance, I'm off today. I have checked around and nobody within a 50 mile range has one in stock. I would rather order one than drive to Dallas, hate the traffic. The whole deal has put a bad taste in my mouth finding out my LWS is crap.Thermal Arc 210 - Tweco 211I - Cutmaster 52
Reply:When I was looking to buy my MIG I went to the LWS with a print out of the internet site I was going to buy from, complete with prices on a hood, gloves, consumables, wire and the actual welder.  Told him I was looking at a couple different ones, guy brought 2 new ones out of the back (different models I was looking at), opened them both up and pulled out of box so I could compare the 2 side by side, then matched the internet prices.  Been going back since and every now and then they throw in a small spool of wire...  That being said, if they didnt have the customer service I wouldn't be returning.  I was willing to pay 10-20% over lowest online prices to support the local shop, mainly to keep them in biz for the convenience of the "crap, I have a project to do and I need some (fill in the blank)"; that and customer service are worth there weight in gold.  Sounds like your not getting customer service from your LWS, I would hit the road, specially if you havent paid them yet....-JimmySyncrowave 200Millermatic 211 Auto-Set w/MVPSpoolmate 100Hypertherm Powermax 45
Reply:Hit the road Jack LWS. Final straw, called them to check if welder was there, was gonna go ahead and spend local. You'll never guess, no freakin welder, Oh you REALLY want it we will order you one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have it here tomorrow... I try real hard not to cuss, @@@#$$$%^&&***(. Drove to the big LWS in Tyler to see how that was, $1000. plus tax best we will do. Online here I come ! Thanks everybody for responding, it really helped to vent and get your opinions.Thermal Arc 210 - Tweco 211I - Cutmaster 52
Reply:WowLast time I would ever walk thru that door.Not only did they lie to you, they did it repeatedly.DamnExpert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Every time I try to build loyalty with my local airgas  it kicks me in the nuts go in to get consumables  for my pm65 which I bought there dont Carrey them how about 5/8 recessed nozzle for m-25. He hands me 1/2 flush and says I won't tell the difference. Not to mention be hazmat fees on contact tips and grinding wheelsMillermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:Originally Posted by 92dlxmanits hard. im not a "big" account by any means, and get really frustrated when im treated as a nobody. lucky for me, i have 3 local shops (prax, west, and barnes) to choose from with airgas not too far so as long as im willing to "shop around", i always end up with the right price. one of them started charging me double for argon, so i just went to another with my honest story. problem solved.loyalty goes as far as the other side is willing to go as far as im concerned. i give two chances, (mistakes DO happen eg. missing paperwork, new employee, miss order) and i think that is ok, but two mistakes in a row is where i personally draw the line.    stick with em and see if they dont "get" you again, but you dont need them by any means. i get made fun of for not having direct deposit. i like to go to the front office and ask for my check, i like to drive to the bank, and if im off early enough, i like to go inside and say my hellos and deposit in person. i like going into the welding shops and face to face spending money also, but im pretty wierd. internet is cheaper and less hassle, but then, i enjoy pulling up a stool and hearing all the local drama and shaking hands with the person im giving my card number to
Reply:Originally Posted by mxpapaThanks everybody for responding, it really helped to vent and get your opinions.
Reply:Originally Posted by mxpapaOnline here I come!
Reply:After having been treated like a tiny speck of dirt on the floor in the back 40 barn by a local Airgas East store I find the following story EXTREMELY SWEET!http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/1911...erm-challengesYou can only treat customers like you know what for so long before it starts to come back and bite you........ALL of my welding stuff is bought on the internet, whether it is five pounds of rods or a $2500 welder. EVERTHING. Not looking back once.Millermatic 211Lincoln Precision TIG 225Century 250 MIGLincoln 225 AC Box (sold)I support my local welding store (Amazon, McMasterCarr, Cyberweld, EBay).
Reply:I know someone on the chemistry department faculty at a MAJOR university in a Southeastern city.  He said that, even with their university account, dealing with Airgas is a huge hassle. Is there a specific online source you'd recommend for consumables?  I know of several good sites for machines and parts, but I've never ordered any significant quantities of consumables online.  I did order a 10-pound spool of MIG wire from Amazon once.  Although the spool arrived in good condition, it pretty much busted up everything else in the box (I guess that two air pillows tossed into an oversized box aren't enough padding... lol.  Not the first time I've had items arrived damaged like that from them).-Ben Originally Posted by Fab54After having been treated like a tiny speck of dirt on the floor in the back 40 barn by a local Airgas East store I find the following story EXTREMELY SWEET!http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/1911...erm-challengesYou can only treat customers like you know what for so long before it starts to come back and bite you........ALL of my welding stuff is bought on the internet, whether it is five pounds of rods or a $2500 welder. EVERTHING. Not looking back once.
Reply:This thread got me thinking about ordering through my LWS's website. As a test I ordered 10 lbs of filler metal for $4 per pound for in store pick up the next day. The central warehouse just put it on the truck with the next delivery to my local store. Walked in, pick up my order, and walked out in less than a minute.Then today, I called my LWS and asked for a price check on the same product. The guy gave me a quote of $8 per pound... and it would be ready for pick up in two weeks because it was a special order.Kind of makes you scratch your head.
Reply:Originally Posted by PipelinerHow did this deal end up working out?
Reply:Sad to hear all these stories. I guess I'm fortunate: Central Welding Supply is great! Their posted open is at 8 but counter man says "when I turn on the lights, I open the doors." I can roll in at 7:30 and get stuff. I'm just a hobbyist and not a big player yet, he plugged me in their computer, typically get stuff from their other stores by next day and give me pretty good prices (typically consumables, etc…I do shop online, too).DB
Reply:On of my family friends and the guy that introduced me to welding had an account at a LWS. He had 10 argon tanks that he had leased from them at one point but ended up returning them and buying bottles instead. AirGas bought out the LWS and started calling him asking for the lease tanks back or for payment for them. He said he's been in an eternal argument with them about the situation. There was some sort of paperwork SNAFU.  Fortunately they don't hit his account for it and they haven't pursued collections. But they won't do business with him. He's fine with it though. There are other LWS's out there. I've heard quite a few bad stories from AirGas. You'd think a company their size would try to reign some of tha tin.