Purchasing online

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Hey guys I just wanted to see what everybody's experience has been with buying any welder on the Internet I will probably be purchasing mine on Friday once I get paid and being as I'm going to be getting a Millermatic 211 I want to be sure that it arrives in perfect condition. I'm also going to call a Welding Supply Company near me and see if they can match the price that I am going to get online I'm not sure if they will though.
Reply:Forget calling, they're busy enough and won't take you seriously. Head in to the welder supply and talk with them. My local store sold me my MM251 a number of years back for the same price as I could get it from either BR Welding or Cyberweld...as long as I was willing to pay the sales tax. Worth it to me.Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:Originally Posted by WyoRoyForget calling, they're busy enough and won't take you seriously. Head in to the welder supply and talk with them. My local store sold me my MM251 a number of years back for the same price as I could get it from either BR Welding or Cyberweld...as long as I was willing to pay the sales tax. Worth it to me.
Reply:Anyways does Miller package their welders really good because I'd rather just order it and have it dropped off by UPS. Don't really have time to go pick it up at the store.
Reply:Originally Posted by apierce1289Anyways does Miller package their welders really good because I'd rather just order it and have it dropped off by UPS. Don't really have time to go pick it up at the store.
Reply:The relationship with local LWS could be very important. My LWS has helped me a number of times.
Reply:And if the LWS gives you a deal, make sure you buy some consumables such as wire and gas from them.Regards,RobGreat Basin WeldingInstagramBlue weldersRed weldersMy luscious Table DIY TIG Torch cooler
Reply:When you buy on the internet you can expect the bozos at ups using it for a football. Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk
Reply:Having worked for UPS, I can assure you that shipping a 75lb 211 will earn you a few curses and where and however that box lands is where it will stay...I've seen some **** dude, buy from the LWS if you can help itMiller Spoolmate 200 w/t S-52 WirefeederMM 211'09 Miller Trailblazer 302
Reply:It may depend on whether you are a pro welder or a home hobbyist.  I am a home hobbyistI just went through this and while my LWS quoted me a price on my Diversion that was only about $40 higher than what I paid, I ordered online saving enough on taxes to really put a dent into the argon tank and consumables I did buy from the LWS.  I ordered from cyberweld.com and it was painless and my package arrived a day earlier than originally indicated.  I had to kill a day around the house waiting to sign for it but I get that.  Luckily I've got time on my hands these days.  Buy your gas and consumables from your LWS, they'll appreciate the business.  If there's a substantial cost differential then buy online.  All anyone (local and online) is interested in is what's in your wallet.  I try to keep as much of it as I can.  On the other side of the coin, I don't run a business so I don't really need the professional relationship with my LWS that most of you fellas need.  I'll never be in a bind for wire, rods or gas being retired like I am.  I'll never have a project that has to go out on Monday.  And I'l never be in a position that I can't pack up the shop and go inside to have a beer if I'm out of something I can't get till they open again.  If you are a working welder (not like me) then you may consider the extra cash required to purchase locally an investment.  If you're a student (like me) then I'd say spend your money in a manner to benefit you.You are the only person looking out for you.Miller Diversion 165 TIGMillermatic 211/141 with Auto-SetHobart Stickmate LX235 AC/DC StickNorthern Tool 135 MIG & Dry Cut SawKlutch ST80i/ST200i Stick/TigGrizzly G9742 BandsawMilwaukee Circular Steel Saw/Portaband/SWAG Offroad Table
Reply:I've bought all my machines locally. Consumables and torches I've done both ways. My LWS has great guys- they gave my son a handful of Excalibur 7018 to try, gave me an inert flow meter tank fitting for free to try and repair a leak...I'd bought other parts previously. I'm a hobbyist and don't spend big $ but the guys are always friendly and helpful and I often get a price comparable to online.DB
Reply:I do about 50/50 online vs. LWS but always give the LWS a chance at the sale. No harm nor foul if they cannot match the price within a reasonable amount. They have to make money too to stay open.SlobPurveyor of intimate unparalleled knowledge of nothing about everything.Oh yeah, also an unabashed internet "Troll" too.....
Reply:Originally Posted by apierce1289Anyways does Miller package their welders really good because I'd rather just order it and have it dropped off by UPS. Don't really have time to go pick it up at the store.
Reply:Air Gas has the same price I can get online so it's not a big deal. Still waiting for one to get to their store though. They apparently only keep one in stock for some reason. It's not that far of a drive either. But I'll only have enough to get the 211 I'll have to go back for the gas tank. And consumables will probably be bought on Amazon though. I'm only going to the LWS so I don't have to wait around the house to sign for the damn thing lol.
Reply:We bought a Miller 252 a couple of years ago. I found the best price that I could including shipping on the internet, then went to the local Airgas and asked for a price. They were only a few bucks ($20?) more so I bought it from them and paid the sales tax. It established a good relationship with them for just a few bucks more and I had the peace of mind that I was getting a machine that day that was in perfect condition and knew that they would take care of any problems that might arise. I consider the peace of mind worth the few extra dollars. I shudder at the thought of buying mail order or over the internet from half way across the country and getting something that expensive that needs to be shipped back for who knows how long to get it repaired and then discovering that they only fixed half of the problem, requiring it to be returned again for another who knows how long. If I can return it local I can show up on their doorstep every day if necessary until they fix it right for me and then test it myself before taking it home.CharleyLast edited by CharleyL; 06-04-2015 at 07:09 PM.Miller MM252Miller Bobcat 225NTMiller DialArc HF / DIY Cooler2 Victor O/A TorchsetsMilwaukee 8" Metal SawMilwaukee Dry Cut "Chop" Saw 5 Ton Wallace Gantry Various Grinders, Benders, etc.
Reply:Some local suppliers will have the new machine shipped direct from Miller to your house. Get a package deal on tank, consumables, and cover etc. TAKE CASH !!!! They like those $100's ! I'm sure you are aware of the current Miller rebate program and free spoolgun , right ? http://www.millerwelds.com/products/special-offers.html
Reply:I buy all my stuff online...usually from cyber weld. I have the 211 and extreme 625... Never had any shipping issues.  Here in CA there is a 10% sales tax too...so online fixes that crap.   They have always beat everyone else's price, I call with questions and they have always had helpful knowledgable people.Every time I use Airgas or Praxair...no deals, plus tax...and I am treated as small potatoes...
Reply:Originally Posted by CharleyLWe bought a Miller 252 a couple of years ago. I found the best price that I could including shipping on the internet, then went to the local Airgas and asked for a price. They were only a few bucks ($20?) more so I bought it from them and paid the sales tax. It established a good relationship with them for just a few bucks more and I had the peace of mind that I was getting a machine that day that was in perfect condition and knew that they would take care of any problems that might arise. I consider the peace of mind worth the few extra dollars. I shudder at the thought of buying mail order or over the internet from half way across the country and getting something that expensive that needs to be shipped back for who knows how long to get it repaired and then discovering that they only fixed half of the problem, requiring it to be returned again for another who knows how long. If I can return it local I can show up on their doorstep every day if necessary until they fix it right for me and then test it myself before taking it home.Charley
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1Some local suppliers will have the new machine shipped direct from Miller to your house. Get a package deal on tank, consumables, and cover etc. TAKE CASH !!!! They like those $100's ! I'm sure you are aware of the current Miller rebate program and free spoolgun , right ? http://www.millerwelds.com/products/special-offers.html
Reply:Bought a (new) Passport for half price from a NASCAR team that was just laying around their shop from Miller sponshorhip that had been maybe used twice.Bought my Dynasty 350 & cooler from LWS. (and gave me a great price and we have very good relationship) They later gave me the pre-production new Dynasty 280 and new torch to test for a month or two for Miller.Bought Spectrum 325 XTREEM plasma from LWS for half price because I won a raffle at their 40th anniversary open house. I really didn't have a need for the welding classes...Bought my Millermatic 350P with 25' push-pull XR-A Python and half dozen 12" spools of aluminum & stainless wire off Craigslist from a guy getting divorced.  I almost felt bad I got it so cheap. I think his soon to be ex-wife probably felt worse I got it so cheap if she found out.Bought a Multimatic 200 and spool gun, new helmet, tig torch etc online CHEAP, no tax + rebate + free shipping.  LWS couldn't even come close.Hey it's your money, but regardless, develop a relationship with a GOOD LWS. It will be worth it. Sent from my SCH-I605 using TapatalkRyanMiller Multimatic 200 tig/spool gun/wireless remoteMillermatic 350P, Bernard/XR Python gunsMiller Dynasty 350, Coolmate 3.5 & wireless remoteCK WF1 TIG wire feederMiller Spectrum 375 XtremeOptrel e684Miller Digital EliteMiller Weld-Mask
Reply:^^ Oh yeah and then went to my LWS after buying the new 350P. Got a 15' Bernard gun for everyday welding steel ect. and a bunch of other consumables for both torches and some 44lb spools of steel. They were shocked how cheap I bought the machine.Sent from my SCH-I605 using TapatalkRyanMiller Multimatic 200 tig/spool gun/wireless remoteMillermatic 350P, Bernard/XR Python gunsMiller Dynasty 350, Coolmate 3.5 & wireless remoteCK WF1 TIG wire feederMiller Spectrum 375 XtremeOptrel e684Miller Digital EliteMiller Weld-Mask
Reply:Bought two mig & tig that way, buying good product no worries. Cheap ship, well you get what you pay for in a store or on line.Magazines have issues, everything else has problems
Reply:I bought my MM252 online through Cyberweld. I checked with two LWS's first and they were both straight retail. I saved $300 on the machine and close to $100 on taxes with free shipping through a professional trucking company. The driver unloaded the crate for me and rolled it right into my shop. What's not to like?Miller Millermatic 252Miller Syncrowave 200Liincoln AC-DC 225Victor O-A Set
Reply:I just purchased a Tweco 211i from Welder Supply - they only beat the LWS by about $20, but I avoided the local ~10% sales tax and got a big fat TIG torch thrown in for the price.  If the overall price would have been closer I might have gone with LWS, but the folks in Illinois got to eat too.  The .030 wire drive would not fit, and I called it in Monday AM.  Tweco and WS had the new drive roll at my house Wednesday afternoon.  The new part was made in Switzerland too!  Buying online from reputable vendors is not too risky, barring a crushed box.  The UPS guy hand delivered the box to my front door, down my 200 foot driveway.