First Miller purchase..decided against internet (paid a bit more at LWS)

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I'm having a bit of difficulty getting over the idea that I paid approx $100 more for this bag of goods (Miller Passport Plus, Miller spoolgun, regulator asm, small argon tank). Everything is new except the tank - grand total $1900. I'm guessing I'll be happy going this route (spending a bit more) knowing if something goes wrong, someone will be there to comfort me through the issue. The internet usually can't provide that. Seems like I have three choices:1). Continue convincing myself this was the best route2). Accept this as idiotic behavior (spending more than necessary) and move on3). Forget all of this; start welding before I'm bogged down any further with "analysis paralysis".
Reply:Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you got some nice stuff.I think you did OK. At $100 it's a bit more than 5% extra. Getting to know your LWS guy can help you a lot. If you buy everything on line, where will you get your gas if he closes due to lack of business? My guy will spot my a spare tank over the weekend if I get in a jam. Think he will do that for someone who doesn't shop from him all the time? When I have problems I know I can always go in and ask him questions. What electrode works best for this application, and so on. He has no problem ordering me any part I might need (and I order some odd stuff from him). He will set a side something so I can grab it after hours ( got a box out back with a combo lock for late pick ups).I feel you did the right thing buying local and supporting your local dealer. Price alone isn't everything.Now get to welding and show us what your new toys can do. Post some picts of your toys and what you weld with them or of your welds if you are trying to learn.Last edited by DSW; 06-02-2008 at 07:45 PM.
Reply:I'm with DSWI buy everything, machines, torches, gas, consumables, from my LWD.  As a result, whenever I'm in a jam (Friday afternoon and the weekend shift says "Hey, boss, we're out of 3/32 rod) and need something quick, he's in his truck and on the way to put it in my hand.  When I need special order stuff, he stays on top of it and makes sure it gets ordered and delivered when I need it.Yeah, I pay a little extra buying all my stuff from him, probably could save some coin ordering from different places, but I also find that it saves me time and money cutting one P.O for whatever I need from 15 different sources, and then cutting one check to my LWD, rather than having to manage a dozen different accounts.And I think that you'll find, as you continue to patronize your LWD, you'll start to see what we call "good guy" discounts from him.  "Hey, he's a good guy, orders from me all the time, I'll give him 15% off his next order."  Over time, it'll make up for the C-note and then some.I r 2 a perfessional
Reply:Originally Posted by MR_JOSHUAI'm guessing I'll be happy going this route (spending a bit more) knowing if something goes wrong, someone will be there to comfort me through the issue. The internet can't provide that. Seems like I have three choices:1). Continue convincing myself this was the best route2). move on3). Forget all of this; start welding before I'm bogged down any further with "analysis paralysis".
Reply:That's really not too much more. Generally, the LWS will want a lot more than the internet plus tax. If you have a decent relationship with your LWS then it may be worthwhile in the long run.In my case, the prices are so high at the LWS that I feel little loyalty to them. They are retail plus.
Reply:VERY GOOD decision!!!Besides all of the things already mentioned, you have also contributed to your community by paying taxes which goes for police, fire and city or county services.When you buy on the internet how will cities support the infrastructure?
Reply:I wish I was in your shoes, my LWS is $200 higher on the welder im looking at + tax. Then they want to get me for $430 on a 200cf bottle when I can get it somewhere else for $250.so im looking at buying the welder off the internet, free shipping, no tax. and buying the bottle somewhere esle for a total savings of $510 !!!!
Reply:chadwickz71 Have you tried to see if they will match the price? As long as you don't act like an @SS and go in with a chip on your shoulder DEMANDING that they meet or beat the price, you may be surprised. Ask questions, "Why is their price higher? Is it the EXACT same machine? Is the gas fill really that much more, why? I'd really love to do business here rather than go thru the hassle of shopping on line, can you do anything with the price? How about if I pay cash? " Tax, well I have gotten machines at my place at no tax. I never ask, but the counter guy just runs the sale under someone else's tax ID #. cash paid. He understands how the game gets played.Unfortunately some places just don't get it. They want to make top dollar on every sale and don't care about loosing a customer because their prices are out of line. These guys just won't learn and hopefully will be the first to go under internet pressure. I hope your place isn't one of these, but it sounds like it might be. Is there another LWS you can do business with? Be sure and mention to the other place why you are looking to buy from them. Customer service DOES still exist, sometimes you just have to look for it.
Reply:JOSHUAIf your LWS is anything like mine that is a speck of sand on the shore. The service and info I get is well worth supporting them with a purchase. I'm not saying $100.00 is easy to come by. Like was mentioned look at the big pic the local purchase will support your local area and may give you some buisness in the future. IMHO you did the right thing. Now get over it  and go put that welder to use. Sounds like you got a nice setup Waldo
Reply:Always support your local merchant unless the saving is huge.  Aside from all the reasons listed above, you get to look at what you're buying before you take it home.  If you buy your new goodies off the internet, what do you do when it's damaged in transit?
Reply:Originally Posted by DSW I never ask, but the counter guy just runs the sale under someone else's tax ID #. cash paid. He understands how the game gets played.
Reply:Other customer is tax exempt. Say a township or a company with a tax exempt ID #. Is it "Right"? I won't even comment on this one way or the other. The sales person chose to run the sale this way, To me it doesn't matter if he pays the tax to the state and gives me the 6% discount on the mechandise or he keeps all the sales money and doesn't pay the state because he files the sale under a tax exempt status. It amounts to the same thing as buying on line with "no tax" from my stand point. In the event the state audits him how do they prove that it's NOT a tax exempt sale, all his paper work is in order.If you don't think this happens on a regular basis you are kidding yourself. I see this happen all the time at supply houses and yards. In theory you are "Supposed" to pay taxes on ALL sales, on line or retail in states with a sales tax. How many people do you really think send in their tax money for internet sales?Last edited by DSW; 06-03-2008 at 06:14 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWOther customer is tax exempt. Say a township or a company with a tax exempt ID #. Is it "Right"? I won't even comment on this one way or the other. The sales person chose to run the sale this way, To me it doesn't matter if he pays the tax to the state and gives me the 6% discount on the mechandise or he keeps all the sales money and doesn't pay the state because he files the sale under a tax exempt status. It amounts to the same thing as buying on line with "no tax" from my stand point. In the event the state audits him how do they prove that it's NOT a tax exempt sale, all his paper work is in order.If you don't think this happens on a regular basis you are kidding yourself. I see this happen all the time at supply houses and yards. In theory you are "Supposed" to pay taxes on ALL sales, on line or retail in states with a sales tax. How many people do you really think send in their tax money for internet sales?
Reply:Originally Posted by MR_JOSHUAI'm having a bit of difficulty getting over the idea that I paid approx $100 more for this bag of goods (Miller Passport Plus, Miller spoolgun, regulator asm, small argon tank). Everything is new except the tank - grand total $1900. I'm guessing I'll be happy going this route (spending a bit more) knowing if something goes wrong, someone will be there to comfort me through the issue. The internet usually can't provide that. Seems like I have three choices:1). Continue convincing myself this was the best route2). Accept this as idiotic behavior (spending more than necessary) and move on3). Forget all of this; start welding before I'm bogged down any further with "analysis paralysis".
Reply:If some one uses MY sales tax ID#, I OWE THE TAX!  Say what you want, ASSume what you want.  That is the law in New York State. I do think buying at the LWS is the right thing to do.  I support my LWS as much as I can.  I buy all my equipment there regardless of price and most of the consumables.  They take the best care of me.For example.  I went to the LWS to buy a V205T.  They recomended a Arcmaster 185 instead, less money, supposed to be as good a machine.  I took their word for it, arranged payments of $300 per month.  When I picked the unit up, they GAVE me a full 80 cf argon tank.  What more could I ask for?  Good people.  I am a small local business guy and like to give my money to local business.My LWS has sent me a ton of work.Just another note.  I am NOT tax exempt.  I am a sales tax collector for the state.  I may not pay sales tax on stuff for resale, but I do collect it and send it to the state after I mark it up.  The way it was explained to me is if I buy argon, it does not leave the shop "On" what ever I worked on, I should have paid the tax on it or I owe it.  Welding rod does leave "on" the job I worked on, so I do not have to pay the sales tax when I purchase it but still have to collect it when the job is done.\Looks like you hit a sore spot.  Your gonna love the passport, I want one!David Last edited by David R; 06-03-2008 at 06:58 PM.Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by David RLooks like you hit a sore spot.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWSo it seems, Looks like I'll just go sit quietly in the corner by myself for a while and try and remember to keep my mouth shut.