I think one the of problems with the Everlast is the lack of a dealer in certain areas (Like mine). When I ask at the local welding places no one knew anything about the machines and said they really couldn't help with them (service/sales/etc). They could be the greatest machine ever made but the lack of a local dealer is really what turned me away. Again, not a slam on the machine at all, just a heads up why I really didn't consider them a whole lot.
While I can understand the sentiment, it is for many an advantage, not a disadvantage. Let me explain.
First, try getting something serious for your welder. Chances are more than likely they will not stock it. You will:
1) Have to wait until they have enough items accumulated to meet minimum order requirements, as these companies have minimum order quantities in many cases. This may take up to six months while they keep promising you. This is quite common.
2) If it is warranty, you will have to send it out to a service center. Your local dealer may be a "service" center, but they will often have minimal training and knowledge and can replace a part or two. If they are like airgas or something, then they'll take it to their repair facility on one of their trucks. But it can bounce around for a few days until it arrives. But generally, if they are in house repair... First they'll have to order it, and wait on it, and then put it in when they get back to yours. Hopefully they won't have to send it off, because if they do, you will pay the shipping to do so. So, you just sent your unit to a middle man to take care of something that you can do for yourself. I can't tell you the number of people I get every year that "Lost" their unit at a repair center for months and even years waiting on a decision or parts from Miller or others that come to us because they have seen the light, and lost their unit. Or, when they get it back, the dealer charges them because of some loophole the product or damage wasn't covered under warranty.
When you deal direct with us, you get faster service. More knowledgeable and better staff about issues, and better equipped facilities. Free tech support for life of the product. Direct ship to you if it is a replaceable part. You don't have to even go to the dealer to pick it up. Yes, you have to pay for shipping after the first thirty days, but we have economical shipping rates if you work through us with shipping...or you can choose the shipping.
In general, you'll find (as you did in your case) that your lws is less knowledgeable than you think. I have local welding supply stores giving customers the wrong tungsten, wire, and even gas daily. Plus they rip you off. I just had a young customer whose father bought him a unit for graduation from welding school get charged 200.00 for a 10 pack of thoriated tungsten. He also sold him a small tank of "mixed gas" for over 500.00 AND told him it was pure argon. All he did was scribble through the tag and write in hand over it "Argon". He did this after making the customer wait three weeks to get a cylinder.
I have local welding distributors who do sell our product. The fact that they haven't heard of us by now is either 1) A lie and an attempt to not offer you service just because... 2) They are ignorant in general and not up to date in the welding industry. The sheer number of wrong gas sales and pure green tungsten sales and bad advice I've heard these dealers do and give tells me that it is likely to be number 2, but I've seen plenty of number 1 as well.
If you go online and look at companies like Baker and IOC, who are online as well as brick and mortar dealers who "get it", you'll see a much lower price, and more knowledgeable information listed.
I have so many other customers who go to the welding supply stores for simple things as consumables which are 100% compatible on TIG with every other brand and they won't even look up the part and turn the customer away. This is just sorry service. This happens daily.
As far as those "parts" you may need. Expect your dealer not to be too kind to you on prices either. Because if you needed parts, they're going to add 50% to the top of the price. By going direct, we don't offer a middle man mark up. Our parts prices are generally a 1/4 to 1/3 of the equivalent replacement part (read board) of other brands. You can go on certain welding sites and see the horror stories if you don't believe me about customers having to pay 1800.00 for a board that popped soon after the 3 year warranty as out. Those are the ones whose eyes are opened and convert to us as well.
I do have some dealers out there. For example, the dealer in Macon north of where I live (national known company) has sold a few of our units. He calls me if he needs information or service and handles it that way. Sure the customer could call me direct and I'd be just as glad to service him direct if the customer wanted it that way, but apparently does not. Both he and the customer have so far been happy with the service they get. Interesting thing...they used to be a service center. I've visited it and it was minimal. But seemed to get by. They've since closed it and have to ship their products for service to Knoxville, the same town where our service center is located. That is the closest one to them. But this dealer is on top of things and is doing right by the customers. To be sure there are good knowledgeable dealers out there like this one, but less and less everyday.
