Anonymous Poster
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2005
- Messages
- 29,678
My problem with tank leasing was real simple. When I bought the torch, cart, tanks, and hoses, they told me I had paid for a 99 year lease on the tanks, and I lived longer, the company policy was to extend the lease free for the rest of my life. It seemed like a pretty fair deal to me, given that I was 17 at the time. Six or 7 months later, I went in and put down cash for a Lincoln 225 amp buzzbox, close to $200- and they threw in a pair of gloves and 50# of rod. They were probably figuring it was a good investment in a lifetinme relationship.
A year later, I bought a Lincoln SA 200 that was a tradein machine. They threw in 100 feet of #2 cable.
The work I was doing required that I carry my tanks up a few flights, so I used an 80 foot oxygen and a B Prestolite on a small torch. An old timer I knew swapped me an 80 foot cylinder he had from the same company for doing a job for him, so I then had 2 oxygen tanks.
The salesman I'd always dealt with left the company, and his assistant became head salesman.
Nobody bothered to tell me anything about changes in tank leasing, or testing of tanks, and I was probably buying 4 tanks a week, with an open account.
When I got my bill one month, there was a $100 charge for lease renewal on my oxygen tank.
I called and asked what the deal was, and was told due to new testing requirements, I'd have to renew my lease, or pay to have the tank tested. When I brought up the 99 year deal, I was told deals change.
When I got half way thru the second oxygen, I drove over to my current supplier, who was located in a crappy building next to the river, and went in to see what kind of deal he offered. I wasn't half way thru the question when the guy working toe counter shouted to his brother, who was rebuilding a torch, Hey Ted, we just got another Jackson Customer they screwed.
Since Ted didn't carry 80 foot oxygen tanks, I upgraded to a 122 foot for $65-. Ted has green tanks & blue tanks, the green ones have SALE stamped in the neck in half inch letters.
He pays for the testing, and probably adds it to the cost of the gas.
He also now has both his sons, his daughter and his grandson working for him, along with halfg a dozen other employees. A few years back, his son who runs the office figured to add to the profit by billing for tank certification. When I got my bill, I went in and asked what dam fool came up with that crap. The son who runs the shop looked at his brother and told him he best hope Ted didn't find out what he was doing, cause Ted's deals were etched in stone, and Ted would drop him off the building for this crap.
A year later, I bought a Lincoln SA 200 that was a tradein machine. They threw in 100 feet of #2 cable.
The work I was doing required that I carry my tanks up a few flights, so I used an 80 foot oxygen and a B Prestolite on a small torch. An old timer I knew swapped me an 80 foot cylinder he had from the same company for doing a job for him, so I then had 2 oxygen tanks.
The salesman I'd always dealt with left the company, and his assistant became head salesman.
Nobody bothered to tell me anything about changes in tank leasing, or testing of tanks, and I was probably buying 4 tanks a week, with an open account.
When I got my bill one month, there was a $100 charge for lease renewal on my oxygen tank.
I called and asked what the deal was, and was told due to new testing requirements, I'd have to renew my lease, or pay to have the tank tested. When I brought up the 99 year deal, I was told deals change.
When I got half way thru the second oxygen, I drove over to my current supplier, who was located in a crappy building next to the river, and went in to see what kind of deal he offered. I wasn't half way thru the question when the guy working toe counter shouted to his brother, who was rebuilding a torch, Hey Ted, we just got another Jackson Customer they screwed.
Since Ted didn't carry 80 foot oxygen tanks, I upgraded to a 122 foot for $65-. Ted has green tanks & blue tanks, the green ones have SALE stamped in the neck in half inch letters.
He pays for the testing, and probably adds it to the cost of the gas.
He also now has both his sons, his daughter and his grandson working for him, along with halfg a dozen other employees. A few years back, his son who runs the office figured to add to the profit by billing for tank certification. When I got my bill, I went in and asked what dam fool came up with that crap. The son who runs the shop looked at his brother and told him he best hope Ted didn't find out what he was doing, cause Ted's deals were etched in stone, and Ted would drop him off the building for this crap.