Vendor Suggestions?

[meburdick]

I'm looking at buying my first welder and have found a couple of on line vendors that seem to have about the same price as each other. I'm wondering if anyone can provide good or bad experience information on either or both of them.

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I'm interested in knowing what sort of companies these are to deal with, specifically because one of them uses a Hotmail email account to manage customer inquiries (that always makes me a little leery that a company doesn't keep their email inside of their web domain).

TIA

 

[RaytheOne]

meburdick,

I haven't dealt with either one, but your second link is for the web store for Indiana Oxygen Company. They are a long established brick and mortar store. They also sell on eBay, and have a feedback score of 100% with almost 70,000 transactions.

I'm looking at buying a TIG torch from them, and they would appear to be a solid company.

Not saying anything either way about the first one, as I haven't researched them.

Good Luck

 

[meburdick]

meburdick,

I haven't dealt with either one, but your second link is for the web store for Indiana Oxygen Company. They are a long established brick and mortar store. They also sell on eBay, and have a feedback score of 100% with almost 70,000 transactions.

I'm looking at buying a TIG torch from them, and they would appear to be a solid company.

Not saying anything either way about the first one, as I haven't researched them.

Good Luck

Thanks. I saw the eBay info as well and was impressed with such a high rating and so many transactions. The reason I was skittish with them is because they handle email through Hotmail.

The other company appears to be a good one as well. And, although they are a few dollars higher, I get some "free" items for that additional cost (a hat-no biggie, welding gloves, and safety goggles). It's mostly useful stuff.

 

[RaytheOne]

I'm looking at buying my first welder

If I may ask, what kind of welder are you looking at?

 

[meburdick]

Miller 211

 

[RaytheOne]

Miller 211

Looks like a great little machine. I don't think you can go wrong with Miller, or Lincoln either. Just curious, did you price it locally?

With that said, I just upgraded from my old Lincoln buzzbox, to a ThermalArc Fabricator series machine. I liked the idea of a multi process machine. I have only played a little with it, but the Mig and stick are pretty slick. Probably wait just a bit to get a TIG torch for it.
I bought mine from a local welding supply, and they were running a sale, that put them within 40 dollars of all of the lowest web prices.

Good luck with what ever you do, and let us know how it works out for you.

 

[Shield Arc]

I've been dealing with Pacific Welding for over 30-years, couple years ago Central Welding bought them. I haven't seen any changes at all, great group of people to deal with.

I bought my Dynasty 300 from IOC. Not one problem.

 

[meburdick]

I have a couple of potential options locally, and I'll be pursuing both starting tomorrow.

Thanks for the good input on IOC

 

[meburdick]

Pursued one of my local options for the welder... Can get a price that's pretty close to buying it on line. Slightly higher because of sales tax. Since I would likely be doing other items with it, the total package locally could be very cost-competitive with on line. Still looking into the other local option.

 

[undercut]

Pursued one of my local options for the welder... Can get a price that's pretty close to buying it on line. Slightly higher because of sales tax. Since I would likely be doing other items with it, the total package locally could be very cost-competitive with on line. Still looking into the other local option.

If you can get it locally for a price competitive with online, you are golden. You may need consumables or service in the future so it might be a good idea to strike up a relationship and see if you can keep all of your needs fulfilled nearby.

I buy online because I can't afford the prices I find locally. I do my research and only purchase from retailers I think are reputable but as everyone knows, if something does go wrong, dealing with it locally is usually easier than having to deal with it remotely.