If you are speaking to me, I live 22 miles from the nearest. In my life it has been acquired numerous times. It was Grady Welding supply, Merriam-Graves, Airgas, now Air Liquide. Next closest, a few miles farther is Maine Oxy, they acquired Northeast Welding, a one store business that popped up, then was acquired a couple years later. Other than on line, or delivery a week later, I don't really have choices.
Times have changed, or did I learn?????...... In my youth I could ask about an acetylene/oxygen set, I'd get a response that if I had to ask price, I couldn't afford, (they didn't know my buying power at 19 years of age was greater than today) Now, I ask about torches, they address me as sir, or the long term employees call me Bill, they research a question I might have. Airgas has always employed good people. It has always been their corporate attitude that offends me. I have accounts with numerous vendors. All start counting overdue as the day the monthly statement is mailed. Many give discounts for ten days or less payment. Airgas often sends the overdue notices before the statement. They make snotty phone calls if I buy a three dollar item on the first, but thirty days later, I haven't yet received the statement.
These days, Airgas will solve problems with newly purchased equipment. They have a welding savant who will come to me to resolve a problem. Nobody will ever like their attitude, but I can't fault their service. NO THEY WON'T TEACH YOU HOW.
