Airgas is such a ripoff

[Iluvbeer]

So I went into my local airgas to see about purchasing a medium duty miller smith torch system and two tanks. They wanted $340 MORE for the torch than what I can buy them for online. I explained to the guy I wanted to support my local biz but $340 extra just wasn’t realistic. On top of that, they can only sell me 80cf tanks, the 120 I can only lease. Guess only business they’ll get from me is refills.

 

[lis2323]

So I went into my local airgas to see about purchasing a medium duty miller smith torch system and two tanks. They wanted $340 MORE for the torch than what I can buy them for online. I explained to the guy I wanted to support my local biz but $340 extra just wasn’t realistic. On top of that, they can only sell me 80cf tanks, the 120 I can only lease. Guess only business they’ll get from me is refills.

You guys thought they were bad before? Now that they’re owned by Air Liquide it can only get worse.


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[dogdog]

So I went into my local airgas to see about purchasing a medium duty miller smith torch system and two tanks. They wanted $340 MORE for the torch than what I can buy them for online. I explained to the guy I wanted to support my local biz but $340 extra just wasn’t realistic. On top of that, they can only sell me 80cf tanks, the 120 I can only lease. Guess only business they’ll get from me is refills.

Not sure about the torch prices... but the local LWS gas supplier does not sell 120CF tanks (all LWS in the area) they only lease them and the 80CF they sell.... it's been like that for years here as far as I remember the first purchase... one thing I don't like is when they lie and bs, just because I looked very non-professional when I go there....

 

[Muggzy]

I haven't got a lot of experience as I'm only a hobbiest welder, but I found an Allgas that is only a little bit further drive with MUCH better pricing. They were also willing to take two small tanks O2 and CO that I got from a retired plumber, and give me an 80 cf argon tank in exchange.

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[WunTon]

Guess only business they’ll get from me is refills.

Be careful with this because around here they won't touch anything bigger than an 80cuft unless you are leasing it even if you are just trying to get a refill.

 

[XJSuperman]

Ive had bad experience with Airgas both at their businesses, and on the road (a couple of their trucks have tried to kill me). I use Huber welding supply when I can.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Is Airgas the only local welding supply company in your area? I'd shop around to other local stores to see if they have better pricing, it's always worth building a relationship for the future (getting gas refills, buying wire and other supplies, and so forth.)

 

[Stooge]

My tanks I get refilled from Airgas, and I buy consumables, wire, liners, rod, etc from there and they seem pretty average for pricing on that stuff. I think one of the guys there, set me up as a business account at one point to save me some money. I've never bought a machine through them, so I cant say how the compare, but I would assume they are more expensive being a physical store. I think the one I go to has a few lease/ try before you buy machines, but i'm sure they want some sort of business account/ LOC/ collateral before they would let you go with one. I would go to a different welding supply place, but Airgas is the most convenient for me.

 

[Iluvbeer]

Be careful with this because around here they won't touch anything bigger than an 80cuft unless you are leasing it even if you are just trying to get a refill.

I meant after I buy the tanks. I’m not gonna lease so I’ll have ti go 80cf tanks. Can I daisy chain acetylene tanks together and run off of two tanks on one reg? I need large capacity so I don’t overdraw when using a rosebud.
If so, I’ll buy two 80 acetylene tanks.

 

[Iluvbeer]

There is one other welding supply place in my town and when i called them this morning the phone rang into aurgas even tho it was a completely different #

 

[wvrailroader]

I meant after I buy the tanks. I’m not gonna lease so I’ll have ti go 80cf tanks. Can I daisy chain acetylene tanks together and run off of two tanks on one reg? I need large capacity so I don’t overdraw when using a rosebud.
If so, I’ll buy two 80 acetylene tanks.

Yes, you can daisy chain them together. We did it at work for years before the switch over to propane for all torches.

 

[bobcatdan]

Maybe its because airgas extends my work's discount to me privately that I feel airgas has treated me well. My Miller 211 with cart, spool gun and filled tank was about $1100 out the door. My Victor Journeyman heavy duty kit wit cart and filled tanks was about $1200 all said and done.

 

[dr_clyde]

Airgas is one of the worst companies in the world to deal with as a small customer.

They are only interested in making millions of big business. They DO NOT care about small shops or the hobbyist.

I would politely tell them to go **** their hat and take my business to a local mom and pop.

 

[Iluvbeer]

I guess i could just buy a propane rosebud tip and anytime I need to heat, hook up a propane cylinder and runnthe rosebud off of propane. Then i would be fine with one 80 acetylene tank since no rosebud use.

 

[blazemaster83]

Exactly what Dr Clyde said^. Praxair is the same. You have to be part of the club to even buy **** there, which is way overpriced.

I would have spent many thousands of dollars there if I didn't need a credit check and to set up an account to refill a $15 oxygen tank. Not to mention the snoody attitude I have gotten the few times I have tried to go in and get shut down. Instead I will drive a bit farther and smile every time I drive by an airgas

I don't know how they even stay in business.

 

[Fixed]

Exactly what Dr Clyde said^. Praxair is the same. You have to be part of the club to even buy **** there, which is way overpriced.



I would have spent many thousands of dollars there if I didn't need a credit check and to set up an account to refill a $15 oxygen tank. Not to mention the snoody attitude I have gotten the few times I have tried to go in and get shut down. Instead I will drive a bit farther and smile every time I drive by an airgas



I don't know how they even stay in business.

Praxair has always treated me like **** as well. Air Liquide dealt extremely fairly with me, despite not being a big spender.

Some day when I'm looking to upgrade my welder I can guarantee where I'll be buying it though...

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[lis2323]

As a little guy I’ve always had an account at Airgas and Air Liquide. Both outfits had excellent branch employees but both had company policies that SUCKED.

Now that they’ve amalgamated I only have to go to ONE location to get f***ed. A real timesaver....


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[bczygan]

Local mom and pop for me.

Bill

 

[lis2323]

Local mom and pop for me.

Bill

Unfortunately no such animal in my area.


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[steel 35]

I was shopping Airgas with a relative recently for a full 240 v mig set up checked a few machines when he said 400. for a tank out the door we went.

Here anything up to 120s are owners and you can take them where ever is cheapest that week.

 

[Dogbone]

the last time I need to swap a tank I took it to Tractor Supply. My old tank had been around a long time and would have needed to be hydro tested. They swapped me for a full tank with no name band around the neck. Was about the same price as taking it in for filling and having to pay the test fee.

 

[WittHay]

Unfortunately no such animal in my area.


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You can buy tanks from KMS Tools and they refill them. They get the gas from Air Liquide. Lordco Parts leases tanks and has them at most locations. Their supplier is Praxair.

Most of the smaller gas suppliers were bought up and shut down. The big suppliers are good to deal with, just they prefer larger accounts.

 

[protegeV]

So I went into my local airgas to see about purchasing a medium duty miller smith torch system and two tanks. They wanted $340 MORE for the torch than what I can buy them for online. I explained to the guy I wanted to support my local biz but $340 extra just wasn’t realistic. On top of that, they can only sell me 80cf tanks, the 120 I can only lease. Guess only business they’ll get from me is refills.

Yeah, I called the local airgas and proceeded to laugh them right off the phone when I heard the prices/policies. Went with another local company and am happy.

 

[Iluvbeer]

I called a small shop a town over and found the heavy duty miller/smith outfit for only $50 over what I can buy online. They’ll also sell me 120cf tanks. Looks like i found the shop that’ll get all my business.

 

[aka Larry]

the last time I need to swap a tank I took it to Tractor Supply. My old tank had been around a long time and would have needed to be hydro tested. They swapped me for a full tank with no name band around the neck. Was about the same price as taking it in for filling and having to pay the test fee.

Is this a regional thing? I don't think that service is available at my local TSC. I sure wish it was because they are open on weekends.

 

[lis2323]

You can buy tanks from KMS Tools and they refill them. They get the gas from Air Liquide. Lordco Parts leases tanks and has them at most locations. Their supplier is Praxair.

Most of the smaller gas suppliers were bought up and shut down. The big suppliers are good to deal with, just they prefer larger accounts.

Apparently KMS is unable to “fill” to the same capacity as AL.

I’ve been dealing with AL (formerly Liquid Air) since 1965


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[kb1982]

I got a quote from Airgas to buy a full 125 cu ft bottle of argon and it was 480 dollars out the door. Instead, i ended up getting a full bottle from Amazon shipped for 322 from weldfabulous. Getting acetelyn shipped probably would be a different story, but for full bottles for welding mixes, its not a bad deal.

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[tonyciambrone]

Yep. We used to take our forklift tanks to them back in the day- it was like pulling teeth. They also wanted about 40% more for an 80cf cylinder than my local welding store (Weldstar- the best). Previous posters are right. They want large scale business and screw everyone else. Other accessories or supplies are just as bad. Just not their business model

 

[Iluvbeer]

I live in a small town so it be very surprising if airgas had any large customers in my area. I honestly don’t see how they stay in business with their outlandish prices. I know that’ll be the last time i ever walk through their doors. Unbelievable really

 

[plinker]

Maybe its because airgas extends my work's discount to me privately that I feel airgas has treated me well. My Miller 211 with cart, spool gun and filled tank was about $1100 out the door. My Victor Journeyman heavy duty kit wit cart and filled tanks was about $1200 all said and done.

This has been my experience as well. I never bought a lot but the price was always really good.

Airgas is one of the worst companies in the world to deal with as a small customer.

They are only interested in making millions of big business. They DO NOT care about small shops or the hobbyist.

I would politely tell them to go **** their hat and take my business to a local mom and pop.

I have heard this as well.

 

[Muggzy]

Is this a regional thing? I don't think that service is available at my local TSC. I sure wish it was because they are open on weekends.

The Tractor Supply near me (Chester, NY) was very close in price to Air Gas for a new 120 cf full of argon and their exchange prices were about the same even though of been told TS was cheaper (raised prices b/c of Airgas'?)

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[manwithtools]

I live in a small town so it be very surprising if airgas had any large customers in my area. I honestly don’t see how they stay in business with their outlandish prices. I know that’ll be the last time i ever walk through their doors. Unbelievable really

While I agree with most of this post, it would be most surprising if someone could recommend a better price to someone with a location "Behind the house". While it's cute, its not productive.

Think about it, it's a big country..... It's pretty difficult to offer pertinent information about local services without at least a state to refer to. A city could get you even more suggestions.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I used to do the Gas Pony deal from TSC, until they stopped carrying welding gases. Have had zero problems with local Airgas except their prices. Just started teaching at a tech center this year, get WAAAAY better prices now using their account, like 1/3 of my old walk in prices. They also sell us welding rod for about a buck a pound!

 

[LB-1911]

I called a small shop a town over and found the heavy duty miller/smith outfit for only $50 over what I can buy online.

They’ll also sell me 120cf tanks. Looks like i found the shop that’ll get all my business.

^

Congratulations

 

[brownbagg]

on the tanks at airgas, yes that standard procedure. because so many people lose tanks, so they make the smaller tank, owner tank to seperate those that get stolen on job sites.

on welding supplies. www.cyberweld.com

 

[Professional Tool User]

I haven't bought any gas or machines of them, but my local air gas has reasonably priced shop supplies like safety glasses and strikers.

 

[rtz]

I went into an airgas to buy a small tank of tri-mix. The guy said it was "too dangerous" to mix a small tank and would only sell me a larger one? Any truth to that?

Anyone order one of these full tanks online?

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Kaplan+Industries

 

[kb1982]

I went into an airgas to buy a small tank of tri-mix. The guy said it was "too dangerous" to mix a small tank and would only sell me a larger one? Any truth to that?

Anyone order one of these full tanks online?

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Kaplan+Industries

Yep. Where i got my 125 cu ft tank filled with argon

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[Iluvbeer]

While I agree with most of this post, it would be most surprising if someone could recommend a better price to someone with a location "Behind the house". While it's cute, its not productive.

Think about it, it's a big country..... It's pretty difficult to offer pertinent information about local services without at least a state to refer to. A city could get you even more suggestions.

Thanks for offering to help however, I’m able to do my own research to find the best local prices.
And I have thought about it... I listed my location the way I did because I don’t want people knowing it. I post pics of my wife, discuss the type of work I do, and the last thing I want is some sicko on the Internet tracking me home from my job and then visiting my house the next morning after I leave for work.
I wasn’t asking for assistance in finding better prices. I was merely sharing my disgust with Airgas’s unrealistic pricing. But thanks anyways.

 

[bczygan]

Thanks for offering to help however, I’m able to do my own research to find the best local prices.
And I have thought about it... I listed my location the way I did because I don’t want people knowing it. I post pics of my wife, discuss the type of work I do, and the last thing I want is some sicko on the Internet tracking me home from my job and then visiting my house the next morning after I leave for work.
I wasn’t asking for assistance in finding better prices. I was merely sharing my disgust with Airgas’s unrealistic pricing. But thanks anyways.

Kudos on the wife!!!

I have 330CF "T" tanks (the large 4' tall ones).

Got one free off CL and bought the other one full from a private owner.

Get them exchanged and filled at a mom and pop.

Big tanks aren't real portable, but should last a bit longer.

Bill