Subject: Re: welding equipment

From: Alfred Denninger <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 8 Feb 1996 21:15:33 -0500

At 09:57 AM 2/8/96 MST, you wrote:
>I'm currently looking at mig welders also (my big dc welder doesn't do
>very well on sheet metal). It seems to me that there is something funny
>about the welding equipment business. Virtually all other tools are
>available at list price and at a discount--name brand or cheap
>immitation. This doesn't seem to be true of welding supplies. I am not
>aware of a place to buy name brand welding stuff at a decent discount.
>Do they have control of the market, or what?
>
>Anyone have any suggestions on where to shop? Sam's and such are fine,
>but I'm talking about bigger discounts (40% is usually available on
>many tools in woodworking).
>
>
>--
>Steve Smith
>[email-masked]
>
>

Steve and all,

Do what the big companys, schools, and Gov's do.  Ask for bids.

When I purchased my syncrowave TIG machine.  I called Miller and asked them
for the phone and fax #'s of all the authorized dealers in a large
surronding area.  I then composed a fax describing exactly the desired
machine down to
model #, torch model, water cooler model etc. even how much cable I wanted-
so they would know and bid on exactly the same thing.  I specifically said
that I was buying a machine within the next 30 days and that I was putting
it out for bids. 

I got calls and prices from all- even 2nd trys- and even some far away that
were questionable anyway.  These co's are used to this process.  I ended up
saving 100's  of dollars and even got a break on tank leases and gas
prices... something I never expected.

I'm just a 1 man shop- I never even expected much to come of this whole process
(as far as price discounting). I really needed the machine and really just
tried the bid thing hoping for the best.

Do your homework first and go for it... you will be amazed.  Although 40% just
might happen on top name brand equiptment.

Good luck!

Al Denninger
Middletown, NY

---

From: Alfred Denninger <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 10 Feb 1996 17:17:09 -0500

>might happen on top name brand equiptment.

Sorry folks, typo.

I meant to say:  Although 40% OFF just might NOT happen on top name brand
equipment.

Al Denninger
Middletown, NY