Northern tool vs. airgas

[scapegoat]

I am looking at geting a Hobart stickmate ac/dc. Airgas has it for $459 and northern has it for $419. Airgas also has a Miller thunderbolt ac/dc with the same specs for $479. My question is...Is there any difference in quality between Northern tool welders and Airgas welders? And, is there any difference in the Stickmate vs. the Thunderbolt. I got my Handler 140 from airgas and it was cheaper than Nothern at $445. Im just wondering if its worth saving a couple bucks by going with northern.

[Sberry]

The stickmate and the Tbolt are identical, no matter where you buy a Hobart it is the same machine, no knock offs for the box stores.

[hankj]

Unless you live near a NT warehouse, your machine will be subjected to the ravages of a shipper.

I like the LWS for that price.

Hank

[closenough]

How do you suppose the LWS gets it? White glove or the "ravages of a shipper"?

Go for the best price.

[realitycheck]

Dont forget how much shipping will cost to ship it.

[scapegoat]

The northern tool is only five miles away and the airgas is right across town so no shipping would be required. I guess I am leaning towards the northern tool stickmate to save a couple bucks and spend the savings on some welding rods. I just dont want to be dealing with northern with a warranty issue. I would rather deal with airgas because they are not 16 year old sales clerks. I guess I would like to deal with Hobart for a warranty issue rather than a chain store.

[Broccoli1]

How do you suppose the LWS gets it? White glove or the "ravages of a shipper"?

Go for the best price.

You're correct but the LWS won't put a beat to sheite machine on the floor for sale-

If you accept or not accept the beat up package from what ever shipper then you have to deal with A. Dealing with sending a beat up item back B. Waiting for a new unit to be sent out and wondering if the new shippment will arrive intact.


For the price the Airgas is by far the better way to go- NO chance at all of receiving a damaged package.


Scape- most likely the Airgas is gonna be the Authorized Repair facility anyway.

Just read your post about no shipping involved.

The other thing is do you like the Airgas? Like to keep a relationship with them for the future? Sometimes it's worth the extra dollars.

[hankj]

How do you suppose the LWS gets it? White glove or the "ravages of a shipper"?

Go for the best price.

And, what if your machine arrives at your house beat to crap? Best price my butt. If I get off the floor at the LWS, it will be in new condition.

Hank

[scapegoat]

There will be no shipping to my residence whatsoever. I will be picking out the welder that I want at the facility. I live very close to both Northern tool and Airgas. I was just wondering if I should spend the extra money at Airgas if it is the same quality welder at Northern. Will Airgas treat me better if I have a warranty problem? If so, will it be worth the extra money? At Northern It is $419. At Airgas it is $459. Airgas may have better customer assistance in the future. Is it worth $40 more at Airgas for the same welder at Northern?

[Broccoli1]

There will be no shipping to my residence whatsoever. I will be picking out the welder that I want at the facility. I live very close to both Northern tool and Airgas. I was just wondering if I should spend the extra money at Airgas if it is the same quality welder at Northern. Will Airgas treat me better if I have a warranty problem? If so, will it be worth the extra money? At Northern It is $419. At Airgas it is $459. Airgas may have better customer assistance in the future. Is it worth $40 more at Airgas for the same welder at Northern?

It's the same machine- It don't care where you buy it from It just wants a home

Yes.
If the guys at Airgas are cool then I would absolutely buy from them to keep a relationship going.

No. Iffin' they are not.


Ask Airgas if they can come down a little on the price since you want to buy some consumables as well. I doubt they'll match the price exactly but a few dollars doesn't hurt.