Glacier
05-09-2007, 09:16 PM
I try to shop locally when I can. I like supporting local businesses and I'll pay a few extra bucks for a local supplier, especially if there's decent service involved too.
My lampworking workspace is almost set up and ready to go at home. Just needed the hoses to hook up the oxygen concentrator and the propane tank. Basic Grade t hoses that should be available at any ol' welding supply store. For some reason, there are three welding supply shops here. Not one of them carries this hose. One guy told me that what I was asking for didnt' exist and that propane isn't hot enough to melt gas. Then tried to sell me a MAPP gas hose--my torch won't run on MAPP gas! Another place basically treated me like I was a clueless woman and maybe I should send my husband instead! The last place I checked at least had a clue what I was talking about! He didn't carry it, but he knew what it was--this was at the explosives supplier! Not even a welding shop! The clerk was a looker too. Not so hard to be told I can't have what I want right now when it comes from a pretty boy! He even offered to order it for me. Then gave me the website he orders from so I could get it myself without his surcharges. Should I ever need to blow something up, I'll be going back there!
Went on line, found a supplier in under 10 minutes, in Canada, prices in Canadian funds. Everything I need to hook up my torch should be here within a week.
A couple weeks ago, my camera and my cats had a little run in. Camera is fine, kit lens that came with it was dead. I bought another lens at the local camera shop, who I usually love. They told me that Nikon only sold the dead lens as part of the D-80 kit. So I bought a Tamron with a bit more zoom, but I didn't like it. It's a good lens, takes a very good picture, but compared to the Nikon lens, it's focus is soft. I like overly sharp pictures!
Last Friday night, went on-line, found a supplier in a little town in Alberta, selling the lens I had broke with no need to purchase a new body too, for half what I paid for the Tamron lens! It was sitting my mail box tonight when I got home!
And the local guys wonder why they are loosing so much business to on-line shopping! Good service, no matter what form your store is in, gets and keeps customers!
My lampworking workspace is almost set up and ready to go at home. Just needed the hoses to hook up the oxygen concentrator and the propane tank. Basic Grade t hoses that should be available at any ol' welding supply store. For some reason, there are three welding supply shops here. Not one of them carries this hose. One guy told me that what I was asking for didnt' exist and that propane isn't hot enough to melt gas. Then tried to sell me a MAPP gas hose--my torch won't run on MAPP gas! Another place basically treated me like I was a clueless woman and maybe I should send my husband instead! The last place I checked at least had a clue what I was talking about! He didn't carry it, but he knew what it was--this was at the explosives supplier! Not even a welding shop! The clerk was a looker too. Not so hard to be told I can't have what I want right now when it comes from a pretty boy! He even offered to order it for me. Then gave me the website he orders from so I could get it myself without his surcharges. Should I ever need to blow something up, I'll be going back there!
Went on line, found a supplier in under 10 minutes, in Canada, prices in Canadian funds. Everything I need to hook up my torch should be here within a week.
A couple weeks ago, my camera and my cats had a little run in. Camera is fine, kit lens that came with it was dead. I bought another lens at the local camera shop, who I usually love. They told me that Nikon only sold the dead lens as part of the D-80 kit. So I bought a Tamron with a bit more zoom, but I didn't like it. It's a good lens, takes a very good picture, but compared to the Nikon lens, it's focus is soft. I like overly sharp pictures!
Last Friday night, went on-line, found a supplier in a little town in Alberta, selling the lens I had broke with no need to purchase a new body too, for half what I paid for the Tamron lens! It was sitting my mail box tonight when I got home!
And the local guys wonder why they are loosing so much business to on-line shopping! Good service, no matter what form your store is in, gets and keeps customers!