BOC - rental getting ridiculous.

[Chris Stevens]

I have never ever had a problem with BOC, no complaints at all. The last gas supplier I used though was so poor I was forced to change. Having used all the major suppliers BOC is the best and cheapest by quite a long way..............

 

[backpurge]

Oh, I think there is a plan to sort it and it's all known about. Just hope the plan is a good one. Let's face it the accounts don't paint a rosey outlook if it's not sorted
My comments just reflect what a well coordinated mystery shopper campaign and the like could show

Really????, seeing as you don't either know me, my colleagues or what we do on a daily basis I find your assumptions quite insulting

 

[Rrunnach]

How does cost pan out with BOC tanks now with contents @ 300 bar, tanks now have contents gauge incorporated, do you still require a regulator?

I use single tanks on a manifold system, so still have WP gauge within each bay. For the record, one local motor factor stock welding gas, also one LPG/Butane supplies welding gas, too. Price seems reasonable.

 

[mr migwire]

never had a problem with boc, 2 bottles of lite and a pure and cant fault there service or costs, i get through a lot of lite on the mig and worked out it would cost me more if i was using rent free.

 

[Chris Stevens]

never had a problem with boc, 2 bottles of lite and a pure and cant fault there service or costs, i get through a lot of lite on the mig and worked out it would cost me more if i was using rent free.

I get the feeling that a fair few rent free users would probably save money by going onto to rental contract, unless usage is very low, and cheaper gas doesnt cancel out the rental charges..............

 

[T0rnado69]

i was with BOC before this hobbydeal was about.
normal yearly rental and gas charges.
and collection charge etc.
never had any problems with BOC, but as im a fairly low gas user.
it was pricey...
now ive moved to sabre. a refill for me is only £23

 

[Chris Stevens]

i was with BOC before this hobbydeal was about.
normal yearly rental and gas charges.
and collection charge etc.
never had any problems with BOC, but as im a fairly low gas user.
it was pricey...
now ive moved to sabre. a refill for me is only £23

I am paying around the same for W argon from BOC, dont use a great amount, but rental deal is still a lot less money than rent free...................

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Returned the bottle yesterday. BOC chap very pleasant and we had a long talk. Working out how long I'd have a contract with BOC I reckon over the years I've paid over £1500 in rental. Due to illness I haven't had to change a bottle for a few years as I've been very inactive so can't justify annual rental anymore and deposit, even if refill dearer, is better option for me.

 

[Jim Davey]

Had the annual rental bill for my BOC Argoshield size X bottle yesterday - £91.32
That's enough - it's going to be returned and a rent free bottle sourced.

They are targeting my customers with prices of £5.00 for a large argon.

 

[Jim Davey]

There is a crossover, if you use less than 3 rent free Albees a year its cheaper in the long run to stay rent free, with Air Liquide at least. If you cross that threshold though it's cheaper to go for a rental account but its worth noting that some people can't stand direct debits leaving their account every month, and the rental will be taken regardless of use, so if you have a slow month, you still pay out.

 

[WorkshopChris]

There is a crossover, if you use less than 3 rent free Albees a year its cheaper in the long run to stay rent free, with Air Liquide at least.

I think the market will always need options for all users, I have a mix of Albee and Hobby weld. Apart from odd diy projects our usage is engineering maintenance based.
Cylinders get little use as its not production,in 3 years since i changed over from Boc i have had 3 oxygen 2 acetylene 1 argon and 2 argon mix, spread across a holding of 7 cylinders.
I want to start practicing my tig again soon so will probably take a boc W argon for a while as usage will be higher.

 

[Chris Stevens]

I wonder how much gas the rent free cylinders contain, and are there any added costs such as handling charge when they are collected?

 

[Jim Davey]

It varies Chris, Albee use bigger bottles and higher pressure than Adams so you get about twice the gas but they charge more for the first cylinder, the swaps are reasonable though so you save in the long term. However the return on the cylinder "deposit" decreases over time so if you return the cylinder after 24 months you only get 10% of the original purchase price refunded.

 

[T0rnado69]

I am paying around the same for W argon from BOC, dont use a great amount, but rental deal is still a lot less money than rent free...................

you must use a lot or have a good arrangement with them for that price.

i didn't think W size was on the hobbydeal.
on last years price list june 2015.
W size year rental £130.62
refill is £106.06 for argon and £62.05 for light.

 

[Chris Stevens]

I am paying a good deal less than list prices for gas.

 

[T0rnado69]

thats good.

i dont use enough to warrant a yearly rental
even more so know ive got a little tig set. so need argon also.

so i went the best deal for me and that was with elmdale's sabre gas.

 

[Kent]

It varies Chris, Albee use bigger bottles and higher pressure than Adams so you get about twice the gas but they charge more for the first cylinder, the swaps are reasonable though so you save in the long term. However the return on the cylinder

"deposit" decreases over time so if you return the cylinder after 24 months you only get 10% of the original purchase price refunded.

View attachment 86037

I didn't know that I have had an albee O2 for carry round burning work. Fills are expensive but I think it's only about 2-3 a year
It's paid for itself up to now and I like the integral reg with the shielding

 

[Robotstar5]

We had the extra large hobby cylinders at my last place....

 

[T0rnado69]

that should last a while LOL

 

[Jim Davey]

They would make a lovely rocket stove lol