portamig lookalike?

[andypocock]

We are producing too much stuff for too little money (China being soley to blame). We need to produce less stuff for more money before everything settles back down...back to the quality days.
weldequip

I think that nicely sums up where the last 10 years has got us.

 

[aero]

More like stock they can't shift. People don't know what a portamig is. They do know what a migatronic or a lincoln is though.

 

[matt1978]

I have also been saying this for ages..........

Maybe this is not really the forum for such discusisons as many (Not all, I know ) of the users of this forum are DIY/Hobby welders and are usually only interested in spending as least as possible......long term support or product quality are not as high on the priority list as in the 'Industrial' welding market.

However, I can't understand how some manufacturers are able to sell via distributors and then also decide to sell direct to end customers if the mood takes them and yet they are still able to get away with it

 

[TechnicAl]

However, I can't understand how some manufacturers are able to sell via distributors and then also decide to sell direct to end customers if the mood takes them and yet they are still able to get away with it

Matt
You are assuming that its the manufacturer that makes that decision. Some end users wont deal with distributors and depending on their size and location the manufacturer is forced to sell direct.

It all depends very much on individual circumstances.

After all its the man with the money that decides

 

[stormin]

I've got to agree with Al on this one.
Unless the price difference was massive I'd probably go to weldequip for a Portamig. He's more local and as a private purchaser I think I'd get better service than from the manufacturer.

 

[aero]

I'd go to the place where I'd get the best back up compared to price. Be it a dealer or manufacturer.

I changed my electric suppliers for the same reason. The people I was with you'd be on the phone for hours and get nowhere, OK the cheapest electric you could get. The ones I have now they have call centres in the UK and they have sorted out everything there and then. A few pennies more, granted, but worth it in terms of how much of my time I have to devote to dealing with them.

 

[RapidResponse]

Giving it back not away.

Push the quality aspect then & get your margin...what I try to do with Portamig...and then you get tits like Rapid & MTA giving the stuff away, madness!!
weldequip

Maybe we pass a little of our sucess on to the guy that buys it.
We are happy and like to keep the ball rolling.
We cannot ever be accused of not promoting quality. We invented it.

 

[weldequip]

The "stack it high & sell it cheap" approach is fine if you have the volume (although it was still the demise of Woolworth's), but they can't build em fast enough! and you know that Rapid. I know your bottom line...just the same as mine. And then distributors moan it's a tough market, it's no wonder on those margins is it!!
weldequip