BOC and Volkszone - Gas Offer

[Marty2005]

Well, just took advantage of the BOC offer. From what I'd read in the past I actively tried to avoid dealing with BOC. However, my area isn't well served by gas suppliers. I tried the local agent for Air Products and was basically told he wasn't interested as I wouldn't be using enough gas. If I was using several bottles a month then that would be a different matter. I then tried the agent for Air Liquide and was told to ring Air Liquide direct and set up the account. Rang Air Liquide who told me I need to set up the account with the agent!

Rang BOC this morning and it went like a dream. Spoke to a young lady who couldn't have been more helpful. Apparently this was meant to be a trial offer to see what hobbyist business they could drum up, but it has taken off. From chatting to the lady, it's been such a success it seems they are looking at extending the offer. I can only speak as I find.

 

[TheJoker]

ive asked him about pure argon for tig
offer was just for mig gas but is doing a deal on the gas price
nothing sorted yet but the offer looks ok

I also got in touch with Justin the second I was pointed to the post on Volkzone. He was very helpful, even when I told him that I've misunderstood Argonshield as pure Argon. He asked if he should get in touch with me if a similar offer extends to Argon. Naturally I said yes.

As for Gasman's gripes, I can understand you, I really can, as I'm a current customer of one of your agents (I believe that's how it goes). Your agent is a top notch man, he's quick, friendly, professional. All I could wish for. If I could get a larger bottle with more gas from your guy, I'd love it.
Sadly, the pennies have to decide in the end.

 

[Gasman]

[/QUOTE]Your agent is a top notch man, he's quick, friendly, professional. All I could wish for. If I could get a larger bottle with more gas from your guy, I'd love it. Sadly, the pennies have to decide in the end.[/QUOTE]

We can offer a 14L (instead of a 10L) for HP Argon or indeed Argon shield if you require 40% extra volume.

In response to others comments about my "rant" thanks for your understanding.

The unfortunate bigger picture is that the major players will "buying business" until such time that the independents are wiped out completely. This will then pave the way for a big monopoly and infinite price increases.

 

[TheJoker]

I'll have a chat with your guy next time I need a refill (had 3 in the last two months! ).

Sadly "buying business" is considered fair play. Look at Starbucks. Which is a bit ironic as those big business' that do it care absolutely about their staff (or customers). All they care about is the return the shareholders are getting. My chickadee's company has been laying off staff "to align their profits to expected market demand".

 

[Scot]

Took advantage of this today. BOC at Cambuslang were a bit bemused 'cos they didn't know of or understand the offer but all went well in the end.

As someone pointed out on this site, if they can sell and make a profit at this price then what have they been doing in the past. They weren't alone from what I could see. Anyway, a bit of living for the moment.

 

[irondarren]

It is interesting that BOC, have actually used one of the forums to run a special deal on. Well over a year ago when AP were trying to attract business by offering cylinders at a very discounted price. I had words with BOC and got a major review of the price i paid for gas. At the time i suggested if they wanted to gain extra customers the answer would have been to offer a deal to forum members. They did tell me that they actually read the forums and were thinking about doing something. strange that it turned up on a volkswagon forum possibly because BOC is part of Linde.
What i have noticed about BOC of late is they seem to be doing some reasonable offers, through the gas and gear shops, perhaps the new owners have a different view on business from the old BOC management.

 

[bogoiler]

talked to justin today ,they're only doing it on the light not on the other two mig gases ive got energas coming to see me he said tht he can do refills for £18/big bottle its just the rental thats costs

 

[irondarren]

£18 for a full size bottle isn't a bad price, but as you say its the rental that costs

 

[marknotgeorge]

Is anyone maintaining the gas price spreadsheet? Some cheaper options in there for really infrequent use (like me and my TIG or for people who don't MIG very much at all).

Sorry, what with college, a new job and all, I've barely had time to scratch my own backside.

I've added the offer to the spreadsheet. If the rental looks wrong, it's because I've separated the rental (£35 per year) and the refill cost (£25) which were lumped together in the headline £60 figure. It's also why the second year's rental is quoted as only £35. BOC aren't being that nice... I've also assumed in the 6-year extrapolation that the offer will stand for the whole period... Do they charge the collection fee?

Please, let me know of good deals. With it now on Google, it's easier for me to keep it up to date. I can change the Excel spreadsheet instantly, but some clown (me) moved their website to a host that can't be updated through my broadband. It needs a dial-up, which is just the wrong side of hassle.

 

[3fly]

Took advantage of the Volkszone offer today and very easy it was too.
Its still £60 per year first year inc gas and vat. £35 for the second year and a fill at any time is £25 inc vat. I quoted volkszone but said I saw the deal on this forum.
Justin (boc chap) was saying they are 3/4 on the way to a target that hopefully will let this offer run for years to come. We will see as times become easier and the little man is pushed to one side once more;-)

The Y size bottle is filled to 230 bar not 300 as I thought so no need to change the reg, just need an adaptor! Saying that it looks like most adaptors are near the price of a new a reg!!! Crackers!!

 

[marfyboy]

Got in touch with Justin at boc today and they are still running the offer if anyone is interested

 

[Omniata]

Got myself hooked up on the offer, should be collecting within a month or so

 

[Justme]

I'm hoping that this will start the others doing the same as BOC are just to far away to be viable. To make it work I would need two cylinders so I could change the empty one when I am in the dealers area.

 

[eil]

Justme
I know the air products is near you but the BOC agent is not far either just in Penryn

 

[Justme]

Yeh but thats over an hour round trip & two gallons of fuel.

That said its a good saving of about £80 per year.

(ok cost wise as I am only using a bottle every 18 months I would be better off but the welder is more like insurance so if I bust some thing I can fix it & get back to work ASAP)

I do also have the option of gas from an independant in town (must check the deal again) but only in the large bottle which is no good for moving round on soft ground.

 

[eil]

Who is the indipendant in Pwllheli ?.

 

[Justme]

Pwllheli Gas & Leisure.

HERE.

But no mention on the web site.

I have emailed them. I will post the details when they reply.

I did try the CO2 from them a few years ago but dint like it. They said at the time they were going to do proper mig gas soon. I have been in for other bits & they said that they had started to sell it but I was in a rush to get sorted.

If they have not replied after lunch I will call them.

Are you in the area then?
(N Wales is a large place lol)

 

[Justme]

Just phoned but the person that can give me the details is not in till tomorrow.

 

[Justme]

As promissed here are the details for my local supplier.

1. The rental is charged monthly in arrears (you only pay for what cylinders you have on the last day of the month)
£5.50 per cylinder.

2. The Gwynedd 5 is £36.00 for a 50L cyl
The Gwynedd 5 is £23.00 for a 20L cyl

3. The pressure on all current cylinders is 200 bar

4. The cyls are either 20L or 50L as above

5. The Gwynedd 5 mix is as follows:
93% Argon
4% CO2
2% Oxygen

6. The cylinders all have female threads, compatable with both BOC & Air Products, unless you have a quick release valve fitted currently.

Can some one add that to the spreadsheet.

 

[knightrider]

on the smaller 20 litre one
that works out well more expensive than the volkszone offering

its £66.00 a year for the rental alone according to those prices
so £ 89 including the gas for a smaller cylinder filled to a lower pressure

the Volkszone offering is £60 INCLUDING your first refill and rent paid for a year, it is a 30L cylinder filled to a higher pressure at 230 Bar

not many people can collect a 50 litre cylinder unless they have a van, or estate car