A precautionary tale.
As you have seen, I got my Air Products cylinder sorted out finally. And the invoices for around £8.0 started to appear each month.
Today I noticed that another invoice was there to be read (PDF). and this time it was for £23 pound.
So, I phoned Air products to ask what was going on.
'Didn't they tell you how the rental system works ? the nice lady asked.
No, they said it was about £8 per month.
'Well, it depends upon how much you use. And I see that you still have the same bottle. If you don't change it within three month it goes up to the next tier, which is £23. And then it goes up again if you still don't replace it after a few month'.
A this small bottle would last me about three years I would have paid out around £600 for it by the time I needed to renew it.
So I cancelled the contract and took a hit on the lost gas. I think I had done some 6" of weld in total. Maybe five minutes.
When I returned the bottle, virtually full, the agent told me that they have just re-introduced the 'hobby user' deal. You pay a deposit of around £60. You refill is £37. and the agreement last for ten year. If you return the bottle (the original or any other refills) before that time you get a small amount back.
That seems reasonable. But I think I will wait.
So, I now have brand new tig welder still in the box that is gathering dust under the stairs. maybe I will use it some day.
Buyer Beware.
Dave.