I have that same issue with Airgas in particular.  They will not stock anything name brand here ...only the Radnor stuff and their supply of IN STOCK rods is pretty weak as well.   I avoid them in general.  Basically I look at them as the Wal Mart of welding supplies.   My preferred LWS however keeps about everything I ever need in stock and usually a choice of brands...they answer the phone, they bring it to me if I need them to ....so....they get most of my money   Sometimes they just will not get off a price though ...so if there is a big difference I go to the internet too.

Many of the other suppliers have much better stock in my area as well Wade.

Though I'm surprised at some of the items yours didn't have.  Should have been stock items. 

But I am seeing that in the grocery store and many other places right now.  Stock is way down.  Everybody is watching the overhead.  What sells and sells fast is what gets shelf space.

Have a Great Day,  Brent

PS: Wade, I'll try to call you this evening.  I didn't have any free time at all this past weekend.

Airgas SUX! I used to use National Welders and another welding supply that was privately owned. Then National Welders got bought out by Airgas and the mom and pop got bought out by Praxair. Airgas kept charging me rent on more gas cylinders than I actually had and Praxairs invoicing is so confusing , you never know what you owe them.  I'm 50 miles away from any welding supply so I am really dependant on the truck coming by. They used to be like a rolling store. Now they don't have anything unless you order it ahead of time.They don't even keep soapstone or torch strikers on the truck.  I've been thinking about buying online myself.

I deal with an independent 90% of the time and rarely have issues. As far as Airgas though I live in a small town, everybody in the store knows my name, typically have what I need and if not will get it quick if I really need something. Usually spend 30 minutes in the store yackin' it up with the manager and counter folks. Might be the difference in small town stores and city joints.....or it could just be the people.

Airgas here in Midland Odessa area is same situation. Some D/A behind the counter who doesnt have a clue about what you need or really anything for that matter. Praxair is typical "If we dont have it, we can get it" but "we always try to help you out" like youre doing me a favor for doing what you are supposed to be getting paid to do anyway. Its rediculous. The local Private Owned supply always has what I need and nine more on the shelf behind it. Ive gone to getting everything other than our gasses off the internet. The sad thing is I run a fairly large operation and a busy one for that matter but it doesnt matter to them that I just ordered 200 5"X3/32 wheels and 200 5"x1/4 wheels and two pallets of wire and rod five minutes ago from an online supplier who gives me a better deal with shipping included than they do down the street. Plus I didnt have to waste an hour of my day waiting for someone to type the same thing into their computer to end up having to order it from the same people I just did anyway!

We HAD 2 Mom & Pop places in Pottstown, Airgas bought 'em both and consolidated it to one location. The helpfull people moved to locations closer to where they lived, and the helpless ones are still here.

In Reading, about 20 miles away there is an Airgas and a GTS. I had been dealing with a good guy at GTS, hope He is still there.

I own my bottles so no worries on over charging. Ideal with an independant ex rig welder for all my supplies and in 10 years there was 1 time i had to wait for rods to come in other than that no problems other than inflation.

Hey guys,
After reading the responses, I feel really lucky to have such a great Airgas here where I live. The store is only 7mi from me, stocks a superb supply of everything I usually need, refills my smaller bottles(40cf) with some odd mixes(98/2) I need on occasion, & the service is excellent. They do have some great sales & I get a price that is equal to any internet price on "most" items. I do buy online for specific needs & if I know the price can't be beat, especially like the 12-15# spools of 4043/5356 I picked up last year for under $35 shipped. The guys at the LWS are quite knowledgeable, will order anything you need, & will look up anything you may need info for. They give me contractor prices even though I'm just a small operator, so I give them my business & recommendations. They seem to service/supply most of the shops around here & have (2) large delivery trucks on the road all day long, & have a stock of several thousand bottles of various sizes. Since I own my bottles, they exchange with no problem, & simply charge me the $7 test fee on the exchange if the bottle test is expired. Like a smart business operation, every $$$$$$ incoming is what is important no matter how large or smell. I guess they have a smart manager.....

Denny