I wonder....

[weldone]

Just wondering why is it that Miller is'nt as commericalized
like Lincoln. Meaning you dont find Miller's in Home Dep or Lowes
not complaining....actually happy about it

Dave

[SkidSteerSteve]

I agree, I like the fact that Miller is only available through distributors. Although, keep in mind that Miller is owned by Illinois Tool Works, which has the welding side of Hobart. The Hobart line can be found in most farm/ranch type stores and other hardware outlets. SSS

[ShieldArc]

Miller used to make welders for Air Products, they were green.

[triggerman]

Standard explanation....

There are several reasons. Here are a couple. Miller welders are sold through their network of distributors. Retailers are all about getting your business by having the lowest price. Putting a Miller unit on the shelf of a retailer would be in direct competition with the distributors. If you buy a welder at a retailer and need service, who is going to do it? The retailer? No. You will have to take it to a distributor. Distributors stock the parts and train their people because they and Miller are dedicated to their mutually beneficial relationship. Selling through retailers would fracture that relationship. Recently, Snapper pulled their business from Wal-Mart for this very same reason. They declined having their product on the shelves of the largest retailer the world has ever seen because their distributors couldn't compete with Wal-Mart's volume buying power and distribution system. Also, in order to sell through a major retailer, the units are produced on the lowest margin possible and the retailer is constantly sticking their noses in to the manufacturing process to "help" the maufacturer. There are other reasons, but those are the main ones. Hope this helps.

[SkidSteerSteve]

There are several reasons. Here are a couple. Miller welders are sold through their network of distributors. Retailers are all about getting your business by having the lowest price............ There are other reasons, but those are the main ones. Hope this helps.

And this is why I own Miller. They still care about their product....AND the end user / distributor as an entire system. Not just can we sell it for a nickel less. SSS

[JonnyTIG]

I guess it boils down to quallity not quantity.

[youngwelder_154]

Jonny I agree with you 110% I dont believe they should sell miller at just any store. I tihnk miller has one of the best welders around! I dont think they need to go to Canadian Tire or any places of that sort, the welders form there arnt the same quality as the real stuff some of the lincolin welders I seen at CT were going so cheap and my saying has always been and always will be "You get what you pay for." I have always thought that if you buy sometinhg with a good brand name from CT or Home Depot they will jsut give a bad name to that brand becuase there jsut a cheap look alike.

[Sparky C]

I agree Miller is best by rep, besides I have yet to see Lincon welders on any of the TV shows. Leave em on the shelf at Home depot.
I'll buy Blue.

[bpickell]

too bad I can't buy a miller here locally, Our LWS only sells Lincoln and TSAB. I inquired about Miller and they told me they were crap, I told him he didn't know what he was talking about and left, and to buy online, won't do it not only is it expensive to ship, but friends of mine keep getting damaged welders being shipped by brown.

[TomVeatch]

... not only is it expensive to ship, but friends of mine keep getting damaged welders being shipped by brown.

Many online vendors offer "free" shipping in the lower 48. As far as UPS is concerned, I believe they have an undeserved reputation. I've had very good luck with UPS deliverys. I recall only one item out of probably hundreds delivered by UPS that was damaged in transit. Of course that one was a chunk of granite (actually a small granite surface plate) but they made good on it.

My MM180 was purchased online and delivered by UPS in pristine condition.

[TS-Off-Road]

I buy Miller from a local dealer and even though it may cost a bit more, you can't put a price on the service! For example, my Dynasty needed repair and when the shop couldn't get the new part in a timely manner the dealer called the Miller rep and got a brand new unit shipped next day! Not just a part a, NEW MACHINE! You won't get that service at Lowes or HD, not ever, nor from the internet. It will be a sad day if I ever see a Miller for sale at a big chain home improvement store.

[youngwelder_154]

TS I will have to strongly agree with what you are saying. You are going along the same rout at me. I think the way they treated your problem is good Id love to get a whole new machine if mine was broke I was wondering if you had a year or two older modle would they still replace it or would they just send you a new part?

[TS-Off-Road]

My machine was fairly new, so I'm sure that's why they replaced it. If it was older I believe I would have had to wait for the part, but my local Miller dealer would have given me a replacement machine to use in the meantime if that was the case - yet another service you can't get from an Internet dealer or home improvement store!

[paulrbrown]

TS, I have had the same experience with Miller Distributors, I wanted to try a 200DX, and they had one shipped in next day, I was so impressed, I just bought it with out trying it out, and as far as repairs, bought a Hobart 135 Handler, made by Miller, had a problem first week, they swapped out, no questions. Now Jackson stuff, stay away, anyway, the Distributor usually can match anyone, they want your consumable business....and even then, they are very competitive.....Happy with Miller after 12 years......Paul

[acsuppa]

After trying the "HD" (Home Depot) retail version of a Lincoln, I'm glad I returned it and bought a Miller. I understand that companies want to sell as much as they can but when they sacrifice quality just to lower the price it doesn't say much for the company. At least with Hobart, you pay a little more but you get a better product for the price. I love my Miller and I would never get anything else.