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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    53

    Default BOC Cyl Rental - Swap and Go Deal??

    Someone told me recently that BOC can now offer an arrangement similar to the swap and go type cylinder service from Bunnings - ie no monthly rental - is this true.

    Thanks in advance.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Helensburgh
    Posts
    618

    Default

    Call and ask? I for one would be interested. They rang me some time ago and asked about my account which I hadn't used for some time and I discussed with the person ringing the marketing practices of CIG/BOC and why so many were not buying gas from them. I had an account for over 40 years and shudder at the amount of rental fees I paid during that time when there was simply no alternative. When the Colt 22 kit was first released they actually allowed those that purchased the kit to buy bottles outright but that didn't last long and I missed out unfortunately.
    CHRIS

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    Prices and cylinder capacities vary from area to area.
    You need to carefully work out the size(capacity) of the cylinder/s needed and check around for the best prices. For instance ,if you think there will be a bit of oxy cutting a larger cylinder is more economical than a smaller one.

    Purchase from Bunnings is by no means universal across the country and there are other players besides BOC and Bunnings.

    Total Tools, Supagas and many others. Be aware that a cylinder purchased from supplier A won't be filled by supplier B. The answers anyone here can give you are likely to be a bit too variable as it impossible to cover all the variations.

    Do an online search for gas suppliers for your local area and phone around to compare prices and sizes.

    Grahame

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Far West Wimmera
    Age
    63
    Posts
    4,049

    Default

    I opened a new account with BOC about 4 weeks ago. I needed a cylinder of oxy. They are charging about $8 something for rental per month for the D size. I only want it short term. I can take it back any time. The cost for oxy is about $33.00 per cylinder. A lot less than Bunnies. I can get it 40km away. I don't know of any Bunnies stores that carry it. I forgot to check the nearest one. They did not have it before, but now they have moved to a new location they apparently have 3 times the product range and may have included welding gas.

    The E cylinder rental is only about a dollar more and as Grahame said it will be cheaper to fill. They did not mention purchase of cylinders to me. I am interested in seeing if this is true. It would actually be a better option in my opinion than the other suppliers as you would have a consistent national network of outlets. There is only one outlet for cylinder purchase as far as I know within hundreds of km's of me. Horsham or Hamilton may have suppliers, but they are both a very long way away just to buy / exchange a cylinder. There are BOC agents everywhere.

    Dean

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    53

    Default

    Just rang around - some agents don't seem to know much about it but one on the ball fellow gave me these details -

    Offered in D and G sizes. When you sign up to the plan, you get a full cylinder and are entitled to one free refill within 12 mths - prices quoted for the D size are $79 for oxygen, $108 for acetylene and $165 for straight argon. He said it cuts cost roughly in half.

    That is just what he told me - haven't taken it up yet so check with your local agent if going into it. Sick of being ripped off - pity not in E sizes yet though.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Toowoomba Qld
    Posts
    401

    Default

    I had called my local BOC and asked and they said no. Everything was still a rental arrangement.
    I think Total tools are trying to do a swap and go style one also, you have to swap the bottles in store tho. Personally I have used SpeedGas. Turns out much better value with them to buy the big G cylinder. Currently $550 to buy the G full and comes with Gas, $180 for a refill (prices are delivered to your door). Got a bottle delivered this morning so just completed the comparison.
    I did the math and if you are chewing through the gas then you are better with the BOC rental as the refills are cheaper. For the G size it was something like you needed to be using more then 1 full bottle a year for BOC rental to come out cheaper when their new plans allowing that they were giving you one free refill each year which is the impression I got talking to the BOC guy. If you were using 1 full bottle or less a year then SpeedGas came out in front after a few years. Figure that I will probably have a couple of welders for the next 40 years so will win out in the end.

    If i start using a heap of Gas I'll just sit my purchased bottle to the side, use a rental and then when go back to occasional use will use the bought bottle again. Then again you can always sell them.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    53

    Default

    The plan seems to be yearly rental with one free refill per year not the same system as at bunnings but an improvement on the old deal

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Adelaide
    Age
    68
    Posts
    1,373

    Default

    An interesting development on the gas wars, I received an email from BOC rewarding my loyalty with an offer to exchange my empty G2 Argon cylinder for a full one at no cost. So obviously they are hurting as a result of the competition from the buy-your-own providers.

    After just under 40 years of renting at least 2 cylinders (and for a time 4 cylinders) I returned my last empty to them, declined their offer, and am now finally running rent free. I hate to think how much I have paid them through the years when as CIG and then BOC they had a monopoly.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
    Age
    71
    Posts
    5,942

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    Who did you end up going through, Gavin??
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Athelstone, SA 5076
    Posts
    4,255

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Quasimodo View Post
    Just rang around - some agents don't seem to know much about it but one on the ball fellow gave me these details -

    Offered in D and G sizes. When you sign up to the plan, you get a full cylinder and are entitled to one free refill within 12 mths - prices quoted for the D size are $79 for oxygen, $108 for acetylene and $165 for straight argon. He said it cuts cost roughly in half.

    That is just what he told me - haven't taken it up yet so check with your local agent if going into it. Sick of being ripped off - pity not in E sizes yet though.
    Yep

    But remember, they charge you for a new cylinder of gas every 12 months even if you havent used it! I had to have a set in the van for "just in case". Obviously It was rarely used and when they sent out a invoice at the end of the 1st year the cylinders were still 99% full....so I ended up going the bunnings way...if you using a set or more a year its (BOC) is good value... but not for me.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Athelstone, SA 5076
    Posts
    4,255

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore View Post
    Who did you end up going through, Gavin??
    Kryn
    I got my E & G from Total Tools

    OXY Acet from Bunnings

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Adelaide
    Age
    68
    Posts
    1,373

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore View Post
    Who did you end up going through, Gavin??
    Kryn
    The local Total Tools store at Lonsdale, at the time I returned my MIG gas they were the only providers of E size cylinders although now everyone has them. They've just started selling MIG & TIG gas in G size cylinders as well but I've gone for an E as a purchase (the BOC was a G) as it's getting harder for the better half & I to lift the bigger bottles these days.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    hi,
    I suspect gas availability outcomes will vary dependent on where the particular forum member lives.

    From the above I can see cylinders are available in Adelaide at both Total Tools and Bunnings.

    In my neck of the woods Total Tools carry cylinders and Bunnings do not. I am fairly sure both have the same gas supplier . Possibly there isn't the population base to support viable sales at both outlets.

    What I am getting at, is that availability will vary for one reason or another in various locations and a reader shouldn't assume because there is gas available at Total Tools and Bunnings in Adelaide that there is gas at all Total Tools and Bunnings through out Australia.

    Perhaps we could start a thread of of who sells gas and where for those seeking cylinders?

    Grahame

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Athelstone, SA 5076
    Posts
    4,255

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Gavin Newman View Post
    it's getting harder for the better half & I to lift the bigger bottles these days.
    Thats your problem...your both lifting in opposite directions...just let the "better half" do it and all will be fine

  15. #15
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
    Age
    71
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    5,942

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    Bunnings in Murray Bridge are now selling the gas, I saw someone the other day carrying out a cylinder, can't remember which one it was.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

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