Brand New Oxycheq Adjustable Harness Failed on First Dive

[Cliveski]

Hi guys,

Me and my wife are new beginner divers. Right before our check out dive, my wife bought an Oxycheq Wing, Backplate and Adjustable harness to use during the checkout. On our very first dive, she felt the right strap of her BCD loosened. When she tried to tighten it, the stitching on the quick release buckle came off. ON OUR VERY FIRST DIVE?!!! To make long story short, we were lucky besides our instructor, we had a DM with us who "band aided" the strap and we aborted the dive. On the surface we found that the problem was with the stitching, the buckle was not stitched/sewn properly so it came right off with just some tugging. The other side was also showing signs that it might come off soon. Instructor said in his 20 years of teaching he had never seen anything like this.
I called the dealer and she said she can only do exchanges, no refunds. :shocked2: I don't think I can ever trust Oxycheq again by what had just transpired, why should I agree to an exchange right? What if it fails in strong currents???
I then emailed Oxycheq about it and guess what? No reply, and it's been 2 days. Have I found this thread sooner, I wouldn't have bought an Oxycheq for my wife. It seems that after an item is sold, they don't really care anymore. This is really disappointing....

 

[redacted]

Hi guys,

Me and my wife are new beginner divers. Right before our check out dive, my wife bought an Oxycheq Wing, Backplate and Adjustable harness to use during the checkout. On our very first dive, she felt the right strap of her BCD loosened. When she tried to tighten it, the stitching on the quick release buckle came off. ON OUR VERY FIRST DIVE?!!! To make long story short, we were lucky besides our instructor, we had a DM with us who "band aided" the strap and we aborted the dive. On the surface we found that the problem was with the stitching, the buckle was not stitched/sewn properly so it came right off with just some tugging. The other side was also showing signs that it might come off soon. Instructor said in his 20 years of teaching he had never seen anything like this.
I called the dealer and she said she can only do exchanges, no refunds. :shocked2: I don't think I can ever trust Oxycheq again by what had just transpired, why should I agree to an exchange right? What if it fails in strong currents???
I then emailed Oxycheq about it and guess what? No reply, and it's been 2 days. Have I found this thread sooner, I wouldn't have bought an Oxycheq for my wife. It seems that after an item is sold, they don't really care anymore. This is really disappointing....

Oxycheq is pretty much renown for non-existent customer service. I get the impression that even their dealers can have a hard time dealing with them. And their QC has been faulty at times. But, when they get it right (and they usually do) their products are pretty good and reasonably priced. So an exchange would probably work out.

But if that is not satisfactory, check with your CC company and see if they can do a charge back. You might also check local laws to see if refund refusal is even allowed. In some places it is not. But such signs are not prohibited so dealers try to get away with it. If you go that route, it is hard to beat a DSS rig for both quality and service.

 

[rongoodman]

A fine reason to replace the adjustable harness with a single piece of webbing. My favorite in terms of stiffness is the stuff sold by Halcyon.

 

[Locus]

A fine reason to replace the adjustable harness with a single piece of webbing.

+1

Problem solved.

 

[decompression]

Maybe this one piece webbing thing might catch on......

 

[Crush]

But how will I easily install padding?

http://www.oxycheq.com/media/catalo...b33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/o/w/owb-03-04fg.jpg

 

[nimoh]

But how will I easily install padding?

http://www.oxycheq.com/media/catalo...b33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/o/w/owb-03-04fg.jpg

padding is overrated, wear a wetsuit, drysuit, or even just a rash guard.

 

[rongoodman]

I've worn mine over a light T-shirt without issue.

 

[cb5150]

A fine reason to replace the adjustable harness with a single piece of webbing.

This^^^

 

[Crush]

Personally I wear a drysuit when the water is 4C. The padding comment was meant to be a joke. I guess it didn't translate well. I use a single piece of webbing.

Maybe I should have trolled you guys a bit longer.