Annual Equipment Service and inspection Pricing

[jringold]

Hey -
I took our gear (2) sets in for an annual inspection. I got a quote from the LDS and was SHOCKED at the price. Nothing is broken or damaged.
Here is what we have:
(2) ScubaPro MK21/S560
(2) ScubaPro GALILEO Luna Computers
(2) SMART/GALILEO TRANSMITTER +
(1) ScubaPro BELLA, NAVY, W/AIR2
(1) ScubaPro GLIDE X W/AIR2 BLK

The price - $650. If this sounds reasonable then I have no problem with it - can you put a price on safety? However, I just want to make sure this sounds in line with the going rate.

 

[Scuba J7]

My LDS charges $69 for reg service plus parts and $25 for BCD service and cleaning. The reg service covers 1st stage, 2x second stages, SPG and depth gauge(or check computer). So with the more expensive parts kits you might see $120 max for set of gear.

That's for full service, $25 for test/check/inspection.

 

[redacted]

That looks more like a price for a complete service rather than an inspection, and it is quite high even for that. A more reasonable price for inspection would be less than $100. Or you could spend $25v on an IP guage and do the inspe3ction yourself.

 

[Damselfish]

Inspection or service? Way high for inspection. Maybe even for service but I can almost believe it - servicing 2 full sets of scubapro regs won't be cheap and the AIR2s might not help the bottom line. It would be interesting to see a breakdown of what they're charging for each item, and what they're planning to do. Possibly, they see a new diver bringing in 2 complete sets of new brand-matched gear and see a payday...

Here's what I do-
1) I don't take our regulators to get serviced every year, or even every other year. Right after service is the only time I have problems. I long ago let any kind of free parts for life nonsense expire. I save more money by servicing less frequently, and as a bonus have way fewer problems.

2) I see no reason to "service" a computer. Generally it works or it doesn't. Maybe I'll have someone change batteries if I don't want to do it myself for some reason, but most are user replaceable anymore.

3) BCs are easy to check out yourself and I don't see where they need regular service. In your case I suppose you'll need to take the BC in if the AIR2 needs service, but see #1. (We got rid of our AIR2s long ago, we trained with them and bought them initially, but I don't like them and IMO they have far more disadvantages than advantages.)

Basically, I don't fix things that aren't broken. And it helps to take good care of stuff, especially soaking gear well. Salt is the enemy.

 

[jringold]

Basically I just need the yearly inspection tags (and to make sure our eqp is safe). Our equipment is only a little over 3 years old (last dive was last July). This has only happened once (not that we are that experienced) but last July a dive op looked at our tags and noted that the last inspection was 13 months. He sort of gumbled and said generally they will not let divers us their eqp if no inspection tag or one that is more than 12 months old. Maybe they wanted us to rent their stuff. Or us pay them to do an inspection. We didn't and it all worked out. But I don't ever want to be in a position that I can't use my personal stuff. Our LDS actually has this statement on their forms:

"ALL BCD’s AND REGULATOR’S USED ON ANY ACTIVITY/DIVE MUST HAVE CURRENT ANNUAL INSPECTION/SERVICE RECORDS. You must provide proof of service, by an AUTHORIZED DEALER, within the last twelve (12) months. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE PROOF OF SERVICE WITHIN TWELVE (12) MONTHS, THE EQUIPMENT MUST BE SERVICED."

And yes, the price is for a complete service - is that not something recommended on a yearly basis? They didn't offer just an inspections - maybe my ignorance kept me from asking. It hasn't been done yet so I guess I could just ask for an inspection.

 

[jringold]

Here is the breakdown:
BC Overhaul with air/2 std svc - 2x $50
Complete Overhaul - Wrist + Trans std - 2x $52
Regulator 2 stage overhaul std - 2 x $60
MK21 Service Kit - 2 x $33.95
G250/S360/S560/S600 - 2 x $26.25
Air2 3rd.4th generation/Re-Styled - 2 x $26.25
Battery Galileo - 2 x $32.50
Battery transmitter - 2 x $20

This LDS is really nice folks and I would like to think they are not taking advantage of some newbies that don't know any better.

 

[jringold]

I And it helps to take good care of stuff, especially soaking gear well. Salt is the enemy.

Oh, and I am extremely anal retentive as far as taking care and storing our gear. When on a trip everything gets rinsed every night. Then when we get home everything gets an overnight fresh water soaking with a de-salt solution added. Then it is all hung up in the garage to dry for a day before being put away for storage.

 

[oldschoolto]

I don't know about this LDS... I would make up a card from Scuba Steve's Super divers and just put that on my gear... Everyone knows Scuba Steve...

And as to service...I did a test and went 37 years on a first stage before it need to be over hauled....

Your mileage may very...

Jim...

 

[grf88]

Is the LDS associated with the dive op that required the service tags?

 

[redacted]

Your shop is giving you prices for a full service, not an inspection.

Your LDS may be OK but you do need to find a new dive op.