Deals on air fills?

[grouchyturtle]

I've seen it posted here numerous times, of course I can't find any of those threads now, that sometimes an LDS will give you a break on air fills if you buy a new tank from them.

I even remember at least one post stating that some LDS will even give you free fills for the life of the tank if bought new from them.

Well I got 2 used AL 80s a while back, now I'm looking to get some steels. I was thinking of buying new this time, just for the reason stated above. Well I can't seem to find any LDS around here, that will give you any kind of deal on fills if you buy a new tank from them.

What's the deal? Were those posts BS?
Is this just a practice that's died along with others such as your local dive bar throwing you a free one for every few drinks you buy?

 

[diver_paula]

I haven't seen any deals like that lately myself. My guess would be that economics have changed with the economy.

Let us know if you end up negotiating a deal.

Paula

 

[Ontario Diver]

Economics have changed. There was a dive shop up here for a while offering free fills to all of its customers. That didn't last too long. I know of other shops that will throw in free air or a discount on air for the first year. Haven't seen much more than that.

Have you tried asking for it as part of the purchase?

 

[rjchandler]

I even remember at least one post stating that some LDS will even give you free fills for the life of the tank if bought new from them.

SNIP

What's the deal? Were those posts BS?
Is this just a practice that's died along with others such as your local dive bar throwing you a free one for every few drinks you buy?

in 1974 I got such a deal. Still got the tank. Don't think the shop is around anymore. Its the kind of thing they do in Fla or Ca - or someplace else where you don't live.

 

[ScubaK-Dawg]

The best deal I've found is at Northeast Scuba Supply in PA. You pay about $50 for a years worth of unlimited air fills (O2 is extra for nitrox fills). I've haven't found a place willing to give free airfills with the purchase of tanks either...

 

[DA Aquamaster]

We have an air club with $30.00 per year for unlimited self serve 24 hours per day air fills for a single diver and $50.00 for a family. Nitrox fills are $5.00 to cover the O2 and labor costs.

I have seen other shops sell a fill card with 10-12 fills on it for a discounted price and have also seen them give these cards away as a bonus with equipment purchases.

 

[PonyBottle]

My LDS will give you 10 free air fills when you purchase a new tank from them.

 

[matt t.]

Every shop in my area is different. One offers free air for a year. A couple will throw in a 10 fill card or 2. Some have a super cheap price on a cylinder with no fills. You may be able to use air fills as a bargaining point in the purchase of your cylinders.

matt

 

[JimC]

One shop in my area gives free air for personal use for a year with the purchace of a years membership to there dive club. They also give free air on a tank for a year if you let them VIP it.

 

[JPBECK]

What Air Fills aren't cheap enough for you, 4-6 bucks too much to pay to go diving?