Did I get taken for a ride??

[philmayer]

I had a similar issue with my LDS. I had rented some tanks for myself and a few friends to use at a local quarry. The LDS owner also owns the quarry.

My friends and I went to the quarry and the conditions SUCKED. Viz was less than 10 feet, water was 63F. We cut our diving short didn't use all the tanks.

When I returned the tanks I talked to the LDS manager and he told me he knew the conditions were terrible before I picked up the tanks. I asked why he failed to mention that and he just shrugged his shoulders.

I asked if I could get a credit for the unused tanks. At least a store credit towards the air fill cost since the tanks wouldn't have to be refilled. The manager said no.

I happened to be talking to the owner a few months later and he asked what I thought could be done to improve the shop. I told him about the rental tank incident and he agreed with me and changed the policy.

Sometimes you just have to find the right person to talk to.

Unfortunately in your case, the owner doesn't care about your business. Yes, he screwed you to make a buck.

 

[paradicio]

Regardless it is not the renter's responsibility to maintain the LDS equipment.

Let's say you went to rent a car. You pay your money walk out to the lot and find that the car has a flat. So, you go back to the office to let the guy at the desk know, and he says "Too bad, you'll have to fix the tire if you want to use the car." Not the best analogy, I know, but the principal is the same.

 

[redacted]

The o-ring must have been good enough to fill the tank. The shop's handling of this incident stinks. But the majority of the fault is yours. Rent tanks a couple hundred miles away, fail to check pressure and o-rings before you leave the store, and fail to carry spare o-rings. And not a spare o-ring among the three of you!!!!!

Besides in the save-a-dive kit, you might want to carry spare o-rings attached to each regulator.

 

[H2Andy]

if these were rental tanks, shouldn't they have been inspected by the divers renting before leaving the dive shop?

it's good practice, of course, but the renter is renting USABLE equipment, not crap

there's no point for the shop to rent out something the renter can't use, and then refuse a refund/credit because the renter failed to spot the problem

it's the shop's responsibility to rent equipment that is fit to be used, period

if the renter fails to spot it, then they are entitled to a refund/credit

while the renter could have avoided this (by inspecting the o-rings or carrying spare o-rings) the fault lies with the shop who did not make sure they were renting out working equipment

 

[daniel f aleman]

It's the Divemaster's responsibility to not take inferior rental equipment upon failing inspection. Sheesh.

 

[paradicio]

while the renter could have avoided this (by inspecting the o-rings or carrying spare o-rings) the fault lies with the shop who did not make sure they were renting out working equipment

Bingo!

 

[ReefHound]

Regardless it is not the renter's responsibility to maintain the LDS equipment.

Let's say you went to rent a car. You pay your money walk out to the lot and find that the car has a flat. So, you go back to the office to let the guy at the desk know, and he says "Too bad, you'll have to fix the tire if you want to use the car." Not the best analogy, I know, but the principal is the same.

In fact, it's a really poor analogy because you brought the rental car problem to attention before leaving the lot. A better analogy would be signing off on the papers stating the fuel tank was full, not actually checking it, driving off the lot and later realizing it must have been half empty, then asking for credit the next day when you turn it back in.

 

[Wildcard]

I check the pressure or wach them do it. That usualy will reveal a bad O ring. If I missed something, Id expect the shop to make it right. No excuse for this kind of crap.

 

[H2Andy]

A better analogy would be signing off on the papers stating the fuel tank was full, not actually checking it, driving off the lot and later realizing it must have been half empty, then asking for credit the next day when you turn it back in.

what if you rent the car and half a day into your drive the engine quits on you and just won't start.

you call the rental company and they say "your problem. you should have checked the engine."

????

you rented a WORKING car, and even if you failed to detect a problem with the engine, it's not your problem. your contract is for a working car.

likewise, when you rent tanks, you are renting usable tanks. if you can't use it due to poor maintance/upkeep, it's the shop's problem

 

[paradicio]

His tank was full when he brought it back cause he didn't use it.

The fact that he is a divemaster is totally irrelevant. He could be the Supreme God of SCUBA and it wouldn't make a difference. Businesses have a responsibility to provide their customers with a working product.