Did I get taken for a ride??

[diver 85]

Okay, let's try an acid test.
Rent another tank from the LDS. Take it, use it, and return it. However, before you return it REMOVE the o-ring.
My thinking...yes, it is conceivably the diver's fault for not "inspecting the rental equipment". However, I can see the diver's point, too. The tank was filled successfully, so it's not a long leap to expect that it should be useable upon delivery. True, the diver should have had a backup. Still doesn't detract from the idea that he expected the equipment to be serviceable upon receipt. For the LDS to absolve itself of any responsibility at all means the owner/operator must believe that o-rings are the responsibility of the customer.
Therefore, if the LDS owner questions the missing o-ring on the returned tank (assuming he inspects the tank upon return and discovers the ring missing), the diver is justified in saying that it's not HIS problem. Since o-rings are the in the renter's domain, he/she can do anything with them they choose.
The "common sense" solution? Diver's should be prepared for just such eventualities. However, it is also common sense that an LDS operator should be willing to bend a bit in order to preserve customer relations. Store credit (or even a 50 percent discount--since there was blame enough to go around) for another fill would have been a satisfactory compromise.
But that's just my opinion. While I don't have scads and oodles of dives to "quantify and justify" my view, I have been a citizen of the planet for quite a while and I've dealt with a LOT of people. That should be enough to allow me to voice an opinion on the nature of fair play without labeling me as either "stupid", "arrogant", or otherwise unworthy of having a say in the matter.
Have a great day!

IMO, you're renting more than air in a tank....You're also renting a tank, supposidly in working order(all parts).......what if the valve would have 'broken' upon useage @ the dive site, I'm betting $$$ would have been given back to the renter then.......

After all, it's called tank rentals, not air rentals.....

 

[ReefHound]

Because he calles it like he see's it?

I agree with Mr Aleman.

The solution was easy. Inspect it before you take it and if you don't inspect it, take responsibility for it. All the OP had to do was take an o-ring off of one tank and put it on. Big whoop.

That's not the problem. Many have said the diver should have inspected the tank and been better prepared. The problem is the arrogance and elitism in suggesting there is some arbitrary minimum requirement (i.e. 100 dives or more) in order to post an opinion or comment on a scuba forum.

Since I have 135 dives I guess I'm entitled to post, at least until Mr. Aleman changes the requirement to 200 dives.

 

[ScubaKris]

Sounds like it would make a ggod episode for "the Little Soap Opera , (house), on the Prarie".

Returning money is not uncommon. I found $100.00 in an envelope at the bank drive through and returned it to the bank.

A tech trainer and a divemaster, and a o-ring kicked your butt??

I lived in San Antonio for years and dove the area.

I have been certified since 74,.. no one wants to listen to or hear from an old dive frat,.. heck I have not been diving since yestrday afternoon when I went down the road to a Florida spring to collect some pollished gravel from 60'.

Buy a tank from Scubatoys for about $135.00, dump it on ebay in 4+ years while it is still under hydro. I just got ride of 5 20 - 30 year old tanks for $85 - $95 + $30 shipping, most only cost $15 to ship Fedex or UPS.

Put a couple of o-rings around your watch band.

Tank an o-ring out of one tank and use it in another on the div e site.

I always throw an extra tank in the back of the truck, even if I do have o-rings. I don't want to waste time on site changing it. Straps o-rings etc go as your just getting into the water.

Let the o-ring leak , as long as you can suck air ,.. dive it. Your landlocked with buddies in a freshwater river, how deep could that be???? 10, 15, 20'

If the leak bothers you,..put something over the o-ring, i.e. plastic or chewing gum.

You could have bought a o-ring at any hardware store.

 

[Canadian.Diver]

Wow, and I thought the question was should he get a refund , not if he should have had spare o-rings. A little reverse thought here, but if the dive shop could be forgiven for thinking the o-ring was ok because they were able to fill it, could'nt the diver be forgiven for the same over sight? If the diver did have a spare o-ring and replaced the damaged one and used the tank could he in turn charge the dive shop for parts and labor? If he used a o-ring from one of the other tanks and it failed at depth could the diver be charged with tampering with life support equipment and responsible for someone elses death? It could be argued he is not certifed to 'service' the gear. A lot of should have and could haves can be made here, but all that was asked is should he be given a refund or credit for unuseable tank. Yup!

 

[JeffG]

That's not the problem. Many have said the diver should have inspected the tank and been better prepared. The problem is the arrogance and elitism in suggesting there is some arbitrary minimum requirement (i.e. 100 dives or more) in order to post an opinion or comment on a scuba forum.

Since I have 135 dives I guess I'm entitled to post, at least until Mr. Aleman changes the requirement to 200 dives.

No, thats not the problem. Its the amount whiny silliness that is going on. Blame everyone else for their problem. Boo Hoo

Maybe think about why that seasoned vets are not the ones whining, and maybe...just maybe, you might understand what Dan is talking about.

 

[ReefHound]

Maybe think about why that seasoned vets are not the ones whining, and maybe...just maybe, you might understand what Dan is talking about.

Maybe... just maybe read post #8 and you'll see that I said pretty much the same thing long before Dan said it. It's not always about what you say but how you say it.

 

[JeffG]

Maybe... just maybe read post #8 and you'll see that I said pretty much the same thing long before Dan said it.

big whoop...we are talking about your problem with Mr Aleman.

It's not always about what you say but how you say it.

See, your right even though don't realize it...even a blind squirrel can find a nut once in a while.

 

[Digger54]

I got a rental tank with a bad o-ring once, but having checked my gear previous to making my dive I made sure I had an o-ring assortment amongst my save-a-dive kit. Simple to do a field repair.

When I got back to the LDS I told them about it and with no questions asked they provided me with a replacement o-ring for my kit.

Sounds like the dive shop you used was staffed by jerks. After all it would be obvious that you didn't use the air in the tank. All they might have to do to get it ready for the next renter is install a new o-ring. I wonder if they treat their regular local customers the same way? I'd bet they don't. If they do, their regulars won't stay regular for long.

But... There were three of you and NONE?? of you were prepared to handle one of the most common repairs that can be easily performed in the field cheaply?

 

[redacted]

I dont want to ever go back to this shop ever again if that is they way they treat their customers. It isnt about the money, but the way the shop owner didnt care about me. This is a small shop and I cant believe it can stay open if this person treats all the customers like that. I know several shops around that would have gladly given me another tank rental or something to make up for it.

Thanks!

It is quite easy for shops to survive lousy customer service as long as the dissatisfied customers decline to name names. If you would like to do this from the "high ground", advise the shop of this thread and warn them that you intend to post their name. That would give the shop an opportunity to identify itself as it posts it's side of the story if they choose. If they choose to remain silent, ID them this evening.

 

[ReefHound]

If you would like to do this from the "high ground", advise the shop of this thread and warn them that you intend to post their name. That would give the shop an opportunity to identify itself as it posts it's side of the story if they choose.

Maybe that's the real reason some people won't name names.