Free parts for life program

[richard1971]

jvanostrand, the parts for life program is offered by Aqua Lung/Apeks to all authorized dealers. However, the dealer doesn't have to participate, but nearly all do. If you take your regulators to a new shop for service, they can still offer the parts for life program.

 

[ericwhlee]

With regards to the program, can it apply only on newly purchased Apeks first stages? Or do you have to buy the complete reg set (first and second stages together) in order to qualify for the program?

I'm looking to switch to Apeks regs (in large part because of this program), but would like to upgrade in phases for cost reasons. Thanks

 

[richard1971]

With regards to the program, can it apply only on newly purchased Apeks first stages? Or do you have to buy the complete reg set (first and second stages together) in order to qualify for the program?

I'm looking to switch to Apeks regs (in large part because of this program), but would like to upgrade in phases for cost reasons. Thanks

Ericwhlee, In the US, the program is designed for complete regulator sets (1st & 2nd stage). A 1st stage only is considered a spare part and therefore not qualified under the program. The parts for life program is regional and can vary in the locations that offer it. I recommend you contact an authorized dealer in Canada to confirm.

 

[fmerkel]

A cost vs. maintenance perspective should be part of the equation. The industry strongly recommends annual servicing. The 'average' diver does how many dives/year....6-30? It's pretty hard to get a solid statistic.
OTOH, it's been pretty well shown that a decent reg, well taken care of can go for a lot of dives and often go years before needing an overhaul. Most divers simply do not need an annual overhaul, especially the occasional tropical vacation only divers. Divers that actually do a lot of dives, know who they are and likely pay attention to their regs.You go a few years NOT doing an annual, you void your warranty, but you save so much money that the [parts for life program] is useless. My wife and I both threw in that towel a decade ago.

The industry doesn't want to support that kind of thinking. Part of that may be liability, and part of it is simply profit. Fear is a great motivator.

 

[partha]

A somewhat unrelated question- does anyone know who are the authorised online dealers for Apeks -looking for BPW & regs. thanks

 

[richard1971]

Partha,

In the US all Aqua Lung dealers are also Apeks dealers. I know the owner of one of our distributors in India (Planet Scuba) and have attached a link to their site.
Planet Scuba India - Scuba Diving with Aqua Lung Dive Equipment

I hope this helps you find what you need.

 

[eternaljonah]

If you interested, there is a good Scubapro dealer in India, They give good Service and support too.
www.Proscuba.in Or Sales@proscuba.in

 

[sh1513]

The industry doesn't want to support that kind of thinking. Part of that may be liability, and part of it is simply profit. Fear is a great motivator.

You've hit the nail on the head! The industry i.e. all of the scuba manufacturers are primarily only interested in PROFIT! But let's face it, there aren't that many businesses that aren't.

As for the liability, they could easily solve that by opening up their "authorised" training & certification programs up to all (they could even make a profit on that) then at least if you have a cert in your possession you would have at least been through some sort of training (online or otherwise) on their equipment and then hopefully be able to purchase spares and kits direct.

But...they won't. Their retailers and the LDSs would be up in arms saying business is being taken away from them and they have to protect their corner of the market. Fact is, how many people in reality would want to service their own gear? In truth, probably not that many. Your average recreational diver who dives a few times a year on holiday etc (which is probably the vast majority) is not going to go through the hassle of taking a course and getting the tools and parts for the job when they can take them to their LDS and pay to have it done.

I'll get down off my soap box now, it just hacks me off that I don't need any certificates or authorisations from my car manufacturer to buy parts and service it but I do for scuba gear! Both are capable of killing you!

S.

 

[jvanostrand]

Cars do have a similar business model. You can't buy a car directly from the manufacturer, you have to go to an authorized dealer, but that's about where it ends.

I do think that the scuba regulator business is different than the auto business. Scale is a big part. The auto business is big enough that there are independent schools in any medium sized city that will train you to service cars. There are plenty of books and TV shows on the subject as well. And you'll get help from the dozen or so parts shops in every city. Cars are also heavily regulated.

Scuba regs on the other hand have a very small market, and a limited number of shops, (who are struggling because of Internet sales and a drop in enthusiasm for the activity,) and have virtually no regulation at all. Conversely they are remarkably simple compared to even a single automotive subsystem.

I've talked to a couple dive shop owners and it seems liability laws are a big enough reason keeping shops from servicing regs for which they are unauthorized. It's a reason why I don't service gear for others (except for my kids.) I think shops should only service gear for which they are authorized. I think providing parts and kits to people who want to service their own regs makes sense. Some European countries have legislation to that effect. It's the idea that "It's mine so I should be able to fix it."

 

[kelemvor]

scuba pro just stopped doing parts for life EVEN if your the orig owner and all the rebuilds done , they screwed me on 10 regs ! I wont buy or RECOMEND scuba pro to anyone ever again

I had the exact same thing happen with Scubapro recently. I'm sure we could win a lawsuit pretty easily, the details of the program are printed right in the paperwork and they aren't holding up their end. If we had the time and money to sue, that is. I've often considered filing in small claims court. It might be cheaper for them to just relent than to send a lawyer out to handle it.