Free Tank Fills

[Rickster]

If you rent the tank from sportchalet it is usually a free refill, especially if you are taking a class. If you dont rent it then they charge you.....

I called the SC in Oxnard, yesterday. You are right, CaptAdam. I was enrolled in a PADI 1st Response class, at the time I rented tanks. It would be nice if it was all the time.

I get free fills at SC, but I work there part time as a DM. As far as them being the WalMart of dive shops, that is unfortunately true at some locations, but there are also some that are run by divers, for divers.

The SC in Oxnard is in the run by divers for divers, catagory. Clint the Scuba dept manager just completed his IDC, and is very helpful and full of info.

Rick

 

[Diver_Jan]

Reefseekers has given free air for a number of years (Thank you Ken and Billie!) and is one of the best dive companies around (IMO). I too hate to pay for the expensive airfills, especially when I do 2-3 beach dives in a day, sometimes 4...it can add up very quickly. I am fortunate that I belong to a great dive club that gives their members two air fill cards with their paid membership of $25. One for Sport Chalet, the other for Laguna Sea Sports. Can't beat it! ....and most of all...the friendship and buddies that you meet from a great group of people.

I wish that the air station at Casino Point would do a deal, where you rent the tank and get unlimited air for X amount of money, rather than paying $5 each time for a fill.

Just my .02 cents worth.

 

[Diver_Jan]

Oh, I might add too, everytime I have had my tanks filled at Sport Chalet, I have always had a short fill, as much as 1000 less than the max fill after waiting 45 minutes. So be CAREFUL! Have then put a gauge on your tank before leaving.

 

[LAJim]

I've had short fills at SC too. In fact I don't know for sure that both of my HP 100s have seen 3442 yet. Two times ago at SC they promised me 3400 or 3500 and I ended up diving one at 3000 and getting the other topped off to 3400 at another LDS.

I took them both to SC after diving last weekend and asked them to keep them on the compressor for three hours. Maybe I should put a gague on them tonight and not risk a surprise this weekend.

Jim

 

[Ann Marie]

Short fills tend to happen everywhere. I especially hate it when I'm paying more because of filling with nitrox.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I worked at Marina Dive and Sport in San Pedro for a lot of years. By far, the number one complaint I heard about other shops was short fills. It amazes me how something as simple as giving a slow, full fill will not only ensure repeat business but word of mouth business as well. Some shops just don't get it.

 

[double80s]

Sport Chalet in the Beverly Center will fill any tank for free. You don't need to have a SP rental to get the fill.

 

[drbill]

Hmmm... I think they are trying to compete with the free refills on soft drinks policies of McDonalds and other "restaurants."

I did notice the free fills for ponies under 40 cu ft when I was at a S.C. store yesterday. Despite their chain status, I will occasionally shop there although I prefer giving my LDS the business (and do I!) since they are so good to me.

On my visit yesterday Sports Chalet in Long Beach I looked at a 13 cu ft pony bottle that was dinged. The ding not only broke through the paint, but dug into the aluminium bottle itself. They wanted me to pay full price for it. Not a chance. Another shop, an LDS, wanted to sell me a 13 cu ft pony that was 17 months into its first hydro for full price. No thanks. Neither will get my business in the future.

 

[CaptAdam]

It does cost money to fill a tank,,,,Usually a doller per tank is the cost,,when you factor in the maintance of the compressor-filter change,oil change,

 

[Rickster]

It does cost money to fill a tank,,,,Usually a doller per tank is the cost,,when you factor in the maintance of the compressor-filter change,oil change,

That is true! Then the wear and tear on the compressor, also. So, a couple of dollars at the most?

Two weeks ago, I went to the shop I am trying to support(no names dropped here). I rented two Al 80's and had one of my tanks filled. The rental was from Fri. night to sunday afternoon. The total was $38.00! that is 1/3 the price of just buying an AL 80! and to add insult to injury, I had two short fills out of three!

Some of the shops just don't get it. Last weekend I went to another store(no names mentioned), that alot of people don't like I rented one tank and had one of my tanks filled, for $10. The rental was from friday afternoon to sunday evening! What a differance.

Oh well, I guess I should have posted this in the Whine and Cheeze forum, huh?