Here's the other side of the coin...recent incident with my LDS!!!
I dropped off two LP98's at my LDS that I had just purchased used from out of the area. They came with current VIP stickers, but I wanted to show a little support for the ole local shop, so I asked them to VIP them and then fill'em up with 36%. Then I added that when I bought them that they were manifolded and banded and only one of the two tanks were stickered for NITROX and asked if they would sticker the other.
They said sure and away I went. I got a call later that day from the owner of my LDS who said he had just seen the work tags and wanted to know EXACTLY what I wanted him to do with my tanks. He listed off about 6 different combinations of inspections and certifications and stickering and had me thoroughly confused. I advised him of the same and he put it in short bald guy language.
He said:
"1. Do you plan on using these tanks for stages?" no of course not...they're steel.
"2. Do you plan on getting them filled by partial pressure blending?" I said I dont know...what do you guys do?
He said, "We do both. We premix and also special blend via partial pressure blend."
I said, I might get them filled elsewhere. He assured me that everywhere that I had spoken with him about diving had shops that had premix or didint have Nitrox.
He then said something about a lot of money for getting the Oxygen clean rating....whenever Tom starts talking about a lot of money...I get dizzy...I get confused...I want to run away...FAST.
"Tom" I said......"I'm confused, can you put it in really stupid short bald guy talk?"
"Sean" Tom says, I can charge you a ****load of money. Then after that, the tanks will be nothing but a pain in the ass, you'll have to watch where you get them filled....then there's your titanium regulator....."
"Or," Tom said, "I can certify them for Preblended nitrox up to 40% give you a tag and sticker that says that and you can pick them up in 20 minutes."
"But Tom, what if I want custom blended NITROX say.....28% when I go to the straits ?" "Heck Sean, we can pre blend it and then put it into your tank."
Hmmmmmm Which do you think I picked?
Ari, I know it's a long drive, but you can come dive with us here in Michigan and rent from us...we'll treat you right!!!
Oh yeah...forgot...that one sticker cost $15.00 WOW!!