LP Warranty on AquaLung, SP, Apex etc.

[LUBOLD8431]

Lubold conveniently left something out between "you get a lifetime warranty when you buy from an authorized source" and "Leisurepro is not an authorized source."

What he left out is that Leisurepro matches the manufacturer's warranty themselves.

I left that out for a reason. That warranty that LP has is next to useless. The manufacturer's warranty is not even comparable to LP's warranty. Every couple of months we have another thread on here about how LP messed up someone's reg. You guys always complain about the "shop monkey" that fills your tanks. Have you ever wondered what kind of chimp is working on your reg?

How is LP goin to get Manufacturer updates on a reg? How is LP going to get their service techs trained? How is LP going to get the appropriate parts for a particular reg? How long will it take LP to catch up on a recall, when the MANUFACTURER initiates most recalls? See where I am going? I dont want any moron who doesnt know what he is doing servicing my reg.

I dont believe LP has the proper training, or the proper parts to overhaul any reg. If they send it to someone who is, thats another story. The problem is, you still dont know who is servicing your reg. Its a matter of safety. Also, if they send it to someone else, how long are they going to have your reg? My turnaround time on a reg that is given to me for overhaul is usually two to three days.

But, lets not forget, you can SAVE $$$ by buying at LP...

Thats what its all about, right??? Saving money. Well, when you look at the big picture, you are not saving money, and you are actually sacrificing your safety.

 

[jonnythan]

I left that out for a reason. That warranty that LP has is next to useless. The manufacturer's warranty is not even comparable to LP's warranty. Every couple of months we have another thread on here about how LP messed up someone's reg. You guys always complain about the "shop monkey" that fills your tanks. Have you ever wondered what kind of chimp is working on your reg?

We're talking about warranty here, not service contracts. I wouldn't send my reg to LP for servicing, I go to my local shop for that. I'd also be happy to send my reg off to someone I trust (you, MikeF, etc) to pay for the service. But not LP.

When the reg blows up underwater for no reason or there's a recall, then I'll send it to LP and get a replacement.

 

[LUBOLD8431]

The service kits *ARE* part of the manufacturer's warranty. ABout the only thing LP can do with a warranty issue, is to replace the unit. This might leave you without a reg for a while. When Oceanic had their last recall, I spent about a week (along with the shop technician) changing out parts in 50-60 regs. Most customers had their regs back within two to three days. This is the good thing about getting a reg from an authorized dealer. If LP had this issue, they would be back logged, and Im sure you would end up waiting alot longer than that...

 

[jonnythan]

There's a difference between a warranty and a service contract. You get a free service contract when you buy from an "authorized" source.

 

[LUBOLD8431]

Have you ever read the warranty for an Apeks reg??? OR Aqualung???

 

[jonnythan]

Yup, got a copy right here..

You can call it whatever you want, but if my car dealer gave me free oil changes for two years, it wouldn't be a "warranty," it would be "service."

 

[gj62]

The service kits *ARE* part of the manufacturer's warranty. ABout the only thing LP can do with a warranty issue, is to replace the unit. This might leave you without a reg for a while.

That may be, but for $300 in savings, as someone mentioned, a $35 service kit every 2 years saves alot of dough.

Also, while I am sure that *most* LDS' have some sense of responsibility to their customer, I've seen plenty that provide little more service than LP - so I would not characterize this as an LP vs LDS issue necessarily.

As far as a safety issue on the initial rig - go to your LDS and pay for an inspection if you can't test it yourself. If they turn you away, find another LDS or talk to the tech direct...

With ScubaPro's full support, my LDS replaced *ALL* G500 when the VIVA problem was discovered - in warranty, out of warranty, never in warranty - it didn't matter. True, this does not have to be their policy, but I would bet I could buy insurance against this happening for alot less than the difference in price.

Of course, I recently bought an SP reg setup from an LDS, because coupled with the purchase of a guage and several other items, the LDS worked with me enough to get within 10% of LP - now that made sense - just for annuals.

Sorry to ramble...

 

[LUBOLD8431]

Ok, well the $300 savings is a little off. I just checked LP's price on an ATX-200. Their price is $474.95. Now, if IIRC, the lowest price you will find an ATX-200 in an authorized dealer LDS is $617 (you might be able to get it cheaper as part of a package). Thats only $142 difference. One first and one second stage kit would retail for $45. Labor charges are the same, but buying from the LDS, you wouldnt be paying for the service kits. And, you get a LIFETIME warranty on the reg (including the service kits).

 

[scubatoys]

Just heard some interesting news that could greatly affect the flow of gray market goods into the US. Turns out that most all of the bootlegged stuff was coming in to LP from European Distributors. Then the problem was, in Europe, you can't stop someone from shipping your products from this country to that... across ECC lines - it is treated like one big country. They were using that law to say that companies could not restrict their selling to LP. ScubaPro, Mares, and others have been waging international legal battles, and I just heard that the companies prevailed in an international court - and now can cut off the flow of boot legged products from the European Distributors. ScubaPro is even going to start serial numbering their fins!

This means that foreign distributors can't sell to unauthorized dealers, because with the new law and contracts in place - ScubaPro could simply buy a fin from LP, then cut off the distributor that originally bought that fin. Even though bootlegging 10% to 30% of their product to LP proved profitable... It won't be worth loosing the line in this situation - so they will probably all back off which will dry up the supply of parts, replacement regs, etc.

It will take a bit to "empty the pipe", but should start showing an affect in the near future. It will be interesting to see how fast this occurs and the publics reaction to it.

The international aspects of the business is what complicates warranty issues so much. A Reg bought at LP - probably came in from Europe - and as such, the US distributor has no record of the serial number - or any requirement to fix it if something is wrong with it. The US distributor never sold it! So send it back to Belgium - or where ever... or the the gray market dealer, who will send it back to them - but if their supply is cut off... then what happens...

It will be interesting!

 

[weekender]

You say you just heard. The fact that you seem to be in competition with LP makes me a bit skeptical. If not, please ignore my post and I apoligize for making that inference. But if so, could you reference where you heard this? Or where i could read this myself. If true, this is interesting as you stated. However, and please understand where im coming from, it could be easy for someone who does not know you to think your attempting to scare customers away from your competition. The way your post reads someone buying from LP might not have any opportunity to return items in the future. This is a big deal to a consumer. I think since you brought this information to the board it is a fair for me to ask this. also, i assure you im not attacking you or questioning your motives. I feel that its a fair question giving your relationship with LP, thanks.