Might have made a poor decision.....

[moosicman]

So I had a friend call me today from a yard sale and he said there was a BC for $50 they were selling and wondered if I'd be interested. He put the seller on the phone and he said that it was a $600 Mares Syncro Tech BPW and that it was fully functional, the bladder was good, yadda, yadda, yadda....

So I bough it sight unseen after my friend got him down to $40. Picked it up and it looked dusty like it had been sitting up but other than that and a hole/tear in the pocket, it looked like I got lucky and won a great deal.

Got it out in the pool today and it leaks like a fish net. The bladder leaks all the way along the seam all the way around from left to right. Most of the release valves also leak and I could hear them before I even got it wet. But I thought those wouldn't be painful too replace.

So, I should have put a bit more thought into it and had the guy blow it up so that my friend, who is not scuba smart at all, could listen and even hear if it was leaking. However I was in the middle of some work I was hurrying to get done early and didn't think much. Not even enough to get my friend to get a commitment to return it if it ended up being garbage. Therefore, yeah....shame on me. BUT, can I sink a dime or two into this BC and still have a bargain. I'm not a DIY type and wasn't really looking for a project either. OR have I just burned $40 and need to accept that I made a foolish error?

Oh and it wasn't a BPW either. Traditional jacket but back inflating.

 

[Scared Silly]

Sounds like you need a new bladder ... find a dealer and see what it will cost ya. Might still be a deal ... otherwise lesson learned.

 

[divad]

What does "syncro tech" even mean re a BCD?

 

[VicScubaVentures]

Syncro Tech is a great BCD. I have one as my spare / use for student rig. If you can send yours to Mares and have them do a complete overhaul / repair on it for $200 or less you'll have a good deal and a great BCD. If the repair cost estimate is higher, take the lesson learned, buyer beware, etc, etc. $40 is never a foolish error, just a calculated risk. FYI -- not "traditional jacket but back inflating" -- that's a contradiction. It is a back inflate BCD, like a BPW but without the BP. A jacket BC will squeeze the wearer as it inflates, the Syncro Tech doesn't squeeze ya at all, even fully inflated.
Best of luck!
Craig.

 

[Aqua-Andy]

Well look at it this way, worst case you could use the parts off the BC. Used power inflator $10, d-rings $1 each, used tank bands $10 a piece. If it has two tank bands you really did not do that bad.

 

[chrpai]

If I was buying a BCD at a yard sale, I would have brought a tank of air and regulator to test the inflator. At a minimum an oral inflation should have caught these problems.

Have you asked if you can return it? I'm sure these are good people who didnt mean to screw you over and would most likely take it back if they knew you had problems. ( Trying to have faith in mankind here... )

For me, I'm currently buying all of my gear ( I gave it all aware when I retired from diving. ) and while I considered looking for a used BCD, finding a brand new BP/W (steel plate) for $299 was all the convincing I needed to spend more money.

 

[Colliam7]

He put the seller on the phone and he said that it was a $600 Mares Syncro Tech BPW and that it was fully functional, the bladder was good, yadda, yadda, yadda....

First of all, the seller told you it did not leak, and was fully functional. If you don't want a DIY project, take it back to him and say, 'You specifically told me on the phone that it did not leak. That was the basis of my purchase. It leaks. It is therefore not fully functional. I would like my money back.' You may not get it, but it is worth a try.

Second, assuming you don't get your money back, the big question before you invest in repair - does it actually fit YOU? You bought something used, through a friend, at a yard sale! Putting the leaks aside for a moment, have you tried it on? Does it fit?

Finally, the repair may not necessarily be a major undertaking.

BUT, can I sink a dime or two into this BC and still have a bargain. I'm not a DIY type and wasn't really looking for a project either. OR have I just burned $40 and need to accept that I made a foolish error?

If it does fit you, and the problem is simply a leaky bladder, that should not be a big deal - the bladder can be replaced. It won't be a $20 job by any means, but may not be a $200 job, either.

But, in any event - learn the lesson. This is not the way to buy scuba gear.