Misunderstanding at the dive shop

[Frosty]

OP-IMO you have had a valuable life lesson.
The question you needed to ask was not the one you did ask.
The question you needed to ask was "what will the TOTAL cost be?" Preferably in black and white on paper or an e mail.

 

[RandomGuy1]

I actually think you made a mistake, and should own up to it. You asked about a hydro, they told you about the hydro. The VIS is not a hidden charge, it is an additional service.

You can call up your auto dealer and and ask what a tire will cost. They may then volunteer -- but you really should ask -- that there is also off/on charges, disposal, balancing, labor, taxes, whatever.

At the LDS you didn't ask the right question(s). Your bad, not theirs. Next time, tell them you need a hydro, and ask them what the bottom line will be to make your tank ready to dive again.

OTOH, the shop prices do seem high!

Actually this was for an O2 cleaning, and I didn't realize they would then charge me to inspect their own work they had just did.
Oh, and I didn't ask for a vis as it had current vis stickers on it already.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Dhboner]

Those prices are freakin' nuts! My LDS charges $30.00 for an O2 clean and a vis and that includes a fill to 3,500 PSI!!!

 

[Chugwhump]

Those prices are freakin' nuts! My LDS charges $30.00 for an O2 clean and a vis and that includes a fill to 3,500 PSI!!!

THAT is a GREAT price.

Chug
Remains unwilling to take tanks to Toronto for service.

 

[Dr. Lecter]

This kind of situation just cries out for payment via credit card followed by filing for a partial charge-back against the shop for the amount not disclosed up front. Depending on your bank and how much they like you (I've had a 100% success rate with this approach for annual fee cards), you have a decent shot at getting your money back and a 100% shot at making the shop's life at least as miserable as their shady business practices made yours.

 

[tursiops]

Actually this was for an O2 cleaning, and I didn't realize they would then charge me to inspect their own work they had just did.
Oh, and I didn't ask for a vis as it had current vis stickers on it already.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

My apologies.....yes, O2 cleaning, not hydro. My own recent LDS interaction was for a hydro, followed by VIS as an additional service at an additional cost. Not everyone getting O2 cleaning or a hydro wants the VIS, so it is more like a la carte.

But those prices are too high at your shop.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I'm a firm believer in shops being up front about costs.
I'm in business too, and if I give someone a total price, it's the price regardless of how long or short the job took. That's why they want a quote - to make sure they can afford my services.
Many times my work is time and materials. Sometimes there is no way to quote a price simply because there can be hidden damage or hidden problems the marine business (wood rot, bad previous repair, or other internal damage not evident on the surface without cutting into it).
In the dive shop business I don't see how there could be any hidden fees unless they are just baiting the customer then slamming them when they come back to pick up their stuff. They should at least call if there was some sort of unexpected problem with a tank or maybe a reg that was totally corroded or mutilated my another shop/DIY.
That's what I do. If they want a quote then I can give them a price on what it will take to access a suspect area, then I can continue and incrementally quote the repair if that's what they want.
A shop charges what they charge, and it can be all over the board and that's not for us to decide. I'm sure they have their reasons either way. If you don't like the price then go elsewhere. But, they SHOULD at least be up front about pricing to give you the choice.

 

[redacted]

While it is too late now, I think I would have told them tom remove their $35 VIS sticker that I did not request and just leave to $50 O2 clean sticker that has to be part of the service requested. Would have been interesting.

 

[rhwestfall]

canoing (Hornbeck Boats)....

+1..... He loaned me one for a weekend, then wouldn't let me order it as he wanted me to paddle another model that was not available.... need to make another visit to his shop.

 

[knotical]

---

---

A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

Some off-topic, unfriendly bickering has been removed.

You are reminded that the ScubaBoard Terms of Service (to which you agreed) say things like:

ScubaBoard is a friendly forum … based on mutual respect.

… insulting or mean spirited language is simply not allowed here …

Furthermore this Basic Scuba forum also says:

This forum is intended to be a very friendly, "flame free zone" …

Be aware that failure to follow our Terms of Service could result in sanctions.

---