Need advice...

[dave22387]

So last month I came across a guy who was selling two AL80's. they were born on 6/08 and 7/08. Last VIP's were 7/12. Anyways given the age of these tanks and the fact that they were o2 clean and in pristine condition with DIN valves I bought them in 8/13. They were about 2 months out of hydro and VIP. So to make a long story short I just got the call from my LDS that one of them failed VIP due to pitting so therefore they wouldn't hydro it. The other one passed. I wanted to know what would you guys do? Try to get my money back, or just eat the money and keep the valve? I'm kinda pissed but I know that is a risk if you buy tanks that are out of inspection. I just wanted to know is there some diver code to follow in this case or what should I do?

 

[Doppler]

Dave: I'd say you're out of luck. Buying second-hand cylinders is ALWAYS iffy. When I sell tanks, I do an inspection beforehand just in case, but not all sellers bother, and it really is a sort of buyer beware market.

You can certainly contact the seller and explain what happened but my guess is they had no idea that the tank was toast.

 

[dave22387]

I was gonna ask for half back and I keep the valve... He hasn't answered me though. I think I may be out of luck.

 

[Jon_R]

To me it depends on the transaction. If it went along the lines of hey I will give you 40 bucks a tank because there is risk they won't pass then that was already factored in. If the seller offered any assurance they would pass and the price was higher based on the assurance then maybe you two can work something out.

I wouldn't buy used tanks unless I got them so cheap I didn't care or if it was a sale pending passing and I might pay for the VIP/hydro. All part of negotiations.

What is scrap al prices?

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[dave22387]

I paid $60 a piece. We didn't discuss them failing because of how clean and new they were... I had no thought that these would fail...

 

[Jon_R]

Or you could look at it that you paid 120 for one tank and an extra valve. not a great deal but saved some.


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[tech3324]

I'd say it's an "as is" sale unless the buyer and seller agreed otherwise.

If one tank is just pitted, how about tumbling it to remove the pitting? I had to do that once with no further issues and hydroed fine.

 

[dave22387]

The pitting was in the outside under the boot. That's why I hate boots

 

[Scared Silly]

I would take the failed cylinder to a hydro shop and have them take a look at the pitting. Exterior pitting is easy to measure. So you should be able to get a good measurement and get a formal failing. If the hydro shop fails the cylinder they will XXX the DOT marks. The dive shop should not have done that unless to you agreed to it up front.

If the hydro shop fails the cylinder and nothing was said between you and the seller about passing, and they do not respond I would say you are SOL.

 

[dave22387]

The hydro shop is the one that failed it