NEWBIE QTN service of BC's PLEASE READ! :)

[downunder_diver]

Hi all,

I live in Australia, so buying online from the US is about half price! I'm about to buy a BC (most likely the SeaQuest Libra), but I'm still unsure of whether to buy online or at my LDS. If I buy at my LDS service will be cheaper and warranty problems will be taken care of, whereas items bought elsewhere... lets just say it'll be very exspensive!

My question is...: How often does one need to service a BC if it's well taken care of? And have people found they have many warranty issues with their BC's? If there are generally not many problems, I think online will be the way to go... HALF PRICE!!! :05: You guys in the US, you dont know how lucky you are! Try buying stuff downunder!

Thanks in advance,
Emilie

 

[TwoBitTxn]

The main parts of a BC that needs to be serviced are the inflator and deflator mechanisms. In my experience, I have never seen a BC that wasn't in perfect condition from the MFR. I'm sure others have seen issues. If you rinse the BC well after each dive, inside and out and store it properly you can probably skip a year or two on its service. It also depends on how much use it gets. If you are diving every weekend, then maybe not.

Will your LDS service a BC bought somewhere else? You don't have to tell them you got it online. How long will it take to eat up the cost savings in service?

TwoBit

 

[downunder_diver]

Thanks for your response, I hope to dive once every 1-2weeks.
I think buying online will cost max 500USD with shipping and buying at my LDS is about 900USD. So I've got 400 to play with.
I'm sure my LDS would service the BC, that's not a problem, but the cost of servicing and parts would be much more expensive as I did not buy the BC from them.

Incidently. My LDS has been sooo good to me, they are the only LDS I've been to that doesnt feel like I'm walking into a store but, well I dont know, more like a club, or a non-profit organisation, its really wierd when I think about it. And I feel guilty about not buying from them. But I figure that's not a good enough reason to buy there when I get 1/2 price on line! Or is it? :06:

 

[Tassie_Rohan]

Hi there Emilie -

Buying from overseas sounds like a bargin - until you add the ~ 30 % duty (or more?) that customs will bill you when you import the BC and also add maybe another 5-10% for airfreight. From past experiences by buying overseas you may end up saving 10-20% of the lds costs.

Personally I've never put a BC in for service. If its well looked after maybe put it in once every few years for a check (they may not even bill you if its fine, and if they do it shouldn't cost too much). Do get it checked if you notice the inflator sticking and don't want to fix it yourself.

Personally I prefer to buy major items locally for both the warranty and to support the local dive community - but thats just my old-fashioned opinion.

Cheers,
Rohan.

 

[markDoerr]

I would just like to add that it's good to support those people who offer you something more. You say you like the LDS. You like the way you feel there. That too has value. Support the local business so that they can be there for you in the future.

 

[pt40fathoms]

You may wish to do a little research into the final cost of what you will be purchasing.

Shipping, customs clearance fees, taxes and duties are the most common added fees you will encounter, and may quickly eat up a lot of the savings you may have realized.

My general rule is simply if it is within 15 percent of the local cost, I'll buy locally and support the local shops.

 

[downunder_diver]

When I say about 500USD, that includes shipping and the 10% tax (GST) which the Australian Government charges! In my opinion my LDS support and satisfaction is not worth 400USD. I mean that would almost pay for a brand new BC from the US!
Also I plan on getting the Bare Alpine 7mm Hooded suit from the same store to insure I dont double up on shipping costs. I will also be saving over 50% on this!
I appreciate your posts!
Thanks, Emilie

 

[Damselfish]

I've rarely needed service on BCs. Had a couple inflator and hose problems on an older one that was well past warrenty and easy enough to fix anyplace, by replacing parts if nothing else. My current BC (Scubapro) had a hairline crack in the inflator when it was brand new which wasn't obvious until I got it into the water. I was certainly happy to just take it to my LDS for them to deal with it. So it happens, but probably not often.

LDS vs online is a topic that's been argued to death around here. Those are big numbers you're talking about, tough choice. I tend to buy at the LDS for things where service or fit are an issue. Other things that I can pretty much decide on by reading about them and looking at pictures, are the things I tend to buy online.

 

[Tassie_Rohan]

Actually I'm not sure if the ~30 % customs sting is still present now there’s a free-trade agreement: so you may end up saving big time with the only additional expenses being GST and shipping (its been a while since I ordered anything US->Australia). If the duties are still in place you can expect around a $200+ bill on arrival of your package (not including the duty for the wetsuit).

Anyone have any recent experiences?

Cheers,
Rohan.