No parts returned on annual overhaul

[krjeffcoat]

Perhaps I'm living in the past but I always remember getting parts back when I've had a regulator overhauled, with the exception today. I brought my SP MK11 in for an annual (it's been 2 years however). The first mistake I made is that I accidently took it to a dealer who is NOT a SP authorized dealer. I found this out as I was walking out the store and decided to let it go, figuring it was ok since he said they would have it serviced out of house by a SP dealer. Ok, I should have probably turned right around and dealt with the issue, but I didn't.

Anyway, I picked up the regulator (it was just a 1st stage actually) today. No paperwork, no parts, no techs initials, no checklist, just an invoice for the parts kit and the service. I did ask if there was any additional paperwork or old parts and was told "No, that's all he dropped off".

I believe the LDS has a good reputation and has been around for some time, but now I'm just sitting here looking at this 1st stage and wondering.....

What would you do?

 

[axxel57]

If you are worried being ripped off, thinking getting some parts back, you probably anyway could not identify, would proof the work is done correctly, you might better be off coming to the 'Dark Side' and service your regulator next time yourself.

It's not that difficult......

 

[herman]

Personally if it were mine, no old parts, no money. If service is done, there are old parts plain and simple. While there is little proof even with parts that service was done, the lack of them runs my cheat-O-meter to the high end. Furthermore, those are YOUR parts (unless they were replaced under warranty) so keeping them is theft. At this point, there is no use asking for them since you have no way of knowing if they were your parts or someone else’s. Another good reason to DIY.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I return all used parts when I service a reg. Put em in a little clear baggie marked "used parts, do not reuse".

 

[Wookie]

I return all used parts when I service a reg. Put em in a little clear baggie marked "used parts, do not reuse".

And I usually don't, but then, I only service regulators for crew, clients, and family, those I have a vested interest in keeping alive. I do not service for the general public, so you wouldn't be likely to send me your regs anyway.

I'd check the intermediate pressure, and if it's nuts-on 140 and no creep, I'd use it. It's a first stage, it either works or it doesn't, or it creeps. It isn't like a second stage that can fail to cut off your air supply...

 

[scoobydrew]

I heard recently that the old parts that should have been removed as part of a standard service are the reg owners property and therefore legally have to be returned, not sure how strict that is though.

Certainly when I return a serviced reg I will give the owner their old used parts back.

Does the fact that you did not get the old parts back mean that they were not even swapped out in the first place? who knows, you could ask them about it.

 

[Wookie]

I heard recently that the old parts that should have been removed as part of a standard service are the reg owners property and therefore legally have to be returned, not sure how strict that is though.

Like the Ford dealer giving you the used filter and old oil back? That's the law? Usually they make you pay to dispose of it.

Call the Scuba Police!!! Someone broke the scuba law!!!

I'm just giving you a hard time.

 

[scoobydrew]

ha ha

 

[Colliam7]

Anyway, I picked up the regulator (it was just a 1st stage actually) today. No paperwork, no parts, no techs initials, no checklist, just an invoice for the parts kit and the service. I did ask if there was any additional paperwork or old parts and was told "No, that's all he dropped off".

I believe the LDS has a good reputation and has been around for some time, but now I'm just sitting here looking at this 1st stage and wondering.....

What would you do?

Not use them again. I don't have any particular reason to suspect there is something amiss, i.e. that they really didn't use a new parts kit in the servicing. But, their business practices are simply sloppy. And, if they are sloppy in their business practices, there is no reason to believe they are not sloppy in their service practices. I give customers a checklist that indicates what was done. It indicates the IP that I measured when I checked the first stage after service. It indicates the manometer reading when I checked / tuned the second stage.

Does that paperwork prove that my technical proficiency was adequate, or above average,or poor? Not necessarily. It is a matter of good business practice.

 

[Superlyte27]

I've not returned the old parts in almost 20 years. Never had anyone ask me for them either. I guess it boils down to: Do you trust them or not. Honestly, if an LDS were out to screw you, they could hand you a handful of old parts from nearly 1000 cubby holes in the dive shop. We've got parts coming out our ears. You either trust them or you don't. If you don't, go elsewhere.

As cheap as people are in my neck of the woods, I'd be reluctant to give them parts that they might try to re-use.