Question about turn around time for Visual Inspection

[Aanderson81]

I bought a used steel tank for a LDS that was in Hydro+ but out of Visual, part of the agreement was that it would get a visual inspection. They agreed and said give them a couple of days to pick it up. This was Thursday the 7th. I told them no problem and I would be back next week. Fast forward to Saturday the 16th i stopped by to pick it up and was told that they hadnt gotten to it and that there were still about a dozen tanks ahead of me for inspection and that they would get back to me mid week with a timeframe when it would be ready for pickup.

I am fairly new to this process, this is my first tank. But this seems like an unreasonable time frame for a VIS? Am I correct in this, or is it a fairly involved process? It seems like it really shouldn't be much more than sick a light in mirror or a snake cam in and check for rust or pitting and then slap a sticker on it.

 

[Kharon]

My LDS can do one while I wait if they have time. If I leave it it's usually next day pickup. Another shop in the area (that I don't use anymore due to continual short fills) takes about a week. If I was buying a tank from them I'd expect my vis to go to the front of the line. When you buy a tank from a shop it should be in hydro and vis.

 

[redacted]

A vis takes about 15 minutes and any shop that can not do it in one day 95% of the time has a problem. It sounds to me like your shop does not have the tank they sold you. I would look to cancel the deal and find a better shop.

 

[guruboy]

If you got a good deal on the tank, demand they do it while you wait.

Physically it doesn't take long to do. They probably just have only one guy trained to do it who they have doing other things, probably servicing regs.

 

[Aanderson81]

A vis takes about 15 minutes and any shop that can not do it in one day 95% of the time has a problem. It sounds to me like your shop does not have the tank they sold you. I would look to cancel the deal and find a better shop.

When i went to pick it up, i asked to see the tank, and they brought it out for me to look over. They had it for sale on their ebay store and said they didnt bother to do the VIS before hand because to ship it the valve would have been removed which would have invalidated the VIS.

I am considering canceling the sale, but I have been having an issue finding any decent steel tanks in the area.

 

[Aanderson81]

If you got a good deal on the tank, demand they do it while you wait.

Physically it doesn't take long to do. They probably just have only one guy trained to do it who they have doing other things, probably servicing regs.

$170 for a steel LP100 with a bit over 3 years left on the Hydro+ and the VIS (if they ever get to it) included. Is that a decent deal?

 

[redacted]

That may be a good price but i don't believe an LP100 was ever made. Proceed with caution.

 

[Aanderson81]

I'll double check next time i swing by, looks like there was both an LP 95 and 104 made. Either is close enough to 100 to not bother me.

 

[Jack Hammer]

The entire process from grabbing the tank til finishing the inspection and applying the vis sticker takes me around 10 or 15 minutes to do. Not everybody at a shop is qualified or allowed to do vis inspections. I've heard of shops that have a guy who comes in on a specific day and does all their visual inspections for them.

 

[redacted]

I'll double check next time i swing by, looks like there was both an LP 95 and 104 made. Either is close enough to 100 to not bother me.

LP95, LP104, and HP100 may differ quite ba bit in value.