Servicing a Grey Market Reg at LDS?

[Addict]

This is a continuation of another thread, but that one went in too many directions.

I need to know if local dive shops ACTUALLY call the manufacturer when they service a reg to determine if the parts on the annual service are covered by the warranty. Or do they just 'service' it with no need to call? My dive shop claims that they HAVE call the manufacturer, relay the Serial Number, etc. when they perform a service.

Also are these 'parts' covered (paid for by the manufacturer) for the life of the regulator if it has a warranty?

Thanks again - you guys have been super helpful!

 

[WreckWriter]

Your shop is lying. I've had a bunch of equipment serviced over the years, never once been asked where I got it. Then again, I don't mess with trying to get the little stuff free under warranty, I just get it serviced yearly and pay very little more than I would have under warranty as the labor is the high cost and warranty doesn't cover that.

Tom

 

[AquaGuy]

I feel the same as Wreck Writer. I purchase all of my gear online due to the cost savings. However, if I was to purchase a reg from my LDS, it would NOT be because I would save a few bucks a year on warranty parts! It would probably be because I know that they would set it up correctly and I would have somewhere to take it if I had any issues with it. For most regs, you are only looking at about $10 - $15 in parts for their annual servicing.

I look at it like this. The $300 I save by buying my reg online will pay for about 6 years of servicing if it costs me $50 to get me reg serviced. Most likely, I will have a new reg after about 2 years anyway. Addict, if you dive store gives you a hassle servicing grey market regs, find another LDS!

 

[Genesis]

more lies from the LDS....

Its almost starting to sound like the old joke about the politicians and how you can tell if they're lying....

 

[redacted]

I was on vacation in Cozumel and got to discussing mailorder and LP with an LDS owner from NJ. He told me he could look up SN on regulators from one mfgr (I don't remember which) in an online resource and determine where it was purchased! He then used that information to determine how much to charge. Not just for parts, but he also bragged that he inflated the service price if history was grey market.

Scubapro issues a warrenty card when you register your purchase from an authorized dealer. Service shop may also require original proof of purchase receipt as well as receipts to prove that you have satisfied the annual service requirement (paid your rent).

 

[Addict]

Let me clarify this issue a little more.

LDS: "When servicing, we need to call the manufacturer so they will credit us for 'overhaul parts'. We need to provide them with the Serial Number - if it is grey market, they won't credit us for the parts, so we will charge you for those. "

LP: "Your diveshop is full of ****. They don't call the manufacturer for each service. They have the parts on hand, from the manufacturer - just because they are a dealer for that manufacturer. It shouldn't cost you a penny more to have it serviced then it would if you had bought it from an authorized dealer."

LDS: "Annual service: $45.00 + 'Non-covered Parts' 40.25 = $85.25"

LP: "Even if they DO have to pay for the parts, the kit retails for $15.65 - they are overcharging you $25, just cause you didn't buy from them"

I am not really worried about the actual cost for the parts ($15 or $40), I am just wondering if ALL dive shops need to provide the manufacturer with SN's to get reimbursed for annual servicing parts...

 

[pos-tech]

It is very simple
Aqualung, must provide origona reciiet so that dive shop can get credit for parts, if shop warrenties parts and sends serial # in if not registered shop screwed
Oceanic same story
Zeagle always warranty able shop wil get parts
Scubapro need origonal owners card to get warrenty sevice
Parts cost
Aqualung 1st $7-15
2nd$5-10
Oceanic !st $12-15
2nd 4-10
Scubapro 1st 15+
2nd 10+
zeagle 1st 25+
2nd 15+

 

[dgangi]

I'm a little confused by the replies to the original post.

Understanding that my regulator was not purchased from a "licensed Oceanic" reseller (LeisurePro) and is therefore not covered by the Oceanic warranty, I have accepted the fact that I will have to pay for parts when the regulator is serviced. No problem here...

But my concern is if an LDS would actually *deny* me service because the regulator was bought somewhere else. If I walk into my LDS and just ask to have the regulator serviced (not "fixed under warranty"), won't they just charge me the usual $30 for parts/labor and send me on my way? That's what I would assume they would do. Why would they care where my regulator was bought if I want to pay for their full service?

Thx...Doug

 

[GP]

dgangi once bubbled...
I'm a little confused by the replies to the original post.

Understanding that my regulator was not purchased from a "licensed Oceanic" reseller (LeisurePro) and is therefore not covered by the Oceanic warranty, I have accepted the fact that I will have to pay for parts when the regulator is serviced. No problem here...

But my concern is if an LDS would actually *deny* me service because the regulator was bought somewhere else. Why would they care where my regulator was bought if I want to pay for their full service?

Thx...Doug

They shouldn't care. Service is part of their business. If they did refuse to service the regs then take your business elsewhere and tell em' where to go.

 

[redacted]

dgangi once bubbled...

But my concern is if an LDS would actually *deny* me service because the regulator was bought somewhere else. If I walk into my LDS and just ask to have the regulator serviced (not "fixed under warranty"), won't they just charge me the usual $30 for parts/labor and send me on my way? That's what I would assume they would do. Why would they care where my regulator was bought if I want to pay for their full service?
Thx...Doug

There may be a few that are actually stupid enough to refuse service. I'm not sure how they stay in BUSINESS. But the one you will have to watch out for is the shop that tries to make up for retail "loss" you caused them by inflating there service prices. Look for posted prices and/or be sure to settle on all prices (labor & parts) before you bring them the regulator. Shop around if youn are not comfortable with price or service. Mail-order service is also available if you are not satisfied with what you find locally.