Used Gear

[Mortlock]

I'm looking at a heap of really high quality gear that's going for cheap on ebay at the moment and I'm wondering about the pitfalls of buying used dive gear.

The owner says he bought it in 1999 and has only done 15 dives with it. He has all orginal boxes etc and it really looks like he's looked after everything. As it won't have suffered much damage through wear and tear what kind of damage can dive gear sustain from sitting in storage? It's getting on to five years old now! Any advice?

Thanks for your help,

Morty

 

[jagfish]

Is that the guy with all the Halcyon stuff?

JAG

 

[Mortlock]

No, it's a mixture of gear. I'm just wondering about what can happen to SCUBA gear will it's in storage?

 

[jagfish]

Well
Another thing to think about is ordering form overseas on Ebay. Many sellers will not ship internationally. If you have a military APO address, you have a chance.

I have bought used gear on Ebay, but only when I knew the product really well, and only for a price that was low enough for me to allow room for service or repairs that might need to be done.

On saying that, I generally feel that much of the used gear I have seen sells for prices way too high considering the unit may need servicing, you are paying for shipping (though usually saving on tax), and you are not getting any warrantee from the manufacterer. You have to think of what all that is worth to you...

However, I see you live in Japan, and we both know how bad prices can be here, so I see your motivation.

JAG

 

[Mortlock]

However, I see you live in Japan, and we both know how bad prices can be here, so I see your motivation.

JAG

Exactly!

Anyway, the guy told me he'd ship to Japan and it was only going to be another $40 (airmail) if I buy all the gear he's selling. The prices do seem pretty good on this stuff and it's all great gear.

As it hasn't been used very much what kinds of things can happen to regs and BC's and computers that've been kept in storage for a few years?

Thanks for your help,

Morty

 

[jagfish]

Well, there are others that can comment better than me, but since you and I are likely the only ones awake right now, I'll give it a stab. The regs and BCs will have the possibility (or probablility) that rubber parts have degraded. This is one of the reasons why they are serviced, and essentially overhauled every year. So accuming that the items have not been serviced while in storage, the rubber parts are potntially history even thogh they were not used. So assume that any item will at least have to be serviced.

In addition, rubber and silicone are favorite nibbling for both mice and cockroaches. If a BC has been stored in a bad place (pests) I've seen pretty bad results. Here in Japan, I have even heard of cockroaches ruining the seal on a mask they have gotten a hold of.

Anyway, worst case scenario, the BC may have a leak or two in the bladder due to pests, improper storage, don't really know what that is like to patch.

I would not think the computer would be affected by storage unless in a poor environment, but they, too are required to undergo yearly service according to some manufacterers, so you can count on having that checked out as well.

Which stuff is it? Send the link and I'll have a look.

JAG

 

[Mortlock]

Thanks for your help mate! That's exactly the kind of things I wanted to know.

Here're the links: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...&category=16053&sspagename=STRK:MEBWA:IT&rd=1

and

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...&category=16056&sspagename=STRK:MEBWA:IT&rd=1

He seemed like an honest guy and he told me that he has never had any of the gear serviced but he last dove with the equipment in Oct 2002 and everything worked fine.

Morty

 

[japan-diver]

Exactly!

Anyway, the guy told me he'd ship to Japan and it was only going to be another $40 (airmail) if I buy all the gear he's selling. The prices do seem pretty good on this stuff and it's all great gear.

As it hasn't been used very much what kinds of things can happen to regs and BC's and computers that've been kept in storage for a few years?

Thanks for your help,

Morty

Regs that have sat for 5 years will definately need an overhaul as o-rings and seal will dry and crack. The HP and LP seat will also need to be changed. Hoses will also have to inspected for dry rot and cracking. BC's can also have problems with seals and inflators. Computers other than maybe changing a battery will probably be ok.

 

[jagfish]

Yup, looks like good stuff
Just count on getting it all serviced professioally when you get it. That can be expensive here as well. If you know any one military, they can send it to Okinawa for cheap service there.

If you are serious about winning auction, might want to check out bidding programs, since most of the serious bidding happens in the final seconds nowadays (and probably most serious bidders use programs):

http://www.powersnipe.com/?source=Google&kw=ebayBidding
http://www.bidnapper.com/
http://www.freeauctionprofits.com/3/ebay-bidding-program.html

Good luck!
JAG

 

[Mortlock]

Thanks for your help JAG. I know a few military types so maybe they can help out but I wasn't planning on having it serviced here. I was going to get it done when I leave Japan on my prolonged (six month!) diving holiday (oh yeah!). What sort of prices are we looking at for an average service of BC and regs?

Morty