Well, it seems there is some conflicting information about us, and I've read a few pages, and don't feel like going thru the other 25.
So, Marie13, who is local to us took the VIP course, and seems to be off base a little on her understading of our stance eventhough 2 people, including myself, have explained it..
Yes, if you come in with a Generic VIP sticker, with no Instructor or Shop name or Certification number on it, we do ask for the paperwork to show it was completed. What is wrong with that? We've had numerous people not do the VIPs, and just throw a sticker on them when they weren't even an inspector. This is to protect our people and keep them safe when filling, especially when it comes to O2!
I'm sorry that she has blown this out of proportion and our stance on it. It's a safety precaution, and it works very well. We've even done FREE Vips when people were in a jam,and couldn't provide it. It's more about education, and safety vs. a hardline stance and its' worked very well! Not a single person has ever been turned away, and that was told to Marie13. She was also told that some shops could have a harder line stance, and there were others in the area that had the same stance and to always just have the paperwork with her, or a pic on her phone to show it was completed if needed as all shops are different.
We even offer those that have their VIP rating, to come in and use our tools and have our guys check when done if they feel more comfortable. They can even get new o-rings, a sticker, and a fill for only $5. All because we are trying to help them if it's something they only do once a year so they are comfortable and don't skip steps. Again, education.
If there is a name, or identifying person,shop, or cert #, then it's all good and nothing is needed. It's just the generic stickers that we ask for proof it was completed, to keep our staff safe.
If I missed something else in the 27 pages about us, feel free to refresh it and say it here for an answer. But, that's our stance, and why it comes about.
Unlike Marie 13 thinks, our policy has been this way for 11 years, unchanged, and thru the times that we helped write the SDI/TDI standards for VIP tanks. I can't help what people say about us, or our policies that is untrue. I would think the majority of you, would know better of us! Some of what she has said, is completely untrue and twisted completely out of context from what was explained.