What do you pay for air, and where?

[Waterskier1]

I picked my tanks up from my LDS, and they are charging $10/tank for air. (I actually picked them up a couple weeks ago, but ScubaBoard was down so I couldn't post this). Is this about what the rest of you pay? The reason I ask is, this is more than they rent a tank full of air. :huh:
Yes, I can rent (for a day) a tank with air for less than I pay to fill my own tanks.
Their rationale is that they just bought a new compressor, and they are expensive. While this is true, that seems part of doing business. :shakehead
I know geographic locality may make a difference, as well as customer volume, but didn't think the dive industry prices within a locality would vary that much due soley to overhead costs. Is this normal? Is there an "average" or generally accepted "fair" price for air along the front range? I haven't checked any other LDS. I thought I'd get your thoughts here.
I'm told they used to charge $5/tank before, and doubling the price seems a lot, so I'm curious what you pay and where they are located.
I live in Colorado Springs, but all my "local" diving has been Denver and New Mexico, so I could just as easy fill my tanks before/after I dive as doing it here.
I know it's a small amount of money, as far as scuba diving goes, but every penny I pinch is one I can spend diving in warm water

 

[TravisD]

I've only had fills from two shops so far, but one is $12/fill for any tank, and the other is $8/lp and $9/hp fills. This is in central Maryland. Haven't tried any of the other shops that are within easy driving distance yet...

 

[MSilvia]

I've seen anywhere from $4 to $12 at shops that charge for air fills. Currently, I either use a fill card I got as a gift, or I go to the LDS that provides free fills. I haven't paid for air in years.

 

[k4man]

This topic has been discussed in the past, but here in Ohio you can expect to pay anywhere between $5-10/fill.

 

[Waterskier1]

Wow, several quick replys to this, but all of you are 100's of miles away! I did do a search of this topic, in this RMO forum, and didn't find anything. I have heard of "fill cards" in popular diving locations, but I am not aware of any shop along the front range offering such. Nor am I aware of any offering free air (other than with classes you take from them). If I'm wrong, please set me straight!

 

[charlieo]

Here in the Denver area the best deal seems to be Gander Mountain in Aurora. I believe I paid $4.00. Other shops it's $4.75- $8.00

 

[coldsquid]

Johnson's in Portland Maine, you buy a 100 fill card and it comes to $2.25 per fill. $4 dollars if you pay on a per fill basis.

 

[Homunculus]

one place nearby fills for free (yes, that is free); another place fills for $6 or $8, i don't remember exactly. to rent a full tank is $12 in both places.

 

[diverkristi]

$4 in WV

 

[k4man]

for many places here in Ohio (yes I've already responded once) instructors get their fills for free (as mentioned in the above post) if they are bringing in a class. Likewise with their diving/entrance fees.

Just one of the small perks, I suppose.