Nitrox Tank Cleaning

[mccabejc]

Bought a couple brand new AL-80's today, and took to another shop to convert to nitrox. Called a local shop, who told me it would cost $50 each to O2 clean tank + valve. Cool. I figured I'd get outta there for a little over $110 total.

Took them to the shop, only took them 1/2 day to do the cleaning and fill with nitrox. Cool. I was expecting a week or so.

Got the bill. Total cost: $220 freakin' dollars !!!. That's what it cost me to buy the two tanks in the first place !!!!

Here's the rundown:

They did VIP's on both, even though they had just been VIP'd about 3 hours before, and I told them before they were brand new: Cost $30

Two of those cylinder wrap stickers that says "NITROX" or whatever: Cost: $24. Are you freakin' kidding me?? $24 for two stickers?

Two contents tags: Cost $12

Six Viton O-rings: Cost $15

Actual cleaning of tanks and valves: Cost $118

31.2% nitrox fills (damn, they couldn't even get that right): Cost $20

Of course that's the last they'll be seeing of me. But I'm curious, how badly was I screwed?

 

[spectrum]

Are we to assume the cylinders were bought elsewhere 3 hours earlier and that they were factory O2 ready?

Pete

 

[mccabejc]

Yes and No. Bought elsewhere 3 hours earlier, but just standard air tanks.

 

[CIBDiving]

pretty bad - the vips, the nitrox stickers, the content tags, and probably the bottle cleaning as well.

 

[Kevfin]

Sounds like they overcharged to me. He could have, at the very least, thrown in the fill and VIP. My local LDS only charges $40 for the 02 clean and he threw in the sticker, tag, fill, & VIP. Probably helps that I've bought a few grand worth of equipment from him.
I would think if the dive shop you went to wanted to keep you as a customer, they would have been a lot more reasonable and made you feel like you were getting a lot more value for your $.

 

[Damselfish]

there's a lesson here - ask the price first...

 

[mccabejc]

I did. As I mentioned in the first paragraph, they had said $50 each over the phone. But apparently that assumed that the tank had all the tags and stickers, and didn't need a VIP. I had no idea they would nickel and dime me like that.

Though I'm wondering if there is a legit need to do a special VIP for O2 use? Anyone know if there's a difference in VIP's ?

 

[CIBDiving]

I did. As I mentioned in the first paragraph, they had said $50 each over the phone. But apparently that assumed that the tank had all the tags and stickers, and didn't need a VIP.

No, that was ~ what they charged you for the "cleaning" $64 apeice. $50 for each bottle and $14 for each valve. They just neglected to tell you that there would be 'Other' needed work/items TOO. In other words you got hosed!

 

[Warren_L]

For all that, it usually costs me $40 per tank (and that's Canadian dollars), which includes a nitrox blend of my choice. Sorry to say, sounds like you got hosed, eh?!

 

[Kevfin]

I did. As I mentioned in the first paragraph, they had said $50 each over the phone. But apparently that assumed that the tank had all the tags and stickers, and didn't need a VIP. I had no idea they would nickel and dime me like that.

Though I'm wondering if there is a legit need to do a special VIP for O2 use? Anyone know if there's a difference in VIP's ?

I don't believe there is a difference in VIPs. I do believe that when they do the 02 service, the VIP can and should be done.
I am curious though, did they put some type of "02 cleaned" sticker/label on your tanks or just the Nitrox & VIP stickers?