VIP / Fill

[rob.mwpropane]

Good day all, not coming to complain, hoping to learn.

I just bought a used set of HP100's for a pretty good deal. Drove up and got them. The shop the seller took them to did a fresh hydro / vis, but did not fill the tanks? So now I'm thinking, no big deal, I'll get them filled. I got my wife to take them to my LDS today. He say's he needs to do a vis because they're empty.....ok how much. $20 for the vis (even though it's clear as day it was just done 2 days ago) and another $12 for the fill.

$32/tank.....does that seem reasonable? A total of $64 for 2 freshly hydro'd tanks?

I know it's an expensive hobby, but dang.....maybe I'm just cheap?

I declined to have it done.

 

[Wookie]

No. That does not seem reasonable.

It does seem to be the way that business is done in the 'Scuba Industry".

It's just wrong.

 

[aviator8]

I pay 25 for a vip and air fill. I dont know of any shops that will fill an empty without doing a VIP. Liability though I agree it feels like a cash grab.

 

[loosenit2]

Not uncommon for shops to require a viz if tanks are empty. Every shop I have ever used includes a fill with a viz or hydro so I think a little uncommon to charge separately for both.

 

[Bob DBF]

Now that you have have tanks, get a transfer whip to avoid that issue in the future. It's the tax the shop is charging you for buying and and getting a VIP elsewhere. Did they give a complete viz and a new VIP sticker or did they screw you on that too.

Yes, they should open the tank and check, but with having the hydro and viz done recently, it should be about insuring water and debris did not get in the tank while depressurized. My shop would ask about the situation, make a quick check, and fill.


Bob

 

[Wookie]

Now that you have have tanks, get a transfer whip to avoid that issue in the future. It's the tax the shop is charging you for buying and and getting a VIP elsewhere. Did they give a complete viz and a new VIP sticker or did they screw you on that too.

Yes, they should open the tank and check, but with having the hydro and viz done recently, it should be about insuring water and debris did not get in the tank while depressurized. My shop would ask about the situation, make a quick check, and fill.


Bob

And this is the right way. Or, the hydroing/VIPing shop should have filled the damn tank.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

It's crazy....I WANT to give the shop my business, but not if every time I go in there I feel like they pull out the lube. This isn't the first time I've felt like "really"?

I get that they're supposed to vip a tank that's empty, but for that much? I mean, he could of cut me a little slack.

Next question.....who has a fill whip in the Baltimore area that wants me to buy them a beer I'm almost half tempted to buy one just out of spite (and because it wouldn't be a bad idea to have one anyway).

 

[aviator8]

It's crazy....I WANT to give the shop my business, but not if every time I go in there I feel like they pull out the lube. This isn't the first time I've felt like "really"?

I get that they're supposed to vip a tank that's empty, but for that much? I mean, he could of cut me a little slack.

Next question.....who has a fill whip in the Baltimore area that wants me to buy them a beer I'm almost half tempted to buy one just out of spite (and because it wouldn't be a bad idea to have one anyway).

Not in Baltimore but I PM'd you details on a whip I just bought.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Now that you have have tanks, get a transfer whip to avoid that issue in the future. It's the tax the shop is charging you for buying and and getting a VIP elsewhere. Did they give a complete viz and a new VIP sticker or did they screw you on that too.

Yes, they should open the tank and check, but with having the hydro and viz done recently, it should be about insuring water and debris did not get in the tank while depressurized. My shop would ask about the situation, make a quick check, and fill.


Bob

Complete viz / brand new vip sticker. Hydro has 11/19 stamped on it....

Really wish the seller would have just paid to fill the tank, I would have happily paid the difference. He "forgot" to mention it until after I drove 2 hours to pick them up.

 

[rhwestfall]

I am well aware of "Empty? We need to do a VIP." If there is a recent inspection, simply popping the valve, and a quick peek usually is not charged. That being said, "you said used set of hp100's" - is this manifold doubles? If so, your cost could also include taking them apart, and reassembly (shops here will charge for that on top of a visual). Yeah, it sucks whoever did the prior work failed to put some air in them....