I would like you get your air fill at The Edge and here is why:
Our fills are $10 a piece and $9 if you buy it as a fill card. It sounds expensive but here is the breakdown.
The compressor we have had a capital cost of $20k. It require ongoing maintenance which we really want to keep up because we don't want to give you bad air. The oil filter on it's own is a $450.00 part, not including the $75.00 an hour labour that we pay to get it installed. The air filter is around $80 and we change them... a lot. Again, we don't want to give you bad air.
PADI insurance requirement says we need to test the air at least twice a year. We test it four times a year... because we don't want to give you bad air and no, it's not cheap. I can tell you a story about the dive shop (and it is very local to you) that didn't test their air at all because they didn't want to pay for the testing and a diver didn't come back from a dive. I suppose their air fill is much cheaper than ours. For legal reasons, let' just say I made that last one up.
The compressor repair company that we use, repairs air compressors all over the lower mainland. The tech tells me that he has never seen a compressor with as much usage as ours. That's really interesting because it tells me one of two things:
1. The Edge fills more tanks than anyone else. I really doubt it because I see just as many dive trucks/vans from other shops at Whytecliff.
2. Or no one else services their compressor to the degree that we do??
Guess what, it is really really expensive when I call the compressor company to come service the compressor but I do it because... I don't want to give you bad air.
The compressor guys are now telling me we need a new compressor because we are out growing the one we have. They recommend that I consider keeping the one we got and simply buying a bigger one. The new compressor is $40k and I am going to spend the money. Why? because by having two compressors, it means you as a diver will never be without air when you need it, even when one of the compressors is down. It also means that I am spending the money on a proper compressor, not one that's built out of an old motor and car parts. Trust me, I've seen it.
I can lower the price of the air fill if you like. In exchange, you will receive bad fills, bad air or no air because the compressor is down and we can't afford to fix it.
I would like to conclude by saying I appreciate anyone who shops at The Edge. We value your opinion and business. It is all very important to Mike and I and we would like to continue to provide you with the very best product and services that we can bring you.
Thank you.
Henry
The Edge Diving Centre
Edge Diving Centre