air fills

[Seal]

It is interesting to see the different sides being presented.  The post I put on stating that the price of air would be around 12 dollars did not come off the top of my head it was in one of our dive trade mag. about 5 years ago and I would think we have some inflation since then.  I can see your point when you say you have to travel a distance to get your tanks filled.  When I started diving back in the sixties we had to drive 55 miles to get a tank filled but unless you live in the metro area it is not uncommon to have to go sixty miles or more to get a fill.  I have done the math and it is usually cheaper to purchase a number of more tanks and travel to get air than it is to get a compressor.  Yes you can get a smaller compressor at a good price but remember that the price is based the cfm that it puts out.  If you have a dive center you are not going to have a small compressor as your clients will not be willing to stand in line waiting for the cylinder to be filled.  That is why the cost for a system is high for a dive center.  Another thing not being taken into consideration is if you have your own compressor there is still cost of up keep each year and insurance if you are going to be filling for others and the is an expensive fee.  It would be great if someone came back after a dive and sued you for saying you gave him bad air when you taught he was your friend.
As far as internet I tell my students that if you do not buy from my dive center at least buy from another dive center.  If we do not support the scuba shops it will not be long and there will be none and then where will we get instruction, service, and air and all that good information about dive sites and stuff when we do stop in to get our cylinders filled.  Look at all the dive centers that have gone belly up in the last three years in the metro area and most of those have been around for years and do not think they had intended on closing up. I do like the fact that divers price shop and if you give your local dive center a chance you might be surprised how the prices will be to the internet if you are pricing the same items.  A good consumer remembers that when we are purchasing a product we are buying service. A dive center will spend a great deal of time with a client sizing and explaining why he recommends the equipment he is selling.  I think it is disappointing to see that client come in a week later with the same equipment that he has purchased off the internet.  If you are not going to support him then don't waste his time.  Lets keep our sport fun and it will be a win win for all.