Scuba Equipment Warranty Series: Part 1 – What paperwork should you keep?

In this two-part blog, we’re going to break down equipment warranties. To start things off, we’re going to go over the basics of equipment warranties and what type of information you should keep regardless of your manufacture. These basics are generalizations of the major brands we primarily see and might not cover every single scuba equipment manufacturer, so it’s always best to contact us or your manufacture for specific details.

For the second part, we’ll take a deep dive into the major manufacturers we service and what they do for their customers. As things sometimes change, these blogs are accurate up until April 2021.

Types of Warranties

The Broadest: Manufacturer’s Warranty

This warranty usually covers the equipment for a specific period of time, so long as it remains in the hands of the original owner. These warranty’s normally only cover manufacturer defects. For example, some manufactures cover the seam of a BCD (Buoyancy Compensator). Therefore, they will either replace or repair your BCD free of charge at their repair center.

AirTech Tip: We can either facilitate the exchange and communication with your manufacturer or give you the information for your manufacture’s service center.

More Specific: Parts and Service Program

This type of program is usually something you sign up for or qualify for when you purchased your equipment. When you get your equipment serviced you pay for three things: labor, part kits, and any extra parts that were broken. This program will cover the part kits and some of those extra parts, meaning you usually just pay for the labor. To maintain your program eligibility and to keep your equipment functioning at its best, you do need to follow the manufacturer’s service recommendations. Meaning, if your manufacturer says you need to have it serviced every two years, you must have proof you serviced it every two years.

Airtech Tip: Depending on your manufacturer, we might be able to see if you qualify for the parts program or a warranty. Feel free to contact us and we can look into it or get you in touch with the correct person!

Our Warranty

When you get your equipment serviced with us, we do offer our own warranty beyond those above. If your equipment was serviced within the year and you have not done more than 100 dives, we will fix any equipment malfunction for free. This includes paying for the shipping back and forth and any fees you incurred from having to rent equipment.

This warranty does not apply to any equipment used professionally or commercially, including rental equipment.

Documentation to Keep

1.        Proof of Purchase

It’s always a good idea to keep your original proof of purchase. Most manufacturers only cover warranties for original owners. This mean you’ll need to prove that you are the original owner.

2.      Service Records

Even if it’s not for a parts or service warranty, it is a good idea to keep your service records. This could be the invoice we send you when your service is complete. Some manufacturers want proof that you have followed their guidelines in taking care of your equipment. If you haven’t and something happened to your equipment, they might place the blame elsewhere and void your equipment’s warranty.

It’s also a good idea to know what your manufacturer suggests as a timeline for servicing your equipment.

YOUR Copies

In the age of digital files and cloud-based point-of-sale systems, it’s easy to get lax and assume your dive shop or service center will always have your records. We don’t suggest betting on this. In years past, even we’ve had servers crash or new point-of-sale systems that can’t upload previous customer information. While it hasn’t happened in years, it’s enough to warrant a cautionary tale. Keep your own copies of these records.

Buying Used Equipment?

So, what does all this mean for people looking to buy used equipment? Unfortunately, this means you won’t qualify for most warranty coverage. So, keep that in mind when you’re looking to purchased used equipment.

AirTech Tip: If you’re looking at used equipment, make sure the manufacturer is still in business, still supports that model, and look at the price of the part kits. That way you’ll get a better idea of the lifetime price of that used equipment. We can quickly answer any of these questions for the brands we service and some for those we don’t service!