Ridiculous Store Rules? Or not?

[OPBN]

So part of the downside of living in BFE NW Ohio is that the closest real paintball store is an hour West or South, even farther in the other directions. This comes into play when I drove in the other day to get two of my tanks filled, and while there asked if they had any 4.5k Ninja tank regs. Lucky enough they did, so I proceeded to try and buy one and was told the only way they sell them is if I bring my tank in for them to install it. The story I am given is that their insurance requires it. Ok, so I'm a little p'd off, especially since I didn't bring the tank with me. I push a little, explaining that it's an hour drive each way for me and that they would REALLY be doing me a favor by letting me buy one and put it on myself. No go, so I back off, and let it go. After getting home and tinkering with one of my new toys, I pretty much blow through my tanks and decide that I would take the afternoon off, drive in and get my tanks filled and bring my other one in with me to let them screw the regulator on... but a little voice inside my head said: " you better call before you drive and hour and they either don't have one anymore, or tell you they have to keep the tank overnight". So I heed my little head and call. Sure enough, the guy on the phone tells me that they do still have one, but they require to keep the tanks overnight to install them, because they have to loctite them and again gives me the schpiel about insurance etc. At this point, I am getting more and more irritated at the thought of having to essentially drive 4 hours to get some dude to unsrew the reg that is on the tank now (it's already completely loose), set it on the counter, open up the Ninja reg, and screw it back onto the tank. Even after explaining that I can buy the regulator directly from Ninja or on Ebay and install it myself, they will not relent. Now granted, it is annoying, but wouldn't tick me off so much excepting I am trying to get the regulator for the tank because I need to use it this weekend.

Anyone know if this is SOP for shops not to sell tank regs without installation, or are they just being Dbags?

[ezcreation]

Just dont buy from them. Get the item shipped priority or overnight to you...Probably the same cost in gas anyway

[Smoothice]

Either way just order it online. That story alone is why brick and mortar shops are failing.

I actually need to buy a new reg. I wonder if my local store would pull that same b.s?

[OPBN]

Most likely, I will just buy it directly from Ninja or somewhere else and use another tank this weekend. My other option is I have contacted the shop that is going to be at the field this weekend to see if they have one and what their install policy is. Main point of my rant is to see from anyone else working at a shop if this is normal or if I am getting the runaround.

[Smoothice]

Just dont buy from them. Get the item shipped priority or overnight to you...Probably the same cost in gas anyway

Well my car only gets about 15 miles to the gallon. An hour drive would be around 60-70 miles away. Figure 4-5 gallons at $3.15 a gallon is a little over $15.00 each way.

So he will spend an extra $50-60 in gas just to go back and forth 2 more times to get his tank.

[correia3]

I recently brought an older ACI tank into my local shop and had them swap an aluminum Hyperflow reg that I had for the stock stainless reg. They did it while I waited and even filled the tank...Do you think they are just trying to hit you for a labor fee or something on the reg install? Seems odd, but I can see the insurance angle too...Buy online and save yourself the hassle...

[OPBN]

I looked into overnight shipping and it would be $45 for next day and nearly $75 for next day A.M.

I really don't know if they are trying to bang me for the install fee, I would gladly just pay it if they would let me take it with me, or watch me screw it on. i didn't think regulators had to be loctited on? I know I have at least one tank here that isn't, and I've had no problems with it.

I am definitely the target market for TK's compressor.

[CatoRockwell]

My local shop sells regs seperately on a regular basis. Unless its a state policy, i call shens on the shop.

[Konigballer]

I really don't know if they are trying to bang me for the install fee, I would gladly just pay it if they would let me take it with me, or watch me screw it on. i didn't think regulators had to be loctited on?

They don't. My local Fire & Safety department screwed my MaxFlo on my Crossfire tank for free, and said they never use locktite on any of their compressed air tanks. They used a giant strap vice and a huge wrench to tighten it on, that sucker ain't goin nowhere.

[bbotts77]

I've never heard of this. I do know that even Ninja cannot sell you a reg on a tank without thread locker. If they screw the two together for you, they have to use thread locker. I bet they either made that up so they could charge you to install it or the don't understand what they are actually liable for.

[OPBN]

Found a shop South of me that has the Gorilla Myth regs in stock. They say they will put it on and give me a free fill... on the spot and not make me wait overnight. Looks like someone else will be getting my business from now on.

[Smoothice]

Found a shop South of me that has the Gorilla Myth regs in stock. They say they will put it on and give me a free fill... on the spot and not make me wait overnight. Looks like someone else will be getting my business from now on.

You should call the original store and let them know that...

[TippmannGuy]

I don't think that they are in the wrong on this one. The "brick and mortar store" has to follow a different set of rules. Every insurance co is different in what they expect of their policy holder. So the rules may be different from insurance company a to insurance company b. Online companies or retailers don't give a crap what happens other than getting paid for the product. It sad to see everyone jump on the " buy online" wagon because it is truly killing the "brick and mortar store" and local fields.

Yes overkill on the safety but they can't sidestep their insurance.

[Sumthinwicked]

u dont have to locktite (for travel reasons most teams dont u cant fly with a reg on) but we would in our store and that store prob keeps it overnight to test it for leaks after the locktite drys ....and the insurance could be that way ... not here but we do it anyhow keeps the kiddies safe none of the 3 45 45 s or my 13 3000 are locktited fyi but i have been a tech for 15 years

[Loneassassin]

Rediculous. I've been using a Myth reg on my 68/45 bottle for two years, no loctite, tightned by hand. A monkey could do it. It has never once tried to come unscrewed, and I would have noticed it if it did. But there are a lot of, how shall we say it?, mentally challenged people in this world. I might have the same policy if I owned the shop.