GX-CS4-I: Buy from Amazon vs. GX?

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tommyb

tommyb

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Feb 20, 2018
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Hi guys

Some background:

I’m a long time Dive Shop ‘traveler’ for my Great White 98 cu feet and just purchased the new Acecare 6.8L from Tuxing. Have been going 45 minutes one way to my local 4600 psi Dive Shop for 7/8 years. It’s getting very old.

I am going to buy a CS4-I this year, but I’m vacillating between getting it directly from Amazon with the $69 three year Asurion parts and service warranty or buying direct from GX, with a 1 year manufacturer guarantee.

I am not looking to work on compressors. Other than turning the grease knob every 5 hours for maintenance. That’s why I have been driving to the Dive Shop for years. I am fearful of complex compressor issues and I do not want to fiix/repair newly bought compressors.

Gerry52, Humdinger, and others please join in. I have read all your posts. I don’t need to be sold on the CS4-i as I have done exhaustive research on this compressor. It’s a good fit for me.

Q. Would you get the 3-year $69 no brainer warranty if you had my requirements and mechanical skills concerns? I understand email support is available from GX, but nothing like a ‘Todd’ technician-
like Omega has for their products. I.e. phone conversation.

I should add, I have a good friend ( EPG) who has the GX- 5K1 and will be my guardian angel for questions.

Please, no suggestions for other models and brands. I just want your logic or justification for my question.

Thank you in advance.

Tom
 
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Also, you can save another $108 by getting the GX CS4 if you don't mind the AC Power supply being external as that's the only difference between the two units. GX direct out the door pricing (assuming you don't have to pay sales tax)
GX CS4-I : $602.99 (after 10% coupon code)
GX CS4: $ 494.99 (after 10% coupon code)
Amazon
GX CS4-I $629.99 + sales tax
 
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Tom,

I think it matters a lot how much of a disaster it would be if your new compressor failed when it is 13 months old. If it would be a really big problem, you may want to get the warranty. But those warranties are pushed by sellers of all kinds of equipment because they make a lot of money on them. In other words the odds are good you will not need it. I absolutely never buy an extended warranty on anything. I think they are bad deals. I am not wanting to offend anybody and I accept others have different circumstances and may reasonably and responsibly see things differently. But I can afford to play the odds, so to speak, and it has worked out well for me.

If my Yong Heng stops working I may buy a CS4 too. Being cheap, I'd probably get the one with the power supply separate. It is separate on my CS2 and isn't really a problem.

Jim
 
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I bought mt CS4-i direct from GX. Good fortune smiled and it's operated perfectly from the start. A friend bought a CS4-i direct from GX and it was DOA. GX pronptly sent a replacement power supply and circuit board but my friend had to disassemble the compressor and install the parts. My friend's compressor worked perfectly on 12 Vdc even with the bad power supply and circuit board.

If I were to make a purchase today, I would buy the CS4 with the external power supply. Not only is it substantially less expensive than the CS4-i, the power supply is not subject to internal heat and vibration.

I think that buying a new CS4 from Amazon is a good choice because the money saved over the cost of a CS4-i would more than pay for the warranty.

JackHughs
 
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Gonzo said:
Good info. I talked to a guy at my range with a lot of experience and he recommended the Amazon route with 3 yr warranty. He said they will usually just replace the compressor if there is a problem. Or give you cash back.
Click to expand...
Not a bad idea as long as the warranty is honored and isn’t a huge hassle. Problem is that you just don’t hear too much about that ?? Personally I would just go with the regular cs4. The external power supply isn’t a hassle whatsoever in my opinion. The regular model is well worth the savings.
 
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SilentSquirrel said:
Can anyone speak directly about having used the Asurion warranty?
If so
I'd liken to know if it is a worthwhile purchase.
And whether making a claim was hassle free
The devil is in the details

just my too curious
Edward
Click to expand...
I should have rephrased my question, thanks Ed.

I would be curious to know if anyone has had first hand experience using this warranty with Asurion and a CS4-i repair or replacement scenario. Like several of you, I’m hesitant about buying extended warranties for all the concerns and reasons given in this thread.

in reference to the GX one year warranty:

Sounds like GX will only send parts (not replace) and the user has to fix/repair himself with the one year direct GX purchase scenario. From what I read here on AGN, GX has a pretty solid reliability reputation with the CS series of compressors. However, if I had a serious issue (within first year) that I wasn’t comfortable fixing myself, I would hope I could return and either have them fix it or replace it at their expense.
 
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It seems like this has devolved, is the question about the compressors longevity and serviceability? Or is it about the warranty and what that purports to do? I was in the same boat recently and was considering one of the GXs…. But the uncertainty of long term use and service sent me in another direction…. I spent much more, but will not be worrying about the longevity and serviceability of my HPA source… The test of time will tell the tale on the GXs and any other HPA source…🙏
 
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I'll offer up another alternative, but sticking with the same compressor choice. I do this based on what you seem to be after - knowing you will get a good compressor and not having to deal with any service issues. That has a such a compelling need for you that in your case you are already willing to pay more than "fair market value" for a new compressor to be assured of the result. The idea is simply to expand the market in your quest.

This forum is full of good, reputable people that (in my opinion) "churn" through products, always seeking to upgrade. I bet there are many here with CS-4s that have either already bought a bigger or faster compressor (like the K1/K2) or who would love to do so. You could post a WTB (want to buy) on the classifieds with your story and offer to pay reasonably close to the price of new for a proven but not abused CS4 from an appropriate seller, maybe even with stipulation that there must be previous posts on this forum the results with the given compressor (so you can read about that very unit you are buying - I've done that with airguns) . Given how much people post their experiences here, that still leaves a lot of potential sellers . . . . but it could take time.

It might take a while, but if you are OK waiting a bit (and still using the dive shop) you might get exactly what you want. Worst case, your would have lost a bit of time and could still go down the path you are are now . . . . and I don't know if it would violate the rules, but you could maybe even "advertise" that you are doing this in posts on this sub-forum, linking to a legitimate WTB offer in the classifieds (given that people point to classified adds in other posts when people are talking about an item they want).
 
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I purchased the Asurion warranty for a GX CS2.

That CS2 failed in Year 3. I filled out the Asurion Claim Form on Amazon and Asurion refunded my entire purchase price - via an Amazon Gift Card.

Keep in mind that the Asurion warranty only takes effect AFTER the manufacturer’s warranty expires.

So, if your GX compressor fails in Year 1, you will deal with GX (Ankul) through Amazon. GX will likely send you parts if repairable.

I had a GX compressor fail in Year 1 and I dealt with GX via the Amazon site. So this is all 1st hand experience with these warranties, NOT conjecture.

Essentially, the Asurion warranty covers Years 2 and 3.

I believe that the high cost of shipping these compressors weighs in the decision process of how they provide you warranty service.

In both of my failed compressors, neither GX or Asurion wanted me to ship the compressor back.

GX had me send them pictures and video to confirm it was broken. Then they shipped me a replacement.

Asurion collected details and pictures via their warranty form. They evaluated and determined it was best to refund my purchase price - via the gift card.

So there you have it - 1st hand information on how both GX and Asurion warranties work regarding GX compressors. Of course each individual case is different.

-Ed
 
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Great response Ed. I was going to chip in about the shipping aspect. I sent my Avenger back for a leak and it wasn't cheap and I was without the gun for 5 weeks. I'd hate to think about shipping to China and back. So I much prefer them sending me parts for me to install. But that is me. I have lots of tools and time to do the work. I am always a bit nervous taking on a new repair scenario but most have worked out well for me.
 
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JimD said:
Tom,

I think it matters a lot how much of a disaster it would be if your new compressor failed when it is 13 months old. If it would be a really big problem, you may want to get the warranty. But those warranties are pushed by sellers of all kinds of equipment because they make a lot of money on them. In other words the odds are good you will not need it. I absolutely never buy an extended warranty on anything. I think they are bad deals. I am not wanting to offend anybody and I accept others have different circumstances and may reasonably and responsibly see things differently. But I can afford to play the odds, so to speak, and it has worked out well for me.

If my Yong Heng stops working I may buy a CS4 too. Being cheap, I'd probably get the one with the power supply separate. It is separate on my CS2 and isn't really a problem.

Jim
Click to expand...
Like you I never buy extended warranties . I’m a trusting consumer not a gambler.
I feel the gamble is in the buying a warranty. You’re betting the cost that the
machine will break . I feel confident if anything fails I can fix. There appears to be
a good supply of parts available for my GXcs4i and Tuxing ed042.
The power supply I want is internal though. Even my first amzon $250 compressor
$50 of that was not to have another piece of equipment.
 
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