Wasted $400 on a drysuit zipper repair that failed in 2 weeks

I took my drysuit to a shop in Norfolk that said they specialized in diving gear. Paid $400 to have the front zipper replaced. The second dive after getting it back the zipper blew open at 30 feet. Had to abort the whole job and lost a full day of work. Turns out they used a cheap zipper not rated for commercial use. Anyone else had bad luck with repair shops cutting corners on parts?

2 comments

2 Comments

mason2835d ago

Did they show you the brand on the replacement zipper before installing it?

taylor.jessica4d ago

Got a buddy who had his jacket zipper replaced at a local repair shop a few months back. They didn't show him the brand upfront, but he asked and they said it was a YKK, which he'd heard was decent. He took their word for it and sure enough, that zipper gave out after just a few months. When he brought it back, they admitted they used a cheaper knockoff because it was what they had in stock. He was pretty steamed about it, but at least they fixed it again for free with the real deal.