Lost $400 on a used Kirby Morgan helmet - buyer beware

Bought a used 17 Kirby Morgan off a guy on Facebook marketplace for $400. He said it was in good shape but I figured I'd save some cash over a new one. Got it in the mail and the exhaust valve was completely shot, plus the comms wiring was frayed. Had to spend another $250 on parts and labor to get it dive ready. Anyone else get burned buying used gear online?

3 comments

3 Comments

oliverhernandez1mo ago

...and you actually spent $250 more on top of the four hundred? Man, I gotta say I don't think I could stomach that. A used Kirby Morgan for four hundred bucks is already rolling the dice, but spending over half that again just to get it working feels like a punch in the gut. I mean, how bad was the exhaust valve if the whole thing needed a shop visit? Sounds like that Facebook guy knew exactly what he was selling.

murray.jana1mo ago

@oliverhernandez trust me man, I've been there with used gear. The exhaust valve was cracked and someone had attempted a jb weld fix on the housing, so the shop had to replace the whole lower barrel assembly. Sellers on Facebook know exactly what they're doing, they price it to move fast before you spot the real damage. Thing is, even with the $250 hit, a properly serviced Kirby Morgan still runs way cheaper than a brand new one from a dealer. If the shell and lens are in good shape, sometimes the gamble pays off, you just gotta know what to look for before you hand over the cash.

hannah4001mo ago

Hang on, @oliverhernandez, what exactly did the seller tell you about the exhaust valve when you picked it up in person? I'm wondering if they flat out lied or if you just missed it because the crack was hidden under the housing. In my experience, those Facebook guys will use a black Sharpie to cover up hairline cracks in the plastic, and you won't see it until you get home with a flashlight. A cracked exhaust valve that bad usually means the whole lower barrel got banged up from a drop, not just a simple wear and tear issue. So even with the shell and lens being clean, you gotta ask yourself if that kind of impact did any hidden damage to the regulator itself. Your mileage may vary, but I'd want to know if the seller admitted to dropping it before you handed over the cash.