scuba_punk
Registered
I have been a member now for less than a year and I have used the large amount of information found here to influence equipment purchases among other things. I wanted to take the time to share an unpleasant experience with the group so others dont run into the same problems that I have. Last August I started making equipment purchases to continue the adventure of diving after a long hiatus. After all my research I chose the equipment that I felt would fit my needs. I then started shopping around online and at the LDS. I happened to find the best deal online at joediveramerica.com . Now following the guidance of scubaboard.com I verified that Joe Diver was an authorized Mares dealer. Here it is a year later I decide to take my gear in for the yearly checkup. My wife takes the regulator assembly over to my chosen dealer Divers Unlimited in Norfolk, VA. I have done all my advanced training through the group and my wife is taking her OW there. Now she was told when she dropped it off that the parts would be covered and we would just be charged for labor. So imagine my surprise today when I went over to pick up my equipment when I was charged and extra $42 dollars for parts. I began to politely protest the additional charges and the gentleman at the counter went into the back to go over the details with Captain Tom Micale who does the servicing. Now I could overhear the conversation and it basically came down to He didnt purchase it here so how should I know. That is why he was charged. Well I guess I could check with Mares tomorrow. Now at that point I was fuming mad. The owner Joes wife Nancy was upfront and went into a story on how When you buy stuff online its not covered by warranty and online stores arent authorized dealers. Now the gentleman returned with his talk from Tom and I told him not to bother and just ring me up. At that point they attempted to pacify me with Tom will check with Mares tomorrow and we will refund the money if the equipment was from an authorized dealer. Now I am fired up out of sheer principle that they had my equipment over 2 weeks and he should have had that worked out before I came in to pick it up. To me it feels like they tried to get any penny they could just because I didnt buy from them. I guess someone that is a pacifist would have just paid the $42 and moved on but I am not that guy. Sorry for the long post but I needed to vent and to let people know to watch out. And yes I still have all the receipts and had sent the warranty cards in.