You buy where you can buy with confidence and in good conscience. If you need the assistance of the LDS, buy there. If you know you will end up buying online, don't screw the LDS out of consultation services. Look it up yourself. Don't be a jerk. Otherwise, it's a debatable matter of spending more to support the local LDS, etc., the stuff of endless arguments, another of which you have no doubt instigated.
Why the lds's are so expensive?
Lower volume. More expensive storefront. Covering the cost of other diver services. Dealership minimum price agreements. Same reason every other brick and mortar store is higher than online, since there's no Scuba WalMart.
Why some people are afraid to buy online?
They don't want to deal with any issues with someone they can't physically meet and talk to. They don't know enough about the gear they're buying. They got burned once in an online purchase. Who knows. They should shop the LDS, then. The savings isn't worth the worry.
What is the truth? Which is better?
There is no "better." There's only which trade-offs you're comfortable with and your personal philosophy of what you ought to do to help out the LDS and whether they deserve it or at least are worth it to you.
Tell us what you think and tell your experience about it.
I think it comes down pretty much to what sort of shopper you are in general, what's in your buying DNA. I mean, although I am a bargain hunter with a congenital aversion to paying retail for anything, including scuba gear, and am not ashamed of a sweater from Goodwill, I figure that over the useful life of the scuba gear, by far the bulk of the cost of the sport is in travel, fills, maintenance, etc., and the difference in price between LDS and online is a small percentage of the total. And you can't just look at the price tag. Tanks, for instance. Not a whole lot of difference when shipping is considered, and I get free fills for a year with new LDS tanks. Sure. I'd by a used one for cheap, but it would have to be real cheap. And I buy wetsuits from LDS, because I have to try them on, and it would be chickens--t to burn LDS time and not buy from them to save that little bit of money.
In fact, why not go down to the LDS and ask
them why you should buy from them and not online. If they tell you that only their dealership brand of gear is any good, you learned they're liars, and you're can look for another LDS. If they get pissed off that you would even consider that you could buy elsewhere, walk away from the angry trolls and buy elsewhere. But, if they're straight up, though, and friendly, with good reasons, you maybe found a good outfit worthy of your support. Do your own research to see if they really are good reasons, and do what seems best. And you can always give an LDS a chance to get close to the online price. Same rules apply if they lie or get mad that you looked online. Go elsewhere. And I personally never, ever buy from anyone who badmouths the competition or competing products.
