?? about Leisure Pro

[redacted]

To be honest, I don't see what's wrong with her advice? If you can find it cheaper online, then go for it. SCUBA is expensive, it ain't cheap. If you find it cheaper elsewhere - (i.e. we found dive computers that have worked just dandy from eBay).. then go for it.

As you say, you can spread your purchases out.. we buy from one local shop and we'll probably continue - but we'll get air from almost anywhere - and I won't go out of my way to purchase other stuff from shops I do get air. Why show loyalty to shops that just hike up the prices and at times have inexperienced staff that have no clue on what they're talking about (generalization here)? I'm not against supporting local dive shops, but I don't see why you can't purchase elsewhere if the price is right.

The problem with her advice is it may not get the bst deal. I believe it is best to also give the LDS a shot at making the best deal rather than simply assuming the online source will be best.

Bottom line: Use all available resources to shop for your gear. Go with the deal that is best for you.

 

[DandyDon]

You know, SB is an excellent resource, but for opinions on equipment, I'd give my Local Dive Shop (LDS) a change to earn my business.

I did buy a BC from L-Pro once. Didn't know what to check, and the LDS I'd normally trust to help me was not involved, so - I suffered a leak while doing an unplanned free ascent. Had to disconnect my hose and orally inflate. I handled it fine, but we try to avoid those things. And I learned about my BC, after I survived. You're new? Don't chance it.

And really - I like paying more from my LDS so I can ask for their hellp. I paid more for the camera, and while I could send it in myself - I took it to them and borrowed their's for this weekend. I called L-Pro about a Stobe? $154. I called the LDS? $174 - Sold! And I told her that I was paying $20 more to her because working with the LDS, counting on the LDS, and even supporting the LDS that develops the sport in my area are all worth it to me.

​

 

[ZenDiver]

The problem with buying online equipment is that they do not have the overhead that makes it convienent for you to get air fills around the corner. A good Air Compressor cost about $20,000 dollars and it cost nearly 250 to 350 dollars or more to run it per month. They do not have rental gear, they do not have a place to touch and feel what you buy before you buy it. They do not give you the opportunity to build relationships with dive professionals, ,they do not have a classroom. All of this is the normal overhead that your local dive shop has to support. It is hard to compete when the internet clearance houses sell their equipment for 10 percent, yes i said 10 percent over what a dive shop can purchase it for. There will come a day when you will not have a local dive shop in your neighborhood and getting an air fill will cost more in gas then it ever cost you before. If you do the math and compute what it actually cost to fill an 80 cubic ft tank, with employee and overhead it costs close to 9 dollars which most dive shops charge half of that. You may pay more for your equipment from a local dive shop up front and if you give them a chance you will be surprised how close they can come to online pricing but the measure of your purchase and its value from a dive shop should be measured over a lifetime. I wish you good dives and an exciting dive career but remember to give your dive shop the last opportunity to earn your trust and your business.

 

[moon]

Bottom line: Use all available resources to shop for your gear. Go with the deal that is best for you.

Exactly. I won't discount either online or the LDS, but as I said earlier.. for most things we do buy from a particular LDS. But, I won't discount online shoppin' either...

 

[Michael Schlink]

Moonie the HUGE problem I have with the advice is that she suggested that the poster go to a LDS, shop around and then order it from LP. This goes beyond rude. If she tried it on me I'd throw her out on her ear. If someone wants to order online that's fine but it's reprehensible to use a LDS as a "changing room" and then order online. If you want the benefit of ordering online, which is a lower price then you take the negatives along with it, which is NOT being able to touch it, feel it, try it on, ask questions about it, exchange it if needed, get convenient service, etc. etc. etc..
I'll say it again as I have said it before. An LDS IS NOT overcharging you for anything if you base that comparison on a price from an online supplier. I have no problem with anyone trying to get the best deal on any product. THE BEST DEAL is not always the lowest price.

 

[DandyDon]

You should go to a scuba shop and see what you like then order from leisurePro

:11: I missed that. That is just rude. I know people do it. They do it to me. But they have to live with themselves and their karma.

Jeanne, I hope you said that - perhaps even have done that - without thinking and will reconsider.

Why show loyalty to shops that just hike up the prices and at times have inexperienced staff that have no clue on what they're talking about (generalization here)? I'm not against supporting local dive shops, but I don't see why you can't purchase elsewhere if the price is right

I quit one LDS because of the manager and the absentee owner/weekend trainer.

I patronize 2 others, as I live 70 miles from one and 100 from the other. When I pay more from them, I tell them I am, because they are important to me and I want to support them.

On the other hand, if L-Pro is significantly cheaper than an LDS, I'll reconsider. Thj
e LDS has to be somewhat competitive - plus obvious value added!

 

[freediver]

I was searching Leisure Pro's website and they have very inexpensive new scuba gear. Has anybody had any problems ordering from them? And there are so many name brands, boy o boy how do I tell the good from the bad? Also (as you can tell I'm a new diver with lots of ?'s, that's why I'm asking before I purchase) on the page for the regulators it says: 1st Stage Type: Diaphragm, LP Port: 5 & HP Port: 2. Please let me know what each of those mean. Thank you!!

Let me see, back to the original question. Problems ordering from them? No, ordered a light once, no problem here.
Yes, many name brands, write them all down on separate pieces of paper, put in hat, jostle hat, remove name, purchase chosen brand. If not happy with brand after receiving product be sure and take name out of hat next time. LP port/HP port -- answered earlier. I would suggest if you really have ??'s about LP, call LP and talk with them. Take notes. Afterwards, contact LDS, talk with them, take notes. Armed with this new information, formulate your OWN decision on which to choose. If not happy, take up golf.

 

[Dive-aholic]

We've bought lots of stuff from LP, Scuba.com, etc. We've also bought from LDS. Problems with LP--we've received a couple of items--light and DM slate--without the lanyard and clip. Called LP and they sent it out immediately. We've shopped our LDS, gotten advice, looked at their prices, then done some comparison. If the prices aren't too far off, we buy LDS. If we're talking a significant difference--more than $50, then we have to bargain shop--we're buying x2. Our LDS is competitive in some areas, not in others--bought our camera for $100 less than anywhere else, even LP. Fins, regs, and bc's--way overpriced at the LDS. We have recently found another LDS--2 hours away--that does have competitive prices, though--even with LP. We're in their area at least once a month, so we make it a point to stop in and visit and buy some stuff.

Recommendation--check your LDS first. If they can compete, and make sure to include shipping, etc, then buy from them. If they're not even close, do what you have to do. We wouldn't intentionally go into an LDS and scope out the gear knowing we're going to purchase elsewhere, but we have checked out gear only to buy elsewhere because of the $$$$ issue. As far as what to buy, talk to other divers. Most brands are going to get the job done for recreational diving. Some are better than others, but your LDS is going to recommend what they sell. That's not a bad thing, but there might be something else out there that works better for you. Manufacturers normally won't allow more than one LDS to be an authorized rep for their products, so you have to make a choice. That brings another point to mind--LP isn't an authorized rep for everything they sell.

Good luck with your investment!

 

[Doc Harry]

Obviously you're getting a lot of advice. You need to
make an informed decision.

Everyone says "Go to your local dive shop (LDS)." Maybe
so. There's a lot of reasons to use your LDS.

But both of my local dive shops have given me less than
favorable advice and service. I won't use them anymore.
They push only what they sell on their shelves. They won't
give you what's best for you -- only what best for you as it
pertains to what's stocked on their shelves.

Leisure Pro has advantages and disadvantages, too. You won't
get the manufacturer's warranty on most of the stuff they sell.
But it's cheap! You won't get any good advice or have any great
discussions with the folks at Leisure Pro, like you might at your
LDS.

I have used LeisurePro many times with minimal problems. And
I will continue to use LeisurePro in the future. They have handled
my dissastifaction better than my LDS!

So it's all about an informed decision. Decide what's best for you
and not what's best for your LDS or for some internet vendor.

What's best for you?

Good luck,
Harry

 

[DiveMaven]

I bought my reg/octo/computer set-up from Larry at Scubatoys. He made an excellent package deal for me, that was similar in price to LP. I didn't buy from my LDS because they didn't carry the Zeagle reg and Aeris AI in stock, and I figured if they had to order it, why pay more when I could get it faster (and cheaper) from Larry at Scubatoys? I've had excellent service and support from Larry and consider him the same as my LDS even though I don't live in Texas.

On the other hand, the real LDS near us put together an excellent package deal for my husband, who wanted a SeaQuest BC, a Legend reg/oct, and the Datamax Pro+ 2 computer. It wound up being about $200 more than LP, but we got the manufacturer's guarantee in addition to the LDS guarantee. We felt that the difference in price was worth getting the manufacturer's warantee, which you can't get from LP on these products. In addition, my husband got to try everything out in the LDS pool prior to using it in the open water AND the LDS gave me a tank and let me try out the stuff I got from Larry!! I consider that extremely generous and excellent customer service.

We bought our wetsuits while diving in Florida since we could get the 3mil Henderson Hyperstretch there for about $80 less EACH than locally....and $40 less than LP. Since I live in cold water country, it's not as easy to find the 3mils and they tend to be expensive.