Aeris - online purchase and repair service availability

[ScubaPaul]

I would be interested in getting opinions on this.. in a recent email discussion with a LDS, I received the following reply when discussing online purchasing of a new Aeris 500 AI through Leisure Pro.

---BEGIN QUOTE
Hi,
Don't be a sucker, what they did not tell you is that ALL Aeris product purchased from Leisure Pro will NOT have a factory warranty, or any warranty for that matter. You can contact the Aeris factory to confirm this fact, we have. The blank product warranty card itself means nothing, because the factory DOES check the sales records and tracks the product serial numbers.
Unless you have a recept from an authorized dealer, you have zip. An in house Leisure Pro warranty is worthless, no one but the factory can repair, service, or replace these machines.
Also, all computers purchased from them will NOT even be able to be serviced as an out of warranty item by the factory. This is their new policy to prevent these defective & used units from being re-sold to the public. This means there is a very good change your buying an expensive paperweight. This is a really big deal NOT having the 2 year full coverage factory warranty.
Leisure Pro is not an authorized dealer, therefore, none of their products are even new. Your buying a used machine without any warranty, and their below cost prices reflect this. The Aeris factory will not service those units period, not even at the $60.00 per/hr out of warranty rate. This is a great way to get screwed. You should consider this before you make a purchase. Many of these low ball NYC resellers re-import factory seconds, blems, obsolete, demo units, defective, and re-packs from the 3rd world and these are re-imported into the USA and then re-sell them in the USA. This is why their products are so cheap, well below dealer cost in many cases....they are not new, or first line quality.
Our products DO come from authorized USA dealers and do have a valid warranty....enjoy your bargain priced paperweight.....
---END QUOTE

Now I can accept that I may not receive warranty (i.e. free) service on a dive computer purchased through Leisure Pro, but I am shocked to hear they wouldn't even fix it if I paid based on their hourly rate?!

Does anyone have any experience with returning a computer to Aeris for service that supports his claim?

 

[ScubaPaul]

ok, since nobody replied I figured I'd respond to my own post....

 

[redacted]

Which may be good in the long run. Most dive gear is pretty reliable and the demand for warrenty service is evidently very low. Your LDS is incorrect on a couple points. LP's merchandise is not used goods. It is new and appears to be authentic. While some mfgrs honor warrenties regardless of where purchased, many only honor warrenties for items purchased, in person, from authorized USA dealers. LP advertises that they provide their own warrenty equal to that provided by the mfgr. I believe much of LP's grey market line comes from overseas (where much of this stuff is produced) from countries that enforce laws which prohibit or limit mfgr controls over retail sales. My experiences with LP and other online dealers have all been satisfactory and resulted in savings of as much as 50% of LDS prices.

 

[cstreu1026]

From what I have read on this message board, the most likely to fail piece of dive equipment seems to be the dive computer. I have been contemplating the same decision as I research gear for my first purchase. I think I feel OK buying my regs from Dive Inn and I will probably end up buying my BC online as well. I have decided though that I will buy my computer from the LDS. I have narrowed it down to an Aeris 300G and Aeris Atmos 2, and I am leading towards the Atmos 2, because I think I am going to use the wrist mounted version along with a traditional console for some redundancy. Of course for what I will end up paying for the Atmos 2, I could probably get the ultra cool 750GT, but I will feel more comfortable being able to get my computer serviced locally.

 

[crpntr133]

I know my post is many months from the original posting of the thread but had to add this. Found out last week that LP was selling BC's that were "Scubapro". I use "Scubapro'" because they weren't but had the name on it. Made me wonder what else they were selling and how.

 

[LUBOLD8431]

WHAT??? I cant understand your post, could you be a little more clear???

 

[crpntr133]

Ok lets shoot from the hip here. Leisure Pro is being sued because they sold BC's claiming that they were Scubapro brand, even had Scubapro on the BC. Scubapro says they aren't theirs. Now how do you suppose the name got on the BC?
Here is a link http://www.undercurrent.org/UCnow/articles/Grey9808.shtml or just do a search for, lawsuit leasure pro.
Guess this is old news since the site says this happened last April?

 

[fdog]

I purchased my Aeris Atmos 2 from LP Aug 2003.

During a dive in November, I saw a display screen that was not covered in the manual. After returning home, called Aeris, and they told me the screen was normal, although an illustration of the screen wasn't in my early edition of the owners manual.

Nevertheless, they had me send it to the factory (San Leandro CA), upgraded the software, and gave it a chamber ride. All I paid was the shipping.

I told them the serial number before I sent it, actually before they offered to check it.

Can't say there was a problem with this LP purchase.

All the best, James

 

[diverrick]

my new Dive Computer, I called LP, and asked about the factory warranty. They came right out and told me that there would be no "factory" warranty, but if I had problems with the unit, I could send it back to LP and they would simpy replace it, rather than try to repair it. I also called Oceanic and they said they don't know where LP is getting the DC's but they were not getting them from them. I ended up doing the Oceanic trade in for a upgrade to a new DC. direct from Oceanic. It was a pretty good deal. I figure at the cost of that particular dive item, I better be sure it is a legit purchase from the manufacturer.

 

[ScubaRon]

Ok lets shoot from the hip here. Leisure Pro is being sued because they sold BC's claiming that they were Scubapro brand, even had Scubapro on the BC. Scubapro says they aren't theirs. Now how do you suppose the name got on the BC?
Here is a link http://www.undercurrent.org/UCnow/articles/Grey9808.shtml or just do a search for, lawsuit leasure pro.
Guess this is old news since the site says this happened last April?

Very old: it happened in April 1998!