Beware of any retailer that offers to sell and ship our life supporting products by mail, for orders placed by phone or the Internet. These retailers are NOT authorized Aqua Lung Dealers. All authorized Aqua Lung Dealers must execute a Dealer Agreement that does not allow the sale of Aqua Lung products except "in-store." Many Aqua Lung dealers advertise on the Internet, but they are not allowed to deliver our products other than "over-the counter." This is our assurance that you will receive the proper pre-sale, point-of-sale, and post-sale assistance, and that only trained and certified divers will use our products. If you obtain our product from one of these retailers, your warranty is therefore not valid and we cannot offer you the assurances of quality and satisfaction afforded by the Aqua Lung Warranty Program. If you would like to verify whether or not a retailer is an authorized Aqua Lung Dealer, please call: (760) 597-5000.
Seems pretty explicit that AL products CANNOT be sold online with any support whatsoever.
SCUBAPRO UWATEC offers a FREE Preferred Parts for Life Program to all regulator owners (only offered through the purchase at an authorized dealer) which provides replacement parts for your SCUBAPRO Regulator, at no charge. We provide this service to help insure that your equipment is maintained to SCUBAPRO UWATEC's high standards. Since this equipment provides life support while under water, any sub-standard maintenance could be dangerous. Only the dealers in our network are authorized to perform this service and offer this program.
If you purchase your equipment outside our authorized dealer network, you will not be eligible to participate in this program. Neither SCUBAPRO UWATEC nor our authorized dealers will be responsible to repair your regulator under our Preferred Parts for Life Program. You will also not be contacted regarding post-sale notices regarding as upgrades or warranty information.
Also if the product is purchased outside the SCUBAPRO UWATEC dealer network in the United States, US Territories or Canada, the consumer will have to pay the full annual service costs for parts. All regulators purchased within the United States, US Territories or Canada, and through SCUBAPRO UWATEC Authorized dealers, are eligible for the
FREE Preferred Parts for Life Program.
Additionally, if you have purchased a selected* UWATEC computer from an authorized dealer you are eligible for The Batteries for Life Program. When the batteries require replacement, simply return you computer to SCUBAPRO UWATEC. We will calibrate the computer and replace the batteries, free of charge. (a $400 value). Purchases from unauthorized dealers, will be required to pay full retail price for replacement and service.
*Smart COM, Smart PRO, Air Z 02, Air Z, Air Z Nitrox
SCUBAPRO UWATEC authorized dealer list Find a Dealer Near You
And:
Consumer Alert! It is very important that you purchase SCUBAPRO UWATEC equipment from an authorized dealer only. SCUBAPRO UWATEC has established over 700 authorized dealers in the United States (a list is available at
www.scubapro-uwatec.com). We feel that consumers will be served best when purchasing SCUBAPRO UWATEC life support equipment through our authorized dealer network. These dealers can provide the proper training and instruction on the use of SCUBAPRO UWATEC equipment.
While not as explicit about NO INTERNET SALES as the AL notice...they're still warning consumers.
Yes, this relationship is mutually beneficial for the LDS and the large manufacturers...obviously...but it also shuts the manufacturers out of a larger market. (on the other hand..it also limits their liability..in theory..)
And it isn't about "buying friends"...it's about having a place where "everyone knows your name", so to speak. I have developed a relationship with people at the shop that started with patronage and has evolved into more. Plain and simple...you have to start somewhere. (Then again...I can see why the less socially adept among us may prefer the internet to the LDS...)
Cheers,
Austin
It's about separating business from friendship, about conducting transactions at my convenience on my terms, and not dealing with attitudes. 
