Buy gear from local shop or online?

[eastsidevillan]

I'm new to diving and need to buy my own gear. Only own mask, snorkel, and fins. Do you recommend buying my gear online or going to my local dive shop? is there a big price difference? if i knew more about the gear i would probably buy online first to save some money but i would like the guidance from people at the dive shop.

Thanks

 

[leabre]

First congrats on getting certified; second welcome to the board!This questions comes up often and usually I don't respond but I do discuss it with local people in-person quite often. Here's my thoughts:
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• Mask, fins and snorkle: probably should be purchased at a shop. Proper fit and size matter and will not be easy doing online. You'll need easy access to exchanges if need be. I've bought items that needed to be exchanged after leaving shop but before
  first use. Hard to do with shipping delays in-between.
  .
• Wetsuit, boots, gloves, and hood: probably should be purchased at LDS also for the same reasons.
  .
• Computer: online or used could also be fine. I always buy mine new online or used (from a reputable source) and save money that way. I don't really see any advantage to buying at LDS unless you really feel compelled to be loyal. Only once have I felt so compelled of all the computers I've owned.
  .
• Regulators: hard to say. The brands I use aren't carried by any LDS, so online only and cost at half or even less than those that are. This is up to you. Some name brands offer free parts during maintenance but have difficult policies in-place to govern the conditions whether you can make claims or not; and shops will tend to treat you with hostility if you're papers aren't in order.
  .
• BCD/wing: BCD is another items that requires proper fit and some understanding of to guage your needs against and they tend to be a high-ticket item. A shop is really the only place to determine this unless you your buddy has one that fits and you like it to try it. BP/w is different. Really just the wing lift is important to know and most shops can't help you there and whether to use SS/aluminum/kydex. Where I live very few shops carry BP/w or have knowledge of them so it will be online only or vendor direct (Tobin/DSS).
  .
• Tanks: I always buy new. Online or not doesn't matter really, except to save taxes but make up for it again in shipping. DRIS has loyalty points that can apply towards it and that's how I saved a few hundred bucks on a new set by using loyalty points. But you can buy used but from a reputable source and if in good condition. If you're unsure, buy new.

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In the long run you really won't save that much by nickel and diming if you stick with it. I keep track of every scuba expense and what I paid vs. could have. I've spent about $40k between myself and wife over the past 6 years since I started (training, equipment, travel, fills, etc.) and saved less than $7k over what I would have if I hadn't any discounts from buying new or used. But that's because I mostly bought used the first 5 years. So the percentage may change in a few years but in the long run, it's easier to accept what it costs and deal with it.

If cost is truly a concern, than shopping online is a viable option. Just don't expect any LDS to help you out with any problems you may encounter if you do so. If I were you I would never EVER EVER EVER in any circumstance ever mention in the presense of a shop owner or the shop itself of any online purchases or you're liable to be banned from the shop.

Happy shopping

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I pride myself on providing the same level of service via my on line sales as most do in a shop. And more than a few times it's been better! Price differences can be significant. as much as several hundred dollars on a reg and BC. WHile I can't supply air over the phone or email I can provide advice, guidance, and since I do not do this for my main income I take your needs and means to meet them over my own need to make big profits. I am limited in selection but what I sell is, in my opinion, quality gear. There are good LDS's. Many of them. There are also ones that think you need to spend money on the most expensive items they have even if that means you may dive less!

I answer emails usually within an hour. Sometimes detailed responses need to wait til I get home from my regular job but I answer them 7 days a week and if working shifts it's not uncommon to see a return email with a time stamp of 2am on a sunday. I take phone calls evenings and weekends -including sundays! I have no problem discussing your needs in detail and if I don't have what you need I can try to get it or I will refer you to another on line retailer or local shop if I know of one that does have your item.

What are you looking for specifically? Go to my website in my sig line and drop me a line, PM me here, or give me a call at 724-255-3765.

 

[Mayor]

The dive shop is your local window to the diving world.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I agree but in some cases that window sticks, is broken, dirty, or has old glass that distorts what is really there. More than few shops poo poo local diving over trips they are running to warm tropical locations. And then wonder why they don't sell as much gear.

 

[redacted]

Shop around and buy from the source(s) that do best on YOUR value meter. There are online gear sources that will do as good or better than many LDSs in helping you make your selections.

 

[Aqua-Andy]

I would say support your local dive shop first if they have what you want at the price you are willing to pay. BC's yes it is nice to be able to touch and feel it before you buy but that is the extent if it, you can try a BC on all you want in a store but fit and feel mean absolutely nothing standing in a store. What counts with a BC is how it fits and feels in the water. If a dive shop has the BC you want in there inventory and they will let you try it in the pool GREAT do it if not I would would look at price difference between online and local. Regulators? Well they all do the same thing (you suck in air and then blow it out) I would say purchase middle of the line and you will not be able to tell a difference between any of them, Personally I would suggest HOG/Edge brand regs for performance and value. Mask, I would say purchase local and find the perfect fit regardless of price, there is nothing worse than diving with a mask that constantly leaks.

 

[Nitro91]

for australia its a different story, min cost for a 5mm wetsuit that is good is about $350+. online from states like online scuba or leisurepro, i can get for 200-250.
so far i have bought all my gear from the states except for regs which were same price as in usa, and little accessories etc.

my lds sells a bcd regs octo gauge for 1500 min. its crazy

 

[UnderSeaBumbleBee]

I found as a new diver that I got better service and pricing online than I did in the local shop. I also ran a lot of gear thoughts be people here and had a couple willing to help me prepare my shopping list. I saved several hundred and in the long run made a much better choice than what the local shop wanted to sell me.

People here asked me about my long range goals and a host of things that were important or would become important in the future. The old salts helped me understand what I both needed and wanted. I crossed off several things the LDS wanted to sell me and added some new items I had never considered. The only gear choices I regret are the ones the LDS talked me into buying.

Ask about a piece of gear here and you will get a lot of honest opinions from people who have nothing to personally gain from you other than the satisfaction of helping you. You will be either smart enough to see through the crappy opinions and reviews on your own or some of our more vocal and snarky members will help you. And it will be fun all along the way.

If you buy online, do a search here of online dealers. You will find who people like and don't like. The active online dealers here have to offer excellent service or they would be skinned alive. I think of one vendor who when he first showed up was a bit cocky and he learned pretty quick how things work and I think he is one of the finest online dealers today.

 

[SeaCobra]

I am a dive shop owner, but I never thought it fair to demand that folks support my business unless I am going to give value in return. The question is what meets YOUR needs the best? A good professional dive center that you can rely on can be a real benefit, as there are some that are a real blight to the industry. Don't just research the gear you are looking for, research the source, interview the dive shop and see if the personality fits.

My shop focuses mostly on local diving off of the Jersey coast and lakes, quarries and rivers of the NE. But, a lot of people like to travel, so I may not be the best source for warm pretty fish type diving.