buy gear online or LDS

where should I buy my gear?

  • online ie. leisurepro.com

    Votes: 20 35.1%
  • at my instructor's shop

    Votes: 37 64.9%

  • Total voters
    57

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lobbolt

Contributor
Messages
114
Reaction score
0
Location
Taipei, Taiwan, Taiwan
# of dives
50 - 99
I'm a new diver and want to get my own gear (regulator, bcd, computer) eventually. I've been looking at the prices of the gear here where I live (Taiwan), and they're about twice the prices I can get at online stores like leisurepro.com. My instructor also runs the dive shop, and is the importer of Mares in Taiwan. Buying stuff there is sure to have him more on my side. Do you have any advice as to where I should buy my gear? This instructor is retired, but he certified me and a friend for free, which is another factor.
 
lobbolt:
I'm a new diver and want to get my own gear (regulator, bcd, computer) eventually. I've been looking at the prices of the gear here where I live (Taiwan), and they're about twice the prices I can get at online stores like leisurepro.com. My instructor also runs the dive shop, and is the importer of Mares in Taiwan. Buying stuff there is sure to have him more on my side. Do you have any advice as to where I should buy my gear?

First welcome to the wonderful world of diving!!!

Second Your instructors shop may not be the best place the same could be said for leisurepro



That said check this thread out about LP CLICK ME!!!!!!!!!!
 
IMO, buying non-service items such as mask, fins, wetsuits, etc. online is fine. But when it comes to equipment that needs annual service such as regulators, BCDs and dive computers I would suggest going to your LDS. This way you can be fairly sure that parts are available when you need service and/or warranty repairs.

Another thing to be careful of, is that alot of equipment manufacturers will not honor warranties for items purchased via the internet.
 
lobbolt, welcome! And I don't suggest either way you brought it up. I strongly recommended www.scubatoys.com and ask for Larry. He is so friendly and will make deals with you. I am his customer for life, that's how good he is. He owes a shop in Dallas, Texas - he is willing to ship out equipments nationwide also.
 
this has been thrashed out before, there are hundreds of posts on it, more reading than you could want...you should check them out...
 
Yea, this topic has been beaten to death. I think life support equipment, anything with a warrenty or that must be serviced should deffinatly be bought at a dive shop. The rest may be worth the risk of an improper fit to save a few bucks. You also loose the advice and knowledge of a LDS when you go online.
 
Buy your life support equipment from the business that does the following:
1. Is an authorized dealer for the equipment you are buying
2. Offers the Manufacturers Warranty (not one as good as but the actual mfg warranty).
3. Offers onsite service
4. Has the merchandise for you to look at, touch, and try
5. Has knowledgable people you can talk to face to face.
6. Offers a good product at a reasonable price

This may or may not be your instructors store. I know that items 1-5 are not Leisure Pro as they are NOT factory authorized dealers and do NOT offer MFG Warranty. They do offer their own warranty.

Beyound that this subject has been discussed in depth elsewhere.
 
Wish I could vote both ways...I do have to agree with the above posts and boy I wish we could quit beating that poor dead diver.
 
The poll could use a few more choices. I do both. I have no idea where the instructors that certified me are
 
this season alone LP has seen well over $3500 from me. At retail LDS pricing I can't even begin to think of how much I saved... Warrantee, Service and all that other crap just doesn't add up PERIOD If something is serviceable, you can get it serviced. Also, just because it has a "manufacturer" warrantee (LP offers their own), doesn't garantee you will get the service without cost to you or in a timely fashion OR even have the warantee honored!

E-commerce is here and brick and mortar shops will have to compete.
 

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