Cosco kicking the dive business out of business

[Britanicdiver]

Hi

While shopping for my regular tube of balloney at Cosco the other day, I couldn't help to notice the fella selling a nice mask,fins and snorkel kit in a nice duffle bag for $35 Can. I had a good look at this stuff and it wasn't bad being a Aqua Lung mask and snorkel and italian made fins. I see the same stuff at scuba shops. fins $140 Mask $85+ snorkel $35. and no carrying bag to boot. I Now know why the dive retail business is dead in some locations.

Britanic diver

 

[DI_Guy]

Britanic:

One of the local dive shops has a "COSTCO Road Trip" where the dive shop supplies extra stock for sale at Costco. Some of the gear is very good and sold at an attractive price. They pick different COSTCO's in the province and may set up for a few days to a week. Is this what you saw ?

 

[Britanicdiver]

No! it was not being run by a dive shop operator it's one business man importing now and selling. There was a time in the beginning when Cosco and Aqua lung tried to sell snorkel packages in Cosco in conjunction with dive shops, but as usuall the dive shop owners became greedy and screwed it all up.

Britanic

 

[dpbishop]

I bought two regulators at the Costco road show last August since I can't get parts for my Dacors. I have put over 20 dives on mine & it works fine but it came without any warranty information or owners manual. I e-mailed the seller and he promised to send that but I haven't seen it yet. Therefore, I would not recommend them to anyone except experienced divers who are knowledgeable about maintainance & use.

 

[Tom R]

Your correct there Dacor, Aqualung, Mares, Sherwood and lots of other suppliers do not warrantie any items not purchased in a Store. So buyer beware.

When the show was in our town, they sold tanks for 10.00 less then we sell them for and then they had to get vis'd, boots and meshes and we made more then the seller of the tank sometimes it works out for you.

Back to lurking

 

[Groundhog246]

I bought a reg two years ago at the Costco Road show, the booth was set up and staffed by a local dive shop. It was brand new in the box with all the warranty cards, etc. I've had it to that LDS for annual service since and no issues re: warranty, parts, etc.

I think I know the snorkel package the original poster mentions, but can't imagine how anyone can import and sell at the price and especially make any money. I wonder if some asian outfit has decided to start counterfeiting dive gear now. I had a counterfeit Microsoft Mouse a few years back. Looked almost identical to the real thing, till you opened it up. Real piece of crap. Not saying the gear is, just raising the possibility.

 

[Britanicdiver]

Ground Hog

Your 100% correct and I do not know why some individuals claim that because a regulator is sold out side of a dive shop it carries no warranty. That may be there own arrogant attitude but be rest assured, if you purchase a regulator any were in Canada at any Costco depoh both Aqua Lung and Sherwood are standing behind it. Regarding the Mask and Snorkel both are Aqua Lung only the fins are foreign. I would think some dive shops can't turn away service work do to the current economic slump in the industry.

Britanic Diver

 

[The Kraken]

Large retailers like Cosco, The Sports Authority and so on have been selling this type of gear for years.

I can remember U.S. Divers / Aqualung selling fins and mask/snorkel sets in those places over 20 years ago. It's not the top of their lines and I don't think it's intended to compete with the "scuba" market.

Someone asked about the masks that are sold in these markets in a thread some time back. The concern was whether or not one of the mass market masks would suffice for scuba diving.

the K

 

[Britanicdiver]

Aqua lung only sell mask suitable for scuba.

 

[Tom R]

Do your homework dudes didn't see costco on the dealer list.


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