Demo equipment rental?

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mtnpaul

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This is just a thought that dive operators may or not find useful business wise. When renting ski equipment, one has the opportunity to try out different "demo" equipment (usually for a slight premium). I believe that many of us "new" divers would find this also to be extremely useful. I really don't like the idea of buying equipment without trying it out

It would be great if we had the chance to try and then perhaps purchasing such equipment during a trip, with some of the rental cost going towards said purchase. Import duties/taxes maybe an issue, but there maybe a potential solution for that also. Perhaps, the item could just be shipped to us from a U.S. "brick and mortar" dive shop that you could be affiliated with.

So what do you think?

Not sure if this post belongs here or somewhere else.

http://www.hookedonflies.com
 
This is a good idea on the surface, (no pun intended), the main problem with it is inventory, a dive shop would have to carry a large inventory of various manufacturers.

The overhead cost of purchasing "imported" items with the intent of just using them for rental and demo purposes, probably isn't worth it.

I would imagine when a dive op purchases new equipment for rentals, they purchase a good amount of the "same" items to get a discount. buying one item by USD, another by ScubaPRO and another by another manufacturer just wouldn't be cost effective.
 
I can't speak for resort area dive ops, but I know that if you are leaving from our area, the store for which I work will rent you just about anything they sell. You would take it with you to your vacation and use it while there. I bet most stores will do that.
 
John, I've not found that the case with the Denver dive ops. While they'll let you try it out in their pool *after* you purchase, and exchange if you don't like it then, no go on renting retail gear - they have their rental inventory... unless I've just not asked correctly.

Remind me which store you're with? :)
 
BurBunny:
John, I've not found that the case with the Denver dive ops. While they'll let you try it out in their pool *after* you purchase, and exchange if you don't like it then, no go on renting retail gear - they have their rental inventory... unless I've just not asked correctly.

Remind me which store you're with? :)
Click to expand...

Scba Joe's in Boulder--they have a rental inventory that is based upon what they sell. They probably don't have everything they sell, but it includes some pretty high end stuff. If you are thinking of buying one of the items they sell, there is a good chance you can take it on a trip and try it. It's not exactly a demo program, but it works out the same way.
 
One more thing--it's simple marketing. Every store wants you to buy their equipment, and every store has rental equipment. They are surely going to rent the gear they sell, and they surely want to rent you something you might want to buy. I bet that if you want to try a specific kind of equipment, you merely have to call around to find the store that has it in their rental inventory.
 
sharky60:
... the main problem with it is inventory, a dive shop would have to carry a large inventory of various manufacturers.

The overhead cost of purchasing "imported" items with the intent of just using them for rental and demo purposes, probably isn't worth it.

I would imagine when a dive op purchases new equipment for rentals, they purchase a good amount of the "same" items to get a discount. buying one item by USD, another by ScubaPRO and another by another manufacturer just wouldn't be cost effective.
Click to expand...

I would beg to differ on the price issue. In most industries similar to diving manufacturers will sell "demo" units for a fair amount less than those designated for sale to end users. The reason ... It helps them promote sales. The space thing might be an issue for some items like wet suits and BCD's since they need to be sized, but I don't think it would be much of an issue for computers and regulators.

They also don't need to carry every model, the ski rental shops don't. Usually, I believe 4-5 models of a type of equipment (regulators for example) would be sufficient.

http://www.hookedonflies.com
 
boulderjohn:
I can't speak for resort area dive ops, but I know that if you are leaving from our area, the store for which I work will rent you just about anything they sell. You would take it with you to your vacation and use it while there. I bet most stores will do that.
Click to expand...

The problem is that if I go on a trip for a week I would like to try out maybe 3 different ones. I don't want to haul 3 different regulators down to Cozumel, let alone pay for rental on all 3 for all 7 days.

By the way I did my classroom work at Scuba Joes a couple years ago, and I believe my xmas present (a dive computer) came from them also. The instructor was great. One woman was really having some "issues", and he really worked with her until she got comfortabe. By the end of the course she was doing great.
 
You will note that it's mostly Mares on the island....so if you are shopping for Mares now is your chance.

My friends there are dealers for a few brands inclucing Dive Rite and the rental is very reasionable on gear to try.

Ron
 
Thanks John. May have to give them a call. Most of the shops when I've checked have jacket style BCs for rental and I've been wanting to try a back inflate or wings. At least in women's styling/sizes.
 
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