Does Leisure Pro ever sell fake stuff?

[ERIC.K]

War and Peace, doesn't go on this long....however i've purchased many pieces of photo equip from LP, never ever had a problem, we purchased our regs from them but apparently have an understanding from my LDS, he is perfectly aware I bought the regs from internet and just tickled I pay for parts and labor on my Legends, Which I heard is free if I had bought from a authorized, However if i'm to believe that LP matches the warranties, and I've never sent them my regs to test this claim, where do they get the parts? furthermore if every month a company orders say 1000 parts kits from Aqualung wouldn't you think that Aqualung or Scubapro might think something is fishy? Lastly has anyone ever sent them their regs for service to see if the warranty match

 

[Web Monkey]

Would that be the store you "dive con" through?

Sure, that would be one place. Or any of the other hundreds (thousands?) of shops that sell merchandise obtained though normal channels. And FWIW, I bought way over 90% of my stuff there at full retail before I worked there.

People are welcome to shop where they want. I just think it would be nice if LP was honest and above-board regarding the origins and status of what they're selling, and it annoys me when they act like a normal shop with great prices, when they really sell a mix of new, gray-market and closeout products that may or may not have a manufacturer's warranty, might be new or old products, may or may not ever be in stock again, and don't give a clear indication of which is covered by what warranty.

Saying everything has a "Leisurepro Warranty" is nice, but isn't worth much when your reg or BC needs service and you don't live near Leisurepro and don't want to have to box it up and FedEx it every time it needs an adjustment or servicing.

I'm sure they're nice people, but I'm also certain that the lack of information on their web site about the origin and status of specific items is completely intentional and is designed to obscure the fact that the a lot of their stuff does not come with the same level (and availability) of service that it would if purchased through normal channels.

Terry

 

[Tigerman]

Web Monkey, are you saying that you can only get your regs serviced where you bought them? I doubt very much that thats the case regardless of what brand you buy...

 

[fkostyun]

After a nice long read on this thread, its quite interesting, sure, I realize that sure, somethings may not be "authorized," but, I need to be able afford my gear also, especially considering the initial outlay that it takes to get going in this "hobby"

Thankfully - I have a LDS that IS understanding, For example, I bought my equiptment used on eBay (I wouldn't have a complete setup if it wasn't used - and would still be renting to go out, rather than going out to play every weekend as I have been) and they were kind enough to take a look at it. Of course, if I'd experienced the "if you don't buy from an authorized dealer you will die" when I first started, I probably wouldn't be diving now.

I need to purchase a wetsuit soon, my LDS doesn't have a wetsuit in my size (4x tilos / 5x akona 7mm) - and just can't match LP's price ($100 more) - I would love to rent, but, it won't happen as no one has my size - so - I'm stuck buying, and it will more than likely be from LP.

Also, I'm looking forward to actually visiting the LP store the next time I'm in NY.

 

[Web Monkey]

Web Monkey, are you saying that you can only get your regs serviced where you bought them? I doubt very much that thats the case regardless of what brand you buy...

I'm saying exactly the opposite.

If you buy grey market at LP, LP has to do the warranty service. If you buy through normal channels, you can get warranty service anyplace that's authorized by the manufacturer.

Terry

 

[Thalassamania]

I'm saying exactly the opposite.

If you buy grey market at LP, LP has to do the warranty service. If you buy through normal channels, you can get warranty service anyplace that's authorized by the manufacturer.

Terry

So? The only issue would occur at the intersection of a need for warrantee covered service and a trip ... that's the risk you take to save the money, worth it to some and not worth it to others, a minimal problem in my view.

 

[Web Monkey]

So? The only issue would occur at the intersection of a need for warrantee covered service and a trip ... that's the risk you take to save the money, worth it to some and not worth it to others, a minimal problem in my view.

The issue is that if you don't live in NYC, each service incident (scheduled and unscheduled) involves either a 2-way overnight FedEx plus service time, or a week or two of missing equipment.

Items bought from your LDS don't.

Terry

 

[halocline]

The issue is that if you don't live in NYC, each service incident (scheduled and unscheduled) involves either a 2-way overnight FedEx plus service time, or a week or two of missing equipment.

Items bought from your LDS don't.

Terry

That depends on the LDS. The one around here sometimes sits on regs for a couple of weeks before getting the service done. True, they can fix something small, sometimes, on the spot. But not always, and the quality of reg service is a total crapshoot at any LDS. Personally, I found a tech who I trust and evrything goes to him in the mail.

 

[jpsexton]

This warranty service thing is just plain baloney! Every time I've had my regs serviced It's been somewhere different each time. I've never been asked to prove where I bought it. If I were asked such a thing I would turn around and walk right out. Send them to LP, ST, Divesports, Divers Direct, Divers Supply, etc.... If you are on vacation and have a problem you go to one of the many dive shops that are at most "vacation destinations" and you pay to have it fixed. What ever they charge will be minimal and hardly worth paying double up front to avoid some fictitious warranty issue. Please........

 

[UnderSeaBumbleBee]

People are welcome to shop where they want. I just think it would be nice if LP was honest and above-board regarding the origins and status of what they're selling, and it annoys me when they act like a normal shop with great prices, when they really sell a mix of new, gray-market and closeout products that may or may not have a manufacturer's warranty, might be new or old products, may or may not ever be in stock again, and don't give a clear indication of which is covered by what warranty.

What is wrong with a closeout? Does that mean that when a company comes out with a new product line their old stuff no longer works?

I really don't care where they get it from as long as they aren't stealing it. I don't go into any other store and demand to know their distribution channels. I go in. See what they have and what price they want for it. If I like it and the price is good, I take it home with me.

As far as being the last one on the shelf of a certain item, are you saying that when and LDS gets down to the last item that they don't sell them because the product has suddenly gone bad?

Here is the deal, you have hundreds of satisfied LP customers like myself and you keep telling us that we will be unhappy and that we are getting the short end of the stick. Sorry but your logic just doesn't follow. They sell great products at great prices and offer great service which logically follows that they have happy customers.

Phil at Dive Sports and Joe and Larry at Scuba Toys have figured out the same thing. Great products, great price and great service = happy repeat customers.