equipment swaps in area?

[DaveC426913]

Anyone know of any swap meets coming up (big ones are in spring)? I'm in the London or the Toronto area.

I'm really burning through my cash renting a tank, reg & BCD each week I go out. Thatg costs me 50 bucks. It's getting cost-effective for me to buy.

I suppose I could arrange private one-on-one transactions, but that doesn't allow for much in the way of selection/comparison.

 

[Groundhog246]

I don't know of any. Another source is ex-rental gear from your LDS, but they usually clear that out in the spring or fall too. I'd recommend reg & BCD first.

 

[d33ps1x]

One of the biggest sources would be Ebay. Lots and lots of used gear on there daily.

 

[FreeFloat]

One of the biggest sources would be Ebay. Lots and lots of used gear on there daily.

Just make sure you're willing to trust your life on life support equipment bought sight-unseen from Ebay.................

 

[Mr Adams]

I've purchased over 3000 items from Ebay and I've never had any problems. "Get this", I picked up a Poseiden extreme brand new for $300US from a US dealer, and even after the shipping and duty/tax it still came in just under $500 Can. Now our so humble Canadian rep Jack sells them for $650 whole sale to dealers in Canada and they are expected to sell them for what maybe $1000 its a joke. The only person to service my gear is me so I'm not driven by the warantee and dive shop relations ship thing. I've more gear than most dive shops have in stock these days anyways. Just my thoughts and opinions no need to reply, restrain. Ebay OK.

Cheers

Mr Adams

 

[Tom R]

I've purchased over 3000 items from Ebay and I've never had any problems. "Get this", I picked up a Poseiden extreme brand new for $300US from a US dealer, and even after the shipping and duty/tax it still came in just under $500 Can. Now our so humble Canadian rep Jack sells them for $650 whole sale to dealers in Canada and they are expected to sell them for what maybe $1000 its a joke. The only person to service my gear is me so I'm not driven by the warantee and dive shop relations ship thing. I have more gear than most dive shops have in stock these days anyways. Just my thoughts and opinions no need to reply.


Cheers

Mr Adams

How is Jack these days

 

[Mr Adams]

I don't know Tom, he don't like me anymore.

 

[nalfein]

I've had good experience with E bay and online purchases as well, just make sure you know what you're buying, do some research, and get it checked out before use.

 

[CDN ff]

I've had this debate endless times. With my own experience, I've come up with the following guidelines for purchasing online:
1) ALWAYS check shipping and duty costs. A $100 item can turn into a $150 item in a big hurry.

2) Call or e-mail the manufacturer and ask them about warranty for online purchases. Some are covered, some arent. It is much more comforting buying something knowing that, if it is defective, you can return it.

3) If it's something that will require regular servicing, bite the bullet and buy from your LDS regardless of the price difference. For example, I will always buy my regs from someone I know and trust. I want them serviced where I bought them, and I want to KNOW that they are 100%.

4) If you are buying something that is sized, make sure that you try it on someplace. Everyone's sizing is different, and you don't want to buy something that doesn't fit.

5) Ask them what year the item is... E.G. you may see a Bare Nex-Gen drysuit for $850 CDN. That might be a 2004 model, or it might be a 2003 model that they are selling off. It's good to know, as there may be differences, and it might affect the warranty.

6) Be DOUBLY cautious of buying used from E-Bay. There are good sellers, and bad sellers, and qute often the people selling on E-bay don't know what it is that they are selling. I've seen sailing exposure suits being sold as diving dry suits for example. That being said, you can sometimes get the best deals from there.

These are just observations from my own experience. I have bought a few things online, and had good and bad results. My best purchase was my BC, which was $699 CDN at my LDS. I bought it online for $209 U.S. + $30 shipping. Even with the exchange, I saved myself about $400 CDN.
As a last note, I still believe in supporting my LDS, because they do a lot more for us than just sell gear. But they are running a business, and we are consumers. Just like they wouldn't give you your DM course for free, you have to spend your money in the best possible way. I still spend lots in my local shop. I don't want them to go away...