{Gray Market vs Leisure Pro}

[Mud Guppy]

I am not sure if this is the correct forum for this as it may already been kicked around before. I am really perplexed about gray market equipment and Leisure Pro. The reason for being more curious about this topic is I opted to pay mega bucks more for a SP Luna than risk gray market. I am glad I did as SP took the unit back as I had many problems with it. I think I may have had to eat it had it been purchased from LP. I recently purchased SP MK25 AT700 from my LDS and went on line to register and after entering the serial number the LDS name was already linked to the serial number. So SP already knew where that equipment was shipped to my LDS. I have to assume that would be true for all equipment shipped and makes sense to me. I decided to try to register my gray market SP regs and though the serial # was not linked to any LDS SP accepted the serial number and I received and email thanking me for the purchase YADA YADA. Before buying my SP regs I was watching LP's stock of the MK25 and I was really debating in my mind to purchase the regs from them (cheap). But before I dove in to purchase they ran out of stock. A few days after they ran out they had these back in stock so you can buy any off LP's web site or ebay. Having said all of this how does LP get such large quantities of SP products? Why are the serial numbers not recorded by SP on gray market products? Why does it seem like SP has no control over all of its product? How is it that SP records serial numbers shipped to my LDS but not gray market. It seems to me that there is allot more going on than wrist slapping SP and LP. I think SP is selling to LP but denying it and they do so to satisfy the demand of those that want a cheap SP product. In the end SP makes its money as the owner of a gray market has to pay serious $ for parts and a registered LDS purchaser does not. I don't get it...................... What is going on???

 

[mike_s]

anyone?

 

[Crush]

Why would a manufacturer not want to sell as many regs as possible? In order to facilitate this they would have to retain their loyalty base, the LDSs, by decrying the evils of LP while at the same time shipping product out the back door to their single largest customer, LP.

 

[SolarStorm]

All I can mention is that LP warranties have been good to me with no problems, and excelent service. I support my LDS as well, if they can compete on price...

I am sure LP is just volume based economy, but I have had great service with no complaints. Likewise from the LDS. I know they are disappointed when I dont buy from them, but it is my $. I would not really classify the internet vendor as gray market. It is the future... (IMHO)

 

[ScubaSteve]

Is it that time of month AGAIN??? I had no idea that it had been that long since this topic started a new thread. OK I am off to start a thread in the Site Support forum indicating that the search function must be broken.

Seriously though, do a search on this and read the 10's of thousands of posts and then ask the question again. Something new may come from it but at least you will be educated before hand. Otherwise, new or recycled info does not matter, the thread is started.

And if you do not like LP's warranty, the do not buy from them. If you do not like how you think SP is dealing with things....buy Zeagle or Hollis or Apeks or....or....or.....problem solved.

 

[redacted]

Where have you (or anyone else) seen Scubapro deny that they sell gear to Leisurepro??

 

[Crush]

Where have you (or anyone else) seen Scubapro deny that they sell gear to Leisurepro??

Would you expect anyone to admit to selling to LP if their brand loyalty was based upon supporting the little guy (i.e., LDS)?

 

[Mud Guppy]

No, I have never had any issues with LP. But I wonder if they would have taken my Luna back? I think the answer is simply as stated above. Yes, it makes no sense to deny their largest volume purchaser. But they do so with their heads in the ground. I think I already may have answered my own question. Of course SP sells to LP on the side. LP is the Wal-Mart of scuba.

Sorry if this is old news, don't mean to piss anyone off but I just joined this site and when I become more accustomed to it I won't be so lame as to post old questions.

 

[keyshunter]

Mud Guppy,
The answer to your question can easily be deduced from within your post.

 

[mike_s]

Leisure Pro representatives on here have stated in posts that they get their grey market inventory from manufacturers/distributors. They didn't name brand names.... or state exactly where. (perhaps overseas distributors, I'm sure with full knowledge of the manufacturer).

They don't hide this. but they don't exactly advertise it either.

Mud Guppy, welcome to the forum. Nothing wrong with your question, but it's just a common debate here as some people bash LP for their actions, when in reality it's the manufacturers they should be "mad" at for their controlling price rules that won't let the Local Dive Shop compete per their dealer agreement on minimum pricing.