High Retail Prices = Hard to Support LDS

[vladimir]

Scuba Board is awash in gear horrow stories, so, yeah, things can go wrong.

Yes, things can go wrong, but how often? Not surprisingly, people are more likely to post when they have a horror story. This is known as samplng bias.

So you pay an extra, say, 20% to 50% for the manufacturer's warranty; what does that buy you above and beyond the LeisurePro warranty? Your LDS will get you that loaner BC the Sunday morning before the big dive trip when you discover yours doesn't work? Okay, if you worry about that sort of thing, consider it money well spent.

 

[diver 85]

confront the LDS---who knows what 'deal' they can/will come up with.....


btw, the last 'few' things I've bought(for my wife & I) have been via the internet-- last 3 BCs(a Zeagle & a BP/W new & eventually I had to return them---under warranty for N/C for some 'repairs), my last 4 or 5 masks, 3 or 4 wetsuits, used SP reg set, 3 pr of fins,--all kinds of little goodies, all via the internet....IMO, you really won't go wrong by bypassing the LDS, if they don't treat you right...

 

[Jax]

The "who / where" you shop has a myriad of factors with which you decide to be comfortable.

For me, if the LDS is only 15% higher for items, I will buy from him. However, if that 15% becomes a sizable amount - say, $50 or more - I will go on line. Also, when he doesn't carry the brand I want, I go online. The service after the sale is another issue.

Unless it's Walmart, brick-and-mortar stores simply cannot compete head-to-head with online.

 

[Jax]

Freakin' wonky, duplicate post.

 

[ScubaFeenD]

Ass an added comment to my last post, I would like to say sometimes you can get really lucky with an LDS. For instance there is an LDS by me that will tell me what he buys gear for and then tells me how much he thinks he needs to sell it to me for to keep the shop open and filled with employees. I can actually see the prices in the retailer price list, and the whole process is really transparent. Sometimes you get lucky, so maybe the OP should shop around before just jumping on the internet. Not only can he get great prices but maybe make a few dive friends too.

 

[RandyOrr]

I don't mind paying slightly (10%-20%) over online prices, but it becomes ridiculous when they sell something for almost twice over. I do think the manufacturers have a lot do to with set prices. Hence the term MSRP. I did check with the manufacturers website as to whether leisurepro.com was an authorized dealer, and I was unable to confirm it.

 

[Scubargain]

At Scubargain we made a conscious choice not to sell items like Regulators, BC's, and computers because we believe the best place to purchase those items is from an authorized dealer. Not just because you get a warranty. Also, because these are all items you’re going to want to get serviced and because you should really play with them before you buy them.

Everyone wants to save money right now, and its tough to pay more at the LDS than what you would at some online retailers, but you should at least consider the value that you get going local or even with an online authorized dealer. (Warranty, Service/Maintenance, etc)

Give your local dealer a call or stop in and ask if they can match or come close to the online price.

Our 2 Cents...

Scubargain

 

[vladimir]

I don't mind paying slightly (10%-20%) over online prices, but it becomes ridiculous when they sell something for almost twice over.

Of course it's ridiculous, as are the rationalizations. If you really worry about these far-fetched scenarios where you'll wish you'd bought it from your LDS, take the $225 you saved and buy a back-up BC.

 

[ScubaFeenD]

you can also browse the classifieds here and on other scuba message boards for amazing deals too.

 

[RandyOrr]

Well I called Leisurepro...they admitted they are NOT an Aqua Lung Authorized Retailer. But they stated they have their own warranty. So now that just opened a whole new issue. How reliable is their warranty service and is the huge money savings worth the risk?

Complete gear for my wife and myself...

leisurepro.com ~ $3,000 (Questionable Leisure Pro Warranty)
LDS ~ $4,800 (full factory warranty)