Hollow Advice - Try It Out in the Pool

[RP Diver]

The dive shop I used to work at (still my preferred LDS) makes everything they sell available in the rental/instructional department. If they carry it and it's not there for some reason, and you want to try it, no problem. If you choose not to buy, then it just becomes another rental item until the next big sale.

 

[krmayo]

So does mine "Rick's Dive and Travel" in Arkansas.

- Kelly

 

[hantzu701]

I always wondered about that. My old LDS used to publicize their policy of trying out new gear. Usually this was during a gear purchase - that is, they would allow an exchange if you weren't happy with the fit of the gear. Because this wasn't actually written down, they didn't always honor it. In their defense, I do remember a few times in which they took back brand new 5/7 wetsuits. I'm not sure if they were re-sold as "new" or put into the rental gear rack.

For the record, the LDS (1.5hr drive for me) which allowed me to try out rental gear in their pool got the bulk of my equipment purchases.

 

[MikeFerrara]

The problem is that pools are hard on equipment and it's expensive to have one or more of everything that a store sells in rental. That's especially true for inland shops that don't have use for a huge amount of rental gear. Something like fins aren't such a big deal but clorine will make a new bc look old pretty quick.

Other than masks (which have a tendancy of fitting in the store but leaking in the water) and fins I don't really see why you'd need to dive in equipment to see if you'd like it. A bc either fits or it don't. If you're not sure what style you like or why, maybe you're not ready to buy yet. Besides diving a bp/wing solves all those problems. LOL Many if not most people do better with a custome fit wet suit of dry suit too.

I think some of you just like taking some one elses stuffinto te pool to play with it.

 

[jonnythan]

Pool? LDS?

I feel lucky that my LDS has a fitting room. It's a small wooden box shoved in the corner of the store.

Pool?

lol.

 

[Dive4air]

I would think that a try out may make you feel good, but i don't think it will tell you much more than you already should know if you have shopped and researched. Even a reg in an average store pool will probably seem fine since it's being asked to breathe at a depth of 8-10 feet. So, I don't know that it makes that much of a difference.

Having said that, most LDS in the Chicago area let you try some of what they sell if it's a rental. I think one let's you try stuff in the store since they have a dunk pool right there. I don't know what they do with the stuff if you don't buy it.

 

[DavidHickey]

My LDS supposively has a try it before you buy it program. But I really do not think its that great. You pay full price up front and if you do not like it you get store credit. I wanted to buy a wet suit for my girlfriend there but they did not have her size or the size above and below her. They said they would order her one. I just had a feeling if it was borderline they would tell her it fit great, just to avoid having to order a 2nd suit in. Just sounded like a hassel, so I purchased it else where. I might add though I live in the midwest so our dive shops don't have near the volume of sales as a shop on the coast. So I can understand they have to be a little stickter on their policy.

 

[Derek S]

Pool? LDS?

I feel lucky that my LDS has a fitting room. It's a small wooden box shoved in the corner of the store.

Pool?

lol.

No wonder you're always coming up this way.

 

[mossym]

I think some of you just like taking some one elses stuffinto te pool to play with it.

you bet...and whats wrong with that? free playtime

 

[simbrooks]

A bc either fits or it don't. If you're not sure what style you like or why, maybe you're not ready to buy yet. Besides diving a bp/wing solves all those problems. LOL

How many times have i already heard people say they tried on BP/W's in store and found them uncomfortable to wear over their street clothing or wetsuit standing there - not horizontally neutral in the water? So many seem to get put off just for that reason alone it seems.

I completely concur on the economic issue and of course the chemical troubles, but it sounds like some people have nice LDS's that work with them, the entire inventory in rental and selling off at the end of the season sounds like a reasonable plan and as always assisting the customer may well make them more likely to spend their money at your store!