Finneli Felwitch
Registered
Got certified in 1998, shopped for scuba gear many times, done lots of window shopping through the years. What I understand from scuba gear pricing so far:
Local Dive Shops tend to be the most expensive, even when they hold the Annual tent sales.
Gear manufacturers that have their own stores tend to price the same as the local dive shops.
Online retailers like Diversdirect, Divers supply, Scuba Toys, Leisure Pro seem to have a mixed price range. Some items are cheaper than the local dive shops, some items are priced about the same.
Then there is Dive Gear Express which has prices that throw me off completely.
An example, my local dive shop sells generic brand 30 inch flex regulator hoses for $65.00, while Leisure Pro sells them for $42.00, and then Dive Gear Express at $17.00(not on sale).
I know that when you buy from the local dive shop, you are paying for show room space, convenience, and other costs. Is scuba gear really expensive to make or are the high prices all profit?
Local Dive Shops tend to be the most expensive, even when they hold the Annual tent sales.
Gear manufacturers that have their own stores tend to price the same as the local dive shops.
Online retailers like Diversdirect, Divers supply, Scuba Toys, Leisure Pro seem to have a mixed price range. Some items are cheaper than the local dive shops, some items are priced about the same.
Then there is Dive Gear Express which has prices that throw me off completely.
An example, my local dive shop sells generic brand 30 inch flex regulator hoses for $65.00, while Leisure Pro sells them for $42.00, and then Dive Gear Express at $17.00(not on sale).
I know that when you buy from the local dive shop, you are paying for show room space, convenience, and other costs. Is scuba gear really expensive to make or are the high prices all profit?