Benthic:You're missing the point here. The point is that you shouldn't HAVE to purchase from an "authorized dealer" (read: dealer who kowtows to the 'minimum price' crap) in order to get warranty support. Either the manufacturer makes a reputable product or they don't. Who sells it has no bearing on that whatsoever.
Brian
I am not missing the point and agree with you completely. However, most manufacturers do not. Here is an excerpt from a letter that ScubaPro that specifically addresses Leisure Pro, but covers any internet sales.
"Please be aware that Leisure Pro, New York is not, nor has ever been, an authorized SCUBAPRO UWATEC dealer.
Leisure Pro obtains our products through "gray-market" sources and not from our factory. We have no way of assuring the ultimate consumer that any item purchased via this source has not been tampered with or modified. Nor can we assume that our product has been properly tested and inspected. As such, SCUBAPRO UWATEC does not extend any warranties on its products purchased from Leisure Pro or any other "unauthorized dealer.
SCUBAPRO UWATEC USA does not authorize sales via the internet nor via mail order. We maintain a minimum pricing policy that our authorized dealers adhere to. Although some of our dealers advertise our equipment, once again they are not authorized to make direct sales through the internet, but rather, authorized dealers are only authorized to sell SCUBAPRO UWATEC USA equipment over the counter at their retail location.
All online companies that sell and make direct purchases of our product, like Leisure Pro are not an authorized SCUBAPRO UWATEC dealer and SCUBAPRO UWATEC equipment obtained through channels other than SCUBAPRO UWATEC Authorized Dealers does not carry the SCUBAPRO UWATEC Limited Lifetime/Limited Warranty. If you so choose to purchase SCUBAPRO UWATEC products online, the warranty will be voided.
If you still decide to purchased SCUBAPRO UWATEC equipment from anywhere other than an Authorized SCUBAPRO UWATEC Dealership, we recommend that it be inspected by an Authorized SCUBAPRO UWATEC Repair Center to be sure that it is operating and performing to SCUBAPRO UWATEC specifications
Leisure Pro may offer their own warranty on the equipment that you are considering, however, Leisure Pro, like many other online companies that sell our product, has not been trained by SCUBAPRO UWATEC nor is certified to perform maintenance on SCUBAPRO UWATEC or UWATEC equipment."
So, if a ScubaPro warranty is important to you, you will buy from one of their authorized retailers. If it isn't, you will shop for the best price.