SparticleBrane
Contributor
Perhaps if you hadn't titled it "LDS or Walmart" your point would have come across more easily.
LDS or Walmart????
- Thread starter Frequency
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
Sick of it? don't read it or reply. My point is in comparison to other local venders of other products that we do not support. I have read many theads. just felt that this wasn't something that was asked as a comparison. If I am wrong I am sorry http://www.scubaboard.com/images/smilies/Standard Smiles/03.gifscubadobadoo:I think they got it. They are probably just sick of discussing it as this topic has been discussed here about 10,0000000000000000 times before. Do a search and you will find 10,00000000000 hrs of reading, lol. My personal opinion is horses for courses.
but I am still a newbe to Scuba Board. And thanks for the info. 
scubadobadoo
Contributor
superstar:
The closest LDS to me speaks Spanish primarily. The second closest shop to me speaks Korean primarily. Careful with those racial comments, even if it did make me smile.
America doesn't automatically equal English primarily.
scubadobadoo
Contributor
Frequency:Sick of it? don't read it or reply. My point is in comparison to other local venders of other products that we do not support. I have read many theads. just felt that this wasn't something that was asked as a comparison. If I am wrong I am sorry http://www.scubaboard.com/images/smilies/Standard Smiles/03.gif
Hey, just trying to clarify. Chill out. I was defending you.
mike_s
Contributor
Actually, Walmart sells Aqualung masks/fins/snorkles. They have the Aqualung/US Diver logo on them.
I've never bought one, but I'm sure their crap.
I've never bought one, but I'm sure their crap.
Guba
Contributor
Actually, I like the Walmart analogy. Several items that have accompanied (and some still accompany) me on dives have come from there.
First the clarification...anything that is "essential" or related directly to safety I buy from a dive shop. More clarification...that means that I always rely upon life-sustaining gear and basic equipment such as fins, mask, bc, tank, etc, that is specifically designed for diving. However, some of the accessory materials come from...er...other sources. Some examples:
My "dive watch" is a $14 Armitron. Yup, got it at Walmart and it works for me every time. (It's my "backup" since I rely upon my computer primarily, but I also use the watch to time my safety stops.)
I communicate on a cute little magnetic slate I got at Walmart, too. It's the type that can be cleared with the flip of a lever. I glued my regular dive slate on the back side for more permanent info. Cost? $4.50 for the magnetic slate (compare that to the LDS or dive catalogue!)
I've used watersport gloves (the kind waterskiers use). They're neoprene, but about 1/3 the cost of gloves from a dive shop and do exactly the same thing--protect hands.
In a pinch, I've used a watersport suit instead of a wetsuit (borrowed, but it did the job reasonably well. I've also used "aquashoes" instead of booties when my regular boots weren't available. Both items are much less expensive than "normal" dive gear.
I have a backup dive knife (a folder) that is stainless and serves me well, but it didn't come from a dive supplier and is much less expensive than the ones advertised there. My snorkel DOES come from a department store and cost 1/5 of the ones in dive stores. It's a tube, folks. For the limited use I have for the thing, it has worked just fine.
Okay, now that I have convinced everyone that I'm a cheap nimrod, let me again stress that I have good gear from reputable dive suppliers. However, there are some items that just don't necessitate being expensive. Common sense has to win out once in a while.
First the clarification...anything that is "essential" or related directly to safety I buy from a dive shop. More clarification...that means that I always rely upon life-sustaining gear and basic equipment such as fins, mask, bc, tank, etc, that is specifically designed for diving. However, some of the accessory materials come from...er...other sources. Some examples:
My "dive watch" is a $14 Armitron. Yup, got it at Walmart and it works for me every time. (It's my "backup" since I rely upon my computer primarily, but I also use the watch to time my safety stops.)
I communicate on a cute little magnetic slate I got at Walmart, too. It's the type that can be cleared with the flip of a lever. I glued my regular dive slate on the back side for more permanent info. Cost? $4.50 for the magnetic slate (compare that to the LDS or dive catalogue!)
I've used watersport gloves (the kind waterskiers use). They're neoprene, but about 1/3 the cost of gloves from a dive shop and do exactly the same thing--protect hands.
In a pinch, I've used a watersport suit instead of a wetsuit (borrowed, but it did the job reasonably well. I've also used "aquashoes" instead of booties when my regular boots weren't available. Both items are much less expensive than "normal" dive gear.
I have a backup dive knife (a folder) that is stainless and serves me well, but it didn't come from a dive supplier and is much less expensive than the ones advertised there. My snorkel DOES come from a department store and cost 1/5 of the ones in dive stores. It's a tube, folks. For the limited use I have for the thing, it has worked just fine.
Okay, now that I have convinced everyone that I'm a cheap nimrod, let me again stress that I have good gear from reputable dive suppliers. However, there are some items that just don't necessitate being expensive. Common sense has to win out once in a while.
jumbo
Guest
superstar:
Actually, I was in Hawaii a few months ago and found myself in a bind with out some spear fishing gear and for some reason I went to Walmart for some thing else and I thought what the heck. I cruised through the sporting gear section and sure enough they had loads of dive gear and a good selection of spear fishing gear.
trucker girl
Cupcake, Queen of Dorks
- Messages
- 2,300
- Reaction score
- 3
- # of dives
- 100 - 199
For some reason in the title I thought this was going to be about Mormons.
Anyway- I buy mainly from my LDS. But my Dive Guy is more interested in selling me good gear than in making a big profit, so it works out well for me. He has lent me things, given me lots of free tips, rented to me at lower than rental prices and done quality service work for me. I have bought a lot of used stuff from him that he "guarantees" meaning, he'll take it back if it doesn't work. And if I bought stuff online and needed to have it serviced... what does that say to him?
If your LDS is crap or just charges way to much, then power to you, but my LDS is a good shop with reasonable (oh, yeah, right- this is scuba- reasonable is like $400 right?) prices. I don't buy at OTHER shops.
I did buy a gear bag online and I still feel guilty about it. Buying some guys USED gear bag wouldn't be so bad- but it was a brand new bag from some scuba Ebay shop.
I DON'T feel bad about the used 3 mil full and 3 mil shorty I bought on Ebay.
I wouldn't buy anything "important" on Ebay because 1. I don't know enough about equipment to really KNOW what I'm buying or what kind of a deal I would get and 2. I'd have to take it to MY shop at some point or on a dive with MY dive guy at some point (he makes a point of being available to go diving with...) and wouldn't I feel terrible about skipping him to save $5?
Anyway there's my opinion.
I DO have a friend who bought a very nice BC on consignment from her LDS for $700... used. I think it has 24 karat gold lining inside.
Anyway- I buy mainly from my LDS. But my Dive Guy is more interested in selling me good gear than in making a big profit, so it works out well for me. He has lent me things, given me lots of free tips, rented to me at lower than rental prices and done quality service work for me. I have bought a lot of used stuff from him that he "guarantees" meaning, he'll take it back if it doesn't work. And if I bought stuff online and needed to have it serviced... what does that say to him?
If your LDS is crap or just charges way to much, then power to you, but my LDS is a good shop with reasonable (oh, yeah, right- this is scuba- reasonable is like $400 right?) prices. I don't buy at OTHER shops.
I did buy a gear bag online and I still feel guilty about it. Buying some guys USED gear bag wouldn't be so bad- but it was a brand new bag from some scuba Ebay shop.
I DON'T feel bad about the used 3 mil full and 3 mil shorty I bought on Ebay.
I wouldn't buy anything "important" on Ebay because 1. I don't know enough about equipment to really KNOW what I'm buying or what kind of a deal I would get and 2. I'd have to take it to MY shop at some point or on a dive with MY dive guy at some point (he makes a point of being available to go diving with...) and wouldn't I feel terrible about skipping him to save $5?
Anyway there's my opinion.
I DO have a friend who bought a very nice BC on consignment from her LDS for $700... used. I think it has 24 karat gold lining inside.
serambin
Guest
Frequency:
I am easily confused, so keep it simple.
Stan
Similar threads
