LDS's are just too expensive

[talonraid]

jd950,

You are right on the mark!

 

[stever2002]

I'll soon be buying my first reg, octo and guage set-up. My LDS will let me schedule pool time to compare the models I'm interested in. I can't do that over the web. I know I'll be paying a premium for that service, but its worth it to me.

I have used the web to buy accessories like knifes and such. Alas, I can't rent gear or get air fills over the web either. But, the web is a great place to do research.

Just my $0.02,
...steve...

 

[ReefHound]

I'll soon be buying my first reg, octo and guage set-up. My LDS will let me schedule pool time to compare the models I'm interested in. I can't do that over the web. I know I'll be paying a premium for that service, but its worth it to me.

I have fun though I don't know what you expect to find out about a reg in a pool.

 

[Splitlip]

Most of the shops I use are competitive. After a while, they beat Leisurepro, hands down on every major purchase I have made including:
Jet fins and Manta fin straps
OMS 32 # wing
Aeris Velocity fins
Zeagle Stilletto
SeaLife digital camera
Steel Tanks
Regs including SP MK25 S600 2nd (this was a challange, but they discounte 10% and loaded me with nitrox fills to offset delta) I have cards and warranties

all outside of "packages"

oops: I am a believer in supporting your LDS. I have had the argument with others here, but we need them as much as they need our support.
Eventually, they will bend over backwards to reward your patronage, in my experience.

 

[diver 85]

The title sounds like some guy's feelings about their wives....you can't live with them & you can't live without them........Just ordered a small dive knife & console holder this am from one online...Course in my case, the nearest LDS is about 60 miles away, so guess what, in reality, my LDS these days is the one with the best price etc etc etc...now I know why my wife likes going shopping so much, it's FUN.......

 

[uspap]

I feel no obligation to spend well over $100 more on an item just for the privlege of getting hot fills at my LDS. I also won't waste my LDS time asking tons of questions, get advice, try out stuff and then buy on line. That would be wrong in my opinion.

 

[ekewaka]

Sort of like the LDS and air fills. If you do not support your LDS, then they will have to go out of business, then where do the air fills come from. My bicycle air pump just will not pump up 3400 psi. I have tried internet air fills with a modem and they are just too slow.

http://www.scubacompressor.com/

 

[dschulte]

http://www.scubacompressor.com/

Buying your own personal air compressor for $3-$6K (depending on how long you want to wait for a tank to fill) defeats the original argument of this thread; i.e. the high cost of equipment. It does take the LDS out of the picture and solves the problem of them charging too much for dive gear. I guess if everyone purchased their own fill station or a group of guys put $10k into a solid used system with a cascade, then the LDS would be a thing of the past.
:monkeydan

 

[1_T_Submariner]

Again, a new forum suggestion for Bashing LDSs. No I don't work for one.

 

[ekewaka]

Buying your own personal air compressor for $3-$6K (depending on how long you want to wait for a tank to fill) defeats the original argument of this thread; i.e. the high cost of equipment.

In the last two years I have saved at least $3K buying equipment on the internet, so it is not really costing anything extra. I could pay full price for everything at the LDS, or I could buy everything online, and for no additional cost, have the convenience of filling tanks in in garage, instead of driving to the LDS. Of course, not everyone is going to do that, but it is an option. It is possible to get air fills without an LDS.