Looking to buy Equipment!!

[PotatoC]

Live in Ludington..

Wife and I are tired of renting and looking to buy. We dive tropical once a year and Lake Michigan and surrounding areas in late July and August.

Need BCs, regs, gages, tanks, and 6 or 7 mil wetsuits.

Not picky on brands. Willing to drive if equipment is in good shape. Hoping to find some good used equip since I have to outfit me and the wife.

Please let me know what you have. Thanks, TJ

 

[kidsdream]

PM sent

 

[tiggrr]

Craigslist is hit or miss....I would start checking there daily in the Detroit section. There are often deals for entire sets. I've seen quite a few full sets of gear for a couple as well.

The Detroit section is regularly busy with ads but, the rest of the state...not so much. Never hurts to look though.

 

[Divers Incorporated]

Once you find what you beleive is a good deal take the details to your local dive center and see what they can do for you. I have seen too many people throw good money after bad... you may save a couple of bucks or even a pile of bucks up front only to find out that the repair bills are outrageous... in this economy your local dive center will be willing to make a deal and it would be helpful to have one that is willing to take care of you and one that is staying open because you supported a local business.

Good luck!

 

[kidsdream]

This poster did not ask about from online retailers that are your real competition. He asked about used gear. I have bought (and sold) a great deal of gear through various forums and with just a couple of acceptions have been extremely satisfied.

And when you factor in the fact that a diver's gear, needs and requirments change over their diving career, sell (and buying) use gear make a lot of sense. A used reg should be serviced (unless proof of recent sevice is included) - this a pefect place for a LDS to create a new customer. Maybe not a huge sale - this time, but maybe in the future. Another interesting note: some of the technical companies (with heavy cave focus) allow open sales regulator service kits. This includes Dive Rite, Salvo etc. So yes, I went to a dive shop in Florida yesterday and purchased a service kit for my Dive Rite 2nd stage for $10.99.

I do love to support my local LDS's which include shops in MI and Florida (where the gear purchased at LDS's is on average 20% cheaper) , but why is it ski & board shops frequently sponser swap meets, but dive shops do not...

Once you find what you beleive is a good deal take the details to your local dive center and see what they can do for you. I have seen too many people throw good money after bad... you may save a couple of bucks or even a pile of bucks up front only to find out that the repair bills are outrageous... in this economy your local dive center will be willing to make a deal and it would be helpful to have one that is willing to take care of you and one that is staying open because you supported a local business.

Good luck!

 

[PotatoC]

I got to thinking since I haven't found anything used that is what I am looking for... How about buying online? Heck I get a lot of my construction equipment through Amazon, etc... I started looking at online diving suppliers, they have sweet deal packages, good reviews, name brand..

Any pros/cons on that? My nearest dive shop is 45 minutes away and in just over a year I will be moving accross the state so I won't have them anyway. Just thinking online dosen't sound bad, but please correct me if I am wrong!!!

 

[M_Bipartitus]

This poster did not ask about from online retailers that are your real competition. He asked about used gear. ...

I think Rich's comments apply to used equipment. I see a lot of craigslist ads in hte detroit area that ask large amounts for gear that looks like it could be over 20 years old. Since it doesn't appear that the original poster is well versed in different equipment (based on listed frequency of dives and total dives), it is good to point out that some used equipment may be a waste of money. It's important to know what you're looking for in used equipment.

I got to thinking since I haven't found anything used that is what I am looking for... How about buying online? Heck I get a lot of my construction equipment through Amazon, etc... I started looking at online diving suppliers, they have sweet deal packages, good reviews, name brand..

Any pros/cons on that? My nearest dive shop is 45 minutes away and in just over a year I will be moving accross the state so I won't have them anyway. Just thinking online dosen't sound bad, but please correct me if I am wrong!!!

There are many posts about this topic that can degrade into heated debates. My thoughts:

- Personally, I have no hesitation to buy non-life support gear online, (snorkel, booties, signaling devices, cutting tools...)

- I would be more careful about stuff that can cause major problems if it fails (BC, regulator, gauges...) That said, I have ended up buying several of these items online.

- Items I'm least likely to get online are items that need a good fit (mask, wetsuit, drysuit...)

- As Rich said above, give the local shop a chance. I've been to several local shops that will offer a better price if you show them the price the online store has for the same item. It may not be as low as the online price, but you're giving the local guy a chance. Note that some shopkeepers will just go into a rant about why you shouldn't buy online, so be prepared.

- Look into warrantees. This is most applicable to regulators, but some warrantees are not honored if you buy online. Some regulator companies provide parts for service free if you buy the regulator at the shop and have it serviced regularly. They may not provide this if you buy online.

- If you do choose to buy stuff online consider a reputable dealer. A few that I have had a good experiences with include scubatoys, divegearexpress, divers supply. There are others you can find by searching this forum. Personally, I would avoid leasurepro as they tend not to know much about diving (more of a warehouse than a diveshop)

- Buy brands that your local shop will service: Even if the local shops are an hour away, it's better than sending it halfway across the country anytime you have a problem.


I'm sure if I've missed anything others will jump in.

 

[pickens_46929]

Craigslist is hit or miss....I would start checking there daily in the Detroit section. There are often deals for entire sets. I've seen quite a few full sets of gear for a couple as well.

The Detroit section is regularly busy with ads but, the rest of the state...not so much. Never hurts to look though.

What?!? No referrals to me... I'm shocked... :blinking:

lol

PM Sent to original poster