Low-Price BCs on Internet?

[obxdivemaster]

I'm not sure about Zeagle but some manufacturers specifically forbid online sales and will not honor the warranty on gear purchased anywhere but in person from an authorized dealer. This is especially true of gear that requires a c-card to purchase. So I'd check with Zeagle first before making an internet purchase.

Good choice of a BC though. My Zeagle has about a gazillion dives on it and is still going strong. We're dealers for about everything but Zeagle and I still won't dive anything else. And yes, I'm working on getting the boss to start carrying them.

 

[kd5izq]

In regards to the original post, the statement was made as follows:
"I was browsing the internet recently, and found a website, scubadiscount.com, that appears to offer new gear for vastly discounted prices, with a manufacturers warranty because they claim to buy from other dealers. I'm looking to get a Zeagle Ranger, and they have them for $400.
I'm reluctant to purchase gear off the internet, and anything that cheap makes me suspicious, but has anyone had experience with this site, positive or negative?"

I went to Zeagles website and the way that I read the comments on their product support page, anyone dealing products "second hand" (in other words not as an authorized Zeagle dealer)...well, I guess the best thing would be to go and read the information for yourself and form your own opinion. That's what I like about this sport, so many differnet choices and so many opinions concerning those choices, and every person is entitled to his or her opinion.

Have a great evening all.

 

[scubatoys]

Aren't Aeris and Oceanic the same company with Oceanic focusing on "authorized channels" and Aeris selling to anyone?

Not really... Aeris and Oceanic are two seperate companies, that both sell equipment from the same manufacturer... Palegic. But it would be possible for Aeris to be profitable, while Oceanic is not... or vice versa. They have seperate advertising budgets, seperate reps, seperate everything... other than they get their products made in the same factory.

And for example, I am the largest single store Aeris dealer in the country, and the president of Aeris, Dan, is a good friend of mine.... but we don't sell Oceanic at all.

So the companies are not the same... just the products sorta' are... Make sense?

 

[mempilot]

I'm not sure about Zeagle but some manufacturers specifically forbid online sales and will not honor the warranty on gear purchased anywhere but in person from an authorized dealer. This is especially true of gear that requires a c-card to purchase. So I'd check with Zeagle first before making an internet purchase.

Good choice of a BC though. My Zeagle has about a gazillion dives on it and is still going strong. We're dealers for about everything but Zeagle and I still won't dive anything else. And yes, I'm working on getting the boss to start carrying them.

I bought my Zeagle Expedition GS drysuit online from a shop that had gone out of business out West. The owner had snuck some high-end gear out of inventory before closing the books and was selling it on eBay to ease his financial woes. Actually, he had his buddy listing them on eBay for him. Since there wasn't an invoice from a Zeagle dealer for the purchase, I assumed that the suit would not be covered under warrenty by Zeagle or other dealers. I got the suit for about 60% off and guessed I could live with that if someting needed fixed. Recently, I needed some service, so I called Zeagle. They asked if I had the 'card'. I said no. They said take it to one of their dealers. I did. It cost me $150 to get the suit fixed, so obviously the warrenty wasn't honored. I saved enough on the purchase that I could stand to pay several $150 repair bills over time.

I like Zeagle equipment. The quality is outstanding. I do believe there are other companies selling the same/like product for less. Zeagle vs. Apeks regs for example.

I take every purchase one-by-one when deciding whether I'll buy online without the warrenty. Computers are a good example. There's no way I'd buy a computer online without a warrenty. If the board needs replaced, it'll cost you damn near what the whole thing did when new. A failed computer purchased online without a warrenty becomes a paper weight.

 

[njrn2]

I am currently looking into getting my first set of equipment and have done research on prices at my LDSs, LP, and the reputible scubatoys and scuba.com. THe only question that I have is do you get the valid warranty card with an online purchase?

While both of the Authorized dealers are listed on the two manufacturers websites that I am looking into (Sherwood and Oceanic) I find it hard to beleive that an internet purchase would not fit the criteria as an authorized purchase when specifically "scuba.com" is listed as an authorized dealer. I find it hard to beleive that these manufaturers would list a .com and then not honor a purchase. It seems just rediculous.

Larry, any info?

Thanks,
Joe

 

[scubatoys]

Actually Oceanic cannot be sold on the web... but Aeris can... really about the same computers... And yes... If you go with an authorized dealer who has filled out an internet sales agreement with the manufacturer - the full warranty is honored - no different than you walking in our store.

If you want to give me a call... I'll give you the phone numbers of whatever manufacturers you're looking for and you are welcome to call them yourself.

Hope that helps!

 

[TostitoBandito]

Actually Oceanic cannot be sold on the web... but Aeris can... really about the same computers... And yes... If you go with an authorized dealer who has filled out an internet sales agreement with the manufacturer - the full warranty is honored - no different than you walking in our store.

If you want to give me a call... I'll give you the phone numbers of whatever manufacturers you're looking for and you are welcome to call them yourself.

Hope that helps!

Speaking of Aeris computers being sold over the internet, the Aeris Atmos Elite that Larry sold me is the shiznit. This is one of the nicest and most functional computers I have ever seen. You've gotta love hoseless air integration.

 

[Ed66]

There are a lot of threads on this if you look for them. To summarize:

www.leisurepro.com generally has the cheapest prices on the net, however they are not authorized dealers so no manufacturer's warranty. www.scubatoys.com, www.scuba.com, and several other AUTHORIZED merchants will match leisurepro's prices so you can have your cake and eat it too. Anyways, I would definitely use one of the two merchants I listed, as they are the biggest and most reliable/reputable. Just tell them what you want and how much leisurepro or wherever else was selling it for.

I was looking at getting a Dive Rite Transpac II w/rec wings I saw one at my LDS this past winter it was on sale for something like $489. I went back last week and the same exact bc is now back up to $598. (He did the same with an Aqualung Patriot it was $350 over the winter now the old tag is back $500-$600) He said if I get the Transpac for $598 he would take $70 off the next item I buy which would have been the Dive Rite intg weight pockets for me, he had them for $89 so $598 + $19= $617 then add 6% tax total $654.03.
I then checked out scuba.com ( who is also an AUTHORIZED online dealer along with having a store front ) They gave me a price of $499 plus $14.95 S&H total $514.90 AND I got the weight pockets (32lb) and crotch strap and a FULL MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY and saved $109.93 so it does pay to shop online.
In a side note I did call another very big LDS by me to see if they priced match the best they said they could do was $649 (not inc. tax) for the same package and would put me on their perferd cust. list and give me 10 air fills.

 

[HaoleDiver]

After looking around on the internet, and talking to various people (and reading the postings here, thank you all), I think I'm going to purchase my gear from my LDS, because its not a whole lot more in the long run than buying online, and with customer service, shop loyalty, the absolute security of knowing its all covered (including the shops excellent service department) and I'm taken care of, it works out for me.

 

[Backtanner]

From the Zeagle website....

CONSUMER ALERT -We have encountered a number of consumer complaints recently about sales made through internet auction sites and mail order outlets who ARE NOT authorized Zeagle dealers. These have included selling incomplete products, providing poor service, and in some cases selling items represented as being Zeagle products which in fact were not genuine. PLEASE BE SURE YOU ARE PURCHASING FROM AN AUTHORIZED ZEAGLE DEALER!

Zeagle's warranty is issued through the Authorized Zeagle Dealer to the original purchaser. Products not purchased directly from Authorized Zeagle Dealers- this includes any Zeagle products offered on internet auction sites regardless of the seller's identity- are second hand and not covered under warranty. Only retailers designated by Zeagle Systems as being Authorized Zeagle Dealers are extended the authority to sell and provide warranty service for Zeagle products.