lQQking for bp/w setup
- Thread starter 8buck
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SeaJay
Contributor
Ah, cool man. Noise ratio high... Glad I asked. I'd have ticked you off with suggestions when all you're looking for is a good deal.
This deal that someone pointed out above is just about to kill me... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3634230964 If you don't snag that in the next 40 minutes, I'm gonna.
...But since you're asking specifically for used gear... And since you're talking about an AL plate, that's probably not what you had in mind. Perhaps this is more what you had in mind:
Go to our club website at http://www.DeepSouthDivers.org and click on "Talk" then "Equipment" and finally, "Stores." The first four listings there are places where you can buy/sell/trade used gear. In fact, the first listing is a place that's super-active. I see plates traded cheap there all the time.
Hope that helps...
<Ducks and runs in a zigzag pattern away from the flames.>
pdoege
Contributor
I've been buying my BPs and wings on the cheap for a while now.
Here is my general approach.
1) Find the actual cheapest retail price of the equipment that you are looking for. This will probably be through Leisure Pro or some other online discounter. This gives you the price that you need to beat to save money. Remember to add in shipping and whatnot.
1a) If you know someone in the industry, see if you can find out the actual wholesale of the equipment. It is really important to know the actual cost of the gear.
1b)Use the above info to arrive at some amount that you are willing to pay for used gear. You are going to look for prices that are around 75% of this value. This gives you the ability to haggle a bit.
2) Hang out around the various tech and cave boards. They shed equipment like it is nobody's business. If someone posts gear that you want that is close to your price, buy it, otherwise make an offer.
3) Occasionally send email to the actual manufacturer of the gear asking if they have any used, abused, or not-perfect gear for sale. If it is a good discount off of wholesale, buy it.
4) Drop by local tech shops and clubs and let them know that you are looking. Let them know that you know the actual value. I scored a really nice Halcyon SS BP this way.
5) Perform the rigging and whatnot yourself. You can buy bulk webbing and SS rings, etc. from bulk discounters for really cheap. No reason to spend real money on a harness or etc.
6) Don't be too aggressive with your haggling. Leave them smiling. Who knows, they may call you back.
I've assembled a nice BP/Wing rig (SS BP, Pioneer wing, harness, crotch strap, all rings and tubing) for < $200. Not too shabby. It did take some snooping. My doubles setup cost me around $1100 with tanks, regs, wing, bp, and accessories.
One more thing, the markup on this gear runs between 200 and 300 percent. The wholesale cost is somewhere between 1/2 and 1/3 of the MSRP. This varies, but that is the rule of thumb that I use.
One more one more thing. You are buying used gear that is out of warranty. Be sure that you are comfortable fixing and maintaining it or know someone who will fix it for a reasonable cost. If you buy something that needs a lot of work, you really aren't saving money.
Well, I'm sure that someone will find problems with my approach. It works for me.
Peter
Here is my general approach.
1) Find the actual cheapest retail price of the equipment that you are looking for. This will probably be through Leisure Pro or some other online discounter. This gives you the price that you need to beat to save money. Remember to add in shipping and whatnot.
1a) If you know someone in the industry, see if you can find out the actual wholesale of the equipment. It is really important to know the actual cost of the gear.
1b)Use the above info to arrive at some amount that you are willing to pay for used gear. You are going to look for prices that are around 75% of this value. This gives you the ability to haggle a bit.
2) Hang out around the various tech and cave boards. They shed equipment like it is nobody's business. If someone posts gear that you want that is close to your price, buy it, otherwise make an offer.
3) Occasionally send email to the actual manufacturer of the gear asking if they have any used, abused, or not-perfect gear for sale. If it is a good discount off of wholesale, buy it.
4) Drop by local tech shops and clubs and let them know that you are looking. Let them know that you know the actual value. I scored a really nice Halcyon SS BP this way.
5) Perform the rigging and whatnot yourself. You can buy bulk webbing and SS rings, etc. from bulk discounters for really cheap. No reason to spend real money on a harness or etc.
6) Don't be too aggressive with your haggling. Leave them smiling. Who knows, they may call you back.
I've assembled a nice BP/Wing rig (SS BP, Pioneer wing, harness, crotch strap, all rings and tubing) for < $200. Not too shabby. It did take some snooping. My doubles setup cost me around $1100 with tanks, regs, wing, bp, and accessories.
One more thing, the markup on this gear runs between 200 and 300 percent. The wholesale cost is somewhere between 1/2 and 1/3 of the MSRP. This varies, but that is the rule of thumb that I use.
One more one more thing. You are buying used gear that is out of warranty. Be sure that you are comfortable fixing and maintaining it or know someone who will fix it for a reasonable cost. If you buy something that needs a lot of work, you really aren't saving money.
Well, I'm sure that someone will find problems with my approach. It works for me.
Peter
hey man... we're just trying to help, a bp/wings that isn't really what you'll need isn't a deal at any cost, chances are our advice is from personal experience and a couple bad purchases we regret.
Ben
Peter,
I have no problem with your method, to each his own. However, I would like to know where you're getting your retail vs. wholesale costs, because most technical equipment is not marked up even 100%, let alone 200 or 300.
Ben
I have no problem with your method, to each his own. However, I would like to know where you're getting your retail vs. wholesale costs, because most technical equipment is not marked up even 100%, let alone 200 or 300.
Ben
pdoege
Contributor
Well, more correct than I was.
Subtract 100% or so from those markup values. What was I thinking?
Peter
Subtract 100% or so from those markup values. What was I thinking?
Peter
OP
Brandon or 8Buck or whatever,
1. If you learn how to use the board, you won't post monster posts when it isn't needed.
2. No one needs your attitude. You asked a question about bp/wings with the concept of using them in the future for cavern/cave. Double aluminum 80s can be used in caves in Florida. Go for it. Wendy said they are not the tanks of choice. They aren't. Deal with it. If you want to head into a cave in Florida wearing non-optimal gear, its only your own ignorance that will be on display as you enter the cave. You're obviously clueless and determined, so do whatever you already want to do.
3. You're being deliberately rude to people who were trying to assist you. Grow up.
Doc
#1 I know what i need and what i want...
and me not knowing how to do the link thing does not make me stupid it just means i have better things to do than sit on here all day.. Futhermore I have never used it nor have i thought about it.
And I am not being an azz. All I wanted to know is if Anyone had a bp/w they wanted to get rid of
not valves or anything else
if they did I am old enough to know to ask before jumping. i am not going to buy something i can not use down the road.
I know I am going to need dins maybe, maybe not but for now what does the din valve and bp/w have in common. I dove bp/w without them before...
sorry if i sounded as if i was being an ass. I have met a number of great divers on here and plan on meeting them and diving with them..
So if i hurt anyones feeling I AM SO VERY SORRY...
1. If you learn how to use the board, you won't post monster posts when it isn't needed.
2. No one needs your attitude. You asked a question about bp/wings with the concept of using them in the future for cavern/cave. Double aluminum 80s can be used in caves in Florida. Go for it. Wendy said they are not the tanks of choice. They aren't. Deal with it. If you want to head into a cave in Florida wearing non-optimal gear, its only your own ignorance that will be on display as you enter the cave. You're obviously clueless and determined, so do whatever you already want to do.
3. You're being deliberately rude to people who were trying to assist you. Grow up.
Doc
#1 I know what i need and what i want...
and me not knowing how to do the link thing does not make me stupid it just means i have better things to do than sit on here all day.. Futhermore I have never used it nor have i thought about it.
And I am not being an azz. All I wanted to know is if Anyone had a bp/w they wanted to get rid of
not valves or anything else
if they did I am old enough to know to ask before jumping. i am not going to buy something i can not use down the road.
I know I am going to need dins maybe, maybe not but for now what does the din valve and bp/w have in common. I dove bp/w without them before...
sorry if i sounded as if i was being an ass. I have met a number of great divers on here and plan on meeting them and diving with them..
So if i hurt anyones feeling I AM SO VERY SORRY...
