new diver question about package deals

[beach89]

I'm 16 years old and I'm thinking about getting my open water certification. I'm comfortable in the water(waterski often and have a pool in my backyard). My dad's and advanced open water diver, and 3 of my uncles were instructors. They've showed me how to use the equipment in a pool. I went to a dive shop, and got my mask and snorkel. I'm planning on taking lessons there, but I still need to get fins. The dive shop wanted $120 minimum for a pair of fins, but on the internet I can get the same skis for 1/3 of the price. Why?

I also found this package online. Is it a good deal? I can borrow my dad/uncles Poseidons while I take lessons, but I want my own equipment and Poseidons are way too expensive.

Thanks for any help.

 

[sasscuba]

Welcome to the board. I would buy the fins if I were you off the internet to save you the $$$....I would recommend finding somewhere to try them on first or I guess you could always retun them if you do not like the fit, you would only be out the shipping. It is typical you can find gear cheaper on the internet. As far as gear it is what fits you best and is within your budget.

 

[dumbbomb]

support your local dive shop! though at $120 that sounds a bit steep! what fins where u looking at ?

 

[stardust]

Id borrow something for the course, make sure you like diving, then slowly start buying stuff over time if you do. It will be tough if you don't have a parent bankrolling you, your best bet is prlly used stuff. I much agree with dumbbomb's "support your local dive shop" and of course sometimes if you buy off the net you dont get the warranty blah blah blah.

 

[beach89]

support your local dive shop! though at $120 that sounds a bit steep! what fins where u looking at ?

I don't remember the brand. $120 was the cheapest fins they had, but most fins were $200+. I'd really like to support them, but they charge twice to three times what I'd pay on the internet.

Welcome to the board. I would buy the fins if I were you off the internet to save you the $$$....I would recommend finding somewhere to try them on first or I guess you could always retun them if you do not like the fit. It is typical you can find gear cheaper on the internet. As far as gear it is what fits you best and is within your budget.

I don't want to try them on, then buy them somewhere else. That's just not right. I was just wondering if there are any brands I should stay away from. I take it Mares isn't one of them?

Id borrow something for the course, make sure you like diving, then slowly start buying stuff over time if you do.

I will, but I still need to buy fins.

 

[sasscuba]

I don't remember the brand. $120 was the cheapest fins they had, but most fins were $200+. I'd really like to support them, but they charge twice to three times what I'd pay on the internet.

I don't want to try them on, then buy them somewhere else. That's just not right. I was just wondering if there are any brands I should stay away from. I take it Mares isn't one of them?

So you never tried on a pair of shoes and then found them half price somewhere else? Your right go back to the first place and pay full retail to support them.

 

[spectrum]

Using the LDS as a fitting room for online purchases is just plain wrong IMO. That's my morality, do what you want. Before I try somethiing on I decide if I'm willing to pay their price. Looking and touching are OK.

Now paying 3X is absolutely wrong and I want to believe that you are not looking at identical items.

Be sure of your facts and challenge the shop, look at other shops if possible.

Trying gear from other divers empowers you to make online purchases painlessly. Getting in return roulete is a pain and waste IMO.

For the sake of convenience and local support I don't hesitate to pay a 25% premium to buy locally. Be sure to consider takes, shipping and the total cost of acquisition.

When you get to the BC and regulator set I'm even more partial to doing business with a local sopporting dealer.

The vast majority of my online purchases have been driven by lack of local selection, not $$. I have had a number of shops make $ concessions to the real world they are doing business in.

Pete

 

[beach89]

Using the LDS as a fitting room for online purchases is just plain wrong IMO. That's my morality, do what you want. Before I try somethiing on I decide if I'm willing to pay their price. Looking and touching are OK.

That's how I feel.

Now paying 3X is absolutely wrong and I want to believe that you are not looking at identical items.

Be sure of your facts and challenge the shop, look at other shops if possible.

I paid $64 for this mask.
I'll check out some other dive shops in the area, and see if I can get fins for cheaper.

 

[Damselfish]

do a search on this board for Leisure Pro and you can read a zillion discussions of the pros and cons of buying various things there, vs. other online shops, vs. at your LDS, and many good ideas. Just to get the background on how all this works.

I wouldn't buy a reg from Leisure Pro because I want the manufacturers warrenty not theirs. Some regs come with free parts for life, if bought at LP you won't get that. Some will say the free parts aren't worth much but not getting them could cost you more than you save over time in higher service costs. There are places that sell online and provide full manu. warrenties that you should probably look into (Scubatoys is often recommended around here for one.) You just won't be able to get all brands that way because some companies have restrictions on net sales. At least a reg doesn't have to fit so if you can get the real warrenty and can get it serviced I think online regs aren't a bad option. Just do your research before buying.

I might buy a BC from LP as I'm not quite as concerned about the warrenty, but fit and positioning is so important in BCs it's a challenging thing to do via the net in general. Masks will be cheaper to buy on line but you can't try them on so that may or may not work out. Same with suits and anything else that needs to fit. Fins are easier to get right and well worth taking a shot at online (it's helpful to have tried the basic styles first, particularly if you are considering split fins - though if you're looking to save money maybe you're not. Online is a great place for snorkels and lights and all the other little toys you will accumulate.

I'm not crazy about packages except when a place lets you roll your own for a package price. Otherwise there's a good chance you're settling on some part of it. If choosing things separately would you have chosen all the same stuff? - often not. A package with a cheap price may be tempting because it gets you in the door cheap, but you're more likely to want to replace stuff and sooner. For some people it may still be a good choice, but if you really have to shop on price going slowly and looking for good deals on used gear or even rentals your shop is selling might turn out better.

 

[LowVizWiz]

Here's a suggestion on the fins, tell your LDS you found the same pair of fins and for how much. If posssible show them a print out or have them got to the website. If they are smart they'll come closet to matching the price. If not then take your business somewhere else.

Wys.