I've just confirmed my order for two scuba sets and want to share the shopping experience with interested people in ScubaBoard(SB), that I used frequently during last days for the evaluation of the equipment and shops, and owe at least that much…
PS: This is the first episode: I did not receive the equipment yet, but will keep on posting on following days about the post-order experience:
1- I started the search for two sets, one for my self (advanced, rare nitrox, 50+ dives year, lots of travel and some liveaboard) and a close friend of mine (Novice, 10+ dives a year, all local)
2- First tried to locate Aqua Lung Regs(Legend LX and Titan LX) , as they are easy to service everywhere (ref: SB and other divers). It was available on line only through Leasurepro (NY) and Simplyscuba (Int: Spain). I also took the e-mail addresses of authorized dealers (all were LDS's) in Florida from Aqua Lung's site, and and e-mailed all requesting quotations. Only answer was from Scuba World-Orlando, who was saying that they will work out a deal for me, and will contact again soon. One week, passed but no developments.
3- I e-mailed Leasurepro and asked for a BCD advice to fit my needs and the Aqua Lung Reg Set. They offered me one with an additional 30% in-house discount, but I did not like it. I've read a lot here in SB about Leasurepro (LP), negative and positive. But I decided that they while they are good for accessories and basic stuff, I want my regulators and BC from a more reliable source.
4- At that moment, I did some more on-line reading, and decide to go for Oceanic, as they have very good test results and comments, an established service centre in Istanbul, and it is possible to buy Oceanic on-line.
5- I dropped a couple of e-mails to Divers-Supply (that I've shopped once) both their on-line and Tampa shops which I was planning to visit. While on-line shop sends an e-mail back, they did not answer my questions… Tampa did not receive it at all, or -may be-did not bother to answer. What I've learned is, Tampa Shop prices are relatively higher than their on-line shop, but they might accept to sell them for the advertised prices in on-line shop.
6- However, I liked one of the package deals in their web-site, but wanted some upgrades.
7- As I was keeping on reading the Board, I decided to give a try to Scuba Toys as well. In fact, they were in TX, and my plan was to shop through a shop in Florida, where I'll spend a week in December. I've send an e-mail, and get a very warm and positive response from "Joe". OK, I shall admit that I thought they got an on-line sales department there with 10 people, and all are signing the e-mails as either "Joe"or "Larry":blinking:.
8- I do not go into details, but first (he) they matched Diver-Supply Package, did the upgrade with an acceptable increase, gave an other good deal for the accessories that I wanted, and finally, a very nice discount even better than the original package deal!
9- I gave an international call yesterday, to find out if those guys are ‘real’ and also to discuss some minor issues about the second set. I bought all on the phone.
10- Today, I received an other e-mail from “Joe” offering a free upgrade for the cheap computer of Set 2, as they are out of stock for 4 days!
RESULT:
LeasurePro: Good Prices, but Risky.
LDS’s: ( At least Aqua Lung Dealers) Unfortunately Do On-Line Bussiness.
Even Do not Answer E-Mails.
Divers Supply: On Line Shop Not Bad.
Scuba Toys: Best Experience. Best Prices. Best On-Line Scuba Shop Award.
These Guys Deserve It.
LESSONS LEARNED:
1- Give the shop a call. Give your budget for a set. They might accept it as it is, or with minor changes. Prices are better on the phone than on the web.
I’ll update the Board once I got the equipment, but I’m sure that it will be OK.
PS: This is the first episode: I did not receive the equipment yet, but will keep on posting on following days about the post-order experience:
1- I started the search for two sets, one for my self (advanced, rare nitrox, 50+ dives year, lots of travel and some liveaboard) and a close friend of mine (Novice, 10+ dives a year, all local)
2- First tried to locate Aqua Lung Regs(Legend LX and Titan LX) , as they are easy to service everywhere (ref: SB and other divers). It was available on line only through Leasurepro (NY) and Simplyscuba (Int: Spain). I also took the e-mail addresses of authorized dealers (all were LDS's) in Florida from Aqua Lung's site, and and e-mailed all requesting quotations. Only answer was from Scuba World-Orlando, who was saying that they will work out a deal for me, and will contact again soon. One week, passed but no developments.
3- I e-mailed Leasurepro and asked for a BCD advice to fit my needs and the Aqua Lung Reg Set. They offered me one with an additional 30% in-house discount, but I did not like it. I've read a lot here in SB about Leasurepro (LP), negative and positive. But I decided that they while they are good for accessories and basic stuff, I want my regulators and BC from a more reliable source.
4- At that moment, I did some more on-line reading, and decide to go for Oceanic, as they have very good test results and comments, an established service centre in Istanbul, and it is possible to buy Oceanic on-line.
5- I dropped a couple of e-mails to Divers-Supply (that I've shopped once) both their on-line and Tampa shops which I was planning to visit. While on-line shop sends an e-mail back, they did not answer my questions… Tampa did not receive it at all, or -may be-did not bother to answer. What I've learned is, Tampa Shop prices are relatively higher than their on-line shop, but they might accept to sell them for the advertised prices in on-line shop.
6- However, I liked one of the package deals in their web-site, but wanted some upgrades.
7- As I was keeping on reading the Board, I decided to give a try to Scuba Toys as well. In fact, they were in TX, and my plan was to shop through a shop in Florida, where I'll spend a week in December. I've send an e-mail, and get a very warm and positive response from "Joe". OK, I shall admit that I thought they got an on-line sales department there with 10 people, and all are signing the e-mails as either "Joe"or "Larry":blinking:.
8- I do not go into details, but first (he) they matched Diver-Supply Package, did the upgrade with an acceptable increase, gave an other good deal for the accessories that I wanted, and finally, a very nice discount even better than the original package deal!
9- I gave an international call yesterday, to find out if those guys are ‘real’ and also to discuss some minor issues about the second set. I bought all on the phone.
10- Today, I received an other e-mail from “Joe” offering a free upgrade for the cheap computer of Set 2, as they are out of stock for 4 days!
RESULT:
LeasurePro: Good Prices, but Risky.
LDS’s: ( At least Aqua Lung Dealers) Unfortunately Do On-Line Bussiness.
Even Do not Answer E-Mails.
Divers Supply: On Line Shop Not Bad.
Scuba Toys: Best Experience. Best Prices. Best On-Line Scuba Shop Award.
These Guys Deserve It.
LESSONS LEARNED:
1- Give the shop a call. Give your budget for a set. They might accept it as it is, or with minor changes. Prices are better on the phone than on the web.
I’ll update the Board once I got the equipment, but I’m sure that it will be OK.
:classic::cwmddd:
