Maybe everyone who deals with online retailers could give a brief account of their experience with that retailer and we could come up with a list of who's reputable and who to avoid. I know I'm new to the board and this may have been addressed previously as well as the fact that there seem to be retailers with established reputations and presence here on the boards, eg:scubatoys. I've just purchased a Suunto Cobra from divetank.com and dealt with the owner, Rick, who was extremely helpful and knowledgable. The price was right and it came with a few goodies that no one else included. I'll give a followup as soon as I receive it to let you know how the whole experience turned out. Also I'd like to add my two cents worth regarding ebay purchases: used, well cared for dive gear needs to find a good home somehow and ebay presents a good forum for it. I've made several dive gear purchases and sold dive gear too there and never had a problem. Now, I just deal with fellow divers, not some slimy pawn shop owner who came across some primo gear, but is clueless as to it's true condition. Do some research and ask a lot of questions about what you are purchasing. Check the feedback and make sure they talk the talk before you buy. Don't get all starry eyed over some primo piece of gear at an impossibly low price from some guy with low or poor feedback who says "I don't really know much about this gear, but I'm selling it for a friend". I've found that fellow divers are willing to volunteer all kinds of info and history on the gear they are selling and are loathe to sell something they feel is inferior unless it is sold as-is or for parts. And all divers will tell you to have gear checked out prior to use just to make sure. My LDS has no qualms about servicing any used gear I bring there. How do they know I haven't owned it for years? I make enough purchases and go on enough dive trips as well as ongoing certs through him to keep him happy. Just my .02.
