Online Sources for Apeks?

[Freeflyer]

Bob3 once bubbled...
Regulators are duty-free, by the way.

Ah, now that's interesting to know. I had been comparing DiveInn with LP and decided to go with LP because they were cheaper after duty.

This changes things nicely. Looks like DiveInn will be getting my business. For me it's good to have the warranty, because I'll be moving to Asia in a couple of months. I decided to get my regs here before I leave, as there's not a lot of price difference to getting them in Singapore.

Cheers for the info,

J.

 

[Bob3]

But, does AquaLung / US Divers (in the U.S.) actually honor the warantee?

DiveInn gives you the warranty card when you buy regs from them.
That being said, it's considered bad form to buy a reg from one outfit & bring it in to another to get it serviced, even within the US. Add in "internet" and "mail order" and things get real touchy.
The shop gets reimbursed for cost of the parts, but they wind up having to do extra work for which they get no compensation, other than the initial $$ from the sale of the regs.
DiveInn would REALLY prefer you ship the regs back for servicing, or bring them to a shop where you'll be expected to shell out for the parts.
I was at DEMA a couple years ago chatting with the folks from DiveInn when the executive director got called on the carpet for a meeting with SP & USD. They almost got their dealership yanked. There were several things discussed & he had to make a few concessions, like no more retail sales of repair kits, can't advertise or list the prices except on the actual catalog page, etc.
In short, DiveInn keeps their dealership for not rocking the boat... too much.

tanx for the plug, Greg.

 

[ifukuda]

The shop gets reimbursed for cost of the parts, but they wind up having to do extra work for which they get no compensation, other than the initial $$ from the sale of the regs.

Bob, I'm not quite sure if I understand...

I do not know of any dive shops (at least, around here) that do not charge a labor fee for annual maintenance. Labor charges usually run between $45~$95, depending on the shop and whether or not "express service" is requested. If the shop is getting reimbursed for the parts from the manufacturer, how would I be doing the shop a dis-service by paying them up to $95 for some basic maintenance?

 

[Bob3]

If the shop is getting reimbursed for the parts from the manufacturer...

Most all shops have a markup on parts; on the pricelists I have here, there are a few different prices, one being "suggested retail" "dealer" & then the super discount for high volume customers/dealers that can knock about an extra 10% off the prices.

I guess I mis-spoke by using the term "do extra work", it should've been something along the lines of "missing an opportunity to make more $$".

 

[ifukuda]

That being said, it's considered bad form to buy a reg from one outfit & bring it in to another to get it serviced, even within the US.

Are you suggeseting that I'm somehow obligated to keep taking my regulator to the shop that holds my regulator hostage for 5 weeks unless I agree to pay an extra $35 for "express service"? The funny thing is, I do keep going back to the same shop! !. . . because the other shops suck even more.

I guess I mis-spoke by using the term "do extra work", it should've been something along the lines of "missing an opportunity to make more $$".

I'm already paying $95 for basic annual maintenance. Do you really think I care if the shop is not able to mark up the service kits on top of that? And...I really don't think most dive shops would mind either if they're actually getting reimbursed.

So... do shops get reimbursed for the service kits for regulators purchased from DiveInn? Yes or No, no cryptic answers please.

It sounds like DiveInn is trying to spin the fact that they've pi**ed off S-Pro and USD, and are trying to get off their s**t list (the U.S. divsion/distributor of these manufacturers are probably getting stuck reimbursing dive shops for service kits to maintain regulators sold by their Euro counterparts). There nothing wrong with wanting to be on good terms with the major distributors, and I think that DiveInn is a great business that I would like to support. But, I'm just curious to know what is really going on, so "I" can make the decision regarding how and where to purchase gear and services.

 

[Bob3]

I'm already paying $95 for basic annual maintenance.

Ifukuda, it sounds like you need the services of a different shop.
Let me check & see what DiveInn charges for a reg rebuild, I'm guessing but $50 for a 1st & 2nd stage would seem about right, that's what Poseidon charges anyway.
Postage for shipping a reg over to Spain is going to run you $25 - $30 for Global Priority or Global Express for a 4lb package, knock $5 off for a 3 pounder. (3 - 5 days transit time)
You may well be better off dropping the critter off at the post office.

do shops get reimbursed for the service kits for regulators purchased from DiveInn?

I'll have to check with a local shop up here, one that won't bite my head off for asking such a thing, not to mention give an honest answer.
(yes, there ARE still some pretty decent shops around)

 

[rjens]

If I buy my reg from a store in California, then move to Florida, would I be expected to ship my regs back to my CA LDS for service. Will I be treated poorly by my new LDS in FL if I chose to service there???

What if I buy my regs in New York, Florida, Spain or England on vacation? What if I buy my regs from a store in Monterey but decided to get it serviced at my local LDS. If this is considered bad form?

So assuming that these choices are OK, what is different if I buy online from a licensed dealer? It seems to me that these are two distinct transactions. Buying and Servicing.

btw, if I buy a new car, and get an extended a dealer warrenty, I can take that car into any dealer to get it serviced. If this model works for automobiles (the biggest industry in the world) why doesn't it work for scuba equipment?

I don't mean to be argumentative, I am just frustrated by this aspect of the sport. Am I really expected to buy from the store I plan on having service it, then send it back to that store for the rest of my life? that's unrealistic.

RJ

 

[ifukuda]

Bob,

Thanks for checking on the reg rebuild rates at DiveInn. And, thanks for going out on a limb to check on the free parts policy, I really appreciate it.

Ifukuda, it sounds like you need the services of a different shop.

I've tried several other shops. But, I haven't been able to find a better one. I realize I am currently paying too much for maintenance, but, at least, I'm comfortable with the tech's work and I get my regulator back on the day promised (provided that I pay for "express service")...which is more than I can say for any of the other shops I've been to.

(yes, there ARE still some pretty decent shops around)

Unfortunately, I haven't run across any of them. I hoping to find one someday... To be honest, I've given up on the service aspect of the SCUBA industry a long time ago. I've come to the conclusion that:

- "hot" tank charges,
- being referred to as "man", "brother" or "dude" by teenage LDS staff,
- getting special orders for gear mis-ordered, lost, or completely forgotten,
- getting last year's (and sometimes discontinued) gear pitched to you as the latest and greatest,
- getting attitude from the LDS when you call them on a mistake or a lie,
- the unbelieveable amount of time it takes to get anything done,

are all just part of diving (in SoCal). I really don't even mind so much anymore; it's just how things are.

Although I've come across one shop run by a really nice guy, his shop only carried a few obscure brands, and his inventory was very limited and old. I've purchased a few odds and ends from him, but unfortunately, I have no use for most of what he carries. And, since he's not an authorized retailer for my reg, I would void my warranty if I let him work on it.

So, when an operation like DiveInn interacts with divers politely, promptly, and professionally, and offers very competitive pricing on a large selection of gear, it's not hard to see why they've become so popular.

 

[DrSteve]

Rest easy, I can say for a fact that DiveInn/Scuba Store have factory authorizations from the manufacturers they carry.
They also offer better service, hassle free & speed, than many local shops.
Regulators are duty-free, by the way.
Blatant plug:
If you want a shop with "local presence" feel free to click the link below.

Really? When I called customs and excise they simply told me anything over $250 in value would be charged at local sales tax rate.

 

[Bob3]

Really? When I called customs and excise they simply told me anything over $250 in value would be charged at local sales tax rate.

Depending on which country you're importing from, there is a whole big confusing set of different tax rates, ranging from duty free to some as high as 30%. If you go through a customs broker you have a tendency of getting hosed from time to time.
I pretty much stopped importing a bit over a year ago when the dollar started its nosedive into the crapper.
Goodies from Taiwan were all 100% duty free, "cotton goods" from the EU were about 28% (misidentified drysuits, brokers said they were "fabric overalls" instead of vulcanized rubber products) Regulators were duty free, at least from Sweden, Spain & Italy.
It's hard to keep track of what all the bozos in Washington are doing/messing up, things were pretty stable 'till the steel tariff got to ticking off the folks in the EU.
That's all beside the point; there's a new source for Apeks in the US that's cheaper than DiveInn and/or LeisurePro. $50 - $75 less per reg than LP in fact, no worries about customs brokers or taxmen on the rampage.