Problem with BC purchase

[Scuba.com]

Very sorry to hear of your issues with another retailer regarding that bcd. The whole thing sounds like it wasn't handled very well at all which can be frustrating. The entire experience, whether buying in your LDS or Online is all about FUN! That is all too often forgotten.

Okay, shameless plug time, although that isn't my intent here. I agree with much of what has been said about beware when buying and supporting what ever store or type of store you need to support. Even though I'm working at Scuba.com at the moment. Any this isn't meant to open up a LDS vs. Web Store discussion as it's been discussed to death on this board over the years. And it's not a This Store vs. That Store thing either.

But you cannot simply dismiss buying online because SOME stores don't do a great job. I've been in many retail stores (not only scuba) where I walk out realizing I've just wasted 30 minutes of my life that I'll never get back. And I dare say I've visited many dive shops over the years that were run by people who thought it'd be "fun" to own or work in a dive shop as opposed to having a clue about owning or running a business. How these retailers survive boggles the mind.

Nor can you dismiss the person online or on the phone's experience, knowledge or ability to fit you in the correct piece of gear. Using myself as an example. I've been at this since the late 70's. Am an instructor for a few agencies (simply because opportunities presented themselves) and earned a Course Director rating for one. I've worked in, managed, and owned various scuba related businesses since the late 70's. I've spent time as the Technical Director for a couple of the major manufacturers. Basicly I trained the technicians fixing the gear in your local dive shop and then fixed the gear they couldn't figure out.

And while I'm NOT saying I'm the best, smartest, most experienced or even best looking instructor in the sport or online I am 100% positive that I can fit you into the correct piece of gear based on YOUR needs and not my daily sales total every time you call OR am capable of telling you why I can't and giving you advice on your next step in your search. Coming from the manufacturing side of the industry I have great insight into what the engineers and designers are thinking when they make a piece of gear and how that relates into how the item should fit or work for you.

And I know that I'm not unique in what I do. I have met some of my peers and even visited a couple of the well known online retailers besides our store and know they are sincere and knowledgable as well. The key to shopping online successfully is no different than shopping at a local retailer. Give us a call. Chat us up a bit. See if you get a feel for what we do in a positive manor. None of us are perfect and everybody is different.

I'm all for supporting the store that suits your fancy for what ever reason you hold dear to your heart, but don't dismiss an entire of the industry because based on the performance of a few.

 

[sabbath999]

With all due respect, the only online store I have ever had consistently bad problems with was scuba.com.

I still have a box full of spring straps I can't use sitting here because I got tired of the expense of shipping them (and NONE of it was my fault, they didn't send the size I ordered, they supply me with proper return shipping so I ended up doing it on my nickle, they shipped me yet another order the wrong size, but this time the straps in the package were not even the same size (on was long and one was short), called them back, the guy basically called me a liar on the phone... so I am done with them, period.

I had a really terrible customer service experience with scuba.com but that hasn't stopped me from shopping with scubatoys or occasionally LP when they are the only ones that can get what I want... mostly I get my stuff from one of two LDS's though or from Cave Adventures who I consider a LDS because that's where I get my fills when I am diving in their area.

 

[parzdiver]

Well. the tank band I ordered from LP came in today. It took about a half hour to swap out the bands. The BC is now in full working order. I really can't complain about the quality of the BC itself. It's well put together and is weight integrated. My only complaint is with the sales department at TommyDSports. I had to solve my problems myself with no help from them.

Wow - you had quite an issue there. First, THEY screwed up and should have paid all additional shipping. They should have then corrected the problems you had.

The biggest problem you have is that you have a no-name BC made for a company that has failed to support you as a customer. Having no idea where the BC was actually made, I would not trust its construction at all and would be looking for a refund. If anything goes wrong with it, you are on your own because they have already proven they won't support you.

I have made many purchases from LDS and on-line retailers. All have been great and supported me. Leisurepro in particular allowed me to exchange things when they arrived and weren't what I wanted (not their fault). In addition to getting great support from the retailer, I buy brands I have researched and seem to support their users. No-name when it comes to clips and small flashlights is one thing, no-name BC or reg or other essential gear? I wouldn't do it.

 

[Scuba.com]

Sabbath999,

I'm sorry to hear of your troubles and obvious mis-communication here. There's no reason you should be footing the shipping bill on an error like that. All you need do is shoot an email to returns@scuba.com and tell them Bob told you to request a Fed Ex return lable and I'll see it's taken care of for you.

Nobody's perfect, and I'm the first to admit try as we might we fall into that as well.

 

[Paladin]

Here is the BC I bought, along with some info about the manufacturer and dealers who sell it:

BCD products, buy BCD products from alibaba.com

 

[ScubaSteve]

Here is the BC I bought, along with some info about the manufacturer and dealers who sell it:

BCD products, buy BCD products from alibaba.com

It is starting to make more sense as to why they were capable of screwing up the tanks bands.....

 

[parzdiver]

Here is the BC I bought, along with some info about the manufacturer and dealers who sell it:

BCD products, buy BCD products from alibaba.com

I firmly believe that quality product can be produced in many places in the world, but you are showing a link to a global sales web site, not a manufacturer with documentation, customer service, or a phone number. That just doesn't give me confidence.

 

[Paladin]

The manufacturer is listed in a box on that page. The man. is Aujasen, of China. The way things are marketed these days, I wouldn't be a bit surprised to find out that a lot of the name brand gear on the market comes from that same factory.

 

[halocline]

Wow ,,i didnt even read this before i posted the exact same thing...shocking response from a DM who would know better..

No, what's shocking is that you, a supoposed 'dive professional' would be so clueless about dive safety to equate purchase price with safety, to equate online purchase with lack of safety, and to think that proper recreational dive training involves life-dependency on a BC.

 

[Garth]

Haha. That's hilarious. $160.