Purchasing new equipment

[hfd56]

Hi Everyone,
I,m newly certified OW and am wondering what equiptment is safe to buy from internet/ catalog sales vs. local dive shop. It seems to be a big difference in price even comparing apples to apples. I realize it is probably smart to buy regs from dive shop due to service but what what about BC, Dive computer , Fins , Mask. For example local diveshop wants 870 for smartcom air integrated comp.and found it on the web new for 599. Any imput appreciatted . By the way i just happened upon this site and so far it looks great
Thanks
John

 

[Quarrior]

It's not so much what is safe to buy on the internet, rather what sources are safe to buy from.

Internet wise, I recommend www.scubatoys.com They are a full service shop with a real store but also sell on the net.

One point, do not just get the air integrated computer. Make sure you get an SPG as well. I dive with both for the sake of safety.

 

[PWCPD Diver]

Research what you are looking at buying. Then go to some local dive shops and try on gear...BCD, Wetsuit, Drysuit, Mask, Fin, etc... you get the idea. Then do a price comparision online and through the dive shops. They may price match. But be sure of what you want before you make the purchase.

You could even rent some of the gear that you are looking at buying and try it out that way.

Happy diving

 

[spectrum]

Follow the regulator logic.. If it is something that the LDS can bring value to with onsite service then I'd be likely to pay a bit more to let them have the sale in expectation of 1st class service.

On items that they can't fix first be sure that you are buying from a source that will be able to convey a full manufactrers warranty. Some can't and substitute their onwn backing. Second, if it sold locally challenge the shop to meet or at least come close. They know tha net is out there and some have fiured out that it's not going away. Consider that while they can't fix some items thay may toss you a loaner while say your computer is sent out.

You do have a vested interst in keeping the LDS around.

When it comes to accessory items I'll buy locally if I trip on the item but the net is darned convenient for getting a lot of that stuff.

When fit is an issue IMO it's just plain wrong to try gear at the LDS and then buy online. If yea live by the web then yea shall perish by the web. Are you feeling lucky?

Pete

Edit
2 points I want to add many times my online purchases are driven by lack of local selection.

In my experience when most dive shops understand that they need to compete they will come to an acceptable compromise price. Some are carriage trade and you just need to decide if they are worth it.

 

[AaronR103]

I get as much as I can online. The price difference is significant, particularly now that the internet is taking over a large chunk of the market and the LDS are having to jack up their prices to make ends meet. I recommend www.leisurepro.com. That said, there are some items like the mask that you really should try on first to ensure a good fit.

A

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Mask, Fins, Boots you should get from your lds. Fit is critical with these items. Your reg you could buy on line but who would service it for you? Would you have to send it away or could you get it local? If local will they charge you? Your bc if you get it on line and it does not fit or has features you do not like can you send it back? And if you go to your lds and then buy on the web without giving them the option to match why should they service for free? I'll not even go into the obvious reason often stated for keeping your lds open but it is in fact YOUR lds. If we don't feel this way then we should go online and buy and get EVERYTHING we need from the online store. If we have our own compressors and are trained to service all our gear and can get the parts why do we even need the lds. Sorry but it just gets to me as manager of a shop that is like many others who fight at times to stay open. I do not begrugde scubatoys and others like them who are actual places and got into the net sales at the right time. There are others tho who as I found during my early searches for gear that do not even have a phone number should you have a problem. If a brick and mortar op sells online and adheres to service policies as set forth by the factory then more power to them. But if you buy a reg from a grey market seller then expect to get what you pay for and accept that you may pay thru the nose if there is a problem.

 

[nauidiver2004]

Take responsibility for yourself. Research the gear you need. Understand the service requirements of the particular piece of equipment. Be an informed consumer and the choices become more clear. Sometimes spending a few extra dollars at your local shop is the best choice, sometimes not. In the end, it is YOU and the equipment at depth; if your in trouble neither your LDS or internet dealer is there to help you.

As you start to look at specific pieces of equipment and narrow your choices down to a few the people here on this board are incredibly helpful in giving you the pro's and con's of each, but in the end, the choice will always be yours.

 

[Jay Roy]

Mask, Fins, Boots you should get from your lds. Fit is critical with these items. Your reg you could buy on line but who would service it for you? Would you have to send it away or could you get it local? If local will they charge you? Your bc if you get it on line and it does not fit or has features you do not like can you send it back? And if you go to your lds and then buy on the web without giving them the option to match why should they service for free? I'll not even go into the obvious reason often stated for keeping your lds open but it is in fact YOUR lds. If we don't feel this way then we should go online and buy and get EVERYTHING we need from the online store. If we have our own compressors and are trained to service all our gear and can get the parts why do we even need the lds. Sorry but it just gets to me as manager of a shop that is like many others who fight at times to stay open. I do not begrugde scubatoys and others like them who are actual places and got into the net sales at the right time. There are others tho who as I found during my early searches for gear that do not even have a phone number should you have a problem. If a brick and mortar op sells online and adheres to service policies as set forth by the factory then more power to them. But if you buy a reg from a grey market seller then expect to get what you pay for and accept that you may pay thru the nose if there is a problem.

I agree...SCUBA shops already have enough trouble staying open up here in Canada with the diving season being pretty short (for most, some like me dive all year)
If you buy everything online, next time you go for a fill, you might find a closed sign on the door...

 

[oly5050user]

Research what you are looking at buying. Then go to some local dive shops and try on gear...BCD, Wetsuit, Drysuit, Mask, Fin, etc... you get the idea. Then do a price comparision online and through the dive shops. They may price match. But be sure of what you want before you make the purchase.

You could even rent some of the gear that you are looking at buying and try it out that way.

Happy diving

I think it would real crude and tasteless to waste the lds time to try on their stock and then buy on line..And people wonder why lds gets upset when you show up with stuff purchasesd on line..I suggest purchase all at lds..they will be able to package sale at a good discount to you and you will get it all serviced and warrentied..too many online places-leisurepro in particular-sell either grey market items with no warrenty or knockoff equipment..If you trust the lds to teach you you should trust them to equip you properly..Tell the lds the type of diving or interests you have in diving and they will suggest the configurations that will work best for you..That is what we do on City Island in NY ..we do not try to upsell you something if it is not what you really need..and we are there too help and go diving with you after the sale also..

 

[redacted]

..too many online places-leisurepro in particular-sell either grey market items with no warrenty or knockoff equipment....

Do you think you could give us a couple links to this "knockoff equipment" so we can see what you are talking about?

Shop around, Weigh the values of low prices, manufacturer's warrenties, convience, and a smile on your LDS's face. Know how much it will cost to by and to maintain. If the budget is really tight, there are some great buys in used gear; but it is not without risk.