Scubastore??

[Searcaigh]

Yes, I know, I used it when I placed the order!



I called them, spoke to them (took me 12 tries to get through on their number, mind you, because the queueing system doesn't work) and offered alternative payment method (paypal etc, which they accept) and alternative ID source, etc. So they knew it was me. They wouldn't accept any of that.

In the end I took a picture of my passport, and used PowerPoint to black out absolutely everything except the photo and my name. They accepted it.

Now we'll see how long it takes to deliver...hoping all the scary reviews are rare cases!

Keep us posted on this.

BTW I checked my records, and I bought Mares fins and my daughter's Zoop from them last year with no issues, had them sent to my UK address and used a UK Visa card.

---------- Post Merged at 08:15 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 08:13 PM ----------

Read the fine print.

By using Visa's online verification system, you are basically giving up your rights to file a protest for bogus charges.

I am fairly happy with the system my bank uses which incorporates a password and they also send an sms to my phone with a 5 digit code that also needs to be entered.

I don't trust PayPal, tried that years ago and had some issues.

 

[RichWilx]

Scubastore is part of a much larger online sports shop called TradeInn. They are very well regarded on continental Europe.

I believe they are based in Italy or Spain and so are asking for a copy of your passport to protect them and you from fraud.

 

[coronerwyatt]

I just posted about my experience (http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/kudos/429937-scubastore-diveinn-has-amazing-customer-service.html) with the company. I love this company. I live in northern Ca and got stuff shipped from Spain (they are in Barcelona)in just a few days via DHL. Best customer service of any company I have ever dealt with.

 

[Pane]

I've used Scubastore several times. It is fast (inside EU anyway, no idea about trans-Atlantic) and pretty much always the cheapest for this part of the globe. It is also an authorized dealer of most big brands (big deal for warranty) and have pretty much anything a recreational diver could want. They also do occasional crazy discount deals for people on their mailing list.

Purchases I made there include 2 dive computers, a wetsuit, fins, and some random nicknacks. Seriously pleased with this company.

 

[Altissimus]

When I received that e-mail I did call them up to ask "wtf over?", and spoke to a woman who was extremely unhelpful and basically just told me to "do it or you don't get your order". Not great customer service, even if accurate! Once I'd finished doctoring my passport photo I called up again, and spoke to a guy called Thomas who was extremely polite and helpful. Also spoke to a lady by the name of Maria who gave me a 10% discount at time of order.

Delivery not yet arrived, but I'll report back when it does.

 

[communitydesk]

They look like they have quite a good reputation according to our data - http://verify1st.com/scubastore.com

We specialise in combing the web to uncover information on websites. For example Web of Trust is giving the domain lots of positive and high ratings. It doesn't look like this is a big problem for most people. Perhaps this was just a single bad experience?

Katrina, Community at Verify1st.

 

[buddhasummer]

Yes I have had the same request from them except they asked for a copy of my visa statement, the first five or so orders no questions were asked then out of the blue they asked, I tried to logically advise them that they had accepted previous orders without incident so was wondering why now the concern, anyway I complied. The next order they again asked for my credit card statement I ended up ringing them eventually we got it sorted, they no longer ask.

I like Scubastore because of their prices but service in my experience, not including the above, has been appalling, they could learn something from the likes of Dive Gear Express, Deep Sea Supply, Cave Adventurers and ScubaToys. I have now accepted this is the nature of doing business with Scubastore, if I don't need the item in a hurry the prices keep me coming back, if I need in a hurry or can find somewhere else at a price that is close Ill order elsewhere. It's a shame because they do have great prices and will ship most item internationally. I think part of the problem is the shear volume of sales they make on a daily basis, perhaps they need more staff.

And like another posted has mentioned, I too usually get somewhere ONLY when I speak with Maria, the others have been hopeless.

YMMV, good luck.

---------- Post Merged at 09:38 AM ---------- Previous Post was at 09:09 AM ----------

That site sounds fishy to me and I would not send a picture of my passport or my drivers license. I googled the site for reviews, and it looks like a 50/50 of some satisfied and some VERY PISSED OFF people!! Granted, a lot of the angry people were having issues with items not allowed to be sold in their country (mostly americans) or they would have to send the item to Spain for warranty service. But it still looks like people from all over have issues with them in regards to customer service and the shady way they handle business. They do look to be a legitimate company though, and they are listed on ScubaPro.com as an authorized dealer. I would personally avoid that shop... but YMMV.

If you read recent reviews on TrustPilot one of those very pissed of reviews was mine...lol

 

[vickobcn]

I've bought from Scubastore various times and also been to their shopfront in Girona, north of Barcelona. Like Pane above, never had any problems, gear was always as advertised and always the cheapest price that I could find it and delivered quickly.

Living in Barcelona, Spain I had to wait less than 2 days for the regs I ordered to arrive (3 separate orders on 3 separate occasions).
I would not hesitate to use them again.

However, I've never been asked for a copy of my passport or ID. This could be because I was using a spanish credit card. I was asked for a copy of my ID when buying a ticket to fly back to Australia with Qantas by their Spanish "partner" when paying by credit card (it was an Aussie credit card that time). So could be a European/Spanish thing when using foreign credit cards.

 

[Searcaigh]

I was not aware that they had a retail shop in Girona, next time I am in Barcelona i na couple of months time I will give them a visit.

 

[redacted]

There is no way I would send passport number with no idea how securely they would store it.

Why would a passport number be sensitive information?