Should I buy Regulator from LDS?

[FranzKafka]

I am thinking about buying an APEKS xtx200 regulator. My LDS is selling for $675+tax. I can buy from LP with Tax and shipping for $120 less.

I really want to support LDS but have a hard time justifying an extra $120 out of my pocket. LDS said they would give preferred rate for service ($10 savings). What are the benefits of buying from LDS? I will probably buy other gear as well so it all adds up.

How do I justify spending 20% more on a purchase? Personally I really want to support LDS, but I am not a charitable foundation. Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[muddiver]

Lets see...

LDS = in your hand right now and you can inspect it on the spot. You also will get instruction (possably) on proper use and maintainence.

LP = You order and you wait for it to ship.......

 

[Jimmer]

Also, I'm fairly certain that LP is not an authorized Apeks/Aqualung dealer. Therefore u have no warranty from the manufacturer, only LP's warranty.

 

[FranzKafka]

Also, I'm fairly certain that LP is not an authorized Apeks/Aqualung dealer. Therefore u have no warranty from the manufacturer, only LP's warranty.

Excellent point. If true, that alone is worth going with LDS.

 

[Rick Inman]

One general philosophy is that it's worth paying a bit more to support your local shop so that you have local service, free advise and maybe training, and someone to walk in and talk to about the product.

The other side says that the LDS is holding you hostage, causing you to be forced to shop only from them or they will penalize you, both in service and pricing of other equipment, or in how they treat you.

Some people say you can't get quality service from online sources. That is flat not true. I have gotten great service and pricing from places like LP and ScubaToys and others. I have also seen dangerous service from local shops. However, I will still shop at my LDS whenever possible. The nice folks at some of the shops have become good friends and I want to help support them whenever I can. But I am not one sided on this. If they don't carry what I want, or the price difference is too great, I'll happily buy online. And I spend enough at my LDS, and bring in enough business that they don't bat an eye, and even service or help me with the gear I've bought elsewhere.

This is not a black and white issue, and you have to weigh the item, price, relationship with your LDS, your ability to service your own gear or wait for shipping, how much help you'll need, etc. before making a decision.

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Lets see...

LDS = in your hand right now and you can inspect it on the spot. You also will get instruction (possably) on proper use and maintainence.

LP = You order and you wait for it to ship.......

If you need instant gratification like a kid or you need instructions on how to use the regulator, buy from the LDS by all means. Personally, I would let the dealer know about the price difference and ask him if he can meet you in between (like offer you an air card or something). If he does not, buy online.

 

[FranzKafka]

If you need instant gratification like a kid or you need instructions on how to use the regulator, buy from the LDS by all means. Personally, I would let the dealer know about the price difference and ask him if he can meet you in between (like offer you an air card or something). If he does not, buy online.

I like the idea of the air card. I guess I will ask them about that. Is that common at a lot of shops?

 

[ClamBake]

If you need instant gratification like a kid or you need instructions on how to use the regulator, buy from the LDS by all means.

Totally misses the point!:no

The value of a GLOBAL warranty (honored whether you need immediate service in the Caymans, or your regular service on your own convenient schedule), the knowledge that the equipment your life depends on is being serviced by that guy/gal who looks you in the eye when you're in the shop, NOT having to pay for shipping your reg back and forth for service (that alone will eat up your $120 pretty fast), having folks that will give you a rental loaner gratis so you don't have to miss an upcoming dive, and supporting the LDS that you ultimately depend on (unless of course you're getting your tanks filled on-line or have your own compressor) is, IMO, DEFINATELY WORTH, the price difference.

Your LDS, like all other shops, have certain expenses and necessary profits every month. Remember, commerce = the exchange of goods and services for money with the goal of making a profit on the exchange so that the seller of X can, in turn, become the buyer of Y. I don't think there are very many LDS out there today who project growing profits year after year - most are just trying to maintain (or not lose too much). By taking away your LDS's revenue (including a marginal profit) on equipment sales you can be sure that those dollars are going to be recouped on things like air fills (anyone notice a rise in air fills over the past few years? Unlike rising gas prices, I am pretty sure that the "per barrel" price for unrefined air has not gone above $0 in recent history!!)

You can tell where I come out on the issue. You have to make your own decision.

Good luck.

 

[muddiver]

If you need instant gratification like a kid or you need instructions on how to use the regulator, buy from the LDS by all means. Personally, I would let the dealer know about the price difference and ask him if he can meet you in between (like offer you an air card or something). If he does not, buy online.

My point is that at the LDS you can open the box and inspect your new item before leaving the store.

An internet purchase is subject to the whims of the shipping company and might arrive in a smashed box containing the seporated basic components of your item. Then you go through the hassel of submitting a claim to the shipping company, ordering a new item and waiting again.

Example: I purchased a KM M48 from Amron and it arrived without any form of manual for the regulator. Fortunatly I am a very technical and experience diver so it was no big deal and I figured out how to download one off the manufacturers web site. Without the manual you have no idea what the reccomended working pressure is on the upstream side and what the reccomended service is to keep it in warranty.

 

[diversteve]

From LP's website:

Warranty Policy
Leisure Pro buyers find the best products at the lowest possible prices wherever they are. Sometimes that means without an English language manual or warrantee cards valid in the United States. In those cases, we provide our own Leisure Pro Warranty, which offers equal or greater protection.

You can verify this with LeisurePro Brett who works there and I believe is representing them on Scubaboard now. I've heard they've recently become an Oceanic dealer so it's possible that they're an Aqualung/Apeks dealer also. But with the significant price difference I doubt it, that's pretty much why their prices are so much lower.

TDL has this posted on their website which seems to indicate that Apeks/Aqualung doesn't allow Internet sales period:

APEKS - Aqualung : Tech Diving Limited - Home of Nautilus Dive Planner

I buy all my hard goods from them, boots, fins etc. since there's really not much warranty service ever required. I'd personally be a little more hesitant buying a regulator, computer or gauges though.

Another point to consider is that warranty service through LP means you send it back to them for all service. Probably not a big issue for you since you're in the same state.