Should I feel like an idiot??

[Kunk35]

In my excitement in getting my new equipment, and getting ready to start my class on friday, I was telling a friend about what I got. Being a diver for quite some time, he suggested that I go to an online website to check prices.

Before I went to the dive shop, I didn't know what I should even be looking for. So to that end, I don't mind paying a little more for the advice and counsel. But. After comparing the exact same items I bought at the dive shop with the ones at the online site, there is something close to 400 dollars difference:voskl1: I'm not sure if I should feel like I've been duped, or just accept the fact that the people were really nice and helped me get aquainted with the equipment.

I'm all for paying for service, but I'm wondering if I didn't get taken since I really don't know what I'm doing yet.

I know there are probably several dive shop owners here, what do you think?

 

[Matteo]

it would help to know what equipment you got and what it cost to determine whether or not you got duped...chances are, it was a fair price and by giving the LDS your business, the extra money spent will more than make up for itself in the long haul in terms of service/repair/advice/dive buddies/etc.

 

[Diver Dennis]

Matteo is right. It's hard to say if we don't know the total cost.

 

[RICHinNC]

First of all I personally think you are buying too soon. You will end up changing things in the future once you have more of a grasp what you really like or need.

But since you have already spent the dough.....you will find that most dive shops will higher in price than on the internet. You lose the personal touch and hopefully the personal help as well by using the internet....but each has its pluses and minuses.

 

[Packhorse]

If you brought $1000 worth of gear then yes you payed to much. If your brought $4000 worth then I wouldnt sweat it.

 

[jpcpat]

Up front,I'm not associated with a dive shop.

Comparing a LDS with a website is tricky. Price isn't the only issue. Leisurepro, for example, is not an authorized dealer for most of what they sell, so you get a store warranty, not a manufacturers warranty.

Also, how do you decide what to buy? LP's staff are retailers, not divers. They know what they have in stock, and what people buy, but not what you need. I don't know how to put a price on good, honest advice.

Service: You generally need to have gear serviced regularly. Your LDS will probably give better turnaround time for gear you bought there.

Just my 2 psi

 

[trucker girl]

I can't buy stuff on the internet because I don't know what it is... how do I know the difference between this regulator and that one? This first stage and the other? What are the pluses to this BC versus that one... I've been diving 4 years and my limited experience requires me to depend on my LDS' opinion.

I bought almost all my gear second-hand from my LDS... and other than mask, fins, snorkel and wetsuit... I waited a year and a half.

Unless I knew someone who was selling something I wanted... I'd buy from my LDS. After all, he's the one who is going to be servicing it. I don't know what your shop is like- but mine is more interested in service and diving than in screwing you over. He does things he should be charging for free of charge simply because I am a customer.

I also know there are some LDS who see you coming and take advantage of you.

It's a little early to be buying a bunch of gear- in shop OR online. And, since it's already bought, it doesn't much matter now. At least you can take it to them if there are problems etc. And you can look them in the eye. Enjoy your gear. Even if you DID pay too much (which is hard to say since we don't know what you bought) ENJOY it.

If you bought mask, fins, snorkel and there's a $400 difference... you may want to find another shop somewhere (anywhere). If you bought the whole she-bang or close to it... then pretend you don't know about the $400 and chock it up to experience and knowing who you bought it from. After all, you usually don't really know what you're getting when you buy it online...

 

[dumpsterDiver]

My theory about making important purchases: car, house, boat, wife,, is that it is more important to acquire the correct item rather than get the cheapest price. Hopefully the local shop got you into the correct equipment and if that's true the extra money may not matter in a year or so.

 

[loosebits]

Of course, I don't trust my shop to give me good advice. Case and point, my former shop knew I wanted to start mix diving but that didn't stop them from trying to sell me a Suunto D9. What use would I possibly have with such a computer? Hell, I don't even trust AI. When I want advice on gear, the last people I want to talk to is people who have a financial stake in the purchase.

Your best advice is going to come from other divers.

 

[Mills]

Yes, it's certain you could have gotten it for less somewhere (always the case)

You will have to be specific about what was purchased, and be prepared to also learn that you *might* have gotten the wrong gear (wrong brand & model)

This is simply the 'cost' of being ignorant/spontaneous ... Salespeople in general love buyers like that... Your friend warned you...

Next time do your homework, never let anyone "sell you" something, make a conscious effort and become a knowledgeable "buyer".