Taking The Gear Plunge

[BIGSAGE136]

I AM ABOUT TO SINK A BUNDLE INTO A NEW SET OF GEAR FROM LEISURE PRO. I WOULD TO HEAR FROM SOME LDS GUYS. I DONT MIND THE SERVICE COSTS. I WANT TO BRING IT IN FOR 1ST TIME SET UP TO MAKE SURE I GET IT RIGHT. I ALSO WANT THIS TO BE A LEARNING PROCESS. AM I GOING TO CATCH BEESWAX OR WHAT?

 

[DandyDon]

You want to really and totally insult your LDS?! :upset: This is very touchy point, and you could see the worst possible reactions. Other suggestions...

(1) With the exception of the computer, get a printed bid from L-Pro. Then, go to the LDS and offer something like this: "I don't want to spend more than I have to, but then - I realize that local services are important, too. Can you give me a package discount?" I'll bet you'll get an impressive bid :$: and perhaps good reason why they might suggest alternate brands and/or equipment choices.

(2) Before you do that, though - you might use the Scuba Board SEARCH option, a neally nifty tool, to search comments on L-Pro, in all fourms. I'll bet that you'll get hundreds, but don't be put off. Look over several - especially from forums dealing with your equipment options. You might find lots of reasons to avoid L-Pro. :struck: Be especially watchful for information on how L-Pro deals with warranty claims, if they do at all?

After all that, then if you still buy from L-Pro, then you'll know more what you're getting into, and - you can say that you gave the LDS a chance, at least. Then be prepared to pay for any services you get from LDS on L-Pro purchased equipment. Remeber that your Octo-reg and BC must be serviced annually, and - you might go to DAN and search equipment related deaths and injuries. I think you'll find that the Octo-reg and BC are common problems - which can be prevented. I had a first stage fail once :scared: but my LDS took care of it for free. (I was one of the ones who caused the recent Oceanic worldwide recall.)

Now, I do buy things from an on-line company (not sure about SB rules here? I hope the moderator will edit this if needed, and not eraser it? :scratch: ) Bought my second computer and a camera that way, and then - when my LDS didn't have a $6 thermometer, and wouldn't order it right away, I put in another $60 order to the on-line today. But I give LDSs in Amarillo and Lubbock both a chance, first.


Well, you asked... Good luck!

 

[DandyDon]

on what the rules are on this, but if we can mention L-Pro, can we mention Divers Direct, 1-800-DIVE-USE, also on-line?

I go to them only after checking 2 LDSs, but they are indeed excellent about warranty help and customer satisfaction.:medal:

Anyway, welcome to the party line...

 

[ScottNY]

I'm on the LDS side of things for critical gear.

I did get one item from LP. And it was reasonably priced. But wouldn't have been much more at LDS. For little stuff, online is fine.

Here's some of my reasons... (which will mostly be obvious old news.)

Personal benefits...

* You'll get better service. As well you should. If you're paying retail, you should be appreciated. If your LDS doesn't seem to do so, then they're a bad retailer regardless of what they're selling.

* You'll know exactly who prepped your equipment. And be able to ask questions about it.

* You can be sure about warranties. Though you should always check this anyway. Some discount retailers don't have the same warranties even though they have them. Example... maybe your regulator will be warrantied for damages. But will it also cover parts or other items that might be covered LDS-wise, but not locally?

* Time to repair. Maybe and LDS has to send something out or get parts. But maybe not. Maybe you can get your stuff back in days less time then if you have to send it someplace.

Ethics & Long Term

* If you use someone for advice and help and then just go cheap someplace else, you don't deserve the kind of service you want. The customer may always be right, but you will have demonstrated you're not a customer. Don't expect to continue to get advice or decent service.

* You a novice at this? I am. Where I am going to find dive buddies? Online sometimes, sure. But also diving with local folks on local dives. If I don't help support that shop with my business, they're gone. And the 'intangible' services like just having local trips organized and such, will be gone.

All that being said, you should know prices. You don't want to be ripped off. I don't have an opinion on what a fair percetage markup is. You'll have to judge that for yourself.

Scott

 

[scubasean]

dandydon once bubbled...
You want to really and totally insult your LDS?! :upset: This is very touchy point, and you could see the worst possible reactions. Other suggestions...

<wonders if my LDS is concerned about insulting *me*.....>

<I tend to doubt it, and their livelihood depends on whether they*do* insult me, such as in high prices that won't budge, even on packages...>

 

[BIGSAGE136]

THANKS PEOPLE..EXCELLENT POINTERS..TO ALL OUT THERE THAT WORK FOR A LIVIN I DONT WANT TO INSULT ANYONE. I TOTALLY SUPPORT THE LOCAL LDS'. I AM A NOVICE AMD WANT A GOOD DEAL BUT REALIZE THAT $$$ IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE EQUATION. I HAVE HAD A FEW EXPERIENCES WHERE IF I DIDNT PLUNK DOWN $$ RIGHT AWAY THE LDS WASNT GOING TO ANSWER MY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EQUPMENT. TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY IF DIDNT BUY HIS ON THE SPOT I WAS TOO INEXPERIENCED TO WASTE HIS TIME. THIS ACTUALLY PUSHED ME ONLINE. I WAS SHOCKED BY THE PRICE DIFFERENCE. THANKS AGAIN FOR SHARING YOUR POINTS OF VIEW.

 

[Debbraey]

Many are affraid of purchases from LP...LP has treated us well..Check you Dive shop some match prices...They are now fully aware of LP and usually hope you don't check around on the net.. Good luck.....
LP IS A GREAT OPERATION FOR MANY ITEMS JUST BUYER BEWARE AND BE SURE OF YOUR RETURN POLICIES

 

[Detonate]

If you are buying just one item. A lot of times LP will be cheaper, and I'm not opposed to people buying from them.

However, once you start getting into full sets, 9/10 your LDS will be cheaper if you just ask them.

 

[BluJuJu]

Good stuff about buying on-line. When I was looking for a BC, the LDS fitted me up w/ 4 different brands detailing all the pros and cons. When I was pretty sure which one I wanted, the guy brought in one of their trainer's used ones for me to swim w/ in their pool. And when it came time to buy my Ranger, I gladly plunked down the extra $100 to buy it from them. After all that service, I'd have been embarrassed not to. And I want them in business the next time I need them.

I have purchased on-line b4 and find it interesting to listen to all the scare tactics that manufacturers throw up about getting untrustworthy gear, warranty, etc. They're afraid to lose business like every industry w/ brick & mortar distributors, and it would be nice if they stopped trying to scare everyone and just embraced the on-line market. There are a lot of ways to ensure safety and provide warranty support on-line.

For me, I try to buy wisely and have found that my LDS will get pretty damn close to an on-line price. And when they can't, sometimes I buy from them anyway. Service is important to me.

Brad

 

[ScoobyDave]

Insult the dive shop? Please!

I've bought mostly all my gear from online sources with very good experience. And yes, I gave the LDS a chance for package pricing - wasn't even close (I'm talking 50-60% more at best). BluJuJu, I would have happily paid a $100 premium for a local purchase of my Ranger, but the LDS was $240 more.

When I recieved my regulators from LP, I took them in to the dive shop and had them check them over and test. Yeah, I paid the tech fee to have it done, and it was worth the expense. Any problems? Nope. Did I insult the LDS? Nope. Did they take my payment for the tech fee? Yep. Total expenditure was still half what the LDS was going to charge for the regs.

Hey, I'd love to support my LDS with the big-ticket items, but they are WAY too proud of their gear - way beyond what I can afford right now. So who's insulting who?

Dave