The Great local dive shop vs. online debate

[large_diver]

Jarec,

Just to confuse the issue further.....

I have used simplyscuba.com in the UK for online orders. They have excellent prices, although I don't know how they compare to leisurepro. Simplyscuba is an authorized dealer for the goods they sell...the problem is that the warranty will be honored by Suunto Europe for example, meaning that you wuld technically have to ship your goods back to Europe for warranty service.

Note that prices inclue 17.5% european VAT tax -- you don't pay this if ordering from the US.

http://www.simplyscuba.com/

Click on "online store" to start browsing. They have great prices on Apeks regs and Suunto computers. For example, you can buy a Suunto Vyper wrist-mount computer for $283 including shipping. In addition, you will get an import logistics charge from UPS about a week later for $10.

 

[randyjoy]

I guess I'm lucky in that my LDS is also an on-line shop - http://www.scubatoys.com

So, I can pick what I want on-line and then go pick it up ready and waiting, or buy it in shop for the internet price!

'Course, I love the store better, since it is packed with goodies!

 

[bradymsu]

Randy,

You do have the ideal situation. Of course I'm not sure I'd want to live in Texas, it's a bit far from the Great Lakes!

 

[TexasMike]

Randy

Howdy from Denton!

Will you be diving at PK with the rest of the ScubaDillos? (check out the announcement in the North America Travel secion of this board).

--TM

 

[jmsdiver]

Let's hear an Amen to bradymsu's comment; Texas is a bit far from the Great Lakes. Gotta love those ship wrecks!! Yeah Baby!!!

But, Lake Travis isn't a bad dive (just nothing really to see). However, we aren't here to see things, right? Just to blow bubbles.....

On the issue of buying online versus brick and mortar: a hot topic a best. However, since I already own my gear (two sets and climbing), I'm into accessorizing. I'll buy locally if they have it in stock, but most of the time they don't so I'll get it online. Life support and anything that needs fitting (ie bcd, drysuit, wetsuit, etc) I'll have to shop locally because I don't want to send it back four times to get a good fit. And with the life support issue, frankly I like to see the whites of the eyes of the person who is selling me my breathing equipment. Not only can they answer questions, but they support the product.


Just my two cents worth

 

[scubabunny]

I still think the best solution is to get prices from the internet (and print out the webpage), then take it into your LDS and see if they can match the price or come close to it. Talk to the manager or owner if possible, not the regular sales staff. They normally don't have the authority to lower the prices. I bet most shops will come down in price...both to make the sale (better some money than the item still sitting on the shelf!) and also to keep you as a valued customer. Local dive shops normally have to charge a little more than online shops because they have a bigger overhead (ie staff, rent, compressor and their electrical bill, etc...all the things that make them a "full service" shop). But, that doesn't mean you can't try to bargin them down a little.

The main thing with buying on the internet is the warranty issue. LeisurePro does offer their own warranty, which means if something goes wrong you have to send the equipment back to LeisurePro. Not a big deal, but you will be without that equipment until they decide to send it (or a replacement) back. Its a lot easier to just take it into your dive shop..go to lunch..and pick it up again as good as new. Plus, online, you are never really sure what you pay for until you actually get it in your hands. Don't know about anyone else...but that kind of makes me nervous.

 

[jshimmer]

>> Plus, I don't ever recommend buying gear online and then
>> taking it into a shop to have it serviced.

If a "local dive shop" wants to treat you differently because you purchased a regulator or BC at somewhere other than THEIR shop, then they are not worth doing ANY business with. A computer repair shop doesn't give a rat's behind where you purchased your computer at. One car dealership isn't going to perform sub-par work because you purchased the car elsewhere. My local party store isn't going to give me less money back for my returnable bottles and cans because I purchased them elsewhere. If a "local dive shop" is going to give you inferior service or treat you poorly because you picked up your regulator elsewhere (remember, many online/internet sales are SOMEBODY ELSES "local dive shop"), then they don't deserve ANY of my business.

>> But don't expect a discount from a shop if you're a
>> first time buyer and aren't buying your gear as a
>> package.

Yet another reason to avoid them. If I'm a first time buyer and they can't make $2000 in profit from a "full package", then it's okay to screw me and charge me 200-300% more than what I can pay for it from "someone else's local dive shop" (via the internet)?? Again, no reason for me to do business with them.

 

[Jarec007]

I have made my first purchase of scuba equipment.. just the basics mind you, but I did it.. I decided to buy my basic gear locally and it paid off. I wet the instructor for my class coming up, and I was reunited with an old High school teacher of mine. He turns out to be an instuctor at the local dive shop as well. So I do see a benefit of buyiing locally. I purchase a pair of avanti Quattro fins Opera tech mask and someother minor stuff wetsuit boots and snorkel. thanks for all the advice... Now on to my lessons

 

[kcbdiver]

Buying Gear online could be a terrible mistake in some cases. Yeah, Leisurepro is cheap, but who's to say that you are not buying a rebuilt regulator or rebuilt BC instead of a new one. All of their major dealers such as Dacor, Mares, Aqua Lung/U . S. Divers, Sherwood, Genesis and others denounce Leisurepro. If you buy a regulator from any unauthorized dealer the warranty is NULL and VOID. That's why Leisurepro and others offer their own warranty program or lie to you about the warranty. Most dive shops cannot compete with the online bargain basement and here's why: Leisurepro contacts stores that are going out of business. They buy the excess inventory at low prices, but are not authorized dealers. Another way that they get the inventory is by calling dive shops and giving them monetary incentive to purchase the gear in large quantities. Dive shops go along with this in some cases to their detrement because individuals choose to shop online and the dive shops need to make the bills for that month. If you are not sure about what you want, visit your local dive store and talk to a real person.

 

[buff]

I agree kcbdiver concerning the post subject.....and if you do know what you want then skip the store and just have UPS deliver it at half price to your door.