Where to buy in the US

[JamesBon92007]

I've had a couple of interesting experiences recently at Scuba.com. The prices on some items that I was looking at went down around midnight. My girlfriend was looking at a wetsuit for $120 and suddenly it was $69. We ordered it. Last night I waited to see if a pressure gauge was going to go down and I got it for $10.95 instead of $15.95. It is now back up to $15.95. Another item I was looking at went from $20.75 to $15.95. It is now back up to $20.75. I have not visited all of the websites suggested in this thread but in these cases the prices were the lowest I could find and their shipping prices are reasonable too.

I'm guessing that if "it", be it human or otherwise, is watching and if it looks like they might lose a sale it lowers the price. Or perhaps sales are slower at night.

 

[mdb]

I've had a couple of interesting experiences recently at Scuba.com. The prices on some items that I was looking at went down around midnight. My girlfriend was looking at a wetsuit for $120 and suddenly it was $69. We ordered it. Last night I waited to see if a pressure gauge was going to go down and I got it for $10.95 instead of $15.95. It is now back up to $15.95. Another item I was looking at went from $20.75 to $15.95. It is now back up to $20.75. I have not visited all of the websites suggested in this thread but in these cases the prices were the lowest I could find and their shipping prices are reasonable too.

I'm guessing that if "it", be it human or otherwise, is watching and if it looks like they might lose a sale it lowers the price. Or perhaps sales are slower at night.

Many online SCUBA retailers change prices overnight to "beat" the MAP restrictions, over the weekend, overnight, done all the time.

Also a phone call will usually lower the price considerably.

 

[KatieMac]

Planet Multi Store will probably have free shipping on that. They run specials regularly, too, you might get a few % more off if you wait.

I never bought from them, as I understand they're Italy's answer to LeisurePro.

Wow, great price if they are showing it in CDN $.

 

[dmaziuk]

Wow, great price if they are showing it in CDN $.

No idea.

Sizing can be a b*tch though if you have to send it back for exchange -- while they often beat LeisurePro's prices, LP has free returns on a bunch of items and if you're not 100% sure about the size... and that's part of the reason we never bought from PMS. Though in all fairness I don't know what PMS's return policy is like.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

You have got one of the best stocked dive shops in the country close to Ottawa. Go see Dan Humble at Dive Tech Training Centre - Gear Available in our shop. The shop is in Mallorytown.
As already mentioned, there's also Dan's Dive Shop offers Recreational and Technical Scuba Diving Courses and Dive Gear in Ontario Canada - Largest Selection In Store Shop Online in St. Catharines. I have dealt with both Dans' and got great service from both guys. Both shops also sell online.

 

[runsongas]

What is everybody's preferred online store to buy equipment at fair prices? For the BC I want, I have seen a very big range in prices. I found three shops with identical prices for the BC but I'm wondering if there are shops they don't really come up in searches that would have better prices for BC's and regs.

Adding to the list
Dolphin Scuba, Dixie Divers, Beaver Divers, and Dive Addicts sometimes have good stuff on clearance

 

[icechip]

+++1 on Dive Gear Express, Piranha Dive Mfg, Northeast Scuba Supply. All excellent to deal with!

 

[JamesBon92007]

No idea.

Sizing can be a b*tch though if you have to send it back for exchange -- while they often beat LeisurePro's prices, LP has free returns on a bunch of items and if you're not 100% sure about the size... and that's part of the reason we never bought from PMS. Though in all fairness I don't know what PMS's return policy is like.

I just returned a BCD that I bought from houseofscuba.com. I paid with PayPal. I also paid for the return shipping with PayPal. PayPal refunded to me the return shipping. I still had to pay for the original shipping to me but it was better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick

PayPal sent me the offer which I had to sign up for (it's free) and your claim has to be made within 30 days and the shipping cost has to be $30 or less. There may be other restrictions but I got back $15.25.

 

[Jayfarmlaw]

Leisure pro is usually my first stop for general dive equipment. Dive right in sometimes has better prices than LP. Dive Gear Express for lights and back plate/wing hardware type stuff. All have excellent customer service. LP returns set the standard.

Sometimes Norteast Scuba Supply will have incredible deals. Not sure how they do it....maybe buying liquidated stock...don't care. Bought a Transpac for half price. Just because it says "out of stock" on the website....sometimes it's not.

Good luck,
Jay

 

[FinnMom]

Remember too that you don't have to buy new. Just like all sorts of athletic/hobby equipment, lots of people get enthusiastic and spend huge amounts of money, then eventually sell the stuff once they realize they actually never used it much and probably never will.

Those that don't quit in 3-4 yrs often move up to something different like a wing, or doubles, or just a different set of gear. This too puts high-quality gear with lots of usable life left on the market for significantly less than new gear.