horsemen
Contributor
i live in the Lancaster area and was wondering other then sport chalet what a good place to buy from just wanting to com pair prices and options one may carry that the other don't
where to buy
- Thread starter horsemen
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TeqP
Contributor
What I like to do, is go to local dive shops and actually check out the gear I'm interested in and then check online for better prices. Especially for the higher ticket items, I like to buy online to save on tax. What I find is the online prices are cheaper for the same gear. For example, I bought 2 PST HP80 tanks from www.divers-supply.com last October. I had a coupon for $10 off, I paid $355 shipped to my door for both tanks ($175/tank + $15 shipping - $10 coupon). This was the best deal I could find. Sport Chalet was selling the same tank for $200/tank + 8.25% tax = $433.00. Which one would you buy? 
Unfortunately, divers-supply has increased their prices and changed their website a little. Looks like they may have gone "Hollywood" :11: .
On smaller items it may not make sense,but the big ticket items it does, IMHO.
Unfortunately, divers-supply has increased their prices and changed their website a little. Looks like they may have gone "Hollywood" :11: .
On smaller items it may not make sense,but the big ticket items it does, IMHO.
Wrong lancaster 
genxweb:
Horsemen would have a long drive, genxweb. He is talking about Lancaster, Ca. :11:
BrianS
Contributor
I bought the majority of my stuff from Divetank.com and Scubatoys.com.
Get the popcorn and a seat, this is gong to get popping.
I do not work in the industry, I am a real estate broker and Army reservist so I have no dog in this fight.
IMHO Visiting a dive shop, taking their time, expertise and using there floor space with displays to make your buying decisions while all the time planning (intent) to buy on line is IMHO not right. To start with, comparing prices between brick and mortar stores and online stores is an apple to orange comparison.
Brick and mortar stores provide: merchandise you can touch, try on, open floor space with displays, display cases, sales people to help you (who are there fixed hours awaiting you to come in) and provide there expertise (and yes sales pitch), heat, lights, carpets, changing rooms, minimum purchases required to be authorized dealers etc, rent for store space in a desirable market location that you will be comfortable coming to. All that cost the story money.
Online stores can use warehouses in less desirable areas with small cramped isles and floor to ceiling shelves an minimal lighting and heating, Staff can be minimal and not required keep brick and mortar store hours. Since they are usually not authorized dealers, they also do not have to buy minimum quantities of merchandise. So yes they can sell for less.
With online stores you can save money. But look at what you dont get online. No physical merchandise to look at and try on (something that must be important to you or you would not be going to the brick and mortar stores to examine the products before making your online buying decisions). You cant walk in and say, I have a problem with this and get it repaired on the spot, or do a warranty exchange on the spot, or a free rental while it is being repaired. But most of all you also do NOT get a Manufacturers warranty. Yes most online stores offer their own warranty that is supposed to be just the same. But my brick and mortar store offers mfg warranty and they also stand behind the merchandise.
I am all about saving money, but I buy at the best price I can find at a local dive shop. Do I ever buy on line? I might consider buying small stuff where warranty is not an issue and no, I do not go to the LDS and use their merchandise as store fronts for the online stores to check out the products first.
I do not work in the industry, I am a real estate broker and Army reservist so I have no dog in this fight.
IMHO Visiting a dive shop, taking their time, expertise and using there floor space with displays to make your buying decisions while all the time planning (intent) to buy on line is IMHO not right. To start with, comparing prices between brick and mortar stores and online stores is an apple to orange comparison.
Brick and mortar stores provide: merchandise you can touch, try on, open floor space with displays, display cases, sales people to help you (who are there fixed hours awaiting you to come in) and provide there expertise (and yes sales pitch), heat, lights, carpets, changing rooms, minimum purchases required to be authorized dealers etc, rent for store space in a desirable market location that you will be comfortable coming to. All that cost the story money.
Online stores can use warehouses in less desirable areas with small cramped isles and floor to ceiling shelves an minimal lighting and heating, Staff can be minimal and not required keep brick and mortar store hours. Since they are usually not authorized dealers, they also do not have to buy minimum quantities of merchandise. So yes they can sell for less.
With online stores you can save money. But look at what you dont get online. No physical merchandise to look at and try on (something that must be important to you or you would not be going to the brick and mortar stores to examine the products before making your online buying decisions). You cant walk in and say, I have a problem with this and get it repaired on the spot, or do a warranty exchange on the spot, or a free rental while it is being repaired. But most of all you also do NOT get a Manufacturers warranty. Yes most online stores offer their own warranty that is supposed to be just the same. But my brick and mortar store offers mfg warranty and they also stand behind the merchandise.
I am all about saving money, but I buy at the best price I can find at a local dive shop. Do I ever buy on line? I might consider buying small stuff where warranty is not an issue and no, I do not go to the LDS and use their merchandise as store fronts for the online stores to check out the products first.
ScubaSeanMaui
Contributor
Melvin, a local dive shop sells a light cannon for 300 dollars. I can get that same light cannon for 145 dollars online... Are you really going to pay more than double the price? If the LDS can price that cannon within reason, I'm game!
JamesD
Contributor
If I recall wasn't there some issue about buying certain items online (specifically I'm thinking BC's and Regulators as it invalidates the warrenty) or is that just an old wives tale I'm thinking of?
Robert Phillips
Contributor
You really don't need to try out a flashlight in a dive shop do you?divebuddysean:
For the original poster:
In order to circumvent Melvin's stipulations for respecting dive shops time, you could look on the internet for the equipment you would like to buy; Brands, styles of BCD's, wetsuits and such. Then you could travel around to dive shops to find if they stock those particular brands. If you find a good deal or if they can get close to online prices for some items and you feel the sales persons time was worth the extra you would pay, buy from them. If they have a bad attitude or don't stock the items you are interested in, move on down the raod. If you cannot find some of the items at local shops, buy them on-line. You would then be the one doing most of the work and it will pay off for you and any dive shops that treat you right.
Good luck.
Robb
JamesD:
That depends on the line, and depends on the on-line dealer. True, with some there is no warranty. With others... Including ourselves... but not just us, you can get a full manufacturers warranty. When in doubt, check with the manufacturer before you buy.
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