Would you buy a reg and computer online?

[SandyUT]

the local LDS is very limited in the dicounting area and this is frustrating. My wife and I are lookign to buy full sets of equip and we are hearing on ly a 10% discount from list price. All LDS have evry thing at full retail list. seams like price fixing to me! If we are looking to drop 1500+ each at the same time, dont you think that is worth more than 10% discount???!!!

So - onlide sellers have better pricing, but (and its a big one) will we be screwed when it comes to warrnty use. Most of the manufactures we are looking at are very clear to state that onlise sales are prohibited and "grey market". This is a big investment it would be infuriating to not have the warranty should it be needed.

SO - would you buy a reg and comuter from an online store???

 

[BKP]

As long as you can get a full warranty on the computer, I'd have no problem buying online from a reputable dealer like ScubaToys.

As for the reg, I'd also have no problem with an online vendor, however, as a matter of convenience, you're going to have it serviced by your LDS -- might be worth the extra couple of bucks to buy it there...

 

[UnderSeaBumbleBee]

Yes, in fact I did from Scuba Gear and Scuba Diving Equipment - Discount dive gear (Cheap online!) If you go to their site you will find great prices already, but as a Scuba Board member if you call in your order and ask the Scuba Board discount, they will give you another 10% off.

Scuba Toys is an authorized dealer for everything they sell.


If you purchase from Leisure Pro some items do not have a mfg warranty, but LP stands behind what they sell and you only have to deal with them an not another party.

 

[The Kraken]

Yep. I did it, and with no regrets.

In fact, I purchased 2 complete setups from Leisure-Pro and have never had any regrets.

the K

 

[Nemrod]

Of course I would, I am not much into being racked over the coals. Match the price or lose my buisness. N

 

[halocline]

Sure, why not. Reg warranties are way over rated IMO anyway. You'll probably have to spend a couple hundred/year just to keep the warranty on two complete reg sets. Finding GOOD reg service is the important thing, whether it's in your town or you send it off. Either way you want someone working on them that actually takes the time to clean, inspect, tune, and test carefully.

 

[Stu S.]

I bought a computer from Leisure Pro. It had a small problem, and the logbook didn't add up. It was replaced under warranty, no problem. My BC was purchased from a local shop. It failed and needed a new weight pouch. LDS blew me off. Said they didn't handle warranties.

The Sherwood rep on this board made good on the BC warranty, and sent me a pouch. The idea of "buy local so you can get service" does not always hold water.

 

[shoturtle]

If you are looking at AquaLung or ScubaPro products, yes they do price fix and AL will not honor any online sales. But If what you are looking at gear from the other big companies, there is no problem with online sales an warranties.

LP sells Mares, Cressi, Oceanic, Aeris, XSscuba, Tusa, and couple of small other brands as an authorized dealer. If you are planning to drop 3000 bucks, I would recommend giving them a call. They will package what you want and it will save you allot of money. LP is great to deal with. I just brought a friend to LP to get her gear couple of weeks ago. She got everything from booties to reg, to travel luggage and save a bunch of money on mid and top grade gear.

ST is also a great company to deal with, and I pretty sure they can hook you up with great gear at a good price.

So if I were looking to get a oceanic or mares product, I would not think twice ordering on line. And if you do no worry to much about manufacturer warranty LP has SP and AL product that they was warranty them selfs. But if you are dead set on AL or SP, they you will have to pay a premium.

 

[DM Gary]

I bought my full setup from a dive shop in town, they gave me 10%. I went back and wanted an upgrade mask (Atomic Sub-Frame), they charged me shipping ($ 16) on it even though they stated that it was piggy backing on a pre-existing order. Their competition honors all online prices (not to mention, the customer service is much better. Thank you, Rachelle.)
What I'm getting down to is, if you find a good LDS and they treat you like a friend and not some customer, then spend the extra cash. If not, shop online and save some bucks

 

[CJM]

SandyUT.. I am in a very similar situation myself and posted a thread the other day about this. I was at my LDS on Fri and was checking out Regs and Computers. The guy told me that even though you will find stuff cheaper online you will end up laying out the funds later for parts and servicing and you could have warranty issues. Now if you purchase something from an authorized retailer online then you shouldnt have warranty issues. In my situation I was looking at a ScubaPro MK25/S600 Reg and he told me if purchased through them I would get free parts for life of the device and I only pay labor. But I also know now that there are no online authorized retailers for SP products either. IN any case.. the bottom line is this... if they are an authorized retailer and you can get the warranty honored if its needed and you have no problem getting your gear serviced by your LDS then sure.. go ahead an buy it online.. I actually may just buy my reg and computer from my LDS just for the peace of mind because I've take my Cert class there and I am already establishing a long lasting relationship with them. As for my BCD though.. I will be buying that online.