It must be because you live in a purple state. I live in a blue state, or is it a red state? whatever it is the dive shops in my area can suck depending on the weather and day of week, which also determines who is working that day and what kind of mood they are in.
The internet doesn't have a mood, just good prices, but no personality.
I'm still trying to figure out why I'm supposed to support my LDS when they don't give a rip about me? Maybe for they're bad attitudes and high prices?
Yeah! sign me up!!
You can shop online if you like. I don't like buying anything from Walmart so I don't go there. There are car dealerships that have given me cause to go somewhere else. I can buy a car online if I want, I chose not to. I am not trying to convince you that your LDS is best for you, your purchase doesn't make a bit of difference to me. You can dive anywhere you want with any equipment you want purchased anywhere you chose.
Like I said, sorry that is your experience. It is certainly not mine. If you don't want to buy from the LDS then buy it online. If that's what make you happy, get after it. It does seem to be a shame that everytime somebody has a bad experience at a dive shop they post it here and then everybody trashes all LDSs.
I like my LDS, that is why I buy there. If I didn't like the way I was treated I would either find a different LDS or buy online like so many do.
The debate rages on, the answer is not a simple buy it at the LDS or buy it online. If you don't like buying it at your LDS or online then do what so many have done, open a shop and do it your way. I can't imagine getting stressed out over where anybody buys there equipment.
As to the purple state, I think it will turn red after the next election but that's for a discussion on a different thread.
Have fun diving wherever you go! That is why we do it, for fun, right?