jaardappel once bubbled...
....I move around enough (1x per 1.5 yrs on average), so I intend on getting my gear serviced at whatever local dive shop I go to and not by mailing my stuff back to the seller for "local" servicing by the original dealer. In my case, that the cost outwieghs the benefit of what the LDS can provide me should I have bought it from them.
I think you may be confused about how the warranties work when items are purchased at an LDS and online.
When dive gear is purchased at an LDS (authorized dealer), then ANY authorized service facility, anywhere on the planet can perform service/warranty work.
When dive gear is purchased online, it may or may not be serviced by an authorized dealer/service facility (as you found). If you are diving in an area with only one authorized service facility in the region, and they choose not to provide service since it was purchased online, you're out of luck.
Many online purchases require the item to be shipped back to the online retailer (Leisure Pro, for example), for any warranty service. This can have a very detrimental effect on your dive vacation.
I'm not saying not to buy online. Just make sure you know what the warranty is (manufacturer or provided by seller), how service/repairs/replacements will be handled, and what charges you will be responsible for.
Also consider how long a ".com " site may be around.
I buy most of my gear through my Course Director in Texas. The prices I pay are below anything I can find online. I did however, just buy a Bare wetsuit system online as my CD does not handle Bare, and the outfit in Canada (www.diverswholesale.com) had great prices. I paid less than 1/2 of what I would have paid by going to the local Bare dealer in Denver.