What is your favorite web source for scuba gear?

[Ari]

Do you buy scuba gear over the www? Probably.

What is you favorite source of equipment on the net?

Why do you like it? Why is it better than others?

Ari

 

[Diversauras]

Avi,

I expect there will be a lot of traffic on this subject but I hope most people do not buy vial mail or phone. Not supporting your LDS, and there are few places in Israel not convienient to a dive shop, is a problem. Repairs and instruction do not keep shops afloat. When all the business is mail order and there are no shops left, then what?:boom:

 

[Ari]

Supporting you LDS is a good point, but does it have to be at any cost?

I bought most of my gear in a shop, not through the net, but some times the difference in price is too great. Why should I pay over 200$ more for a BC? Scuba gear is an expensive thing, anyway you look at it. In order to use good, comfortable and above all safe gear, we must do some shopping.

I still do my service at the LDS and bring a lot of other business, taking part in many activities, through my diving club, run by my LDS. I try to stay supportive.

Thanks for the comment.

Ari

 

[Diversauras]

At any cost? No, I don't think so, and I would do the same thing but after I asked one or more of the LDS to make me a deal. Sometimes it is a matter of finding the authorized shop, sometmes it is convincing them that there is enough interest to make it worth while to be a dealer. In any case there have to be limits and the LDS has to want the business.

 

[MNScuba]

First of all, I always buy from my LDS whenever possible. However, sometimes they don't carry what I am looking for. In this circumstance, I will go to the web. For example... I wanted a Suunto product (Vyper, Stinger, Mosquito, etc..) and my LDS only carries the Uwatec lineup, which is good but not what I was looking for. Therefore, I went to the web and got a screaming deal. I agree, it is very hard to shop at the LDS when there are such great bargains on the web, but in those times I just pretend there isn't a website to go to and bite the bullet. I got well over the price difference in education and shared experiences from my LDS. If we don't support our LDS's, items like air fills will soon cost us $20-$25 per fill... try buying air over the internet.

That said, here are my fave's:

http://www.sportextreme.com/
http://www.scubastore.com/

 

[Ari]

At the end of the day, prices for scuba gear in Israel are quite good. Altough I did save alot on a BC and computer purchases, the differences wer much smaller on some other gear.

For me, I try to take it on a case by case basis. If it makes good sense to buy over the net, I will.

I will consider the following:

1. Form and Fit -- there are things you must try on.
2. Warranty and Service.
3. Reliability of LDS / Web source.
4. Price and life cycle cost.

The order of parameter evaluation will be different with different pieces of equipment.

Anyway, that's the way I do it.

Ari

 

[CAMPER]

I buy a lot of my gear on line, Divein, leisre pro are the main stores I use. I also have bought used photo equipment and computers from Ebay.

I am growing weary of begging my LDS to give me a break on the list prices. I have to do a major negotiation for everything, it is really growing old. It is a bit like buying a car from a dealer, you always go away feelng like you have been taken advantage of.

 

[roakey]

I mailorder when:

1) It's not available locally
2) I know exactly what I want without having to use a local shop's stock to make a decision.

I never use a shop's stock to make a decision and then go mailorder. Sometimes I'll still buy from the shops even though I know I can get it cheaper mailorder to keep up the relationship I've developed with them over the years.

My favorite mailorder shops:

http://www.extreme-exposure.com/ (Halcyon gear, EE gear)

http://www.northeastscubasupply.com/ (DiveRite, whip parts)

http://www.divers-supply.com/ (SeaElite Manifolds)

http://www.lloydbaileysscuba.com/ (Cave line, PST cylinders)

http://www.reefscuba.com/ (Technical hardware)

http://www.leisure-pro.com/ (General stuff like masks, valve caps)

And someday...

http://www.gavinscooters.com/

Roak

 

[tholt576]

My favorite store is:

www.scuba-accessories.com

But hey, it 's my store.

For stuff I don't carry I usually support my LDS or go to Leisurepro

 

[Ferrara]

Originally posted by CAMPER
I buy a lot of my gear on line, Divein, leisre pro are the main stores I use. I also have bought used photo equipment and computers from Ebay.

I am growing weary of begging my LDS to give me a break on the list prices. I have to do a major negotiation for everything, it is really growing old. It is a bit like buying a car from a dealer, you always go away feelng like you have been taken advantage of.

I'll bet the LDS grows weary also. Not only did they get stuck paying to much for the item. Now you want them to invest all this negotiation time all in the interest of lowering the margin further. I think there should be an hourly charge for negotiation.