As someone who currently dives with gear from both Atomic and Suunto (distributed by AquaLung) and in the past gear from UWATEC/ScubaPro I would like to take a few minutes here to well, call a spade a spade. (I single out these mfgs specifically because they are all well known to have restrictions on the MSP of their products as well as prohibiting mail-order and internet sales).
I have bought all of my current Atomic and Suunto gear from authorized dealers. Sometimes paying full price sometimes at a discount, typically the latter. Soon after buying a computer, one dealer lost their dealership. I do not know the details but a fair assumption would be because they did not abide by the MSP agreement. My UWATEC computers were bought second hand but were basically as new.
I have had excellent response to problems and concerns from all three of the mfgs even to the point that UWATEC replaced several computers even though I was not the original owner. In fact, they never even asked abut ownership. Once the owner of Atomic call me back to make things got resolved.
I have bought these products because I could get them at what I thought was a fair price. I have bought lots of other gear as well from other mfgs with out the MSP restrictions also for what I thought was a fair price.
Enough of the background ... on to the meat.
So while LP sells gray market products the mfgs profess not supply it to them. They have to get it some how. And that some how could well be from an authorized dive shop selling their stock. However, I noticed that within weeks of the new Atomic Frameless masks being available that LP had them available and claimed to have them in stock. (I bought mine locally because I need Rx lenses so I can not verify the "in stock" accuracy). This does not sound like old stale gear to me but more like "getting the lastest and greatest version".
As for the comment of LP getting stock from "someone who is desperate, going out of business" may well be true. However, it seems to me that it would behove the mfgs to learn why they are desparate or going out of business. Perhaps it is because they signed agreements to a particular sales model that does not seem to be working and they need to sell inventory so they can pay their bills.
The other item is that regulators and dive computers have serial numbers. The mfgs certainly know how to track these numbers. I think that if I owned a local shop that signed up their agreements I would want to know that the mfgs are very agressively making sure that their product is not being sold on the gray market.
For instance, any of these mfgs could buy a few computers and regs from LP and track the serial numbers back to the shop that got them first. If the mfgs are as strict as they say it seems to me that shop would no longer be a dealer. I have yet to hear of something of this nature happening. The scuba industry has enough "leaks" in it that if it was that the word would be out and I bet LP stock would dry up pretty quickly.
As for the service issues. Some shops are better than others when it comes to both sales and service. And just like a car folks can learn to service things themselves. Yes, it requires the right tools and the right knowledge but it is out there just like the product is out there. For many of us who own mutliple regs getting service adds up. Between the Mrs. and I we have 7 regs and 7 cylinders. I currently do my own visuals, O2 cleaning, and rebuild the valves and have a great working relationship my hydro shop as I do with three of my local dive shops. I will probably have some of my regs serviced by one of them but service others myself.
In closing, I would be very careful about how one portrays the advantanges and disadvantages of gray market products especially as a mfg. As far I can tell only the first half of your first sentence in your post - "LP is not an authorized dealer" appears to be true the rest, in my opion is specious. The folks on the scubaboard are a pretty savy bunch (e.g. Reefhound's posting) and I think they can cut through the BS rather rapidily. As such, if you are going to make assertions they need to be backed up - especially as an mfger. Cutting and running will leave no credibility.
BTW Darcy you seem to watching the scubaboard - any plans for Atomic to have a official presence in the mfgs corner? Seems to me that a golden opportunity is waiting.
darcyatomic:
Official word from Atomic - LP is not an authorized dealer, your warranty will be void. LP can not get our service parts, if you have any problem that occurs are you okay with another manufactures parts in your expensive regulator? They have not taken our service clinics or are authorized to repair equipment. Eventually you will need it serviced and you're going to need your authorized dealer then so establish that relationship now when you're making that important purchase on high end gear. Don't think LP is going to take as good of care of you or the product as your LDS will...
LP buys equipment on the gray market usually from someone who is desperate, going out of business and more than likely has been sitting on product for what could be years. We have had upgrades to our equipment and there is no guarentee you are getting the lastest and greatest version. I would also plan sending any regulators you buy there for a full service before use - again you have no idea how long it sat on someones shelf. think about it.... you're spending a lot of money - make sure it's the real deal, and you have a full manufactures warrnty. Would you buy your Mercedes from an unauthorized dealer?
Darcy Benward
Atomic Aquatics
