Buying from Leisure Pro

[milosusa]

Hi to everyone. I em in process to purchase my first diving gear. My plan is to buy
regulators locally to obtain yearly service, but BCD's a computers I was thinking purchasing online. Doing search I find prices from Leisure Pro be incredible low compare to others. Is there any catch in it or they just have less mark up ? THX
milos :confused:

[shark.byte.usa]

Welcome to the board, do a search there are endless threads on Leisure Pro.

The bottom line is they are not authorized retailers for the equipment they sell and offer their own in-house warranty instead of the manufacturers.

Try Scubatoys.com they will match Leisure Pro prices and are authorized to sell all of the equipment they advertise. A less complicated route with manufacturers warranty.

-Garrett

[Scuba-Jay]

yup agreed. I have heard poor reviews on leisurepro's warranty program also...

[taliesin58]

My personal experience has not been bad with leisurepro. I got the stuff I ordered (mask, fins, etc.) but that is it. However, with ScubaToys, they matched (or beat) prices, offered advice (suggesting a cheaper octopus. One way a place can gain my loyalty is to put the needs of the customer over maximum profit), and the real warrenties.
Bottom line, I will still order some things like dive knives or save-a-dive kits from LP, but anything of vital importance and/or great cost, I would go with ScubaToys.
Plus, don't forget the 10% scubaboard discount.

[tstormdiver]

I've gotten a few small things from Leisurepro. Until the last time, I'd been happy with their service. The orders were filled quickly & I usually got the items in 3 days with regular shipping. The last time I ordered from them my CC# got into the wrong person's hands & fraudulent charges were made. I don't know if it was the # was intercepted from my computer, their security was breached or a bad employee or what. I called them to notify them & was treated with a "whatever" attitude. Thank goodness my CC company was on their toes & caught it quickly, so no real damage done, just some worry & headache. If you do order from them, watch your statements to save yourself a headache.

[jarhed]

I have had exceptional service from LP. I have ordered regulators, knives, lights, backplates, etc from LP over the course of several years. Never had a problem. Service has been prompt and the prices are very reasonable vs LDS prices which I find totally unreasonable. In addition, the selection of in stock equipment makes the LDS look like a garage sale.

In short, I would not be hesitant to buy any scuba gear online.

All the above comments also apply to SCUBA Toys which I also have had good experiances with.

Just my 2 psi.

John

[The Kraken]

A slight correction with regard to L/P's warranty position.
L/P is an authorized distributor for some of the products it sells, but not for all of the products it sells.

the K

[UnderSeaBumbleBee]

I have purchase online from Leisure Pro, www.golemgear.com and www.scubatoys.com

I just got a new Aeris Atmos 2 computer for $200 and some change with my scuba board member 10% discountat Scuba Toys. You get a full manufactures warranty with Scuba Toys with Leisure Pro the warranty is through LP.

[garyfotodiver]

Heeeere we go again. Buy from whatever place you want. There are no SCUBA equipment purchace police.

Caveat Emptor, I say. Et tu, Brute, and Dulce et decorum pro patria mori, as well.

[CODMAN]

I have bought several times from Leisure pro and Was very happy with them, until now... they've always been very helpfull with my orders (especially the big $$ ones) and given me good service, until last time...

I actually had a few warranty issues with some gear purchased from them, and their tone changed completely from very helpful to trying to get out of it any way possible...:shakehead :shakehead They were giving me a hard time about returning a mask that didn't fit and hadn't been used at all... Also, they basically refused to honour my Cetacea warranty on a faulty retractor and told me to take it up with the company itself (which they took care of gladly). And finally, I bought some of their home brand defogger. When I got it it was a very different color than the last batch I had bought (exact same brand), and it didn't do the job at all (the previous batch had been great). Bottom line from them was no way we are replacing it for you...

This is nothing major, but it has been just enough to annoy me and to push another customer over to Scubatoys. I'm definetly going to be trying Larry's business next order I place...

Too bad for Leisure pro...

I hope this helps you make up your mind!

[Zak OHara]

Why not at least give your LDS an opportunity to meet or compete with the items you like? It sounds as if you like your LDS enough to purchase some things. What harm can come from asking? At least you'll have some direct accountability should something go wrong later?

If they don't like it, can't meet or come close then try somewhere else.

[Richesb]

I have done business with Liesure Pro on more than one item. No problem. Items delivered promptly at good prices.

[shark.byte.usa]

What harm can come from asking?Why should he? I would guess that if his LDS was competetive he wouldn't be purchasing online in the first place. I keep my Online dealings to myself when in an LDS, it's been my experience they don't take kindly to the lost business or insinuation that if they don't match prices your going someplace else. Unless they have a written or know policy, I don't ask, even if it's a place I may never go back to, it's just not worth the effort. I don't go into any other (US) retail store and haggle over price, this isn't a street vendor in Tijuana we're talking about. Is it the position of Mares that we treat Shop owners that way?


If they don't like it, can't meet or come close then try somewhere else.OR just buy where you want and preserve your current LDS service and training relationship while it lasts. Keep where you bought your gear to yourself

-Garrett

[jarhed]

Why not at least give your LDS an opportunity to meet or compete with the items you like? It sounds as if you like your LDS enough to purchase some things. What harm can come from asking? At least you'll have some direct accountability should something go wrong later?

If they don't like it, can't meet or come close then try somewhere else.

In the interest of supporting local business, I have asked LDS's to come close to LP prices, I often get a look of distain that I would dare order from online sources, but have never been offered a comparable price. For example, one of the LDS here is selling the UK Light Cannon for $300, last fall, LP offerd a special for ~$158 and is now "regularly priced" at $184. With shipping and all, I got 2 lights for more than $200 less than the LDS.

The point is that LDS markup is so very high that even if they offered 25% off, it's still not enough to make it worth while to buy from them on big ticket items.

When you are savings several hundred dollars over the cost of a full rig and accessories, it's worth the warrenty risk incurred by buying online.

IMHO....
John

[Zak OHara]

I understand and can appreciate what you are saying. It was just a suggestion.

I've seen the look of disdain from dive stores towards customers as well. I think it is getting less and less as the years go by, although I know it is still there in some places. I also know that some will meet prices if they can, such as Scuba Toys etc. I'm not trying to create an argument.

It is not the policy of Mares to tell the consumer how to treat a dive store nor tell the dive store how to run their business.

[awap]

Why not at least give your LDS an opportunity to meet or compete with the items you like? It sounds as if you like your LDS enough to purchase some things. What harm can come from asking? At least you'll have some direct accountability should something go wrong later?

If they don't like it, can't meet or come close then try somewhere else.

Probably because some LDSs feel that even mentioning Leisuirepro is just cause to give the customer a hard time or even blackball them. As in "Don't bother ever coming back and go ahead and get your tanks filled at LP if you like their prices so much".

Why should a customer even risk such a response when the LDS position is pretty clear?

Edit: I didn't read the other responses before I posted. But, l think you get the picture. If shops don't give any indication that they want to deal, then why should the customer make the first move?

[Duncan_V]

I love SCUBATOYS.com

[DiverBeth]

I've bought several odds and ends from Leisure Pro and I haven't had any problems. On my big ticket items I usually buy from my LDS because they are an authorized dealer and I won't have a warranty issue. On servicing things like a regulator my LDS gives me great service partly because I'm a good customer. And yes they know I've bought some odds and ends from Leisure Pro.

LDSs know Leisure Pro and Scuba Toys are out there and they have to compete. The smart ones do. It doesn't always have to come down to just sales price but sometimes they can also make it up to you on the service end.

[Debraw]

I have always competed with Leisurepro/Scubatoys/diverssupply/diversdiscount/ etc. etc. . It's easy as pie. I just bring up their website look for whatever it is the customer was talking and make sure we are comparing apples to apples. To many times these days a customer will puchase from an online source and will not be told that the item they are purchasing is discontinued. Great it's cheap, but it should be known also that what you are getting is new, current gear. Most of the time I don't need to compete, people know they are getting a good deal when they walk into my store on new, current gear.

[jarhed]

An additional point I forgot to put on my previous post, I really like most LDS. I think that they provide good service and a wealth of knowledge but just can't justify buying big ticket items from them.

John

[*Floater*]

I have had good experience with leisurepro. Same with scubatoys and several other online shops (check out the "hot deals" section), ebay, individuals selling used gear and small retailers on this board, ... All good so far for me. In general buying online is safe if the seller has a good reputation. If you need the warranty then ask about it before you buy. Ask if you can send the item in for service and what service would cost. Ask about the return policy. Good luck, and be careful not buy crap gear right off the bat since you are (I assume) new to diving.

[Fordan]

Why should he? I would guess that if his LDS was competetive he wouldn't be purchasing online in the first place. I keep my Online dealings to myself when in an LDS, it's been my experience they don't take kindly to the lost business or insinuation that if they don't match prices your going someplace else. Unless they have a written or know policy, I don't ask, even if it's a place I may never go back to, it's just not worth the effort. I don't go into any other (US) retail store and haggle over price, this isn't a street vendor in Tijuana we're talking about. Is it the position of Mares that we treat Shop owners that way?

How much do you pay for a car if you don't haggle?

I can't argue with not wanting to haggle. I've been lucky... My first dive shop, the one closest to my house and the one I did my training with, prices things in their shop at MSRP or higher (the fins I bought for my course were 10-12% over MSRP, which with a student discount of 10% was just a bit above MSRP, as I recall), and when I enquired about getting $1700 or so of gear from them, and asked about a discount, said a little something might come off as they rang it up.

The other dive shop I've found about 20 miles further away gives me prices right around where I see the authorized online dealers advertising without me asking. I could save a bit more going online and getting the discounts they can't advertise, especially since I wouldn't have to pay sales tax, but this dive shop also spends a lot of time talking about your gear choices with you if you want, gives you a chance to try out your new gear in a pool, and has a 30-day return policy, even if you've used it in the ocean.

While I've bought stuff online, I think I'm going to give the second dive shop first shot at most of my business, at least for the big things. I can see going online for small things you don't care about service/warranty on, or where the shop doesn't have/carry what you specifically want. I bought a mask from LP after visiting their NYC store (local dive shops didn't have one that fit well, and LP had a number of them on display), and I have a box under my desk I got today from Scubatoys with the dive lights I wanted where the shop didn't have what I specifically wanted.

However, if I only had the first dive shop as option, I think I might end up doing a lot of online sales, local servicing be damned. I'm hopeful the first shop will improve, since it was just sold to a new owner. I'm glad I have more options though; if you don't like the pricing at one place, try looking at others before giving up on local sales.

[shark.byte.usa]

How much do you pay for a car if you don't haggle?I said (US) retail store, I don't really consider a car/vehicle dealership in this same category. But since you bring it up I don't haggle there either, I work for an OE parts manufacturer and the deals we get really piss the dealership/salesman off plus we're still entitled to all the dealer incentives on top of it. :D

-Garrett

[Puffer Fish]

How much do you pay for a car if you don't haggle?

I can't argue with not wanting to haggle. I've been lucky... My first dive shop, the one closest to my house and the one I did my training with, prices things in their shop at MSRP or higher (the fins I bought for my course were 10-12% over MSRP, which with a student discount of 10% was just a bit above MSRP, as I recall), and when I enquired about getting $1700 or so of gear from them, and asked about a discount, said a little something might come off as they rang it up.

The other dive shop I've found about 20 miles further away gives me prices right around where I see the authorized online dealers advertising without me asking. I could save a bit more going online and getting the discounts they can't advertise, especially since I wouldn't have to pay sales tax, but this dive shop also spends a lot of time talking about your gear choices with you if you want, gives you a chance to try out your new gear in a pool, and has a 30-day return policy, even if you've used it in the ocean.

While I've bought stuff online, I think I'm going to give the second dive shop first shot at most of my business, at least for the big things. I can see going online for small things you don't care about service/warranty on, or where the shop doesn't have/carry what you specifically want. I bought a mask from LP after visiting their NYC store (local dive shops didn't have one that fit well, and LP had a number of them on display), and I have a box under my desk I got today from Scubatoys with the dive lights I wanted where the shop didn't have what I specifically wanted.

However, if I only had the first dive shop as option, I think I might end up doing a lot of online sales, local servicing be damned. I'm hopeful the first shop will improve, since it was just sold to a new owner. I'm glad I have more options though; if you don't like the pricing at one place, try looking at others before giving up on local sales.


Nice post... I buy from a local LDS, LP, tdl, and scubatoys and scuba.com... and......

My LDS knows me and knows I try to be reasonable. I don't ask them to lose money, I pay retail if it is something I am buying because I can try it on (having inventory cost money) and they have some very nice volume discount concepts (good for them, good for me). They are a scuba pro dealer, and don't carry a lot of other stuff.

I only buy stuff I would never have a warrenty issue from LP...or something I can only get from them.

I buy from Larry, because I like him and the people there.

I get tanks from TDL and other technical stuff.

If Larry was just down the street, I would most likely only buy from him.

[garyfotodiver]

I have always competed with Leisurepro/Scubatoys/diverssupply/diversdiscount/ etc. etc. . It's easy as pie. I just bring up their website look for whatever it is the customer was talking and make sure we are comparing apples to apples. To many times these days a customer will puchase from an online source and will not be told that the item they are purchasing is discontinued. Great it's cheap, but it should be known also that what you are getting is new, current gear. Most of the time I don't need to compete, people know they are getting a good deal when they walk into my store on new, current gear.

So what if an item is discontinued? Does that make it unuseable? I have a wonderfull Aeris Atmos 2 computer that I bought at a very good price. It works very well, there is a manufacturer's warrantee card that the salesman filled out for me, and no one knows any difference.

Or in another instance, when Fujifilm releases their new S5 DSLR, I will buy a new S3 model. I should save enough to help pay for the lens that I want.

[Debraw]

So what if an item is discontinued? Does that make it unuseable? I have a wonderfull Aeris Atmos 2 computer that I bought at a very good price. It works very well, there is a manufacturer's warrantee card that the salesman filled out for me, and no one knows any difference.

Or in another instance, when Fujifilm releases their new S5 DSLR, I will buy a new S3 model. I should save enough to help pay for the lens that I want.

No it does not make it unuseable but if an LDS can offer the same price on a discontinued model or a newer model for the SAME PRICE, which one would you buy? I am telling people do not assume that all online retailers offer better deals than your LDS. I know for a fact I can offer better deals on new current regulators/computers/BCD's, major equipment for what other shops sell discontinued equipment for. I would like to see some sort of disclaimer from the scuba industry to advertise what is current and what is discontinued. DO you think you should be told or not? I think I just thought of a thread to start right here on Scubaboard....See Basic scuba discussions forum.

[awap]

How much do you pay for a car if you don't haggle?


I don't care to haggle either, not even when auto shopping. I do the research so I know about what the dealer invoice is and usually offer $500 over the invoice. If he accepts and come back with about the right number we have a deal. Otherwise we are finished.

[Scuba-Jay]

sometimes its just safer to go with what you know, and what you KNOW WORKS!!

[The Kraken]

Kinda like buying a stollen shovel.

It's a shovel. It works. If ya break the handle, ya can't take it back to the hardware store for a free "warranty" replacement, but ya can still buy a replacement handle. And for what ya saved, ya can buy a bunch of handles.

Now don't go with that, "It's life support equipment!" argument. It's about economics, business and personal fiscal responsibility.

Just my opinion as a member.

the K

[Debraw]

Ok I have started a new thread about discontinued items and the consumers right to know....

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=173517

[fast5frog]

Right on...They are a NYC business on the second floor of some building...very few if any are divers, so I hear. So you won't get to many pieces of advice. I have used them but for small items and have had no problems. But I would be hesitant on bigger items needing to be serviced often.

[daniel f aleman]

Only a sucker pays retail.

[UnderSeaBumbleBee]

My Christmas presents from me to me just arrived yesterday and more today from Scuba Toys. I am a very happy person tonight! I just want you to know that Joe and Kip at Scuba Toys were so nice to me and accomdating with my requests that I have been in a great mood since I place my order and an even better mood since my scuba toys arrived. I feel like a small child again. I have been deploying the long hose to my pretend dive buddy all evening :) If I can't get in the water for a bit to play with my toys, I can dream and pretend!!

Even though they were closeouts and I knew it at the time of purchase, I still couldn't be happier

[Debraw]

So when the term "closeout" is mentioned then you know that it is a discontinued item and you do not feel you need to be told verbally.

[darylm74]

Heeeere we go again. Buy from whatever place you want. There are no SCUBA equipment purchace police.

Caveat Emptor, I say. Et tu, Brute, and Dulce et decorum pro patria mori, as well.


...what he said

[garyfotodiver]

So when the term "closeout" is mentioned then you know that it is a discontinued item and you do not feel you need to be told verbally.

So the Tusa fins advertised on your website for $59 in limited sizes are closeouts, discontinued, or what? The three other seller sites I checked have them (or something similar; it's so hard to tell any differences) listed for $129. How can you sell them for sooo much less? Are they, G-d forbid, grey market items?

I don't mean to be rude, but you do see my point.

This year I would like to replace my two venerable Conshelf SE3 regulator sets. My LDS's want to charge me several hundred dollars more for what I want than either LP or DD would. Actually, only one LDS carries the brand that I want. The others would sell me "something that is just as good." Sorry, but after diving for more than 36 years, I know what I want and will accept no substitutes. And, by the way Debra, from my browsing your site, I learn that you don't carry the brand I want either. So you can't match the price.

[cgvmer]

First I have not bought much equipment.
Second I am new to Scuba diving.
I have purchased from LP, but since I walked into the store does this make it my LDS?

They were helpful, they do have divers on staff. The do have stock to try-on.

[Debraw]

So the Tusa fins advertised on your website for $59 in limited sizes are closeouts, discontinued, or what? <SNIP>. How can you sell them for sooo much less? Are they, G-d forbid, grey market items? <SNIP>And, by the way Debra, from my browsing your site, I learn that you don't carry the brand I want either. So you can't match the price.

If you noticed along with that $59.00 price tag it says limited colors and sizes. - no they are not discontinued, just sitting in my stock WAY TO LONG. I can sell them for so much less because I am losing money on them. LOL! No way, no gray market items here! I wish. I wish I had the freedom to advertise and sell things for what I wanted! Gary, I am not the enemy. I am on the consumers side in the scuba world. Really, i know shocking, but it's for real.

I am not against LeisurePro. My husband bought his first Uwatec computer from them and we bought our first BCD's from them. We purchased our regulators and console computers in our OW class from a dive shop that is 5 hours from where we live. We bought out mask/fins.snorkel boots from a shop that was 15 minutes from where we live and where we went to take rescue through DM from and my husband went through instructor with them. We shopped for our BCD's, 2nd computer and training. 8 years ago when I searched the DFW metroplex for a decent shop with inventory, firendly staff, and pricing, I could not find it. We were dissapointed and we really tried to buy locally. We ended up going with our instruction decision based on the attitude of one staff member. That staff member is now working for me as my Course Director. That shop we used to go to closed, and I opened a month later.

[bentex]

I am fortunate that Scubatoys is my LDS and I have purchased ALL of my gear from them, and gotten all of my training from them. I have dealt with Greg, Kip, Rick, Joe and Larry. All have been well informed on their products and patient with my many questions, which I appreciate.

Most if not all of their employees are divers, many are Dive Masters, and some are instructors. They have steered me away from some gear that is not that great or needed and often to a less expensive alternative. They have beat or matched any price that I have thrown at them without attitude,and still give me the 10% discount for SB members. They welcome me to try my gear in their pool for free any time that I want and use as many tanks as I want.

They have demo nights showing new gear and will be hosting a demo night for the new Heads up display mask soon.

They offer onsite service at a reasonable price and service all of my gear annually.

I truly cant say enough good things about them. I have surfed other sites for gear and to compare prices but always seem to go back the the excellent service at Scubatoys.

[milosusa]

Thanks for all your response. I ordered from LP Sherwood Avid BCD and Oceanic Isla BC for my wife. Hopefully will everything be OK. We want to start with jacket style BCD's and we read good review on those two model, so we go for them.
Milos