I like to try on gear that is size specific, and that cannot be done with on line purchase. I join with the other poster that buying at a retail outlet has advantages, even if the price is a little higher, which it won't necessarily be. I also like the idea of buying from a shop that services that line of gear. With purchase , my home shop offers a 2 time "free service" on bc's and regulators, which has the effect of making them more than competitive with online pricing, and I don't mail in my gear, I drop it off and pick it up a few days later. But is you are an online only person, try Diversdirect.com.
Some online retailers (not just us) offer sizing services that allow the purchaser to buy a few sizes and return the ones that don't fit at no additional charge. Regarding the price no necessarily being higher, you are lucky. I've traveled fairly extensively and in most cities, the in-store prices are nowhere near online prices. Sometimes if you ask, you'll get a match, other times they'll virtually kick you out of their store. I can't speak for other online retailers, but LeisurePro does service the gear we sell. Your local shops 2 time free service is a great value added service and more dive centers should offer such things, but again, I rarely if ever see anything like that in my travels. Just out of curiosity, why did you list many reasons you would never go online, then recommend one specific retailer with no reasons shared?
The Best bet is going with your LDS, like the earlier posts stated, "most will price match" and you know its the right fit and color. I have never heard of a LDS item not being covered by warranty, and in some cases, they will replace the item, no questions asked.
Like Dennis, you have a good local shop. Keep buying there. Of the ~15 local dive centers in my area, if I pick any of them at random, walk in and ask the price on something, it's typically going to be 30%+ more than anywhere online, not just LeisurePro. If I ask about price matching, I'm treated like an idiot. If I *do* buy something and have a problem with it, I can take it back to the store I purchased it from and let *them* send it in since they are "too busy" to do repairs on site. So again, consider yourself lucky that you have a local dive center that operates this way, there are very few that I've been to that do.
As I've said on here before: before working for LP, I worked for an incredible local dive center. Prices, selection, inventory and service were all great and markup over online was *maybe* 10%, if that. If you have a local dive center like that, buy from them. If you have a local dive center that charges 30%+ more than online, you have to do 5 laps around the store before a staff person magically appears from the back of the store to help you, they charge you $25 to try on a wetsuit and they act like they'd rather be doing anything other than sell you SCUBA gear, vote with your dollars and go online.
(in case it's not obvious, check my signature)
