Anyone have trouble with online SCUBA store??

[scubamarketing]

I'm pretty sure if we gutted the internals, someone would get hurt, we'd be sued and soon be out of business. I know in our case, that's not something we do.

 

[Kilili]

The LDS, and there are many around here, is the last place I would look for gear. I've dealt with LeisurePro, ScubaToys, Amazon, and other mainstream sellers for years, and not encountered any problems of note. The rare glitch has always been handled quickly, and to my satisfaction.

Much broader offering, usually better prices, and rarely sales tax, which would add about 10% more to the price.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I was at my local dive shop last just chatting and I made mention that I bought myself a new reg (Cressi Ellipse Titanium) and that I got a fairly good deal on it from LeisurePro, $100 off since it was marked as used but in like new condition. After I said that he had a funny look on his face so I asked if he had heard bad things about it? He said that one of his friends had bought a reg (Atomic something or nother) from one of the online stores (Scubatoys i think... not trying to name bash or anything, just relaying the story) and had gotten a good deal on it but when he went to use it, it was breathing hard. So with this he took it to his dealer to have it repaired and the guy said the internals were gutted and replace with some junk components. Because of this, the guy from my dive shop didn't trust the online stores for important things like regs and such.

My long winded question is this... has this happened to anyone else? Is this fairly common? I'm a little nervous now about my purchase and wondering if its misplaced.

I'd be very skeptical about the story your dive shop owner told you ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[diversteve]

from one of the online stores (Scubatoys i think... not trying to name bash or anything, just relaying the story) and had gotten a good deal on it but when he went to use it, it was breathing hard. So with this he took it to his dealer to have it repaired and the guy said the internals were gutted and replace with some junk components.

I'm quite certain that never happened. Scubatoys only sells new (sometimes demo) manufacturer's warranteed gear. I've bought gear from both Leisurepro and Scubatoys and it's always been exactly as represented - usually in the mfr's original box. I read somewhere that Scubatoys does about $6 Million in annual sales - I'm guessing that's not because they sell junk.

There's nothing interchangeable between Atomic and other mfr's regulators. So the alleged replaced junk components are a figment of someone's imagination.

I'd look for a new LDS. The Internet is bad marketing scare tactic is so 90's.

 

[chrpai]

I would *NEVER* buy a regulator from Leisurepro!

(But that's only because they don't sell Hog.)

Otherwise I'd say for pure volume, excellent turn around on orders and good "try it" policies, they rock. If you want someone who you can have a more personal relationship with and order non-mainstream gear that LP might not sell, check out the likes of Jim, ScubaToys and DRIS.

I would have loved to go around the corner to my LDS and get all the stuff that I got online (mostly from DRIS and LP) but they simply didn't carry it ( "I can order that for you." is a non-starter in my book) or the stuff they had was just crazy crazy marked up.

I get stalked around here for allegedly being Anti-LDS but the reality is I'm not going to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars more on less optimal gear.

 

[mike_s]

He said that one of his friends had bought a reg (Atomic something or nother) from one of the online stores (Scubatoys i think... not trying to name bash or anything, just relaying the story) and had gotten a good deal on it but when he went to use it, it was breathing hard. So with this he took it to his dealer to have it repaired and the guy said the internals were gutted and replace with some junk components.

think about it... can you see ScubaToys or any other online retailer taking stuff out? Think about the liability.


Also... is there really that big of a market for "regulator internals"? I mean I can't remember the last time here I even saw someone trying to sell internal regulator parts or try to buy them? (besides asking where you can buy rebuilt o-ring kits).

Even if someone TRIED to replace the components, getting "junk" random components to fit, seal and not leak just isn't worth the time and money. the shop would have to have a large stock of various internal components, then pay labor to someone to swap it out. They'd be spending more money than they would make.


it's amazing some of the lies that LDS's tell.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

I was at my local dive shop last just chatting and I made mention that I bought myself a new reg (Cressi Ellipse Titanium) and that I got a fairly good deal on it from LeisurePro, $100 off since it was marked as used but in like new condition. After I said that he had a funny look on his face so I asked if he had heard bad things about it? He said that one of his friends had bought a reg (Atomic something or nother) from one of the online stores (Scubatoys i think... not trying to name bash or anything, just relaying the story) and had gotten a good deal on it but when he went to use it, it was breathing hard. So with this he took it to his dealer to have it repaired and the guy said the internals were gutted and replace with some junk components. Because of this, the guy from my dive shop didn't trust the online stores for important things like regs and such.

My long winded question is this... has this happened to anyone else? Is this fairly common? I'm a little nervous now about my purchase and wondering if its misplaced.

You think THAT is bad? I ordered one of those mail order Brides off the internet once...talk about worn out and gutted parts!

 

[elan]

Welcome to the LDS relationship building LeasurePro is a taboo, you just do not say those words in your LDS .
I only buy stuff from the LDS when I see they are reasonable with the price. Sometimes they can give a good price on bigger items but they try to bend the customer over on smaller stuff, like boltsnaps, double enders, burst discs hoses etc. I always order those online. Most my regs I have bought either @ LP or Scubatoys or eBay, but I never say that out loud @ the LDS , especially in front of their clients.

 

[chrpai]

I agree. One thing that I'll never ever do at an LDS is interfere in their selling to customers. I never mention a BP/W while they are looking at a BCD and I never use the word "LeisurePro".

I recently bought neosport 3/2 suit with a 5/3 hooded vest. I wanted to buy it at my LDS but they are about $90 more expensive (not counting tax) then LeisurePro. Their website claims that they do price matching of authorized dealers ( and LP is for Neosport ) but I asked myself.... Do you really want to open that can of worms?

I wondered if I was too paranoid thinking they wouldn't really negotiate and then one day at a dive site I spoke with a diver who claimed to be a DM affiliated with that LDS. I was told something to the effect of: "no, you are right. they really don't want to match and bringing that will really only just 'start' the negotiations."

Well, LP has an awesome 'your house is the dressing room... if it doesn't fit we'll keep shipping it back and forth until it does" policy.

Save $90 + tax on the whole thing. Yah, sorry LDS. I wanted to, but I just can't do it.

 

[Hoosier_Dive]

I have used Leisure Pro for several purchases. I have never had a problem. It is difficult to spend the extra money that an LDS has to have. For me it means the difference between buying or not buying something I need or want.