More and more shops are adopting an attitude of "didn't buy it from us, we won't service it; you want our service, then support us by purchasing it here".
As soon as you hear that or get a feeling that is what they are implying ask to speak with the owner of the dive shop. I would give the owner a chance to explain HIS take on the policy rather than hearing it second hand from one of the employees. Sometimes messages get crossed and an employee can damage a business reputation when he has no pull so it's only fair to offer him/her a chance to make things right.
If that fails, file a complain with the BBB and put that on you "DO NOT RETURN TO THIS STORE" list. Tell your fellow divers about this treatment and move on to another dive shop.
If you stop going there and then your friends hear your story and can relate to maybe a time they had bad service, they will stop going. Eventually the business dries up for this store and they can't pay the bills and have to close.
Sounds harsh? A LDS has no business being in business when they treat cutomers or potential customers that way, period.
As for the pricing in the LDS, most manufacturers, like Scubapro, have fixed pricing at the LDS. The LDS is given the MSRP. The most discount the LDS can offer is up to 10% off any current model item. If the LDS deviates from this pricing they are punished by having their dealer status taken away thus eliminating Scubapro from the their inventory.
I'm not defending either side on the issue here but people have to understand why, on some items, pricing is fixed across the board and it isn't the LDS "sticking it to you".
It is sad to see the fixed pricing from Scubapro USA along with a clause for no internet sales, but Scubapro Europe is much more relaxed without fixed pricing and allowing for online sales.