On Line vs/LDS should I feel bad...

[Fireboat57]

I wonder if I should feel bad about using online sites to look for dive goodies and then running down to my LDS to buy things. I feel that I am using these good folks (ScubaToys.com, LeisurePro, and others) to get information and to find out what the world has to offer, then I turn around and spend my money at my LDS.

I only do this because these online guys can't beat the service and prices that I get from the brick and mortar guy. And yes, Pilot Fish, they ARE authorized dealers of the goods they sell and are factory trained service techs.

The only bad thing about my LDS is: in order to visit them you need to belong to a club that has a bad habit of forcing you to carry weapons and spend long periods of time in the desert or at sea.

Toby

Oh, just so you know: The above was a tounge in cheek attempt at humor, but Ft Lewis Scuba really is a great LDS.

 

[Donnie]

Toby,

I would prefer your method of "Getting ideas from the Internet" and then purchasing them at your LDS. Rather than "Trying on a suit" at you LDS, to see if it fits, and then purchasing the same dive suit on-line, because you now know what size fits.

If I had my druthers... I would always spend my money locally, (as opposed to the internet,) provided that they were reasonably competitive in their prices. But on the same token... I wouldn't spend a dime at a "Slob Local Dive Shop!"

If you are frequenting a great LDS in your local area... Support them financially by all means!

Take care!

Donnie