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HAIGH QUARRY OPENING FOR THE 2012 SEASON IN jANUARY?
Capt. Darrick Lorenzen
1/7/2012
No, the season at Haigh Quarry is not opening this weekend! It will open for the 2012 season on Saturday April 7th, but because of our unusually warm weather Tina has decided to give Midwest divers a chance to scratch th...

SCUBA DIVERS LEFT BEHIND IN FLORIDA
Capt. Darrick Lorenzen
10/6/2011
The U.S. Coast Guard said Tuesday that it was investigating RJ Diving Ventures of Miami Florida. The investigation was initiated because the dive operator left behind two tourists while they were scuba diving.   D...

10 WORST MISTAKES MADE BY RECREATIONAL DIVERS
Capt. Darrick Lorenzen
9/30/2011
1.      Don’t make safety decisions based on financial considerations! Many fatalities and injuries occur because people want diving, dive training or dive travel to be cheap, easy and fast. Always use the proper equipme...

MSD FORUMS - GENERAL EQUIPMENT DISCUSSIONS
TOPIC: Internet Equipment sales
diveshopowner
Posted: 11/24/2007 12:09:43 PM

Joined on
7/28/2007
As a dive shop owner I am very interested in how the public views internet gear sales. Is there truly a cost savings? Do you feel the equipment is safe? Can you get it repaired if it breaks. How do you handle the warrantee service? What happens if you bring gear purchased on the internet to be serviced at a dive shop? Etc. Etc.
MgicTwnger
Posted: 11/24/2007 12:33:57 PM

Joined on
6/1/2006
As a dive shop owner I am very interested in how the public views internet gear sales. Is there truly a cost savings? Do you feel the equipment is safe? Can you get it repaired if it breaks. How do you handle the warrantee service? What happens if you bring gear purchased on the internet to be serviced at a dive shop? Etc. Etc.

 

I'll take these one at a time:

Is there truly a cost savings? - definately

Do you feel the equipment is safe? - Same stuff as you get at an LDS, so why not?

Can you get it repaired if it breaks. How do you handle the warrantee service? - I send it back to where I bought it. I buy only from reputable dealers, and have never had any problems with returns, exchanges (for sizing) or repairs. My LDS sends repairs out, anyway.

What happens if you bring gear purchased on the internet to be serviced at a dive shop? - No problems with anything I bring in. A lot of my gear is  used and/or brands they do not carry.

I should say that I will buy at my LDS when they have what I want at a fair price, but they cater to once-a-year warm-water divers and do not carry what a diver who gets his kicks diving wrecks in lake Michigan needs.

I am not the one who needs mental help. I just need to vent.

Carmella Soprano

sobfrogg
Posted: 11/24/2007 12:48:00 PM

Joined on
8/4/2006

I have to say I use internet sales.

Let me say that when it comes for stuff I use to teach w/ then I get my gear from the LDS I work for. We are a growing store w/ a new owner so things are changing all the time, but when I need stuff for my dives(off my boat no clients) than if i need something i will get it were I can get it the fastest. Cost is not always the reason.

If I need a spare deco reg. My shop does not carry the reg I want and use. Another LDS near my house can order it but it will take 3-4 weeks. If I can order online and get it in 2-3 days well then thats the way I will go. Shure I may save some money but time is money. I can not wait 3-4 weeks to get gear.  When it comes to service. I can service my own gear. I have use of the flow bench at the shop so that is not an issue.

Here is just a little thought. If a shop is going to sell a line then sell it. If something is not in stock get it. Mabey even offer it with a little discount.  I am  not saying give it away.. But, a little something will go a long way. Mabey first serivce free labor. How about a free air fill or 2. Not big things but stuff to make a customer feal wanted and apreciated.

 

 
diveshopowner
Posted: 11/25/2007 7:23:44 AM

Joined on
7/28/2007

 What is the most attractive advantage of buying gear over the internet?
PDSLTD
Posted: 11/25/2007 9:40:53 AM

Joined on
6/28/2006

I can buy more for less....

I bought 2 BCD's (Zeagle) over the internet for $56.00 more than my local DS wanted for one.  Now I have an Escape for travel and a Ranger for local.  $35.00 of the $56.00 was for shipping and no sales tax.

To Error on the side of Safety,
is to Live and Dive Again.
quinn2187
Posted: 2/15/2009 4:18:28 PM

Joined on
9/5/2007

 around where i am the lds are very high on price, and they really only push one brand. if you want something from a different brand you have to go with the internet. but i will say i feel more comfortable going into my lds and being able to ask the questions and have someone with alot of experience and knowledge answer them.