Where to Buy Dive Gear

here is on ongoing debate regarding where to buy dive gear; at your local dive center or on the Internet.

Proponents of buying from your local dive center (LDC) will point out that if you buy off the Internet you often do not get a warranty or at least the same warranty as you get at your local dive center. Several equipment manufacturers including ScubaPro have strict policies against Internet sales. These policies have created a gray market where discount dive equipment companies will purchase gear off shore or from LDCs going out of business.

The LDC proponents will also point out that the Internet sources do not provide many of the necessary services such as air fills, equipment service or local diving information and that you should buy from the LDC so they stay in business to offer these services.

Proponents of buying on the Internet will just as passionately point out that dive gear is a commodity and you should buy at the lowest price. They will often have lengthy stories about surly dive center employees and owners who treat them rudely when they bring in the Internet purchased equipment for service. They believe that buying from a LDC is not supporting a local merchant who offers service but rather supporting an inefficient business model.

LDCs will counter with stories about people bringing in their Internet purchased dive gear that was not what they expected, does not work in their local diving conditions, does not have a manufacturer's warranty or arrived broken or missing pieces.

At a local dive center you will be able to feel, touch and try on the equipment before you purchase. The Internet site will often give you a much wider selection of dive gear because often LDCs cannot afford to stock numerous manufacturers.

If you mention the Internet at your local dive center the owner or employees are likely to be defensive. Do not be surprised if they begin with stories of dive gear coming in without warranty or defective.