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#347
Support Your Local Dive Shop!
ScubaHawk - 8/26/2008 4:14 PM
Category: Equipment
Replies: 7



My wife just replaced her regulator and computer package as she was having problems with her Mares system. The computer worked fine but it was old technology; no complaints with the computer as my wife got good service from it.


I had the same issues with my Mares regulator and Dolphin Scuba Center in Sacramento diagnosed the problem and got the factory to replace the system even though they did not sell me the reg. Also, they were not a Mares dealer at the time. Now, this regulator has been discontinued and I have since replaced it with a system that Dolphin sold to me for an extremely reasonable price.


Cathy got a great price on a ScubaPro system and an Oceanic computer system. She also got an Aqua Lung Octo. The system was assembled, tested, and the warranty information was organized in a easy to deal with manner. We bought some spare parts for some components (battery hatch gaskets, spare battery, o rings, etc.) We had another system detailed at another local dive shop, but Cathy chose this system. The other dive shop was very helpful; Cathy liked the system detailed above a little better.


THE PRICES WERE COMPETETIVE WITH ONLINE OUTLETS !


My local dive shops, Dolphin Scuba and Fish Eye Scuba are worth supporting. They are good organizations.


Who do you support? Local or Internet dive shops?


markm 
#170
rescue15 - 8/26/2008 6:27 PM


LDS all the way. My LDS - Off The Wall Scuba in Middle River, MD is great! They beat online prices, provide great service and are a great bunch of divers.


Steve
#3936
seawolfdiving - 8/26/2008 9:20 PM


This is a very good example of how & why to support your local dive shop.


Many dive shops (not all) are very competative when it comes to pricing. And many are willing to negotiate (within reason) prices. Especially if you are buying a complete setup or multiple setups.


Since most dive shops (perhaps excluding large chain stores) staff their shops with experienced divers, or are staffed by the owners themselves (who have a stake in the quality of service given) it is likely that you will receive fairly good service. Service, should I add, that is not available on-line...


 
#622
Matt65 - 8/29/2008 12:45 PM
Well, I would support my LDS if I had one. I am totally landlocked in the middle of the Nevada desert, I have no dive shop. Infact, in order for me to dive I need to drive 250 miles at minimum. So, that having been said, alot of my purchases are done on line, but also at dives shops where I happen to travel to to dive, I try to spread it around as much as I can, but untill I move to an area where I have a dive shop, my current purchaseing will have to remain the way it is.
#2566
jreitz1 - 8/29/2008 2:39 PM
Hey Matt, I forget how far you are from Reno. I know there are some nice shops there that I have visited.
#622
Matt65 - 8/29/2008 4:27 PM
Well, yes, I have dealt with a few dive shops in Reno, most notably "Tropical Penguin". So far they have been very nice and helpful. In fact, dureing my recent trip to Monterey Bay, my brand new (4 dives) Oceanic Pro Pluss II computer which I bought from the Tropical Penguin shop had issues. While at about 40 feet, my computer suddenly said I had 5000psi in my tank, which is obviously wrong, in actuality I had around 2400 at the time. So, needless to say we ended that dive right away. Also, after surfacing, my computer wouldnot do anything besides go into "Wake up mode" no matter which of the two buttons were presed. So, to make a long story short, I took the computer back to Tropical Penguin, Kevin there made a few calls and arranged to get me a replacement, new computer, that without having any of my warranty paper work or reciepts with me at the time. So, all that having been said, I have had really good luck with Tropical Penguin dive shop, and will continue to support them as much as possible given my current circumstances.
#441
castanagajt - 11/11/2008 3:58 AM
I bought my first set of Zeagle flathead 6 din to yoke, Zeagle brigade, Sherwood Wisdom2 with quick disconnect and compass, envoy octo from Scubatoys because I thought there wasn’t any Zeagle dealers in town. I was wrong, I have two shops that carries Zeagle. Oh well, I got that gear for only 1500.00 for all this at the time I know none of the shops can even compare this price. Scubatoys is an authorized dealer. Now, I am building my brother a set from Steve at aai Neptune Divers and this gear is 2,000. Zeagle Ranger, Flathead 6 din to yoke, Zeagle Octo-Z, Aries Atmos Ai with quick disconnect and compass. This one I will pay in installments until I am done. For this price I only lose one hose and the Aries Atmos is a hair easier to use, ranger bladder is 44lbs of lift against 34 lbs. woop-de-doo. It’s a hair steep but it is our effort to support the LDS. When I have the extra cash I have a "Support local dive shop" day. So far I went to gr8divn Ron and Vicki for my APS Mantaray, ssi ow, dive reel. My favorite store "Scubaviews" Marilynn and Bill for my built up save a dive kit,all my rental gear, hat for dad, license plates, soon my Pinnacle wetsuit. "Blue seas" asshat can be scuttled for all I care. This guy won’t leave behind the desk if you are not buying a whole scuba package plus I get better deals from gr8divn for the same crap he has. "Desert divers" Doug and Caroline is borderline alright, I did find my din200 1st stage cap. "aai neptune divers" is my little brother’s favorite he wants to take his NAUI ow there and this is where the 2nd complete set is coming from. Steve is lonely out there, too. "Colorado river divers" I am going to buy 8 LP76’s tomorrow. Sport Chalet is not a local dive shop. Why does lots of people say this?
#218
DanM - 1/31/2009 11:50 AM
i live in sw florida, i support a few shops, i have also delt with dolphin scuba. Tim and Rick, and have been treated excellent and highly recommed them. Dan