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Scuba
Gear Buying Advice |
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DiveTulsa does not sell gear.
You can count on our honest opinion on what gear we like, use and recommend. |
Overview,
Thoughts,
Clarifications |
For most types of gear,
there are several manufacturers that make quality products. There
is probably more than one right answer. Over
time you'll develop your own preferences. You'll hear from a lot of divers
that one brand or another is the best, we all have our opinions. Ask them
why and try to find out what feature they really mean. There rarely is
a 'best' but they may have a point that is worth finding out.
The best buying situation is
where you get a fair price, proper warranty, ability to try things on
and service for the gear after you buy it. Keep in mind that most scuba
gear will need service, particularly BC's and Regulators. It is well
worth a reasonable sacrifice in price to maintain an excellent working
relationship with a shop who can service your gear. |
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Here are the basic places you should shop for gear:
• On-line / catalog scuba shops
• Local scuba shops
• On-line ads
• On-line auctions
• Other divers you know
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Pro's
and
Con's |
Pro's |
Con's |
Good Local Scuba Shops
(if you have one)
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• Ability to try gear on
• Advice (remember though, the shop makes money on
the brands that it sells )
• Personal service
(if you've chosen a
quality shop they should be friendly and helpful)
• Immediate delivery (If the shop has a good stock)
• Service - convenient and trusted service
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• Not often the lowest price (see local tip above)
• Have to pay sales tax
• Not many shops have all sizes in stock
• Check delivery time if the shop has to order what you want
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On-Line Shops |
• Low price
• Don't have to pay sales tax
• Carries many brands
• Large stock of sizes
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• You can't try the gear on as easily • Shipping costs
• Need to check if you get manufacturer's warranty |
On-Line Auctions |
• Wide variety and ages gear
• Can find great prices, be careful that it just doesn't look inexpensive
because it's an auction |
• You can't try the gear on
• Need to know what size you need
• Need to judge quality from a photo and description
• Make sure you can still get the gear serviced, it may be older |
Other divers |
• Ability to try gear on • Immediate delivery •
Can find great prices |
• You'll have to judge the reputation of the seller, and what kind
of care the gear has seen |
Comments |
Any of the listed buying sources can be good. They all have certain
advantages.
Believe it or not, local dive shops have the potential to be
better that all of the other choices. They are the only ones
that can bring all of the advantages in one place. The challenge is fin ding one that actually does that. It's incredibly rare.
Succeeding at this
requires the shop to be enlightened and to work hard at their advantages
as well as minimizing their disadvantages. Not all shops are willing
to do that, treasure the ones that are, if you have one in your town.
Expect a good price for what you want to buy. Be willing to trade a
little bit on price for other advantages.
How do we judge the quality of dive shops?
• Attitude
• Superb customer service
• Friendly unrushed atmosphere
• Don't use 'internet fear' as a sales tactic (telling you scary things about warranties and that all the gear is last year's models)
• Works hard to be price competitive and to come close to or beat on-line prices.
• Carries a good selection of models and sizes
IN STOCK. If the shop is going to order it for you, be specific about how long this will take. Most times if you order it yourself you'll get it a lot faster than if the shop orders it for you.
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