Does anyone have any experience purchasing dive gear through Leisurepro? Have been considering buying through them online. Would appreciate any feedback from anyone who may have experience with them. Thanks!

I bought my MX-10 through them, saved quite a bit of money.

Aquaman

Hi Dain, Check Here.

Thanks Ellen!

Barry, You said your dive shop is underwaterphantaseas right? They want 200.00-300.00 more than leisure pro for BC's and regs. Leisure pro wants 349.95 for a XL Seaquest Balance BCD 335.95 for Scubpro mk20/s600 reg. 79.95 for Mares Quatro fins. 179.95 for hyperstretch full 3mm wetsuit. I called leisurpro regarding warranty and service. The guy said that they offer the exact same warranty that scubapro and seaquest offer. As far as servicing the reg. They do it for 39.95. I would have to pay about 10.00 to ship it but they pick up the return shipping. I don't dive that often so would have no problem taking the time to send it to NY once a year to service. I have yet to here a bad report from personal experience and the savings seem pretty significant. Let me know if I'm missing something. PS. The instructors and employees at underwaterphantaseas are great! We did our confined water and classwork last weekend. Now I know what a BCD and a dive computer are. Thanks. Dain

Dain, I understand your confusion. I went thru a similar conversation with the owners of my local dive shop.
They believe the equipment is originally purchased on the gray market or for consumption in foreign markets.
In any case, I decided that I really value the relationship I have with my local dive shop. They have been very good to me and are entitled to make a reasonable profit for their services. I cannot in good consience buy my gear from LeisurePro and expect my dive shop to feel warmly toward me when I need service. So, I'm willing to pay the extra dollars for their service, advice, honesty and relationship. When you look at it from that perspective, it's a small price for peace of mind.

You are welcome. Who did you have as instructor. I do like to support the dive shop that I go through but sometimes the difference in money is just too great. Since I do not work for the dive shop I don't have a problem buying big ticket items from leisure pro. I bought most of my stuff before I ever heard of them but I did buy my camera from leisure pro and saved $150 to $200. I bought my regulator from the shop only because I felt it would be easier to get it serviced. But I am currently looking for a computer and have been looking at leisure pro but may wait unitl I get to Bonaire and shop at Carib Inn. I was there last year and they were able to fix my BCD in about 15 minutes for $8. While I was waiting I noticed that the prices they have for equipment is much better than they have in the states except for maybe leisure pro.

Aquaman

As I stated in the other thread, you are getting a warranty from leisure pro, not the manufacturer. Does this matter? It will if leisure pro goes out of business. I pick and choose what I want to buy locally for the manufacturers warranty and what I just want to get cheap.

When I first found Leisure Pro I had second thoughts about using them because of loyalty for my local shop, but sometimes if you can save such a large amount and still get the warranty from them I say it is worth it. I agree with you Dain, I have a hard time parting with large amounts of money especially if it can be found for cheaper elsewhere. The dive shop does give me a discount since I am a divemaster and although it is not nearly the break that I get from Leisure Pro I sometimes feel guilty purchasing at places other than my dive shop. My wallet on the other hand has no guilty feelings and it usually wins.

Aquaman

I never have bought into the "support your local dive shop" line. As far as I know, they are not a charitable organization. I don't see a line on my 1040 where I can deduct my scuba purchases from them. Do I mind paying a reasonable markup? No. But leisure pro many times has the same items at 40-50% off. Obviously the local shop is marking things up alot. When service (i.e. warranty) is really important, I go local. When the price is close, I go local. Many times I go online. The truth of the matter is, the world of retail is changing, and those who cannot adapt will be left in the dust.

Mimi, I can appreciate your position. I would very much like to buy all of my stuff from my local dive shop. However, we are talking about a SIGNIFICANT amount of money and savings (40%-50%). The warranties don't seem to be an issue and Leisure pro has been in business for 12 years so they seem fairly stable.(I called and asked). I hav'nt been at this long and don't want to offend anyone but it seems like there is quite a little racket going in the scuba industry. I don't recall spending 800.00 to learn how to snowboard and now I'm expected to buy my gear from these guys at twice what I could get it for somewhere else because they deserve it? Why do they deserve it? Because they have a monopoly on the SCUBA in the area. I'm not sure that makes sense to me. Others may have that type of money to blow but not I. I may eventually end up buying certain things from my dive shop and will gladly refer others to them for training but I am leaning towards mail order for any significant purchase.

Barry, we had Tonya. She was really great. The pool was thick with chlorine though. Kinda burned my eyes. We can't wait to get to Bonaire(27 days and counting...) and try it out for real. I used to live on a lake in Montana and would take my dads gear(He was a rescue diver) and go out in the shallow water, but thats about all the diving I've done. We will be at the bubble night this friday to practice our new found hobby. Barry what BC and reg do you use? Dain

I have a US Divers Cousteau RDS BCD which is no longer made but I did just buy a Aqualung Titan LX reg last summer. Havent had a chance to use the reg other than the pool and Aurora Reservoir but I do like it and it was not that expensive. I think it was $329 at the dive shop.

Hi,

You might want to check the newsgroup:
rec.scuba.equipment
There is usually a thread about Leisurepro on it,
which pretty much echos the comments made here.

Lydia

Lydia, How do I find that newsgroup? Thanks Dain

Try this link:

http://forums.deeperblue.net/forumdisplay.php?s=2b04b3b7ba0cade82a3f3aba57136018&forumid=21

Beware: They take no prisoners!

Dain,

The link is below.. and either search on leisurepro or check the threads for internet or mail order dive shops.. Lydia


http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&group=rec.scuba.equipment

FWIW -

Both links will get you the same thing.