Do any of the dive shops stock 3mm vests or beanies? No-one around my area stocks tropical gear so I can't get anything before my trip. The water temps seem a bit chilly lately.

Sounds like Bruce at Caribe Inn has a good supply , i just got my 5mm and beanie yesterday. Two sleeps and a wakeup.

might try a 2nd day order from leisurepro.com...they show a nice 1mm hooded vest (in stock) for about $45US

I got my vest from Bruce at Carib Inn last summer. A good selecton, excellent price. I was much warmer diving Coz three weeks ago. I like trying clothing on, so did not want to order it on line.

You can email him, bruce@caribinn.com, to find out what he is carrying. Not sure about the beanie.

Thanks everyone; I think I'll go visit Bruce when I get to Bonaire. Not enough time to order from LP, and I like to try stuff on before I buy it.

I personally wouldn't buy anything from Leisure Pro, they are a grey market dealer, much of the gear they sell they are not authorized to sell by the manufacturer.

If my LDS does not carry what I am looking for I usually purchase from scubatoys.com, they are authorized dealers of everything they sell, their prices are great and their customer service is excellent. Not sure where you are from but they have a shop in Carrollton TX, as well as online, www.scubatoys.com

Thanks everyone. I actually found a local shop where I found a 3mm vest that fit. Nothing beats last-minute shopping!

Leisure Pro has treated me well in the last 15 years! For your information, any on line diveshop is not authorized to sell by the manufacturer! That includes scubstoys! The warrantee that L/P offers is longer then the OEM's, and I have used it! The GRAY market, as you put it is created by the LDS!

Ron, I would love to know where you get your info sometimes.

Yes, Dive shop can sell online if they have the OK to do so. Certain lines of equipment you cannot sell on line.

The gray market is companys like Leisurepro selling equipment under manufactures set prices that your LDS has to abide by.

So please get your fact staight before jumping on your LDS.

Ron, Sorry if my comments on LeisurePro upset you BUT your information is not at all accurate.

Regardless of how well Leisurepro may have treated you it does not change the fact that they are a grey market dealer and NOT authorized by many manufacturers to sell much of the gear they offer. And while they do offer their own warranty that is because the OEM will not warranty gear sold by LeisurePro, or any other grey market, non authorized dealer for that matter.

And yes some OEM's do not allow authorized sale of their gear online, However there are other equipment manufacturers that DO authorize certain online retailers to sell their gear, and with that comes the full backing of the OEM. Scuba Toys was an example I used because they are in-fact authorized by the all of the OEM's to sell the equipment they advertise. Contact any of the OEM's for the gear scubatoys sells and they will confirm this. I know this because I have researched it. There are other authorized online dealers out there as well...however LeisurePro is not one of them.

Anyone who doubts this, all you need to do is contact the OEM of the gear you are looking to purchase and ask if LeisurePro is authorized to sell their equipment. You will find that the majority of the time they are not.

Divers should always try to support their LDS first and purchase equipment through them. However, there are times when your LDS may not offer what you are looking for and you may need to look online. If you do look online you should always verify through the OEM that the online retailer is an authorized dealer. This can usually be done directly through the OEM web page.

Bruce does a good job and I would have no problem recommending his shop!

Dan,

Who said anything about Bruce's dive shop.

Post # 2. and post # 4.

Oh - and # 5 also.

Scroll up dude.

Patrick, I was not jumping on any LDS! I was defending a business that has treated me well! My information came from manufacturers of gear I have purchased over the years.

David, Bruse is number 1 in my book! We use him when ever we have problems.

OK, what's an OEM?

Ron, if equipment you buy from LP needs servicing or repair, who do you go to get it fixed? We always buy from our LDS unless it's something they don't carry...but for all life support gear, we buy from the lds...dry suits, regs, bc's, tanks, air, computers. I was told that if you bought online, you don't get the manufacturers warranty...again, just what I've "heard."

OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer

Cyndelee, I bought a Genesis React Pro inline console computer from L/P, and had a problem with it. Sent it back to L/P, and they repaired it, and paid for the shipping/Handleing both ways. I fix my oun regs. I am a certified tech, and my LDS orders parts for me if I don't have them in stock. I don't work on anybody elses equipment, but the family, and a couple close friends. I get all my POP preasure spec's from the OEM companies. All I have to give them is my cert. number in return.
Yes, it is true that the factoy warranty is not honored if you buy on line, but if you can get a warrantee that is longer then OEM, what is the risk? The gray market is created by the LDS's, and I don't blame them for doing so! Dive equipment is sold under the fair trade law, which means that the price is what it is. Money has power! Don't let anyone tell you that places like L/P sell nothing but defects, or seconds! The L/P buyers buy lots of equipment all the time. They can afford to give a GOOD discount even after S/Hing... Getting Carried away... Ron

darn...online purchase...HOW will i ever get my hooded vest serviced???



(give to judy and tell her to wash it)

Ron, if you are visiting in my area and need something, please just keep on driving by. I truly believe in supporting the LDS. Without support the LDS'a will go under, even for the smallest purchases. I can understanding saving money, not at the expense of the LDS.

Ron, thanks for the explaination. I'm like Rick however, and buy from the LDS if they have it....if they don't...well, then www.scuba.com get's my business as they are located locally, and if I have an issue, I can drive to the office

Our LDS sold to another LDS recently, and I needed a new BC. I looked online, and went to the manufacturers website and saw the SRP...the new LDS is definitely more 'sales" oriented than the old owners and I had to haggle with them a bit to get it to the SRP. I could have bought it online for cheaper, but, I am like Rick...

With the old LDS owners, I wouldn't have to haggle, they automatically gave me the honorary "10%" discount.

I deal with 4 LDS in our area. I buy alot of stuff from them, but being on a fixed income, I do shop online for the big dollar stuff. If a shop can't service the item, then I will buy elsewhere.
Rick, sorry you feel that way, but if you are ever in my area, please stop by, I like to meet BTers.

Hmmm, if you don't dive locally, where is your LDS? Is my LDS Bruce Bowker, because he deals with my equipment problems, and the majority of my diving is on Bonaire? I probably buy a fair percentage my gear from Bruce. I mean, I don't dive with or train at my LDS in the city (Pan Aqua.) I do buy stuff there because I like them and I like the shop, They carry good equipment and I can try stuff on. I've been going there for years, and I have them service my gear. A lot of what we have is Scubapro, and those prices are locked in in my experience.

Cynde, if the new dive shop tried to charge me over MSRP, I think I might huff and puff and ask why.

The Olympus rep told me today that my LDS, Pan Aqua, is not one of their dealers; their local dealer here is (drumrollllllllllll)

Leisure Pro. Totally circular thread, eh what?

Seb, it's a little sad for us because the old owners were very down to earth, didn't want to rip you off, all that. the new owners have four other shops in the area, and are hard core "retail sales" oriented. guess that's why they have four successful other shops...but, you certainly have to haggle to get the 10%. I basically had to tell them the price I wanted, or I was going elswhere, then they "buckled."

Our stuff is scubapro as well, and I sort of dread having to have our equipment serviced there. They were charging something like ten bucks for a tank banger!

Cynde - take it Bruce on Bonaire and call it a service trip and write it off. OK - kinda kidding - but all kidding aside - I have never met nicer, more reasonable and capable people in my life. We had several malfunctions this year and Bruce and his staff took care of it ALL! A sliced hose, a crack in the back of a computer, a missing octo... all taken care of - and quickly.

What a GREAT place.

Unfortunately, LDS's in our area are becoming few and far between. I give ours as much business as I can. Replacement booties, flashlights, servicing the reg......etc. But on major dollar purchases, like replacing my computer, I go online!

The owner of our LDS is a friend of mine. He says there is no way a dive shop can make it, if they are even counting on 5% of their NET profits coming from sales. He says the money is in repair, servicing equipment, and teaching with various local organizations. He's a full time history teacher, and does this on the side.

How do Leisure Pro, Divers Direct, and others sell far below MSRP if they can't buy from the manufacturer? We'll, it's the LDS, PARTIALLY! Got some inventory you haven't moved.....call us!! Need a quick grand or two? Order X number of this from your supplier, and we'll give you X over and above your cost!

Want some equipment cheap? Go online! Worried about your warranty? Don't be!! Press it with the OEM, and you'll get your way! Can you imagine the class action lawsuits that would ensue because consumers bought from one outlet as opposed to another. Want to get certified? Spend a few weeks at home, and do your check out dives in a cold quarry? Or in the Caribbean and have it over in 3 days at the same price?

Things change guys!! Albums, cassettes, corded phones, etc. have gone by the wayside. Not because of anything the business owners or employees have done wrong!! Times, consumer tastes, and opportunities to save money change.

YoMO, Bruce has helped me out a couple of times while on island. We do so much diving locally, that I need to have our gear serviced here regularly...I'm sure they will be ok with that, it's just that everything else is so expensive in their shop. I asked if they would service our dry suits when needed, they said they would...but again, it's just the "retail sales' attitude that is crummy...just fake...i know it's why they are still in business, but it makes it feel so impersonal...sigh...

Tad, I could not disagree with you more...

I have old gear that works fine. I had it serviced by my LDS seven years ago. On our first dive after the service, my son's reg leaked. Bruce fixed it for almost no money; like $5. Since that time he is the only one that works on our stuff. I trust him completely.

Link to AquaLung web page re: Leisurepro and Grey Market dealers and products.

http://www.aqualung.com/us/content/view/265/