Posted by Kendall Raine on September 10, 2002 at 09:17:54:
In Reply to: Re: Calling All Divers! posted by Marc on September 10, 2002 at 06:23:17:
There's more to dive gear than whether it functions as advertized. Lots of gear "works", but is otherwise poorly designed or unnecessary altogether. As a newbie, how would you know the difference?
That's where experience, judgement and honesty in the sales channel come in. If a dive store has competent staff, they can advise you on what works best within a given price range. If they're honest, as well, they'll suggest you buy incrementally as you gain experience rather than load you up with a lot of stuff. If you take advantage of this service, and then go and buy from a discounter, you're contributing to the demise of the retail dive industry. Furthermore, if you subsequently have a problem with the gear you bought from the discounter, you're probably on your own to solve the problem with the manufacturer. As far as a loner while you wait, forget about it.
A few weeks ago on here some dufus bashed a local shop because he claimed his hoses were loose after a service. When the shop found out about it, that shop went above and beyond to do the right thing. You won't get that from a discounter.
There is also lot of valuable free advice you can get from competent staff at a good retail shop. Not just about equipment, either. The challenge is finding such a place, but there are some.