Online retailers & the BBB

[I Like 2 Dive]

Does anyone know any reputable online retailers (besides ST - it has an A rating from BBB)?
I'm looking for a couple of Intova lights, and ScubaToys, from what I've found, doesn't carry them. Most sites i can't find on BBB, or they have a crappy rating. I've heard and read some shady things about scuba.com, leisurepro.com and a few others. Caveadventurers sells them, but I can't find them in the BBB. Maybe I'm wrong about these places, and I hope that I am, but I just want to be certain before making a purchase. Please help. thanx

[CompuDude]

Lots of dive shops are fairly small businesses that won't necessarily be listed with the BBB. The one you were asking about, CaveAdventurers, should be fine.

That said, other than ScubaToys, my personal list of good shops includes TechDivingLimited, DiveSports, DiveRightInScuba, Piranha Mfg and 123scuba. All of these have a pretty strong presence on various scuba chat boards, so customer service is very important to them. Even LeisurePro and Scuba.com have their place, but I tend to exhaust every other avenue before going that route as a last resort.

On a final note, don't forget your LDS... that place you take your tanks to get filled. Can't do that online! Don't be a sucker for bad shops, but do realize that your local shops do serve a purpose.

[wheelman]

Originally Posted by I Like 2 Dive

Does anyone know any reputable online retailers (besides ST - it has an A rating from BBB)?
I'm looking for a couple of Intova lights, and ScubaToys, from what I've found, doesn't carry them. Most sites i can't find on BBB, or they have a crappy rating. I've heard and read some shady things about scuba.com, leisurepro.com and a few others. Caveadventurers sells them, but I can't find them in the BBB. Maybe I'm wrong about these places, and I hope that I am, but I just want to be certain before making a purchase. Please help. thanx

I have had a few transactions with Cave Adventurers... Each one of them was 'very good'. Products shipped fast with no issues. They are certainly on my 'good' list.

[acamato]

take a look at Ratings and Reviews for 17,734 Stores at ResellerRatings.com: Search: Showing All Stores. I dont know how many scuba dealers they are going to have.

[Straegen]

LeisurePro.com and Scuba.com are the Walmarts of online shopping. You can expect them to send you a product you ordered, be pretty good on returns and to have good prices. They are rather faceless and impersonal which can turn people off. This can also be somewhat of an issue if you get into a complicated situation. I have ordered from both companies and returned items to both companies with no hassle. They both sell so much stuff that bad reviews are bound to happen, but I think you will find their error rate probably is no more and many times less than other stores. Its just when things do go wrong, it is nice to call or email the owner and know it will get taken care of ASAP rather than talking to a part time customer service rep.

I have also purchased items from the stores listed above except for TDL and 123scuba. I also had a very positive experience with ScubaStore.com even though they are overseas.

[hooligan]

I've used Cave Adventurers, Dive Right In, Dive Sports, LeisurePro, Scuba.com, Piranha Mfg, and of course ScubaToys, all with fantastic results. I've never ordered from Northeast Scuba Supply, but I would place an order in a heartbeat based on what I've seen from them over on thedecostop.com. Obviously there will be more interaciton from other stores on the other boards sicne they aren't run by a shop. As said before, if you want personal service, leisurepro and scuba.com are lower on the list, but they will send you what you order. I did make a recent purchase from leisurepro, but an item was on backorder. They were very good at keeping me updated on the status of the item.

[Diver Kat]

Originally Posted by I Like 2 Dive

I'm looking for a couple of Intova lights, and ScubaToys, from what I've found, doesn't carry them.

Have you asked ST? Or just looked at the on-line catalog? I have ordered items from them that they did not show on-line, but either carried in the store, or just ordered for me - at at good prices.

[I Like 2 Dive]

Originally Posted by Diver Kat

Have you asked ST? Or just looked at the on-line catalog? I have ordered items from them that they did not show on-line, but either carried in the store, or just ordered for me - at at good prices.

I took your advice, called, talked to Ryan, and problem solved. They actually carry one kind I was looking for and can order the other. Now I just need to get enough posts in so I can get my coupon. YEA!!!

[I Like 2 Dive]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

Lots of dive shops are fairly small businesses that won't necessarily be listed with the BBB. The one you were asking about, CaveAdventurers, should be fine.

That said, other than ScubaToys, my personal list of good shops includes TechDivingLimited, DiveSports, DiveRightInScuba, Piranha Mfg and 123scuba. All of these have a pretty strong presence on various scuba chat boards, so customer service is very important to them. Even LeisurePro and Scuba.com have their place, but I tend to exhaust every other avenue before going that route as a last resort.

On a final note, don't forget your LDS... that place you take your tanks to get filled. Can't do that online! Don't be a sucker for bad shops, but do realize that your local shops do serve a purpose.

I actually called both my LDS, and one never heard of the name brand, and the other one keeps pushing me towards other products that are more $$$. I did call ST and they can get them for me. thanx

[CPTOZZY]

I've gotten a couple of Items from Leisurepro and Had to return one of them. I had no problems returning the item (of course Scubatoys is Better - ) Give Scubatoys a call and see if they can find it for you. If not , and if your LDS doesn't have it Leisurepro would be my next choice