8/7/2006 - Why it makes sense NOT to buy online when you live OS

I remember when I bought my dive gear - I posted about it on an international dive board and about half the people who posted thought I was crazy for paying $100's more than I needed to if I bought on line.

Now - about a month ago, I did my predive check a couple of days out of a night dive (which ended up being cancelled due to weather) and I saw that my computer was flat. I thought that odd as it was less than a year old with 50 dives on it. So I dropped in to my dive store, and he thought it odd too, and put a new battery in for nix.

Two weeks ago, I go off for a Sunday morning muck dive, and I go to turn on my computer during my gear check - and no power. Odd to say the least. Lucky I have an analogue backup on my watch, so I could dive no worries... however I dropped back in to see my dive store... Unfortuantely, Danny was away on holidays, but he looked at it when he came back last week, changed the battery and checked it every day - by the third day it was coming up low battery and by the end of the third day it was dead again.

Thursday night he sends it to the importer - and today he got a brand spanking new one back for me - thankgoodness as I am off diving this weekend. Danny assured me he would loan me one for the trip if it wasn't repaired in time. But in this case - BAM - brand new one. WHEE

Now, if I had of bought it OS - I would have had to send it back OS, wait 4-7 days for it to get there - then have it sent from purchase point to importer - then back to POS then back to Australia....

So I am thrilled to have paid a few extra dollars - which in the scheme of years of diving really isn't that much. :)

So /HUGS to local dive store operators everywhere for their incredible service and true passion for the industry.

Tae