The importance of buying gear from an Authorized Dealer

Owning diving equipment represents a long-term investment in fun and safety.  A good set of dive gear can last through years of diving and travel, take you to unforgettable experiences in incredible underwater environments, and bring you home safely.  It's important to buy the right gear for the type of diving you'll do, ensure that it fits and is comfortable, be trained in its use and keep it serviced at recommended intervals.

Diving's equipment manufacturers sell and service their products through a network of authorized dealers. These dealers understand the product features, benefits and applications, are authorized to fit, assemble and service your gear and are your link to the manufacturer for sales, service, performance, warranty, notification and upgrade issues.

It's very possible for you to purchase dive gear from non-authorized dealers and not be aware.  For example, many Internet sellers acquire the product they sell through grey market (third-party) channels.  They may not be authorized to sell or service a particular product, are not trained by the manufacturer, may not ship it assembled, may sell it without the original parts or sell items that have been used or returned.  For those reasons manufacturers do not warrant products sold by unauthorized resellers, who in turn may sell gear without a warranty enclosed, or include their own warranties that appear valid but are not recognized by the manufacturer. There may also be issues with post-sale assembly, service and notifications, parts costs, and exchanges.

Dive gear is incredibly dependable, but it is life-support equipment, engineered to take you where humans aren't designed to go. Each piece of gear has a specialized purpose, and the aspects surrounding product education, fit, function and service may be as important to you personally as is the equipment itself.  It's all part of the value equation, and why it is important to by your equipment only through an authorized dealer.

If you question whether a particular reseller is an authorized dealer, it's pretty simple.  Call the manufacturer directly, or confirm it by using the authorized dealer listings on manufacturer's Web sites.  At Scuba Dogs we believe that an important key to enjoying the sport of scuba diving is acquiring your own dive gear.  It's an excellent investment you make in yourself and you'll feel more secure and comfortable using your own stuff, it's that simple.  If you have any questions about any make or model we represent, please feel free to contact us.