local dive shop(we love you but...)

[Chris]

I just had a little flashback that made me realize that the price of items is not necessarily the main focus. Although it's still difficult to NOT compare prices online versus the LDS, it is however a little unfair. Your LDS (if it's a good one) provides much more to a diver than just gear. Perhaps you can look at their prices as including a knowledge base, experience, guarantees, piece of mind and the future. I'll admit I probably won't buy all my gear locally. To say that would be lying... but in light of something that happened to me today I do believe I will try a lot harder to support my favorite LDS and would encourage you to do so as well. I really think we're missing a valid point of the LDS and it's one of those 'Don't know what you've got till it's gone' scenario's. I personally enjoy spending time on the phone or at the LDS itself... heck, without them I wouldn't be into scuba to begin with. Maybe its time we sat back and looked a little closer to the big picture?