WARNING: For those of you who think they will be getting a "great deal" by shopping on the
internet or those on line auctions for life support equipment, we offer the following advice based upon some of the real life horror and personal stories we hear from those many customers who have already been frustrated or cheated while shopping on the internet.

#1. Most name brand authorized dealers are NOT allowed to sell direct via mail order because of the complex equipment manufacturers dealer contracts and product liability insurance.
This means if you do get a product, it may NOT covered under a valid USA warranty. Many items sold direct are not new, but refurbished factory seconds, or substandard export products that have been re-imported into the USA duty free.

#2. Real authorized dealers are NOT allowed to advertise below the MSRP or MAP prices due to mandatory authorized dealer contracts.
In most cases if you see a discount price exceeding a 20% discount off any suggested retail price,  you should be suspect that the seller is NOT a real dealer. According to Police reports, "a large percentage of on line auctions are outlets for stolen merchandise" do you really want to do business with a future convict? Is it wise for you to provide your credit card numbers and personal information to them?

#3. Trying to obtain what you ordered, or a refund, is usually a serious problem.
You can expect to wait up to 90+ days before your credit card shows the refund, and you have nothing to show for it. Some large volume outlets make their profits by having the use of the customers money, and not from the profits of the product sales. Be afraid.

You should be aware that there are several large scuba equipment manufacturers who have already, or are in the process of implementing and utilizing methods of illegal "Price Fixing" through their authorized dealer networks. Although a MAP policy controls what prices can be advertised to the public, and is legal, but some equipment providers are also controlling retail prices of what products can actually be sold for to the general public by the independent authorized dealers. This could be considered illegal, and a profit schemes. It does not
allow for fair price competition, and serves only to hurt the consumer, and the scuba industry itself. Universal Scuba Distributors Inc. does NOT agree with nor support this questionable activity, and we encourage all such victims to contact the Texas Attorney Generals office in Austin TX and the U. S. Department of Justice with their concerns. Perhaps the class action lawyers could correct or clarify this issue?
Please do not misunderstand our intent here, we are a for profit Texas corporation, and we have bills to pay just like everyone else.

There is a "almost like new" brand name scuba regulator advertised on ebay.
The same exact model that would normally retail for $299.95 at your local dive shop.

THE BAIT: OK, let's do the math together. The e-bay auction price is only $195.00, and you could save $100.00 bucks right?
Is this really a good deal? Did you think about the padded freight charges? Do you feel lucky today or what?

THE ANSWER: Well to start with, you may not get a valid factory limited lifetime warranty, this alone could easily be worth over $500.00 in free parts and service over the life span of the regulator. Did you know that it can cost over $ 100.00 just for parts and labor to clean and service an out of warranty regulator. Oh, did the seller happen to mention why the regulator is being sold?

REAL EXAMPLES:
"My son died last year, and I am not a diver. His belongings were shipped from California and I would like to re sell his equipment"
Do you really think the seller would volunteer the fact he died of AIDS?
Or was that other seller being truthful about his X-girlfriend having active herpes?
You should be VERY concerned unless you're the type of person who would consider actually using a used strangers tooth brush.