purchasing skydiving equipment

[ffp1974 0]

When buying new equipment. What matters most to you. Price , is it the cheapest you can find?
Convenience, would you rather mail order the item directly to you?
Local Dealer, would you rather deal with a local dealer, at your dropzone?

[Glitch 0]

Where's the response for 'features that I want...' in the gear i'm buying?

Randomly f'n thingies up since before I was born...

[skybytch 259]

Customer service.

[pwln 0]

Quote

Customer service.

+1

I think that Customer Service matters a little more than price or how it gets to me. I've driven 1000 miles to pick up a rig from the manufacturer but I ordered it from my local dealer.

[klingeme 0]

What about Quality, Availablity of Options (Skyhook) and Customer Service?

[ffp1974 0]

yep I need to add customer service. As far as quality, if you are buying new equipment, I would think the quality would be there

[popsjumper 2]

Local Dealer.

It's easy to get a proper fit (assuming correct manufacturing) through the local guy.

I can't count the number of times gear has been manufactured according to the specs given by the purchaser only to find out that they got the measurements wrong and the manufacturer takes it back for modification.

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[Genn 0]

Price. I know the features and size, etc. I want so, it all boils down to the price for me.

Shit happens. Even at the places known for their "customer service". If you want "warm and fuzzies"- go for customer service. If you just want the gear, I say go for the price.

Also, if you have a local dealer that will match or beat a quoted price. Bonus.

YMMV