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I advise everyone reading this message not to do business with John Allen (a.k.a. "Trader" John, "Big" John, JDA000@ao*.co*, John's SCUBA Equipment, Northeast Scuba Supply of Norristown PA), unless you are in his store and can touch what he sells. Specifically, do NOT order equipment via phone or website. I placed a small order with Northeast SCUBA on 5 April 00, and haven't received it yet. My order was made over the phone, and I spoke with John Allen personally. I specified the shipping method (US Priority Mail; required due to my address), and he assured me it was no problem; he did it all the time. He charged my credit card that day and it posed to my account 48 hours later. After almost three weeks I began to get nervous. Between then and now I've sent four emails to John Allen. He replied to the first with a one-line reply: "It was sent." The second he ignored. For the third he wrote me back that he was "checking" and would get back with me that day. That was six days ago and I haven't heard anything. Yesterday I sent my last message, which he received and again made no reply. I've called my credit card company and disputed his charge, and I hope it causes him as much irritation as he's caused me. To me, this is piss poor in general, and borders on fraud in particular. He took money without providing a product as agreed and added insult to injury by not even replying to my attempts to solve the problem. My order wasn't big, but we all know how frustrating this kind of situation can be. Also, if he doesn't work with you on a typical order, why would you ever make a big one? (rhetorical) For those who may be lurking as I was and contemplating buying gear from a distance, here's my summary: Joe McGrath / Highland Mills: Absolutely fantastic from start to finish. Dive Rite: Bent over backwards. (yeah, yeah, I know, but this isn't a product endorsement, it's about their willingness to help a customer) Lloyd Bailey: Excellent, polite and prompt in every way. My recommendation from now on. Mike Strong / Pro Ski and SCUBA, KS: Great guy, fine deal (tanks) Leisure Pro, NY: excellent service and prices for gray market recreational stuff. Halcyon: a bit slow but worth the wait. (Wish I'd bought their stuff sooner!) Stingray Divers, NY: average service, but fantastic price and delivered immediately. I don't claim these descriptions are definitive, just my personal experience. I have been lurking this list extensively for several months, and I've learned a great deal. Thank you to all the frequent contributors for your efforts to share your knowledge and skills; I think I'm a better diver for your efforts. Based on what I've learned, I've been doing what many others have done and migrated in fits and starts toward the equipment and methods recommended here. I wouldn't use the term "DIR" to describe myself (yet), but I'm trying to learn and make progress. I do think I'm better and safer now than before. Maybe I can help someone to prevent the mistake I did: DON'T deal with John Allen / Northeast SCUBA Supply. Chris Watson PSC 813, Box 157 FPO AE 09620 (Naples, Italy) -- Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
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