I don't understand why the SCUBA equipment market can't be structured similar to the auto market. There are some dealers that just sell cars and provide little or no service. There are dealers that sell cars and service them too. There are thousands of companies that primarily provide just service, from big corporations like Midas and Jiffy Lube, to mom and pop autoshops.
It can't be this way, because companies like ScubaPro, and Aqualung refuse to do it. They won't allow parts access or tools access to just "service" facilities, and allow them to call themselves authorized. These two companies (industry behemoths) won't allow authorized internet sales either, though they do little to nothing to stop places like LeisurePro from selling their gear.
It's a huge sham, and one I choose not to support.