West side (Seattle) area wetsuits stores

I recommend Speedy Reedy in Fremont.  I got a great deal there last February, 40% off.  They have a lot of inventory, and also some very droolable bikes!

I agree that Speedy Reedy is the place to shop locally. Triumph Multisport is good too, but I find that if you bring your business to Speedy Reedy they'll remember you and do you favors sometimes.

But even though you don't like ordering online, I would recommend at least checking out ProMotion Wetsuits (www.wetsuit.com). You have to order over the phone, instead of online, so by talking to them you might be able to get a good fit. If I remember correctly, they have more sizes than competitors do too. Anyway, you should check them out because they make very good wetsuits for much much less money than you'll pay with another brand for similar technology, and they have a lifetime guarantee on all the seams. Other companies don't have such a guarantee. BT should have a member discount too. When I bought mine, they took 15% off and it fit perfectly.

x2 for Promotion. I bought me suit there. It did take two tries. I used the first one several times and decided it didn't fit right (that would have happened had I bought it in the store) yet Promotion gave me full credit for that one and sent another (I don't think a store would have done that).  I couldn't find one to fit my weird body at Speedy Reedy. 

I'd go full - you'll be able to get in the water earlier in the year and it will be more bouyant.  That was the advice given to me by a woman in my office that's done a couple IMs and qualified for nats at the Oly distance this year.  I followed it and it's worked out great.

I agree that a full suit is the way to go, just because it will make you faster in the water. In my experience, a full suit has never felt too hot even in water warm enough to warrant swimming without a suit at all.

After you really get going with triathlons, you'll start to want things that will make you faster. If you buy a full suit now, then you don't have to buy one later when you realize it has advantages over a sleeveless.

Another vote for the full suit.  Most races start early in the morning when it's not warm out. Sometimes I would get cold waiting for the swim start. Having the full suit took that away.  As far as sales; you could call Promotion and see if they have any used suits. 

I also have to recommend Speedy Reedy. I got a GREAT deal on my Zoot suit last Christmas.