Should a dive shop match prices?

[fnfalman]

The LDS can do whatever they want to do.

The customer should do the same.

 

[rcoreytaylor]

No. an LDS should not match an online merchant. The LDS has to pay rent, power, electricity , taxes, has to purchase stock, pay the loan interest on the stock, pay wages, etc, etc, etc. An online merchant provides no experience or service and does not contribute to the local economy. Essentially LDS "plant seeds" while online merchants simply "harvest" without any of the serious work.

That said, online merchants are now a fact of life in the business world and a LDS MUST alter their business model to stay competitive and relevant. I will easily pay 10, 15 even 20% more for a product from an LDS so that I can have an actual human to deal with and so that I benefit from the services the LDS provides (trust me, at some point you'll need the services of an LDS - whether you think so or not). HOWEVER, I will not pay a price that is simply out of line in comparison to online. The LDS has to be reasonable (and if their wholesale price prohibits them from setting their prices within reason to online prices - perhaps they need to challenge their suppliers for a better price!).

I have found that I try to purchase from LDS and can usually agree on an acceptable price. In those instances that an agreement cannot be had I purchase online - but only if the difference in price is severe. Remember, it's in your best interest to have a local brick & mortar dive shop to frequent - trust me.

 

[NuclearOOPS]

The two shops in my area will price match within reason. The shop I go to though, can't even be touched by websites. I have searched all the scuba websites and my LDS's prices blow theirs out of the water. Of course, they have a very minimum inventory, so its like i've ordered it off the net, but its cheaper and I still have the warranty.

 

[k ellis]

That said, online merchants are now a fact of life in the business world and a LDS MUST alter their business model to stay competitive and relevant. I will easily pay 10, 15 even 20% more for a product from an LDS so that I can have an actual human to deal with and so that I benefit from the services the LDS provides (trust me, at some point you'll need the services of an LDS - whether you think so or not). HOWEVER, I will not pay a price that is simply out of line in comparison to online.

If you would pay 20 percent more then what if you bought a DUI drysuit for 3600. 20% of that would be $720.00 that could be a lot of air fills or even the most if not all of the cost depending where you are of becoming a dive master. Money talks B.S. Walks (Not implying you but a statement in general)

Also while yes a LDS has to pay rent, power, electricty, taxes and purchase stock while paying loan interest on the stock and pay wages and so forth. I have to pay car insurance, gas for the car, maintenance for the car, purchase food for the home and pay for the energy to maintain my home and its various needs. I have property taxes to pay and even have to pay to get air fills and the list goes on. Yes its important to help the economy out but what good does it do to have your home go into foreclosure so you can save the Local Dive shop?

 

[freewillie]

What an LDS will do and what they should do are two different things. To foster good customer relations IMO they should come close to matching an online price. They do have to run a business and there may be some bottom limit to which they will lower their prices.

Not all services an LDS provides is limited to their prices on gear. I go to an LDS whose normal prices are the same as many online shops. For example, their price for Atomic subframe mask is $109, the same as scuba.com. I purchased my BC from the LDS since they were nearly the same as online. The ability to try on for fit and not worry about returns was worth the extra money.

Since I've established a relationship with them as a regular customer I've gotten several discounts from them. I still rent my regs and tanks. Several times they have only charged me for a single tank when I've gone to rent two for a dive. When I purchased the BC they threw in a dive light for free as well.

I did buy my dive computer online at scubatoys. They had a special close out on a open box demo and price was just too good to beat.

 

[aichtwooh]

No one should have to do anything. If I'm paying more, it had better worth my while or I won't do it. And I definitely will and have paid for good CS! That being said, I think it's up to the business to show me they are worth what they are charging. If I have to try and justify and rationalize it, they haven't done their job.

 

[divermike1011]

Eh... I can see both sides of this one. I work for two dive shops, one sells gear, the other is strictly dive instruction(but has some corporate accounts with some companies). I tend to buy all the gear I can from the first shop because the owner has been very generous with me and she gives me a deep discount. I've also bought a couple of items from the other shop because, again, I have a solid relationship and I'll pay a few dollars over MAP on some items because I get cheaper prices on others.

That being said I no longer buy anything at any other LDS here on Oahu because the markup on SCUBA gear tends to be 100%. I feel no guilt for buying online, and I encourage others to do the same.

One point that never gets brought up here on SB is that people who price check online before they go in to a LDS appear to be a very small minority in the real world. I've never had anyone ask me to price match (which I would do in a heart beat) because most people seem to quite happy with MSRP and don't do a whole lot of research. Those who do tend to shop online and any qualms about it.

Michael

 

[k ellis]

Eh... I can see both sides of this one. I work for two dive shops, one sells gear, the other is strictly dive instruction(but has some corporate accounts with some companies). I tend to buy all the gear I can from the first shop because the owner has been very generous with me and she gives me a deep discount. I've also bought a couple of items from the other shop because, again, I have a solid relationship and I'll pay a few dollars over MAP on some items because I get cheaper prices on others.

That being said I no longer buy anything at any other LDS here on Oahu because the markup on SCUBA gear tends to be 100%. I feel no guilt for buying online, and I encourage others to do the same.

One point that never gets brought up here on SB is that people who price check online before they go in to a LDS appear to be a very small minority in the real world. I've never had anyone ask me to price match (which I would do in a heart beat) because most people seem to quite happy with MSRP and don't do a whole lot of research. Those who do tend to shop online and any qualms about it.

Michael

Just to add 2 cents to what your saying I believe people who are willing to pay MSRP tend to be more centered around people who just are insanely rich or newbies who have not been exposed to the reality that there are better ways to get the same quality gear at a cheaper price.

Ive said this before and I guess Ill say it again. Why is it you see these shop owners who complain about loosing money to the internet bypassing the ma and pa stores and going to Wal Mart in order for them to save money? (Not all but just a generalization) Why is it these people will complain about how you are killing them yet they them self always look for the better deal when they are the ones shoppin?

 

[divermike1011]

Well since our market is mostly tourists and mostly new divers perhaps your newbie comment is spot on. I do think that most people don't do comparison shopping, but that is a gut feeling -- I have no evidence to support it.

Michael

 

[Ottoman Diver]

Most of the LDS that i have been to have matched most online prices when i ask them if they can give me a bit of a discount when im buying stuff with out me implying that i want to get internet pricing. Those are the stores that get my repeated business and earn my loyalty.