Leisure pro now authorized scubapro dealer

[fjpatrum]

awap, I'm no attorney and I definitely don't play one on TV, but how is that not price fixing? I thought price fixing was illegal at least in the US, but again, not even close to an attorney here. MAP leaves open some pretty gaping loopholes, but I guess my brain is fried from running holiday promos to think of too many with a minimum sales price.

I believe price-fixing in the legal sense has to be a group of manufacturers, not just one of them. IE Scubapro, Tusa, et al get together and decide to establish a minimum price. That's price fixing. Scubapro saying to its dealers "this is the minimum you can sell for and still be an "authorized" dealer" is not price fixing though a lot of people think it's a bad business policy.

 

[friscuba]

I'll be one of the few to say it. Thank goodness!

If LeisurePro became a legit dealer and followed MAP on all hardgoods pricing, local shops would have at least a chance of competing for customer dollars and we might not be losing so many local dive businesses. Local shops are still going to have to do a good job of servicing thier customers, but at least they wouldn't have to compete with someone that breaks all the dealership rules and sells product for 30-50% below MAP. I think it's a good thing for the industry/hobby as a whole.

 

[cwhite6]

I bought every single piece of my equipment from my LDS because they took the time to talk with me about every single item, the pros and cons, other alternatives, and which they preferred. I got to try stuff on and see and touch all of the other similar items from its competitors. They know me by my first name when I walk in the front door at the LDS now, they know my child's name and ask about my life and how my recent trips have gone. They have always given me at least 10% off of my purchases, no matter how big or small. I have even received some items completely free, most notable a $300 Stahlsac travel bag and I can't remember the last time I had to pay for mask scrub or BC Life.

I buy from my LDS because it supports the local economy, because it puts food on the plates of families of those locally who share the same interests as me. We have a relationship now and I know if there is ever a warranty issue or even random self-induced damage that they have my back and best interests at heart and will do their best to take care of me. I like my free air fills and free weights when I need extra and I know that they can get me whatever I want and I will actually get to see it and touch it before I have to shell out a dime. It's all about customer service these days and I get it locally so why go anywhere else.

*Disclaimer*
I am not owner, supporter, or an employee of any LDS, I am not affiliated with the selling, manufacturing, or developing of dive equipment in any way or capacity, I am just a simple bubble maker from Texas supporting my LDS and the local economy.

That's all fine and good for you since you live in our near a large city. My LDS here has maybe two BC's (both SP) if you are lucky. Maybe 3 regulators (all SP) and some masks and fins. The closest one to me that has any kind of inventory is around 3 hours away. I research on here and buy online from reputable dealers. I am buying a full kit in March. I will most probably buy my regs from a poster on here who will set up a custom set for me and I may make the 5 hour drive to Dallas to go try on different harnesses, plates and wings at Scuba Toys and buy it there. Or, I may buy it online. If something plain doesn't fit or work, I can ship it back and exchange it. Most are pretty good about this provided you buy the replacement from them too. I buy little stuff at my LDS and will continue to do so. I also do classes through them. But, sometimes trying on and buying stuff from a local LDS isn't very practical.

 

[hypertech]

They have always given me at least 10% off of my purchases, no matter how big or small. I have even received some items completely free, most notable a $300 Stahlsac travel bag and I can't remember the last time I had to pay for mask scrub or BC Life.

There is no such thing as free stuff. You or someone like you paid for that stuff in inflated gear prices. I'd rather buy things at the best price, and if I decide I want a Stahlsac travel bag, I'll pay for it in an honest way and not hidden underneath in other costs.

 

[nimoh]

I believe price-fixing in the legal sense has to be a group of manufacturers, not just one of them. IE Scubapro, Tusa, et al get together and decide to establish a minimum price. That's price fixing. Scubapro saying to its dealers "this is the minimum you can sell for and still be an "authorized" dealer" is not price fixing though a lot of people think it's a bad business policy.

I think a group of manufacturers establishing a minimum price would be a cartel (in addition to being price fixers). I think price fixing takes many forms and scubamarketing's post was correct in that if SP is dictating retail prices to retailers under penalty of losing distribution rights, it would be price fixing. However, SP is free to suggest retail prices.

I also wonder if someone else will find that backdoor to cheap SP supplies that LP used to have and start a new website

 

[redacted]

I believe price-fixing in the legal sense has to be a group of manufacturers, not just one of them. IE Scubapro, Tusa, et al get together and decide to establish a minimum price. That's price fixing. Scubapro saying to its dealers "this is the minimum you can sell for and still be an "authorized" dealer" is not price fixing though a lot of people think it's a bad business policy.

And that is not legal in many (all) EU countries. In fact, EU consumer protection laws seem to say that merchandise bought by the business belongs to the business and they can do with it as they see fit. The manufacturer is limited in what actions he can take including withdrawing dealerships. That is one reason why EU dealers and distributors may be a source for grey market goods in the USA market. But I'm sure there are folks in LP who know a lot more about that than I do.

 

[beaverdivers]

The Rules have changed. Competition is good.

 

[Tejasmtb]

HYPERTECH

You may be correct in the fact that I or someone else ultimately paid for that bag off of the margins they made on some other gear, but I have never gotten less than 10% off of everything, and I mean everything I have purchased there. I am a good customer and have purchased top of the line gear from them (spent more than $8000 in 12 months there) so I would like to think that maybe it's their way of showing some appreciation to a loyal customer who buys local and supports the local dive scene instead of someone who goes online to save that extra $30 but then wants equal help when things need attention.

I kind of take insult to your jab at my acquisition of the bag being immoral and not honest.

 

[LIdiveaddict]

Question for the LeisurePro employee,

I purchased a ScubaPro MK2/R295 regulator in August of this year. Am I now able to get scubapro warranty service on this regulator? Or can only items purchased since you became an authorized dealer be serviced at SP dealers

Thanks

 

[hypertech]

HYPERTECH

You may be correct in the fact that I or someone else ultimately paid for that bag off of the margins they made on some other gear, but I have never gotten less than 10% off of everything, and I mean everything I have purchased there. I am a good customer and have purchased top of the line gear from them (spent more than $8000 in 12 months there) so I would like to think that maybe it's their way of showing some appreciation to a loyal customer who buys local and supports the local dive scene instead of someone who goes online to save that extra $30 but then wants equal help when things need attention.

I kind of take insult to your jab at my acquisition of the bag being immoral and not honest.

A percentage off is irrelevant if the price is inflated to cover that. You still spend up overspending even though you got a "discount." If you spent $8k after your good guy discount in 12 months, I sure hope you got a couple trips, because I don't think I've spent $8k on my kit, my wife's kit and all our training combined in 4 years. She's a rescue diver, I'm a DM and we both have drysuits. Supporting an LFS you like is one thing. Being a sucker for sky high prices is another.