Buy from LDS or Ebay

[redacted]

Something that I find very important is this: What will you do if you run into trouble with your equipment? Do you trust the online sellers to take care of you and help you out? What will the LDS do? will they give you a free replacement so you can continue to dive while your gear is being serviced? What kind of a deal are they willing to cut you to help earn your business?

If I have equipment problems. I go to my spares.

I don't trust most LDSs to take care of me and help out. But I am usually looking to buy parts they usually refuse to sell.

The only free thing in most LDSs is advise. Sometimes it is not very good.

No free loner gear needed. I service my own gear and I have spares of everything.

Deals, deals, what deals??? Markup is 100% or more.

 

[scubasam1212]

Scubapro has established map pricing for all of their products online and at the LDS and enforce that with the companies. The difference being LDS are authorized to do up to 10% discount. You might be looking at a luna without the transmitter.

 

[gurnie]

Check to see if your LDS will price match?

 

[chuck34gboro]

I have a good solution for you.

Buy the computer with transmitter from the dive shop and pay what they ask. Then start keeping track of how much money you are spending on getting gear serviced, air fills, trips, etc. If you don't start getting cheaper rates on service and fills after dropping $1k for a computer, either find another LDS or make all your future purchases on eBay.

That being said, I'll still buy little things online occasionally. Regs, BC's, Tanks, Computers, etc. I'll buy locally and keep them in business. Anything that costs less than $20 I'll probably buy online from LP.

 

[victorzamora]

If an LDS can offer me about the same value as an online retailer on what I am shopping for, I would buy from the LDS. But that is a very rare occurrence.

You should demand better LDS service. The LDS here offered me a full set of Hollis scuba gear (regs and BCD's) for an AWESOME deal. Buying the same thing online would cost me 50% more than what I'm paying here. That's AFTER tax paid to the LDS and before shipping paid online (assuming online shipping is free, though). The LDS owners here also make a BIG deal about supporting local businesses. They both go above and beyond to support local businesses. They also pay a lot out of pocket to advance local scuba diving. They're absolutely awesome guys.

Just remember, if you don't support your LDS one of two things will happen.
1) Make their prices/service better (very unlikely)
2) Go out of business and then you won't be able to buy little parts without waiting 4 days for it to come in from online AND when you get your stuff serviced/checked out you also have to pay shipping two ways.

 

[redacted]

You should demand better LDS service. The LDS here offered me a full set of Hollis scuba gear (regs and BCD's) for an AWESOME deal. Buying the same thing online would cost me 50% more than what I'm paying here. That's AFTER tax paid to the LDS and before shipping paid online (assuming online shipping is free, though). The LDS owners here also make a BIG deal about supporting local businesses. They both go above and beyond to support local businesses. They also pay a lot out of pocket to advance local scuba diving. They're absolutely awesome guys.

Just remember, if you don't support your LDS one of two things will happen.
1) Make their prices/service better (very unlikely)
2) Go out of business and then you won't be able to buy little parts without waiting 4 days for it to come in from online AND when you get your stuff serviced/checked out you also have to pay shipping two ways.

33% off of online prices would be quite impressive. Was this a special deal or are all of their prices/deals comparable?

 

[Peter_C]

Buying the same thing online would cost me 50% more than what I'm paying here. That's AFTER tax paid to the LDS and before shipping paid online (assuming online shipping is free, though).

So if they can make money selling at such a cut rate, wouldn't they then make a killing by increasing sales at that price point and being an online leader in sales? Something smells fishy. Just what kind of "favors" are being traded here?

 

[Mayor]

My shop has always been the window to my diving world. Without them I would have never met many of the divers I call friends today. Sure things might be a few bucks more but I see the big picture and the value it brings me. I will say you should educate yourself and know what and who can provide you with good advice. I'm luckily enough to have a retired seal working at my shop and he really knows his stuff. Just saying you might have different experiences with many of the staff. I try and go there when he is working or request service by him.

 

[redacted]

My shop has always been the window to my diving world. Without them I would have never met many of the divers I call friends today. Sure things might be a few bucks more but I see the big picture and the value it brings me.

Just what do you mean by "a few bucks more". For example, quite a few years ago (12 maybe) a local Scubapro dealer wanted about $620 for a Mk20/S600. One online dealer was asking $420 and another was asking $330. Also, does the "few bucks" difference you cite include the keyman discount many dive professionals receive from shops where they work?

 

[Mayor]

Just what do you mean by "a few bucks more". For example, quite a few years ago (12 maybe) a local Scubapro dealer wanted about $620 for a Mk20/S600. One online dealer was asking $420 and another was asking $330. Also, does the "few bucks" difference you cite include the keyman discount many dive professionals receive from shops where they work?

I'm not key man so that was not in the mix but going into a shop with some pricing quotes will get you closer. Face to face with the guy who writes the checks is always the best approach. Few bucks to me is under $100 being i just filled the car up for that. Again from my experience spending over $20,000 in dive gear over my lifetime.