Buy from LDS or Ebay

[aquamarin]

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.

As an LDS I just have to correct that number.........that may be the markup where you live, but we have a mark-up of 32% average. There is no money to be made in this business (at least the countries I have lived), and practically all owners of small LDS are struggling to make a living. We offer loads of various services - air fills, advice, repair, inspection, various foc activities, club nights, arrange trips/hotels/transfers (with no win), environment education of local children etc etc. If/when we have to leave the market because big shops and internet dealers have taken over business, who is going to do this?

Over the past 5-6 years I have seen a clear trend: those who don't even bother to ask their LDS because they are used to internet shopping, and assume prices are better. And those (generally "old" divers) who realize that the small LDS are an important part of the dive business, and - like the corner shop - it will have a negative impact on the dive community when we have to close the shops.

I don't expect anyone to pay significantly more for their products with me. But my shop is close to them (much higher rent than big warehouse), we answer the phone 24/7, we do air fills, we give them free advice on photography/gear/travels etc, we take them diving even if it's just one guest, we keep safety equipment/boat/engines/compressors in tip-top shape - and of course I make them a cuppa tea as well. When we teach, it's not a 2-day open water course - it's a proper course which takes much longer, and we pay the instructors of course. All these investments come at a price, and I would think that those services would be worth paying an extra 20 USD (if it's even that much) for a wetsuit?

I am not asking anyone to feel sorry for me; because it's the life I have chosen. I want to work in this kind of environment, I want our guests to be our friends, I want to spend a couple of hours every day talking/chatting with our guests - and I know that I will never get rich, because I do not want to change my concept. All I am saying is that this part of the dive business is dying out. Big certification "factories" and huge equipment outlets are taking over. And to me, that takes away much of the attraction of our hobby.]

But then, I am biased of course Happy Monday out there
Karin

 

[Oldbear]

As an LDS I just have to correct that number.........that may be the markup where you live, but we have a mark-up of 32% average. There is no money to be made in this business (at least the countries I have lived), and practically all owners of small LDS are struggling to make a living. We offer loads of various services - air fills, advice, repair, inspection, various foc activities, club nights, arrange trips/hotels/transfers (with no win), environment education of local children etc etc. If/when we have to leave the market because big shops and internet dealers have taken over business, who is going to do this?

Over the past 5-6 years I have seen a clear trend: those who don't even bother to ask their LDS because they are used to internet shopping, and assume prices are better. And those (generally "old" divers) who realize that the small LDS are an important part of the dive business, and - like the corner shop - it will have a negative impact on the dive community when we have to close the shops.

I don't expect anyone to pay significantly more for their products with me. But my shop is close to them (much higher rent than big warehouse), we answer the phone 24/7, we do air fills, we give them free advice on photography/gear/travels etc, we take them diving even if it's just one guest, we keep safety equipment/boat/engines/compressors in tip-top shape - and of course I make them a cuppa tea as well. When we teach, it's not a 2-day open water course - it's a proper course which takes much longer, and we pay the instructors of course. All these investments come at a price, and I would think that those services would be worth paying an extra 20 USD (if it's even that much) for a wetsuit?

I am not asking anyone to feel sorry for me; because it's the life I have chosen. I want to work in this kind of environment, I want our guests to be our friends, I want to spend a couple of hours every day talking/chatting with our guests - and I know that I will never get rich, because I do not want to change my concept. All I am saying is that this part of the dive business is dying out. Big certification "factories" and huge equipment outlets are taking over. And to me, that takes away much of the attraction of our hobby.]

But then, I am biased of course Happy Monday out there
Karin

Well said Karin...well said. And happy Monday back at ya.
:banana::luxhello::yelclap:

 

[n20junkie]

For me, this is how it goes.

When I first started diving in 98', we went to the LDS to get snorkle equipment. I didn't know crap about gear. It was "try this one, what color?" (for the mask, i tried a whole 2 masks). For my boots, it was "what size shoe? Ok try these. You have big feet, they don't fit perfect, but its all we have."

All in all I ended up with crap gear that never fit right. I bought a scuba rig from the same LDS, but they said I needed a smaller vest, so they traded out the 400 dollar BC for a 200 dollar BC, with no change in total pricing for the rig. I hate that vest to this day, and it pisses me off every time I look at it.

Now keep in mind I was 18 when I bought all this stuff, and the internet wasn't as big as it is now. I din't know any better either. Like most new divers.

2 years ago I went to buy new fins, which were a full 2x the Internet pricing. $150 for $75 dollar fins, is a little crazy. Especially when I'm buying 2 pairs. It's obvious that they make a killing off the first time divers buying snorkle equipment for lessons.

Flash forward to yesterday, I went to buy some regulators. I discovered that although the store also has an online store, they pretty much hate the web boards, and I assume LP. The regulators were ok priced, and I will buy them locally. But that was the only thing I could find that was reasonable.

But just as I was leaving, and a new diver walked in was treated to the same 5 min fittment session I was given 14 years ago. Some things never change.

I worked high performance auto parts sales, and the exact same thing happened to that industry. The local guys have one thing to offer, service. If they forget that, or are still stuck in the pre-internet rape mode, they will go the way of many local dealers. I've seen it with every industry I am in.

Focus on QUALITY service, and respect the information age, and you will get business. Try to make payroll with every new person to walk in the door, and you will turn off both the new divers, along with those that see whats going on. I have alot of money to spend, who wants it?


With that being said. If I try on gear, or am given good advice, I absolutely buy local! Store fronts are not free, and I know what it takes to run a business. Anyone who trys on gear or finger bangs stuff night after night and then goes out and buys it online, is a real horses butt.

 

[LowDrag]

I was looking at various online prices yesterday because of this thread and found that my LDS has prices that pretty much match or beat a few places I was looking at. I am pretty much convinced that getting my reg's local is a much better idea to avoid shipping. Paying to have my reg's shipped and serviced then paying return shipping just doesn't make financial sense to me. Plus, my LDS is a ScubaPro dealer so I can get in on the parts for life program by getting a set of reg's and BC's thru them. They are going to make me a really good package deal because I will be buying for two. I have decided to concentrate on getting the best reg setup's and BC's that I can afford and work my way through our other gear. My wife and I have decided that we are going to try to jump right into dry suits due the water temp when we went up to try to cert last month - 38° - burrrrr. Anyway, I am getting off topic. After looking at the prices at a few different online retailers I am pretty much gonna stay close to home. Support local when you can and buy online for smaller non-serviceable items.

I feel like I need to amend my earlier post. I was, until a couple days all gung ho over the Part for Life program thru ScubaPro. After talking about it with a couple of friends and my wife I believe that would be making a mistake to agree with the program. It seems to me that being "required" to service my reg's every year needed or not is beyond ridiculous as I am sure many others here do as well. I don't know currently how often I will be diving but I can pretty much bet that it won't 100+ per year right away. So, I think I will pull that part of my post back. Call it rookie dumbness if you like... I still like the idea of buying local, it just makes good sense.

 

[beaverdivers]

We have a bit of a dilemma. My girlfriend wants to get the Galileo Luna. I found one on ebay for half the price of what the LDS is selling it from
This is the one from ebay Scubapro Galileo Luna Wrist Computer | eBay

What do you guys think? We feel bad not buying from the LDS, but at half the price for the same item we can't ignore the ebay item

The Scubapro Luna w/o transmitter MSRP is $720. This Luna on ebay w/o transmitter is selling for $720.00.

It appears to be the exact same price!

 

[redacted]

The Scubapro Luna w/o transmitter MSRP is $720. This Luna on ebay w/o transmitter is selling for $720.00.

It appears to be the exact same price!

It would be foolish to buy through ebay and pay MSRP. For that matter, it would be foolish to buy any expensive Scubapro product from any authorized dealer without receiving at least their allowed 10% discount.

 

[Carlos Diver]

Im still a low-volume diver, and though I dont own everything, I have a decent bit of stuff. When I wanted to buy my own regulator and octo, my LDS didnt have the brand I wanted. Instead of telling me what would be comparable, he tried to tell me that what I wanted was overpriced and not worth the money. Not what I wanted to hear. I ended up driving an hour each way to a shop that sold the brand I wanted. Now, my LDS guy is very knowledgeable, and I take courses through him. However, I am sold on the brand I want, and if he cant carry it, Im forced other places. Where I live, you arent getting some massive store like you would have in the Keys or the scubatoys guys. I realize this, but it effects what I buy and when I buy it.

 

[redacted]

Im still a low-volume diver, and though I dont own everything, I have a decent bit of stuff. When I wanted to buy my own regulator and octo, my LDS didnt have the brand I wanted. Instead of telling me what would be comparable, he tried to tell me that what I wanted was overpriced and not worth the money. Not what I wanted to hear. I ended up driving an hour each way to a shop that sold the brand I wanted. Now, my LDS guy is very knowledgeable, and I take courses through him. However, I am sold on the brand I want, and if he cant carry it, Im forced other places. Where I live, you arent getting some massive store like you would have in the Keys or the scubatoys guys. I realize this, but it effects what I buy and when I buy it.

And he was most likely right. What he failed to say is that many new regulators sold through an LDS are overpriced and not worth the money. Withy few exceptions, it is imbedded in the LDS business model, at least in the USA with MAP and MARP.

Shop around and buy smart.

 

[dmoore19]

It doesn't matter where you buy. Look around, find what you think represents the best Value. Buy it from where you think you get the best Value for your money. I don't have to explain why the best value for me is on Ebay, Craig's list or LDS.

 

[Colliam7]

Im still a low-volume diver . . . When I wanted to buy my own regulator and octo, my LDS didnt have the brand I wanted. Instead of telling me what would be comparable, he tried to tell me that what I wanted was overpriced and not worth the money. Not what I wanted to hear. I ended up driving an hour each way to a shop that sold the brand I wanted.

This is an instructive and informative post, for LDS staff, for instructors, etc. We can all find a situation where our gut instrinct would be to say, brand X is way overpriced, or model Y has useless bells and whistles. But, when a diver, irrespective of experience, takes time to evaluate brands, and models, it is probably not a good idea to open a discussion by telling them that what they decided on is wrong, or worse than that, 'bad'. Saying something is overpriced is essentially saying it is 'bad'; saying that something is an excellent piece of equipment, but may have 'some features that would not benefit the diver, but which add to the cost', is a different approach. Rather than telling the customer that what they decided on is wrong, or 'bad', it would be better to ask questions, as to WHY they prefer a particular brand, and WHY they decided on a particular model. That way, a LDS person could reasonably offer comparable alternatives (if available). Not only that, by asking the WHY questions, the LDS person can determine if there is an opportunity for discussion, with the customer, of a different / better / lower cost / whatever option. Over time, I have come to have brand preferences in many things, not just dive gear, and those preferences are not necessarily completely objective, but they are mine.

On the other hand, if a customer comes in to their LDS and says, 'I have been thinking about A, B, and C. Do you think they would offer value for the price, and are they what I would find useful as a less experience / more experienced diver?', then the door is open.