Biggest thing killing dive shops?

[Eric Sedletzky]

Some great points.

A hypothetical situation:
Let’s say you want to buy a piece of gear and every price at every LDS and all online sources is identical, including all taxes and any other fees.
What then makes you decide where to buy the item?

 

[BDSC]

Some great points.

A hypothetical situation:
Let’s say you want to buy a piece of gear and every price at every LDS and all online sources is identical, including all taxes and any other fees.
What then makes you decide where to buy the item?

In this situation I would buy local because I want to support local businesses as much as possible and I like actually seeing and holding what I am about to buy. I like to go out and actually shop rather than just sit at the computer and do so.

 

[Wookie]

Some great points.

A hypothetical situation:
Let’s say you want to buy a piece of gear and every price at every LDS and all online sources is identical, including all taxes and any other fees.
What then makes you decide where to buy the item?

Ease of payment. I will always use Amazon first, where I can buy my ScubaPro kits. Then, someone who takes PayPal or google wallet. Then, a vendor I have used before. Lastly, a vendor who makes me fill out a form.

I'd rather walk into my LDS, but at the rate Huish and ScubaPro are backordered on kits, an LDS may never see a repair kit again.

 

[Neilwood]

Some great points.

A hypothetical situation:
Let’s say you want to buy a piece of gear and every price at every LDS and all online sources is identical, including all taxes and any other fees.
What then makes you decide where to buy the item?

Whichever gives me the best service overall.

That might be the good local dive store (where I can get good advice without buying things, have a chat over some coffee etc) or online where I can chat to someone over the phone about any issues or details and to see if I can return it if it isn't right for me (in the UK distance selling over the internet I will have that right in law).
What it won't be is the dark and dingy shop where I can stand for 5-10 minutes while they chat to their mates or another where I can get mis-sold things by them after telling them I was a new diver (they have other border line policies which give them a pretty poor reputation here).

Of course the best shops are the ones with a physical and online presence - best of both worlds (which is the case with one of my preferred shops - it isn't local but it is worth the trip if I need the advice/fitting or I can order it online and then speak to them with any issues).

 

[muzikbiz22]

Some great points.

A hypothetical situation:
Let’s say you want to buy a piece of gear and every price at every LDS and all online sources is identical, including all taxes and any other fees.
What then makes you decide where to buy the item?

Going local;
1 - Support local business
2 - I'll have it NOW
3 - I'll chat it up with the staff (social aspect)
4 - See what's new
5 - Grab a couple of tacos at the place next door to the shop for lunch
6 - Get out of the house
7 - I'll probably stop at Sprouts or Target on the way back, to grab something else I need
8 - Drive by beach, check surf/conditions
9 - I may need support/assistance/question on my purchase

 

[kelemvor]

Some great points.

A hypothetical situation:
Let’s say you want to buy a piece of gear and every price at every LDS and all online sources is identical, including all taxes and any other fees.
What then makes you decide where to buy the item?

If it's on Amazon, that's what I'd use. Their customer service and return policy is ideal. Granted, I might have to wait a day and a half to get my item but not having to argue if I need a replacement or a refund is well worth it.

I've seen dive shops that don't even take returns at all. OTOH, I've seen dive shops that have a good return policy..scuba.com comes to mind, DRIS isn't bad but not as good as scuba (or online only sites like amazon).

Unless it's something like a fin where it's very difficult to judge fit without trying the item on. Then, the LDS is your only option.

 

[runsongas]

A hypothetical situation:
Let’s say you want to buy a piece of gear and every price at every LDS and all online sources is identical, including all taxes and any other fees.
What then makes you decide where to buy the item?

Customer service. I would rather deal with DRIS, DGX, or scubatoys than the two local shops that are run by total asshats, but would buy at one of the 4 local shops that isn't bad over somebody out of state.

A nice little thought about turning back the clock on gear pricing, but I would rather have the manufacturers provide fairer pricing to all dealers than force divers to buy at full MSRP.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Some great points.

A hypothetical situation:
Let’s say you want to buy a piece of gear and every price at every LDS and all online sources is identical, including all taxes and any other fees.
What then makes you decide where to buy the item?

LDS has a pool and allows customers to try gear out before buying.

 

[Saniflush]

Some great points.

A hypothetical situation:
Let’s say you want to buy a piece of gear and every price at every LDS and all online sources is identical, including all taxes and any other fees.
What then makes you decide where to buy the item?

LDS cause I can drink a beer with all of them talking about diving.

 

[RhodeDiver]

In the current market, open water classes are loss leaders.

The shop would only make more money on classes if they could charge more for the class while keeping their costs the same. I doubt the shop would be able to sustainably keep better instructors than the competition while not paying any better.

So if you read scubaboard to much you would think the whole dive industry is a loss leaders.