?? about Leisure Pro

[moon]

Moonie the HUGE problem I have with the advice is that she suggested that the poster go to a LDS, shop around and then order it from LP. This goes beyond rude. If she tried it on me I'd throw her out on her ear. If someone wants to order online that's fine but it's reprehensible to use a LDS as a "changing room" and then order online. If you want the benefit of ordering online, which is a lower price then you take the negatives along with it, which is NOT being able to touch it, feel it, try it on, ask questions about it, exchange it if needed, get convenient service, etc. etc. etc..
I'll say it again as I have said it before. An LDS IS NOT overcharging you for anything if you base that comparison on a price from an online supplier. I have no problem with anyone trying to get the best deal on any product. THE BEST DEAL is not always the lowest price.

I'm not suggesting using your LDS in that particular fashion. We've only found truely one LDS that takes the time and effort to answer questions and give pros and cons on different products.. including the ones they don't carry. I appreciate that. From personal experience, the LDS that I have gone to with the exception of one, tend to blow me off unless I'm spending money AND do not go through a detailed pro and con of their products. They don't even consider products that they don't carry. But, since I'm happy with the one.. I don't really shop elsewhere anymore.

But, on things such as computers, fins, things of that nature.. I'd buy online if I found it cheaper. Which I have with the computers...

 

[Dive-aholic]

We've had the same experience. If the green ain't coming their way, they don't want to put forth the effort. That has turned us off some, but when you only have a couple of LDSs in the area, it doesn't leave you with much of a choice. And both of them are about 45 minutes away. Besides the fact that we have to get air from somewhere. So we keep trying to give them our business. It just doesn't seem like they really want it. We still pay for education and trips, they just don't see much for gear.

 

[Xman]

Divaholics, while I see your point, remember that the LDS is a business. Would you get into a TAXI, ask their advice on the quickest way to your destination, then jump out before he pulls away and use a different TAXI? I agree that to get your business, the LDS should be providing service, and looking out for your needs. However, those expecting the LDS to recommend a brand they don't stock are a little unrealistic. While I believe they should always give an honest (and as unbiased as possible) answer when asked about the pros and cons of their gear versus a competitors, why would they try and get you to go elsewhere? They have to make a living.
As fa as I am concerned, your LDS should be giving you the best advice it can, and be recommending the best gear that is available for them to sell to you. They should not pretend that this is the only gear worthy of buying, but should be willing to explain to you, why "in their opinion" it meets your particular needs.
How many stores of any sort are going to reommend a differnet stores brand ?????
It comes down to you doing your homework on what gear you think might suit, and then (where possible) discussing the pros and cons of that gear with the various stores that sell the gear you may want.

 

[hecker-the-wrecker]

We've had the same experience. If the green ain't coming their way, they don't want to put forth the effort. That has turned us off some, but when you only have a couple of LDSs in the area, it doesn't leave you with much of a choice. And both of them are about 45 minutes away. Besides the fact that we have to get air from somewhere. So we keep trying to give them our business. It just doesn't seem like they really want it. We still pay for education and trips, they just don't see much for gear.

I wanted a wetsuit, lds=$350 Ebay $90 (new) I wanted split fins, lds=$225 Ebay=$88 Then i wanted a mares proton ice, lds= "They are junk". When i asked why, "because we don't stock them"(no other reason) Why do I need to support them with equipment purchases? I have spent about $1000 on training for myself and one employee, next is nitrox course for 2, ice diving for 2, drysuit for 2,e.t.c., If i spent money on equipment there, I couldn't afford to pay for training!

 

[Dive-aholic]

Xman, I guess I didn't say exactly what I meant--my bad. I didn't mean we're going to our LDS looking for advice to go to the competition. We're just trying to get advice on the stuff they carry. But unless the green is coming their way the minute we walk through the door, they don't want to spend the time trying to make the sale. All they seem to want to do is ring up the purchase and put the cash in the drawer. We get that from LP. If we're going to pay a little more money to the LDS, we'd like the service and knowledge that should be a part of that. We don't want to just hear, "Buy these because I said." We want to know why a particular brand or model is better than another. We don't get that from our LDS. We do a lot of our own research. We check our LDS first to see if they carry the brand we've decided on. Usually, they do. But all they want to do is put it in a bag and move on to the next customer. That's what LP does. We have found a couple of LDSs that do give the service and knowledge we look for. One is in NJ (where we happen to go a couple times a year to visit family) and the other is a couple hours away from us. But both spend time talking to us about the stuff they carry. And both have seen more money from us for equipment than the closest LDS to us.

Heckler, find another LDS. Those prices are outrageous. I thought our LDS was bad. I hope they're not charging you similar prices for training!

 

[AmyJ]

just my .02.. as a newbie. Have ordered a fair amount of stuff from LP. No problems, quick shipping, customer service has been great.

LDS #1... as has been previously stated... This would be best for you... why? because we sell it and we sell only the best. Don't ask questions, Don't ask about what's right for you (the customer) and certainly don't expect any help from us. Consequently, we don't buy there.

LDS #2... first visit... looking for some help... listened... had suggestions and recommended what would really work best for me was something they didn't carry but they could give me some sources to get it. Consequence... all LDS spending goes here. Feel that they have our best interests in mind and we do our best to support them.

LDS #3 (not that local, about a 2 hour drive this weekend for first visit) closest Zeagle dealer, I am getting a Zeagle for Xmas! Drove 2 hours one way... learned that... no we don't have them for you to try on. No we don't want to sell you a Zena because the owner doesn't like it (got on the phone with her on vacation in Vegas... was told... I Know NOTHING about the ZENA and I don't like it so I don't want to sell it to you). If you INSIST I will sell it, but don't come to me if it doesn't fit or you have problems.

Well, with that kind of customer service how am I any worse off ordering from LP??? So... be fair, follow your gut instinct and try not to go broke. Good Luck.

 

[scubatoys]

just my .02.. as a newbie. Have ordered a fair amount of stuff from LP. No problems, quick shipping, customer service has been great.

LDS #1... as has been previously stated... This would be best for you... why? because we sell it and we sell only the best. Don't ask questions, Don't ask about what's right for you (the customer) and certainly don't expect any help from us. Consequently, we don't buy there.

LDS #2... first visit... looking for some help... listened... had suggestions and recommended what would really work best for me was something they didn't carry but they could give me some sources to get it. Consequence... all LDS spending goes here. Feel that they have our best interests in mind and we do our best to support them.

LDS #3 (not that local, about a 2 hour drive this weekend for first visit) closest Zeagle dealer, I am getting a Zeagle for Xmas! Drove 2 hours one way... learned that... no we don't have them for you to try on. No we don't want to sell you a Zena because the owner doesn't like it (got on the phone with her on vacation in Vegas... was told... I Know NOTHING about the ZENA and I don't like it so I don't want to sell it to you). If you INSIST I will sell it, but don't come to me if it doesn't fit or you have problems.

Well, with that kind of customer service how am I any worse off ordering from LP??? So... be fair, follow your gut instinct and try not to go broke. Good Luck.

Well, the Zena's are nice... And keep in mind, through an authorized dealer, Zeagle comes with a lifetime warranty. I might be tempted to make sure I get that warranty. Zeagle really stands behind their stuff, but only if purchased from an authorized dealer.

 

[AmyJ]

I realize that.... we are working it out with Scott Zeagle...I was just using this as an example for the thread topic of LDS versus LP. And I realize we have not yet utilized ScubaToys but look forward to in the future. (Actually my husband did talk or email someone there about getting the Zena, but was told we couldn't order the different sized components which is one of our main reasons for going with the zeagle).

 

[scubatoys]

I realize that.... we are working it out with Scott Zeagle...I was just using this as an example for the thread topic of LDS versus LP. And I realize we have not yet utilized ScubaToys but look forward to in the future. (Actually my husband did talk or email someone there about getting the Zena, but was told we couldn't order the different sized components which is one of our main reasons for going with the zeagle).

Hmmm.. Didn't get that here... or if you did it was a goof up... I've got dozens of shoulders and fronts all in different sizes sitting here just for that reason.

 

[AmyJ]

If that's the case, I am sorry. I know hubby contacted SOMEOME at Scuba toys!!! Could have been a misunderstanding. But it's good to know. WE will keep you in mind for the future as he will also be adding a Zeagle BC to his toy collection! Thanks so much!!