Curious: Are you LDS loyal? What do you use them for?

[DivemasterDennis]

L am very much loyal to my shop. I also work their part time and get a discount, but even before that I was loyal. I will by some things, mostly accessories, on line, but for technical stuff like regs and computers, I shop there because I get good service and repair there. I also shop there for things I want to fit right, like exposure suits, bcd's, boots and the like. One limiation in my connection with them- I rarely go on their group trips. Debbie and do most of our diving on our own, on trips we put together ourselves.
DivemasterDennis

 

[TSandM]

I am loyal to any business as long as I think I am getting good service at reasonable prices. "Loyalty" as dive shops seem to perceive it, seems completely silly to me. Why you would be rude to a potential customer, because that customer had done business somewhere else, baffles me -- no matter where they may have shopped before, or may shop in the future, right now they appear to be prepared to spend money WITH YOU.

I did business with the shop that certified me for quite a while, until I heard about an "all you can eat" Nitrox deal at another shop. I went in to my shop and asked the owner if he would consider such a plan, and I got an earful about how plans like that just put shops out of business, blah blah blah. I took my business at that point to the shop that was offering what I wanted. (He did eventually go out of business, but it wasn't because of the gas plan.)

I've bought from dive shops (several in our area, depending on who had what I wanted at a price I was willing to pay), from online shops, and used. That's really no different from the way I handle my other hobby, which is horses. The only difference is that scuba is unique in EXPECTING customer "loyalty", without expecting to provide anything to create that loyalty.

 

[Scared Silly]

I am loyal to any business as long as I think I am getting good service at reasonable prices.

Bingo. Does not matter the business it is all about service and prices.

I have 5 shops in my area (and I live in the middle of the desert). Three I will recommend to folks, one I will not recommend, and the other is new enough and far enough away that I have not utilized it. However, a friend is an instructor for them so if asked I would say given them a try and look for her.

As for loyalty I have bought gear from all three and have used all three for repairs (though I now work on my regs). At various times they have given me deals on gear (I played dive master for a while at a University program until it imploded).

I also do not mind paying a bit more for gear from them because they are local and in most cases a true mom & pop operation. They are good about not charging for little bits here and there. However, when I realize they are not going to charge me for something I ask what I owe them. I feel this shows respect to their business and gives a chance to say thanks in an appreciative way. In return I have expressed my appreciation by bringing them some of my home brewed beer, in one case I took their tech out to lunch because I wanted to pick his brain about some dive locations.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I did business with the shop that certified me for quite a while, until I heard about an "all you can eat" Nitrox deal at another shop. I went in to my shop and asked the owner if he would consider such a plan, and I got an earful about how plans like that just put shops out of business, blah blah blah. I took my business at that point to the shop that was offering what I wanted. (He did eventually go out of business, but it wasn't because of the gas plan.)

Ironically, he went out of business because he was so insistent on loyalty. Tossed a friend of mine out of his shop once because the guy purchased a relatively minor item on the internet. Never mind that the fellow subsequently spent over $10,000 at another local shop in less than a year.

As Forest Gump's mama always said ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[freewillie]

Short answer is:

I am loyal to one shop. I still do purchase things online if the price is right. The LDS has to have knowledgeable staff, good prices, and good customer service.

Long answer is:

My LDS of choice is Dive and Photo in Irvine. I have done all my training both OW and AOW through their shop and had my daughter go through AOW with them as well. I have and do purchase most of my gear from them including my BC, regulator, mask, fins, etc. IF they don't have something in stock then they will order it for me. They don't push or try to sell me what I don't want or need but bend over backwards to get me what I want.

Because I spend so much money each year in the shop they routinely give me discounts on gear purchases, especially the big ticket items like my recent regulator purchase. They also make accommodations for me since I rent a lot of gear through them as well and gave me a good deal to rent a regulator and computer for the week. My daughter felt more comfortable with our shop's gear than taking our chances while in Mexico.

They also don't care that I've bought gear online. I purchased my daughter's BC online since it was just too good of a price to pass up ($179 for an Aeris Travelite BC as closeout special) but they were more than happy to order the cummerbund for the BC.

Price, service, social fun. Everything you want in a shop.

 

[btw2459]

If the shop I use had everything I needed and I could use the Bill me Later service I use with some of the online stores I use then I would exclusively use the local shop. However they don't and the shop is catering for the holiday crowd mostly (panama city beach) so I've to use online more. With that being said the staff in the shop and their dive boat are great people to hang around with and shoot the breeze.

 

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

Here is how I choose to look at it:

a) If the LDS offers better prices then I would go with the LDS. If online retailer offers better prices then I would go with the online retailer.

b) The notion that LDS in general offers better after-sales service is plain out wrong! There are LDSs that have broken their customers gear while service and then had the nerve to charge them to repair the damage inflicted by them during service. On the other hand there are online retailers that offer such a personalized level of service that they would leave nothing more to be desired.

In the end my loyalties lie with myself and I look at what works for me.

 

[KD8NPB]

I'm a diver first, a retailer second.

I'm not pushy. Tell me your needs, I'll direct you towards the proper gear to suit those needs, then I'll let you mull it over.

However, there is nothing that saddens me more than seeing a diver purchase gear they have never used before (online of course), gear that does not meet their requirements, then come to me with problems...

 

[Basking Ridge Diver]

I like LDS's - I have bought off the internet and have had success and failures. That said I am a big boy and if someone is pushing me to buy things I don't need I will move on. I look for a good shop that has good training and has good equipment. I will not quibble for $20 or more on an item but if I am sure the item is the same and I can get more than $50 off I will will go with that resource. But I do not mind paying a higher price to an LDS to keep them in business... I just don't to be sending their children to college on my nickel.

 

[rhwestfall]

when the Mercedes are taking up spots in the lot (not in the visitor parking area), I tend to wander....

I was on a trip where the owner was boasting of how he was heading back to his room to soak in the jacuzzi.... (on our $$$) - okay, I get it, we financed your travel, but STFU!

A lot more just got purchased on the interwebs......