Deceptive LDS practices..RANT...

[RIDIVER501]

Whoopty-doo is right. That is the markup on TOP of MSRP which I'm guessing includes about a 100% markup (based on cost) to begin with.

As for student discounts, in this case I agree, it's basically just MSRP. I have no issue with that, just don't tell them that they are getting some great deal when in fact, they are paying MSRP.

Ron

Dude you are making it sound like LDS should feel guilty about making any money and that every LDS is just out to screw the consumer...not true.

question for you RON, what do you do for a living...doesn't have to be specific....generically are you a lawyer, doctor, mechanic...teacher..what. Just curious...wondering what the customer base for the business you own or work for says about the pricing policies of your business....food for thought

 

[MakoMermaid]

I have no problem with the standard retail markup. My complaint is markup above the MSRP. And yes, MSRP info is readily available, depending on the manufacturer. Go to the Oceanic website and take a look.

If I go into a Barnes and Noble, I do not expect to pay 20% above the price printed on the cover the book. Likewise, if I am shopping for a new car, I am not willing to pay a 20% premium above the sticker price. Why is this acceptable for scuba gear?

Just curious...wondering what the customer base for the business you own or work for says about the pricing policies of your business....food for thought

FWIW, I work for a publishing house. We print the MSRP in clear view on the back cover or dust jacket of every book we publish. Some retailers choose to discount from that, but I have never seen a bookseller charge a premium over and beyond, unless it's some kind of rare out-of-print edition.

 

[archman]

If I go into a Barnes and Noble, I do not expect to pay 20% above the price printed on the cover the book. Likewise, if I am shopping for a new car, I am not willing to pay a 20% premium above the sticker price. Why is this acceptable for scuba gear?

I always thought it was a "small business thing". If I compared books at a Barnes & Nobles vs. a mom-and-op store (if I could even FIND one anymore), the mom-and-pop prices should be higher. I always get screwed this way when I travel to rinky-dink tourist towns.

More applicable to scuba might be a sporting goods store. Compare prices of private ones vs. those of chains that sell the same equipment makes. Guess which one should have the lower prices.

I'm curious to know why there aren't any "wal-marts" of scuba. Not enough demand?

 

[RIDIVER501]

I'm curious to know why there aren't any "wal-marts" of scuba. Not enough demand?

Too specialized. too small a market to be viable...that would be my guess

 

[redacted]

I'm curious to know why there aren't any "wal-marts" of scuba. Not enough demand?

I suspect that the manufactures and distributors work to prevent it from happening. For a while, the army's equivilent of Walmart (the post exchanges) was carrying scuba gear in their catalog and in larger stores. They had a very small selection of regulators, gauges and BCDs (DACOR and Aqualung I believe). I have not seen any in the store for a while. May still be in catalog.

 

[jbisjim]

I'm curious to know why there aren't any "wal-marts" of scuba. Not enough demand?

The closest i have seen is Divers Direct in the keys but as far as i know that is once of a few.

No big sporting goods stores have picked up scuba either.

personally I like the small LDS's better.

 

[scubasean]

The closest i have seen is Divers Direct in the keys but as far as i know that is once of a few.

No big sporting goods stores have picked up scuba either.

personally I like the small LDS's better.

I consider Sport Chalet to be a big Sporting Good store, and my local Sports Chalet seems to have embraced scuba...They do air fills (not mine, but they do some...) have equipment, offer instruction, etc.