Discontinued Products and the consumers right to know?

[Debraw]

If you buy something brand new but it is discontinued do you think you should be told at the time of purchase? Do you think it should be listed in the description along with all the other attributes? Do you consider it a deceptive practice if you are not told at the time of sale the product was discontinued or should we rely on words like closeout, one of a kind's, clearance to give us a clue. As a retailer I am curious to hear what you think. Take the poll, add a comment...

 

[CrateCookie]

Hopefully, I would have done my homework and found out that ahead. It really depends on the item being purchased. If it is something along the lines of a regulator that should have parts replaced in the near future, it is a very important piece of information since the parts will likely go off of the market. If it along the lines of a wetsuit, it is not very relevant unless I have to be at the bleeding edge of fashion.

 

[Gary D.]

I can think of some good recent examples from what was a good old company.

Unfortunately it happens way too often in a wide variety of products.

Gary D.

 

[do it easy]

If a customer walks into your store and asks for a regulator and states that he wants one that will last a while and will be easy to service, I think you have a duty to mention it.

If you don't disclose and the customer finds out later, they'll probably be upset and you'll lose a customer, regardless if it mattered to them or not.

I would say be on the safe side and tell them. It might be discontinued, but the manufacturer might still support the parts and warranty.

I notice when scuba retailers actually address a customer's needs and wants, by asking a few questions to make sure the stuff they are selling will suit their needs.

 

[Debraw]

I don't think I would care on wetsuits, and like accessories, fins, masks, etc. I would want to know on regulators, bcd's, computers, big items like that. If you buy from an online shop should it be listed in the description?

 

[WesTexDiver]

This is one reason I bought ScubaPro regulators, as for the computer thing...I expect better technology is already out waiting to hit the market at the time of purchase, for this reason I buy something that I like and can afford to replace, but also something nice enough that I really like it and don't want to replace it.

 

[ams511]

What does discontinued mean? If it is last years model does that make it discontinued? How does it affect servicing? I have a Sherwood Magnum 1 regulator circa 1989, still works well and has no parts problem what so ever. I think what a store should warn customers about are manufacturers that change their products every other year then cut out parts support in order to sell new products.

 

[garyfotodiver]

What does discontinued mean? If it is last years model does that make it discontinued? How does it affect servicing? I have a Sherwood Magnum 1 regulator circa 1989, still works well and has no parts problem what so ever. I think what a store should warn customers about are manufacturers that change their products every other year then cut out parts support in order to sell new products.

What he says and the emphasis is mine.

 

[Bryan]

This is one reason I bought ScubaPro regulators, as for the computer thing...I expect better technology is already out waiting to hit the market at the time of purchase, for this reason I buy something that I like and can afford to replace, but also something nice enough that I really like it and don't want to replace it.

Ditto on the computer comment. It is for this reason I'm choosing not to buy an expensive computer right now. Looking for a basic one that logs enough dives for a typical vacation.

I would tend to buy something from a longtime manufacturer with a track record of reliable products that don't undergo redesigns every other year.

 

[do it easy]

What does discontinued mean? If it is last years model does that make it discontinued? How does it affect servicing? I have a Sherwood Magnum 1 regulator circa 1989, still works well and has no parts problem what so ever. I think what a store should warn customers about are manufacturers that change their products every other year then cut out parts support in order to sell new products.

Well there is a bit of conflict of interest when the retailer is a dealer for that line and relies on selling new BCs and regs each year to pay the rent. I don't follow the manufacturers that closely, but I don't think they change their line up too drastically each year. Also, there are some people who like to have the latest and the greatest and buy new gear frequently. I like to have the cheapest and the oldest.