Do you hate your LDS?

[OldNSalty]

I posted about it in the whine and cheese section-asked for a plus rating and got the run around on my tank. I was lied to a couple of times. I was told you couldn’t do it after the first 5 years, etc, etc. At the time, it made me mad enough to take my tank somewhere else and post a venting thread but I thought I would still go back.
The truth is, I haven’t. There are probably a half a dozen dive shops around my house and work so I find that I never need to go back to that one. I always try one of the others ‘first’ and the offending shop ‘last’ which basically results in me never going back.
They also tried the ‘You get an extra 500 psi of air if you buy one of our HP steel tanks’. I hate it when someone who is supposed to be knowledgeable says something stupid like this. It tells me I don’t need to be doing business with you. Either you are ignorant and so I don’t need to do business or you think I am and you would rather play to my ignorance then educate me so I don’t need to do business.
Still, can we talk about all the good shops out there? (and for the record-giving me a discount does not make you a ‘good’ shop…but you aren’t half bad either)

 

[jmasin]

My shop is great. People are nice, lots of camaraderie... We have a dive club through the shop and it's all good and everyone is friendly.

I also sometimes shop at Scuba Toys and they are always friendly and nice and helpful. I wouldn't call them my LDS as they aren't normally my first stop and they're on the other side of town.

I'm always so surprised to hear bad LDS stories with respect to attitude. I mean, that's local business 101! Prices are a different story but we've been through that one already.

 

[Diver0001]

Have you come to odds with your local dive shop? will you never spend another dime in some shop for some reason? please let us know how your local dive shop has wronged you? (no shop names please, just the reason).
Edit: the reason I ask is maybe dive shops are alienating their customers and maybe there is something we can learn so that we maintain the loyalty needed to survive in a slow market.

Why focus on the negative?

A lot of shops are also continuing to offer their clients outstanding quality of service in a difficult economic climate.

Do you want to hear about those on this thread or are you planning to start a separate thread for that?

R..

 

[IRBoarder]

I've gotten similar responces when I go in for a specific piece of equipment and am told that I should get Brand X followed by a long explination on how it is superior to the brand I want (and a lot more $$$). I've had 1 shop tell me that they dont carry and wont order me a piece of equipment because they dont believe it works/ is useful. It was a color correcting filter. I was really shocked on that one, I've never experienced any store that wouldnt be more then happy to take my money.

 

[SailNaked]

I am a strong believer in supporting the LDS. I am willing to pay 10-30% more at an LDS, however I also expect that my support will be valued and that I will not be lied to, or sold something because it is convenient for the shop or to get something off their shelves that is not selling.
I tend to buy what the shop has in stock, and if they have to order it on-line then I will do that myself since it will come to my house and I do not have to make a second trip. (they never offer to have it delivered to my house?) I only order on-line from businesses that are also dive shops so that I can support someones LDS even if it is not mine.
I do not expect to be hassled if I happen to buy something online that they did not have or given attitude about it. I shop where I feel comfortable. If there are a bunch of pushy sales people or people giving bad advice I move on. Of course I was in one shop and the dude behind the counter did not seem to be a diver, let alone an expert, I did not go back.
I guess my biggest gripe for a sales person would be when they do not understand why I am looking at a choice between A and B and do not take the time to define the differences so that I can make a good choice.

 

[SeaHound]

Very good question!

I don't hate my LDS. I just would not buy anything from them because most things they sell can be acquired so much cheaper elsewhere over the internet. I feel I would be a much "richer" diver if I avoid making equipment purchases with them .

I would be looking to do courses and training with them so that is where they would fit into my dive life.

 

[SailNaked]

Why focus on the negative?

A lot of shops are also continuing to offer their clients outstanding quality of service in a difficult economic climate.

Do you want to hear about those on this thread or are you planning to start a separate thread for that?

R..

I only asked a question I was interested in, because I am interested in why people stop shopping at an LDS and either go online or to another shop. I would think the shop owners would be interested in this too.

 

[SkimFisher]

I only asked a question I was interested in, because I am interested in why people stop shopping at an LDS and either go online or to another shop. I would think the shop owners would be interested in this too.

You would think so, but some of them aren't.

 

[CaboJim]

If it weren't for my LDS, I probably would not dive as much as I do. I'm treated like family, as most other of their regular customers. With out your LDS, would you depend on....Sports Chalet or any other sporting goods store for service or support?
...NOT

 

[OldNSalty]

OK-heres another thing that is kind of bothering...a dive shop with very little product. I don't expect a 60,000 sq ft warehouse full of gear but I don't want to shop somewhere that looks like they are in their last days of business. Carry 2 or 3 brands, stock most of the line from those brands. Give me choices. Don't fail to stock back inflate BC's becuase you don't like them. If I come into your place and you have 1 brand then guess what-you are practically forcing me to go to your competitor to at least see what else my money can buy.

Also, find out what my budget is and try to find stuff in my price range. If I am asking for too much for too little then sure-tell me, but don't try to sell me the top of the line unless I want the top of the line.