Do you support your LDS (and does your LDS support you?)

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I know this is something that is discussed in numerous threads, but I am truly curious as to what the current ('07) consensus is.

Do you spend your money at your LDS, or do you shop around and try to find a better deal? Conversely, do you feel that your LDS is taking actions to support you - either through trips, activities, service of your gear, or customer service? As we continue down the path of e-commerce, gray market dealers, eBay, and the used market, I have to wonder what is going on with your local LDS. Are they out to grab the last pound of flesh before things dry up, or are they doing what it takes to keep you in the water and make your life better?

 

[Cacia]

nope.

slim pickens.

I know some good boat operators though.

here, basically, they say whatever will make them a dollar. Retail is well....takes a special group, most of the time.

 

[Fuzzmutton]

When I first got into scuba I checked out the LDS, a dive shop in the nearest big city and the nearest Sports Chalet. When I was finally ready to buy my own equipment I bought almost everything but my wetsuit at Sport Chalet, that I bought at the big city DS. I have "issues" with my LDS's owner who drinks on the job and talks foul in front of ladies among other unpleasant things. Ick.

Sport Chalet, for me, is pretty good. The staff is helpful and friendly, and if they don't have what I want they order it. They also gave me a huge discount because I bought so much at once (hubby bought all HIS gear at the same time). I would love to support "the little guy" instead of a big chain but in this case I can't.

Fuzz

 

[LiteHedded]

I shop around
sometimes I buy from them, sometimes not

 

[TeddyDiver]

Actually there's any LDS around (closest one 1000km away) so it's the only choice to shop "around"

Edit: "around" means around the world. So far from California, New Yersey, England, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Finland and Thailand

 

[Ben_ca]

I support my "LDS"... but then again what's the definition of "Local" There are 4 other dive shops that are closer to the house but the one I like is the one I call my LDS.

 

[Stu S.]

I went to the dive shop yesterday to get four tanks filled. I was turned away. "Closed for inventory". Could I drop off the tanks to be filled later? "No." When can I get there filled? "Compressor is broken, try later". That was 24 miles of driving and half an afternoon wasted. The argument to support these stores is that's where you get air. Yes, I'll be back when they get that working.

Many of these dive businesses are open 9 to 5 when most people are at work. I manage to buy some things from them, but they are not exactly reaching out to me. Diver's Direct in Orlando is a great source of supply, but they don't have Nitrox. What's a man supposed to do?

Happy diving!

 

[JahJahwarrior]

I don't buy big stuff from my LDS, I love buying stuff used. I buy small stuff and none of the three shops in town have ever been super nice or "hooked me up" like other places have. For example, one guitar store I know greets me by name, all of the employees know me and are totally cool with me touching or playing whateverin the shop, and they'll often toss some stuff into deals, like a few dollars worth of guitar picks. Or this one movie theatre, I was buying tickets for about 8 people once, all students. The guy told me he coudln't sell the other 7 tickets at student price without seeing their student cards too, but then he told meif I bought one of the heart shaped fundraiser things, then he'd let me. So I bought two of them and thanked him, because he saved me about $10 or so. No LDS greets me by name, except for my instructor. One of them didn't deal with me too kindly with some regulator service, another does try to rob me blind (prices are unbelievably high!) and the third is just kind of wierd.

 

[dive_lover88]

i get all my stuff from my lds. I'll get stuff that they dont carry from other places(which hasnt happened yet).

 

[Mark Vlahos]

I travel full time on business so my local dive shop is whatever shop is in the town where I am. I have purchased gear from local shops, and I often look at the various on-line shops as well. They both get my business.

Generally things like regulators I have purchased from local shops to maintain a warranty, since I own regs from one of the brands that does not allow on-line sales and still give the free parts warranty. Wet or dry suits that require fitting are purchased at brick and mortar shops, since I feel it is unfair to go in to a shop to get fitted and then buy from an on-line source.

Things like replacement hoses, knives, and the like are usually purchased from various on-line stores.

Having said that, I have been in to the brick and mortar stores of Scuba.com, TechDivingLimited, DiveRite Express, Extreme Exposure, and a few others so my experience is a bit different than most. It is reasonable to consider all of the options and select the one that is most appropriate for the specific purchase you are making at that time.

Mark Vlahos