Yet fit wellAuto correct
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Yet fit wellAuto correct
The short fill would annoy me. But are you giving this as an example of an insane price? It sounds like that might be just about 100% markup on the cost of running the compressor. In this thread, we've been talking about how historically dive shops were able to sell gear at 100% markup, which allowed them to practically give away classes and air fills. Now if they have to match the gear prices of online retailers, who can get away with much less overhead, and if they can't charge more for classes because it'll deter new divers, then the money has to come from fills.My nearest shop charges $12 for 100cf+ for just air. $10 for under 100cf, and $17 for nitrox. Always a little short unless I leave it there which is a pain as it's out of my way.
" Both are willing to say "No, I don't think you need a new __________. Give me a couple minutes & let me replace a part & let's see if that fixes your problem." (And I wind up buying a $10 part instead of a new piece of gear.)
This business model may seem foolish to some, but it keeps the customer base loyal. I would not hesitate to recommend either of these shops to people looking for an LDS. (In fact, at one time or another, I have recommended both of them here on ScubaBoard.)
The short fill would annoy me. But are you giving this as an example of an insane price? It sounds like that might be just about 100% markup on the cost of running the compressor. In this thread, we've been talking about how historically dive shops were able to sell gear at 100% markup, which allowed them to practically give away classes and air fills. Now if they have to match the gear prices of online retailers, who can get away with much less overhead, and if they can't charge more for classes because it'll deter new divers, then the money has to come from fills.
CompetitionIf that's the case then why do shops in say FL not only sell stuff for less, but their air fills are also less? I can get an air card in FL for ~ $4 / air fill. I can't even get an air card here. I understand that it's volume, but if the shops around here made it about diving and not about sales they would have more volume.
Would they? Is diving as popular where you are as it is in Florida? Not trying to be snarky; I genuinely don't know.I understand that it's volume, but if the shops around here made it about diving and not about sales they would have more volume.
DIfferent shops have to use different strategies depending upon where they are located. Now, many make mistakes, but a strategy that is profitable in one area will absolutely flop in another.If that's the case then why do shops in say FL not only sell stuff for less, but their air fills are also less? I can get an air card in FL for ~ $4 / air fill. I can't even get an air card here. I understand that it's volume, but if the shops around here made it about diving and not about sales they would have more volume.
Would they? Is diving as popular where you are as it is in Florida? Not trying to be snarky; I genuinely don't know.
When I worked in restaurants, I learned that our biggest expense by far was labor. I know it takes a lot more people to run a restaurant than a dive shop, but it's worth noting that our labor came cheap-- servers only made the federal tipped minimum wage of $2.63/hour, while everyone else but managers made exactly the regular minimum wage plus a portion of the servers' tips. I did some management work and found that those slow nights just killed us on our labor cost, because we could only cut the staff so much and still function. Similarly, a dive shop might have, what, half a dozen people working at their busiest time? But you can't have less than one person, even if there's only enough work at the moment for, say, 25% of that person. Close up early because the shop is empty, and you piss off the one person who shows up after and really needs a fill for tomorrow. You can also only downsize the physical shop so much, even if you never have more than one customer at a time.
Volume is incredibly important to being able to offer low prices. But low prices don't just bring people in off the street-- at best, they lure people away from your competitors.