I usually avoid these threads.......
but I can't help myself this time.
Sorry this is so long!!
I want to say up front that I know there are good and bad shops out there. I got in to scuba a little over a year ago. I am a very research oriented person and I also like to own quality gear. I read a lot on the internet, magazines (thanks Rodales) etc. and gained a lot of information. In the process I ran accross Leisure Pro. I made up my wish list and was suprised at the level of quality goods I was able to fit in to my budget.
Wanting to support a local business I went to my LDS. I told them I was wanting to buy my euipment and had done some "research" on the net. They immediately gave me the warranty and support speech. They REALLY stressed proper equipment selection and how their expertise was an absolute MUST in this area. They were extremely forceful about it, but I figured they were the experts. I then told them of the list of equipment I had put together and they said that was a great list of the best stuff they sold.
After having them beat me over the head with the importance of the equipment working together I asked them what modifications I should make to the list. They said "none, that stuff is all good together". I was VERY disapointed. They made such an issue about this, but had just confirmed that a complete novice had put together a great package. Still I pressed on. As I asked more questions it was obvious that I had learned more about the equipment I was considering in a few days on the net than this guy had learned with all his years of expertise. He flat out did NOT know the product he was selling.
About now is when I started noticing price tags. I asked them if price was negotiable and they said no, but that they would through in some free tank fills.
I then made a huge mistake. Now you have to remember I was a complete newbie and had no idea that there was this big LDS vs. Internet war going on. My mistake? I told them I had priced this stuff on the net and that it was dramatically cheaper. I said it in a very polite manner and that is when things got ugly. The guy all but yelled at me and proceeded to ***** me out for 30 minutes.
When I pressed him to at least give me a deal that would make me feel I had met him half way he said no. He said that if they did not charge full price they could not stay in business. His only solution was to offer me cheaper equipment. The Regulator that he offered to sell me was one Rodales had said flat out FAILED in their tests. This is the shop who's advice is vital to my survival? They lost a lot of credibility with that one.
I left with a very bad taste in my mouth and bought ALL of my basic gear from Leisure Pro. They were very polite. They gave me a $50 discount off their already low prices and 50% off shipping. I ordered everything 3 day air and it was here in 2. Everything was as promised.
I was so upset at the guy from the LDS that I called the owner. He was much more polite, but I still picked up on the hostility towards the net.
Warranties and service are important to me, but they have a limit. I paid nearly half as much for everything I got from LP versus the LDS. LP gave me discounts without me asking and the LDS would not give me anything but a few air fills even when I asked.
I am the type of person who likes nice stuff and upgrades constantly as new items come out. I expect that I will replace my equipment every 2-3 years as new and better items come out. At the prices from my LDS that is not possible. From LP it is.
I paid just under $500 for my Cobra w/compass. LDS wanted $900+ w/ NO compass.
I paid $470 for my Seaquest Pro Unlimited. LDS=$800++
I paid $275 for my reg. LDS wanted $600 $325 diferrence pays for more annual services than I will ever use.
$360 for Henderson gold Core. LDS Almost $700.
You get the idea.
For the savings if something does break beyond reasonable repair I can buy the newer and presumably better version and still only be at roughly the cost of what the LDS wants for just one.
Even with all of this I still managed to spend over $2000 at the LDS in less than 2 months and never once got any kind of break.
I am now wanting to get a vytec. I called the only 2 LDS's within a 4 hour drive of me and neither had it in stock. Both would special order it if I paid in advance. Both wanted $1190. Neither would drop one penny from the price. So they have no inventory risk, they gave me no advice on my purchase, and they are simply going to use MY money to order a computer and make a nice mark up. I will be buying it from an online source for $700 and an extra $25 for 2 day delivery. I save the 4 hour drive, gas, and 5% sales tax.
I am by nature a very loyal customer. I participate in several motorized sports and have good relationships with those dealers. I spend a lot of money with them and get amazing service and support. They also realize I am an internet hound and do a lot of my own research and education. Many times they are simply order takers. They recognize this and give me a small discount and good service. That keeps me coming back and has earned them 100% loyalty. I buy NOTHING for those sports from anyone but them!!
I do not think it is our responsibility to support the LDS blindly. They still must be fair in price and give good service. They need to be good business people, or they WILL go out of business. Those that do survive and thrive have recognized this. In some way most of us compete with the net. It has become a fact of life. Of the industries I am familiar with the Scuba industry seems to be the most monopolistic in there practices. How many other industries are so hard nosed about warranties and where you buy their product? Not many.
Sorry for the endless rant.
