High Retail Prices = Hard to Support LDS

[Web Monkey]

I am taking my OW test in a few weeks and I will probably rent my gear for it. however, I would like to start buying my own stuff over the next couple of months. When I go to my LDS, I find the prices are so much higher than internet prices. I don't mind paying a little extra to support the local biz, but it is way too much of a difference. I feel a little bad about not buying from the LDS but a BC they charge $650 for is $425 on leisurpro.com. $225 differnece?! Come on, how can I justify spending that much more for the exact same item? I bought a mask on the site and it cost me $55. It was $100 in the store.

Please help me alleviate my guilt over not buying from them. They are nice people, but I just don't have money like that.

A lot of this depends on how often you might want "extra nice" service from your LDS, what that's worth to you, and how much losing the equipment sale will piss them off.

I paid almost full retail for my stuff from my LDS almost ten years ago. At this point, I don't even remember how much most of it was, but if my reg is leaking or breathing funny, I can walk in, hand it to the service guy, and pretty soon, I'm out the door on the way to the dive site. If I had purchased it somewhere else, they would still service it, but I wouldn't expect the service guy to drop everything and take care of me.

Whether or not a mail-order warranty is "as good as" the factory warranty through your LDS is a more complicated question than it appears, because getting service via FedEx takes time and money and local service on a product you bought somewhere else might take longer than you expect.

In the end, only you can determine what sort of service you want, and what you'll get if you buy locally or mail order.

Terry

 

[A2thaK]

Scubatoys.com is fully authorized retailer of pretty much every brand they sell. Great prices, and great service. I had to custom fit my BC, which they did no prob, and made sure it arrived in time. The knives we bought ended up being Crocodile Dundee sized, so returned them quickly and easily. Plus no tax or shipping. Saving over $2000 (close to $2200 when you count not paying sales tax for the gear) compared to LDS for full gear set for the wife and I was the factor to not shop at the LDS.

 

[orlowskij]

I'm of the opposite mindset. I don't mind paying a little more for big-ticket items, especially if they're something that may require maintenance. I really enjoy getting to fondle gear and then walk out with it. On the other hand, I have no interest in paying double or more for a mask that I can get online.

the happy medium for this problem that in instructor told me is that on your expensive items such as BCs, buy them at the cheapest price, but on cheaper items, such as masks, accessories, maybe wetsuits, buy from your local dive shops. Even if you pay a little more, its good to support them, because if they go out of business, you may end up having to drive a long way to get air! So spending a little more on smaller items will help you out in the long run by still HAVING a LDS.

Stay Safe!

Jonathan

 

[k ellis]

I dont mind paying say 25 dollars more if in shop depending on the item but like I went in to a shop and they had a stainless steal knife at 60 dollars. I found the titanium one online for 49 dollars.

I know the shop has to make a buck but I have to save a buck and its survival of the fittest

 

[fire_diver]

Scubatoys.com is fully authorized retailer of pretty much every brand they sell. Great prices, and great service. I had to custom fit my BC, which they did no prob, and made sure it arrived in time. The knives we bought ended up being Crocodile Dundee sized, so returned them quickly and easily. Plus no tax or shipping. Saving over $2000 (close to $2200 when you count not paying sales tax for the gear) compared to LDS for full gear set for the wife and I was the factor to not shop at the LDS.

Not "pretty much every brand", but they are authorized retailers for EVERY brand they sell.

 

[A2thaK]

Not "pretty much every brand", but they are authorized retailers for EVERY brand they sell.

My bad. I didn't look to make sure they were for every brand, but they are for every brand of stuff I bought from them!

 

[k ellis]

Just curious as to see if anyone has been to Scuba toys shop and if so how was it? Was thinking of swinging by there next time im that direction.

 

[fire_diver]

Just curious as to see if anyone has been to Scuba toys shop and if so how was it? Was thinking of swinging by there next time im that direction.

It is the Mecca of divers! Everyone should go there at least once. Yes, I've been there several times. Better bring your wallet, you'll want to buy stuff.

 

[mdb]

K ellis:

Stopping @ ScubaToys would be well worth your time. A huge store with lots of inventory, many brands, and, most important, a very friendly and informed staff.

 

[fnfalman]

I am taking my OW test in a few weeks and I will probably rent my gear for it. however, I would like to start buying my own stuff over the next couple of months. When I go to my LDS, I find the prices are so much higher than internet prices. I don't mind paying a little extra to support the local biz, but it is way too much of a difference. I feel a little bad about not buying from the LDS but a BC they charge $650 for is $425 on leisurpro.com. $225 differnece?! Come on, how can I justify spending that much more for the exact same item? I bought a mask on the site and it cost me $55. It was $100 in the store.

Please help me alleviate my guilt over not buying from them. They are nice people, but I just don't have money like that.

Have you tried negotiation?

The price they list isn't necessarily the price they're willing to sell for.