High Retail Prices = Hard to Support LDS

[spectrum]

I am assuming you meant that they come disassembled and you were not implying that I am stupid. Because I disassemble and reassemble $30,000 multifunction copy machines for a living. I am fairly certain I can handle a regulator.

I have no reason to question your intelligence. However the question I suggested is a recurring topic. Don't count on the details being in the supplied literature. It does illustrate one of the benefits of the local purchase. A good shop will put it together, test it on a flowbench and make adjustments to be certain the components play well together.

My life has never depended on a copier but I can appreciate you mechanical aptitude.

It all comes back to the value proposition. For the record, if your LDS will not close the gap you cited earlier I'd be buying online.

Pete

 

[RandyOrr]

Several people have said to try negotiating. That seems like sound advice. If they say no, then they can't really be upset at me for saving myself $2K for the same gear. If they work with me and get me all my gear for a reasonable price (even if it is slightly higher) then we all win!

Thanks again to all responses.

 

[RandyOrr]

I have no reason to question your intelligence. However the question I suggested is a recurring topic. Don't count on the details being in the supplied literature. It does illustrate one of the benefits of the local purchase. A good shop will put it together, test it on a flowbench and make adjustments to be certain the components play well together.

My life has never depended on a copier but I can appreciate you mechanical aptitude.

It all comes back to the value proposition. For the record, if your LDS will not close the gap you cited earlier I'd be buying online.

Pete

I didn't think you were implying that I was incapable or that you were insulting me. I only stated my example of what I do for a living to give those reading an idea of my technical abilities. I appreciate your response. Thanks.

 

[scubafanatic]

while I subcribe, in theory, to the idea of scoring brownie points at local dive shops by paying elevated prices, which I've done over the years sometimes, some shops still have a 'what have you done for me lately ?" attitude, meaning spending big $ one year with them a while back doesn't necessarily earn you unlimited future consideration, you have to 'refresh' the 'friendship' with ongoing big $ purchases...so I do a lot less gear buying at overpriced LDS's than I once did, and for some time now spend the vast majority of 'new' gear $ @ Scubatoys/Leisure Pro/ E-Bay/Scubaboard 'classifieds'....and a handful of other decent WWW-heavy retailers (Cave Adventurers/Golen Gear/DSS/Tech Diving Unlimited, plus a few others). For the most part, local dive shops only get my $ for hydros/gas fills and trips.....or when I'm buying brands like Halcyon or Deepoutdoors where my LDS can match WWW prices and there's no real WWW based discount on those brands.

samples of recent 'scores' are:

Atomic T2 reg, as new condition (30 dives) , retail $ 1500, my price, $ 600 ---Scubaboard
brand-new Atomic titanium DIN-to-yoke adapter retail $ 350, my price $ 250 --- Scubatoys
brand new (from WWW based dealer) Cochran Gemini with Intelligent WU /software : retail $ 2650, my price $ 1875 ---Tech Diving Unlimited
barely used/as-new (30 dives) Cochran Gemini with Intelligent WU retail $ 2350, my price $ 850 --- E-Bay
essentially new (2 dives claimed) Aqualung Titan LX $ retail somewhere around $ 400-ish, paid $ 225 ---E-Bay

so, that's $ 7250 worth of gear for $ 3800, essentially 1/2 price, I couldn't begin to pay full retail for all that stuff, if I don't find 'deals' I can't afford to buy it...at least not afford to buy the 'nice' stuff I like. ( I only buy new or barely used stuff, not interested in fixer-uppers.)

 

[stakanak]

The owner of my LDS brought up a good point.
"If the internet sites make it impossible for the LDS to compete, then all local shops are all going to go out of business...so where are you going to get your air fills at?"
New England Divers Inc. in Long Beach, Ca will match most prices online, so I feel lucky to have them around.

 

[spectrum]

while I subcribe, in theory, to the idea of scoring brownie points at local dive shops by paying elevated prices, which I've done over the years sometimes, some shops still have a 'what have you done for me lately ?" attitude, meaning spending big $ one year with them a while back doesn't necessarily earn you unlimited future consideration, you have to 'refresh' the 'friendship' with ongoing big $ purchases.

You know what I think shops appreciate and respect? Actve local divers. People that demonstrate that local diving is enjoyable and practical. Divers who mentor their newly minted divers and help grow a community that can support the shop.


QUOTE]

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

The owner of my LDS brought up a good point.
"If the internet sites make it impossible for the LDS to compete, then all local shops are all going to go out of business...so where are you going to get your air fills at?"
New England Divers Inc. in Long Beach, Ca will match most prices online, so I feel lucky to have them around.

Air compressors can be purchased online too

Serious reply: The shops have to adapt or die. They have to stop the traditional practice of pricing scuba instruction so low that is is a "loss-leader" for equipment sales that they may now lose to the internet....

Our local shops are still alive, even in this nasty recession. They do it by offering good training, service and repairs. But the internet has certainly hurt them.... And scuba companies with restrictive pricing policies like Scubapro and Aqualung are not doing their dealers a favor either, in my opinion.

Anyway, for the OP: It is your money. Spend where you wish, then go have fun diving!

Best wishes.

 

[k ellis]

the internet has certainly hurt them.... And scuba companies with restrictive pricing policies like Scubapro and Aqualung are not doing their dealers a favor either, in my opinion.

Aint that the truth! I have said that all along. Why buy aqualung for 450 dollars (Example) when you can goto Leisurepro and buy the exact same thing for 200 dollars made by the exact same manufacturer. If the company doesnt care enough about the divers buisness to honor the warranty then its their loss! If you buy it for half the price and it fails you can buy a new one with new everything and still be cheaper then an "Authorized" gouger errr dealer

 

[rstofer]

This has been argued MANY times - in the last month, I suppose. You have already decided to not support your LDS and there is no reason you should. Just make sure you know where to buy air when they close. Or, buy a compressor with all the savings.

Seriously, do your OW training with a shop you don't care about and rent everything. Then buy all your gear on the Internet and when you want more training, go to a different shop. They will expect you to have gear - you are a certified diver with experience. Of course you have your own gear.

Personally, I dislike negotiating price. Either the posted price is acceptable or it isn't. if it isn't, I have no problem buying on the Internet.

Richard

 

[k ellis]

This has been argued MANY times - in the last month, I suppose. You have already decided to not support your LDS and there is no reason you should. Just make sure you know where to buy air when they close. Or, buy a compressor with all the savings.

Seriously, do your OW training with a shop you don't care about and rent everything. Then buy all your gear on the Internet and when you want more training, go to a different shop. They will expect you to have gear - you are a certified diver with experience. Of course you have your own gear.

Personally, I dislike negotiating price. Either the posted price is acceptable or it isn't. if it isn't, I have no problem buying on the Internet.

Richard

I support my LDS whole heartedly but its not like I can slap an ATM and it start spitting out 100 dollar bills endlessly. With bills to pay and food needed in the house I cant afford to buy a pinto at Lamborgini prices. I agree I dont go in sounding like a begger on a street corner but why pay someone to take a vacation at your expense?

I just dont think its fair to walk into a shop and they owner has a photo of him in every tropical spot in the world and talk about how he cant charge less then what he does. Especially when you find it on the internet cheaper then when he sales it for 50 percent off!

Like I said earlier Ill pay up to 20 dollars more as it will cost that much in shipping and pay for the convenience of having it in hand but I am not going to buy a loaf of bread for 50 dollars so why should I buy a 250 dollar bcd for 750?????