I'm ordering my first set of gear!!!

[scubadobadoo]

Blackmail no. Human nature yes. Who would you expect to take care of first. Someone who bought their gear online or someone who bought their gear from you? If LDS can't stay in business because they can't charge enough to pay for the bricks, where are you going to get your fills.

I visited a local dive shop recently that I had never been to before. They did three visuals on tanks I didn't buy from them, filled those tanks for me, charged me what everyone else pays, and did it in an hour and with a smile. They didn't treat me like I slapped them in the face and didn't make me wait longer than other customers. Guess what? I WILL patronize this shop in the future because I received excellent service and I paid for that service. They earned a customer that day. Now, what about the shop that makes me wait? Probably out of business now. That's the shop I don't patronize.

This is simple gang. If you treat all your customers with a tiny bit of respect and don't give them grief then they will all return. If you complain about internet sales at work and then come home and spend three hours on Scuba Board a day, then you have some thinking to do. Heck, I have never even been to your shop before and you are giving me grief. I could only imagine what you would do or say if I actually visited.

 

[ReefHound]

Blackmail no. Human nature yes. Who would you expect to take care of first. Someone who bought their gear online or someone who bought their gear from you? If LDS can't stay in business because they can't charge enough to pay for the bricks, where are you going to get your fills.

When a business person (owner/manager) allows his "human nature" to govern his business decisions, he is acting unprofessionally. The proper handling is "first come first serve", unless a job is on hold waiting for parts or bumped by one who paid an expedited fee.

This kind of behaviour is indicative of the LDS who cannot compete and thus develops a bad attitude. You aren't going to teach the online buyer a lesson, much less win him over with that. Instead you are going to reinforce the poor reputation many have of the LDS and drive him further away.

Since you seem to see this punitive and spiteful behaviour as normal and acceptable, I can only conclude that you engage in such yourself. Do you give poorer instruction to the student who shows up with gear purchased online? Or the student who took previous courses with someone else instead of you?

 

[Stogie8]

It's funny how this string has morphed..........

JodiBB, Congrats on the new gear!!! It's a really exciting part of the diving experience to have your own gear. Always remember, it's your hard earned money and you can spend it wherever you want!

I have bought gear online from Scuba Toys, Divers Direct, and Divers Supply and it's always been a great experience. No problems with service, warranty, etc. I have also bought gear from my LDS with equally great service. I have lived all over the country and am a sales professional. I understand what it takes to earn a customer and keep a customer.

Buy from whoever treats you the best and offers the best value for your money. Don't worry if it is online or LDS. All the reputabale brand gear is going to perform for you and you will always be able to get it serviced somewhere.

 

[PerroneFord]

What is truly amazing to me, is what people consider "too far away" for a LDS. Here in Cave Country, I believe we have some of the best dive shops in the world. We consider them local. But our LDS circle is about 2-3 hour drive. I think nothing of hopping in the car and driving down to High Springs (2 hours away) to pick up a backup light, some bolt snaps or a mask.

Where do I get my fills? About 45 minutes from my house. And the price is so much cheaper, that even with the 1.5 hours drive time I save money on filling two Al80s. I have an LDS about 2 minutes from my house. Sometimes I use them. Usually not. I actually had a guy there get huffy when I asked him to check both sides of my inflator (since it was off when I checked my newly filled tanks) and he would have had to unscrew the checker from one side and onto another.

Bad LDS? No time for them. Good LDS? I'll drive hours to buy from them.

Gear service can be done ANYWHERE. LDS is not a concern
Fills can be gotten TONS of places. LDS is not a concern
Local info = I-N-T-E-R-N-E-T LDS is not a concern.

What a friggin joke.. where will you get fills from... LOL!!

 

[hopeitsapar]

I agree with the patronizing the LDS, I have bought both ways, and now only buy from the shop. I take classes from them, and I know if I need any service I get it immediately, rather than having to ship it back. Fortunately, I have bought enough that they will do repairs on the online purchase but I still feel guilty

 

[JodiBB]

Well....I've officially purchased my gear through Scubatoys...because of the special order on the Bares wetsuit, it'll take a bit longer, but I don't mind. I'm just excited that I'm not going to have to rent faulty equipment from my local LDS anymore (they don't keep their rental equipment real well, including receiving sandy equipment, broken octos and tattered wetsuits)....

I'll be waiting by my doorstep in the next week or so!

 

[H2Andy]

excellent!

buying gear is the best ... expensive, but the best!

 

[shellbackdiver1]

Without going back and quoting ppl I would like to comment on this "where are ya gonna get air when the LDS closes". Actually my LDS wised up and all they sell is air. I love it...no more do you need this, that blah blah blah....shut up, just give me air. Thanks...see ya in 4 hours.

 

[stevetim]

Anyway, back on track to the original poster's comments...congratulations. Gear is a personal obsession of mine and I hate to let it out of my sight when not stored at home. Mostly because I know my ***** depends on it and I like to keep it clean and just the way I left it when I dive.

The only question I ask is, "did you actually try out the gear you are getting before buying?".

And sorry that your excitement of posting a thread about your finally getting your own gear turned into another LDS vs. Internet Dive Shop debate. The board's members should be embarrassed for jacking your thread in such a way.

 

[spectrum]

Congratilation JodiBB!

Nothing will stoke your diving more than having your own gear standing by ready to dive. Your skills will blosom with consistent gear and your peace of mind will make the investment a bargain.

Now how many cylinders will you be needing?.....

Keep us posted!

Pete