On the original subject, it seems to me that the LDSs that are surviving (and even thriving) are those that have evolved with the times. While some on-line retailers do sell international or grey market goods, others (I'm thinking of Scuba Toys) are authorized dealers for all the products they sell who started as and continue to be LDSs. Sure, they play the game of MAP, but unlike my LDS they are willing to come substantially off of MSRP. By doing so, they might lose some of their profit in each individual transaction, but they make up for it in volume.
They do all this while still filling tanks and providing training for their local customers, and they provide first class information and customer service. All this, and I don't need to leave work early to buy something from them.
Don't get me wrong, I like the guys at the LDS, but I'm tired of being made to feel guilty or like I'm not in the "club" if I don't buy absolutely everything from them.
They do all this while still filling tanks and providing training for their local customers, and they provide first class information and customer service. All this, and I don't need to leave work early to buy something from them.
Don't get me wrong, I like the guys at the LDS, but I'm tired of being made to feel guilty or like I'm not in the "club" if I don't buy absolutely everything from them.