LDS Closures

[wsims57]

Educated customers get turned off when they walk into an LDS and hear stuff like that. I can probably list 10 big name places to buy dive gear via the internet and 9.5 of them are authorized dealers for everything they sell. The landscape has changed.

Rich

What I state is fact. You can verify this rather easily. For instance go to Aqua Lung's website. They have a posted policy on internet transactions. I am on the consumers side. I agree with the frustration that is out there. I just chose to make a difference from the inside. And it is working. At least that is what my customers say. And they are all "Educated" customers!

 

[fireflock]

What you said is only fact for a few manufacturers who represent only a small percentage of the dive gear sold via the internet. You try to make it sound much more common than it is.

If you told 100 computer savvy non-divers to buy a new regulator via the internet, my guess is that only a handful would come back with something that was not from an authorized dealer. You have to work hard to stumble upon a new ScubaPro or Apeks reg unless you're specifically looking for those brands.

Something like this, I could agree with.

I hear your frustration. I work at an LDS and have been noticing the change. The one thing I do see a lot is the same frustrated customers buying a reg or computer from one of the many internet shops. They come to us thinking that the item they purchased has a warranty because they just bought it?!?! I hope that all potential buyers that looking to buy from the internet checks out the warranty. A small percentage of sales made over the internet are not covered by a warranty as a few ofthe manufacturers may not permit internet sales. Please be careful. I have seen a lot of people get screwed thinking they had a life time warranty but did not because it was purchased over the net. I understand this only applies to a few brands that are popular among shops who don't want to compete with other retailers but that just makes things worse for the consumer. Please be careful.

I think we both understand the game.

Rich

 

[ReefHound]

What you said is only fact for a few manufacturers who represent only a small percentage of the dive gear sold via the internet. You try to make it sound much more common than it is.

I agree, his post was carefully worded so as to be technically true while lending a misleading impression. Actually, the statement that buying such brands on the internet leaves you with no warranty is not actually true. It leaves you with no *manufacturer* warranty but most stores (OK, we know who we're really talking about here) offers to match it with their own warranty.

Most online retailers only sell authorized products. I find it hard to believe that a lot of divers are buying SP/AL on the internet and then are surprised to learn they are not supported by the manufacturer. My dive club has over 500 members and I know most of them and all of them are aware of this. It's hard to imagine many divers getting through OW without getting the typical anti-internet spiel a few times.

 

[jpsexton]

What I state is fact. You can verify this rather easily. For instance go to Aqua Lung's website. They have a posted policy on internet transactions. I am on the consumers side. I agree with the frustration that is out there. I just chose to make a difference from the inside. And it is working. At least that is what my customers say. And they are all "Educated" customers!

Most "Educated" customers won't go to the internet to buy Aqua Lung or SP. If they do they are well aware of the warranty issues and have made a conscious decision that the "equivalent warranty" that they receive from the online retailer meets their needs.

How fitting is it that a thread titled "LDS closures" winds up in a discussion about the very manufacturer policy that is ultimately closing them.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

How fitting is it that a thread titled "LDS closures" winds up in a discussion about the very manufacturer policy that is ultimately closing them.

... as well as an example of the type of misleading information that a lot of LDS staff provide to their clientele in an attempt to retain their business ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[redacted]

An "authorized" dealer selling both Scubapro and Aqualung via the internet. Scubastore - Diving Gear and Dive Equipment, Diveinn But they are not a USA "authorized" dealer so your LDS is unlikely to provide any warranty support so you7 would probably have to deal directly with service centers.

 

[wsims57]

I agree with you. I am a consumer that got tired of being treated like sh_t. I understand exactly why people are getting tired of their LDS's. But not all shops are bad. I do believe that the LDS will have to change or they will fold. The internet was a rude awakening for those LDS's that thought they had a niche business. That is gone and I say good riddance to them! But I do know a lot of shop owners that are trying to change. I just hope it is not too late.

 

[wsims57]

What you said is only fact for a few manufacturers who represent only a small percentage of the dive gear sold via the internet. You try to make it sound much more common than it is.

If you told 100 computer savvy non-divers to buy a new regulator via the internet, my guess is that only a handful would come back with something that was not from an authorized dealer. You have to work hard to stumble upon a new ScubaPro or Apeks reg unless you're specifically looking for those brands.

Something like this, I could agree with.



I think we both understand the game.

Rich

Rich, I do appreciate the editing and I agree with you. I think what happens is that alot of dive shops including the one I work at are trying to change but some of us are just divers and need help communicating. I just hope it is not too late.

 

[scubafool]

Can you let me know who this is? I need that kind of help, and this person could be local to me.

Thanks / Stu.

He is a member here, here's the link to his profile. ScubaBoard - View Profile: Aqua Marine


He is located in Deltona, pretty convenient to Blue Springs. Tell him I sent you.

 

[meesier42]

I don't have any sob stories about my LDS closing, but there are at least 3 of them near me that I wish would close. They have all changed owners and all of the new owners are terrible. Two of them went from great shops to worthless, one went from bad to really bad. Not a one of them will give you an air fill for under $12, yes AIR, and that's if you have a AL80 w/yoke. DIN, steel, 100cf tanks etc all cost you more. Nitrox, forget about it, the cheap shop wants $16, the high end is $24. Luckily I am moving soon and hopefully the new shop will be back to the $4 (or less) that I am used.

This isn't capitalism, that is outright theft, its companies like this that are causing the decline in this sport.