LDS loyalty?

[plankspanker]

My LDS went all out and formed a gang with blood oaths and sweet leather jackets. Buying from another LDS is grounds for a beat-down and buying from the internet will get your house shot up but I feel like I'm part of something now (plus I get a sweet leather jacket) so it's all good....

Seriously though I was sort of surprised by the whole loyalty thing when I 1st got certified and didn't want any part of it. There are two shops locally that I wont deal with anymore because of the attitude I got from them about my previous dealing's with the other shops in the area. I like the ones I do business with now and neither of them seem to care about the other equipment that I got elsewhere. I'm sure they would rather me buy everything from them but they also seem to appreciate the obvious, buying some stuff from each of them is better then buying nothing from either of them.

 

[terrasmak]

Im a pretty loyal buyer at 2 of the 3 major dive shops on the island , The closest one to me gets the majority of my business. But i still mail order some stuff . The selection out here is nice but isnt always what i want

 

[Web Monkey]

How many dive shops are truly and sincerely concerned about anyone as a diver?

<shameless plug>

Mine is nationalaquatic.com.

I've taken all my classes there, and bought most of my gear there, but they were every bit as nice to me when I first took open water, and already had my father-in-law's equipment as they are now.

If I walk in with a problem, they're always happy to help, tweak an adjustment on my reg, help me figure out why this end or that end wouldn't stay horizontal when I was first starting out, sold me an inexpensive dry suit that worked great (Mobby's) instead of a DUI or Andy's that I couldn't afford at the time.

In fact the best part is when they *didn't* sell me something. A number of times I had a problem where the fix was technique instead of technology. They never sold me a thing when what I really needed was advice.

I've bought a ton of stuff from them over the years, and even if I pay a little more, it's worth every penny.

</shameless plug>

Terry

 

[jmani]

I was very loyal to my LDS when I first started. But over the last year I went from feeling indifferent about them to I will not ever by from them again. (aside from the $50.00 gift cert I got for christmas)

As long as I have been buying from them, students and club members have received a 10% discount. Well in april when I went to buy a new BC I was told there is only a 10% discount on classes. And must pay full retail for the BC. I ended up buying my Knighthawk from another shop about 40 minutes away. Then in August it was time to rreplace the regs...again no discount. (Is asking 10% to much?) Again made the 40 minute trip and got the reg I wanted...this time the shop owner after hearing my complaint not only made the 10%, but gave an additional 5% from his pocket. I have not taken a class with this diveshop yet, but my next class (rescue) will be with that shop. Although I did just buy a drysuit from a 3rd shop. But they had the best price on the suit I wanted, and the instructors are good.

 

[Baachus]

The LDS I got my OW from seemed very intent to sell me gear from minute one of the class. It definitely turned me off about buying gear from them. I felt guilty when I got my fins, mask, and snorkel somewhere else. It's not that they shouldn't try to promote themselves, but to the point that you intimidate customers is simply bad customer service. If you as any type of shop want my dollars, you have to play my game not the other way around.

My $.02

 

[ghostdiver1957]

As I said on the other thread, this phenomenon really puzzles me. I wonder if it has to do with the fact that dive shops tend to create a community -- teaching classes, doing fun dives with the shop, or organizing trips -- in a way that a lot of other stores don't.

I have yet to be in a dive shop that has created a "community." I have been in many that were trying to create a "Community," unfortunately they weren't communities I'd want to live in. More like communists... In other words they want you to only buy their gear, go on their trips and if you do anything outside of this you will be shunned and treated like the scum you are. Shops want followers... shops want to brainwash you... much like many other cults. They want you to give them your money... no... they expect you to give them your money... and in large sums.

This may sound extreme... but it is not such a stretch from the truth. Around here, if you do business with one shop... then another... word gets out... and next thing you know you're treated differently. You're seen as the scum of the earth. I hope that this doesn't happen everywhere... but it sure does in Baltimore, MD... and I have no trouble telling you the shops guilty of it... If you live in the area and want to be spared the guilt trips and harassment, please send a privat5e message and I'll share.

 

[GreenDiverDown]

How many dive shops are truly and sincerely concerned about anyone as a diver? My experience has been that most shops are only concerned about my wallet.

Scubajcf and I are fortunate to have a shop where the customer is treated like a customer should be treated. If they stick around long enough they are treated like family. I believe that our shop... for the most part... IS concerned about our customers as divers and, more importantly, as people. Why? It makes good business sense... and... we're just pretty descent folks.

 

[drbill]

I have two LDS'es here. One has gone out of their way to attract my business (and I don't spend a lot on gear). I patronize them and suggest them to divers who ask about shops on Catalina because they have gone overboard in helping me out... many, many times. For example when my pony reg flooded recently, the owner rebuilt it and charged me just $5 for parts (no labor). I actually complained to him that he should charge me the going rate and he wouldn't.

 

[drbill]

I have yet to be in a dive shop that has created a "community." I have been in many that were trying to create a "Community," unfortunately they weren't communities I'd want to live in. More like communists... In other words they want you to only buy their gear, go on their trips and if you do anything outside of this you will be shunned and treated like the scum you are. Shops want followers... shops want to brainwash you... much like many other cults. They want you to give them your money... no... they expect you to give them your money... and in large sums.

Wow, I was going to ask where you are but you said Baltimore. Sorry you are having a bad experience there. Even though I give almost all my business to one LDS, I am friendly with those who work at the other one and they've never shunned me.

 

[Firecracker]

Love my LDS. A small, family-run business. I remember when they started it some 7-8 years ago. I visited then, just to "feel" it out. Very comfortable. Treated people like they were people, not just an income source.

The owner always seems to "bend over backwards" for me or my family when it comes to classes or equipment.

I think it's just a much more relaxed, inviting atmosphere that I've not experienced at the 3-4 other LDS around here.