LDS loyalty?

[ghostdiver1957]

Gosh. I guess I'll have to make my comments with no challenge. And I was hoping we would next get to talk about the $15,000 compressors folks would have to buy when their LDS closed. Or how, now that Scubapro has been tracking serial numbers since June, that they no longer have any Scubapro stock to sell.

Darn, please take me off ignore. It just isn't going to be the same this way.:10:

Who pays $15K for a compressor? You can pick up a good home model for filling scuba tanks new for about $2200.00 and used for as little as $500... Heck... if you and your buddies go in... no more need for the LDS... need gear serviced... that's a crock... annual service... a way to steal your money. I know people that haven't had service on their regs in 15 years and still no problems... Some of mine haven't been serviced in 5+ years. So what... the warranty is out... when they do need service it's going to cost a few extra bucks once... that sure beats $35 a year for a reg in perfect operating condition... Yeeehah

 

[ghostdiver1957]

They are getting your $$. PADI is the single largest company in diving by a very big margin. When you print/produce your own materials and sell at a very large multiple over your cost you can make a lot of money.

It's not hard to make a fake PADI c-card... so they sure aren't getting money from anybody I know : )

 

[Snowbear]

The personal arguments have been removed... please keep it civil, folks.

 

[tjmills]

I agree guys. Lets keep it civil.

There are some real issues here that we need to consider as divers and people who hope to be doing it for several years into our future. Not to be too sappy.....sorry.

Just concerned.

 

[Dive-aholic]

A lot of argument here about Internet vs B&M. Has everyone forgotten about 2 LDSs that are both landlocked, yet probably more successful than a majority of the shops out there? Tech Diving Limited and ScubaToys? Joel and Larry both participate on this Board. Both go out of their way to please the customer. Both carry equipment with full manufacturers warranties. And both have worked a way around the manufacturers' restrictions on Internet sales. What's up with that? In fact, I was just at ScubaToys recently (passing through) and Larry mentioned he's looking for a bigger building. The building he's currently in is the largest LDS I've ever seen!

Yes, I am affiliated with both of them...as a very satisfied customer of both.

The market is saturated with shops in some areas, so the closings need to happen. But the shops that remain open need to follow Joel and Larry's lead. Be innovative and make yourself known, and work with your customers. I feel more loyalty from them than most other shops I've walked into, and that was before I ever met either one face to face. It's not loyalty to me specifically, but to their customers. Because without their customers they wouldn't be there. I think these guys knows what makes them successful, and they show the appreciation. Keep it up!

 

[ZzzKing]

BTW: I hated paying the cost for the Nitrox certification and really think the specialties are out of control with both cost and material. We can all thank PADI for that one. Don't blame the LDS for that, you need to look elsewhere if this really irritates you. I know it does me. Love em or hate em PADI is on top of the world and they want your $$.

I heard PADI was launching an "LDS Shopping" specialty course. Be the first in your quarry to carry the new C-card proudly!