LDS: Point of Pain

[JVM4.0]

Recently, my wonderful wife bought me a dive light. A Princeton Surge. She included the receipt, in case I wanted to trade for a different light ( I had made noises about and LED light). With taxes and all, she paid $42 for the light. Awfully nice of her.

Now, here's the rub.........I have noticed that places like Liesure Pro charge $29 for the exact same item. My LDS claims they keep track of internet pricing, and do their best to meet competitive pricing on popular items. I don't begrudge the fact that the LDS has to make money to remain in business, I love the idea of shopping locally. I just don't think they have to make all their profit on me.

So, what's your Point of Pain when comparing pricing between the LDS and the internet? My wife paid a 30% upcharge, over and above a "normal" markup on the product from the LDS. What is the difference YOU willing to pay for the priveledge of buying from your LDS?

 

[RICHinNC]

My LDS went ouf of business. The guy just got tired of doing it and considering who bought and now has the store...I will quit diving before I ever go in there now.

You have two sensitive areas here. If you take it back the wife may be hurt. And, I dont care what the mark up is....it is not worth what she will hold against you.

The other is ....what web sites is your lds looking at??? There are a lot of price diff on some of the web sites.....I mean A LOT.

For now....I would just suck it up and every time you use the light tell your wife how great it is and how thoughtful she was. And when she asks why you have a second....bigger...brighter one....tell her you never dive with just one light....what would you do if one went out???

gooooood luck
rich

 

[Xanthro]

It all depends on the service rendered. I'd hardly pay anything extra to buy a plain backup light from my LDS, unless that LDS was explaining the lights to me, and helped inform me of a wise choice. Then, I wouldn't feel bad in your situation, because you are paying for the knowledge given.

If my LDS helps me with a decision, I'll buy from them. If it's something I know I want, they better not be more than 15% higher than the net, or I'm buying from the net.

 

[simbrooks]

Remember to add on the shipping charges of LP, the prices arent that much different at that point...

I would say for convenience, helpful shop floor advice, discussing the range of options etc i am willing to pay a little extra, that will vary between the item as to what that upcharge might be. I dont buy regs online unless i can inspect/use them before purchasing (ie secondhand from FL locals), but other than that, it might be anything from 10% to 50% extra, ranging from high priced items to lower ones, respectively.

 

[GOAT]

it's a simple light, she bought it. YOU BETTER KEEP IT.


if it was a 200 dollar light or something, then that's another story. $40?? come on, just make her happy and tell her how great it is.

 

[MSilvia]

With taxes and all, she paid $42 for the light. Awfully nice of her.

Now, here's the rub.........I have noticed that places like Liesure Pro charge $29 for the exact same item.

Out of curiosity, how much does LP charge for shipping the item? It seems like a pretty small difference in actual dollars, and I'd be unlikely to base my dive gear purchase point decision on $13, which is peanuts compared to the many thousands I've dropped on equipment. This is especially true when you consider the benefits of having a good relationship with an LDS, and the advantages of having a local place to turn to if the equipment fails.

That aside, I like to buy equipment from one of the several LDSs I like whenever possible, but a lot of the gear I want/use isn't what they carry, so I'm often forced to look elsewhere for it.

I just don't think they have to make all their profit on me.

Aside from customers, who should they be making their profit from?

 

[JKSteger]

Just to insert my 2 cent worth here,
I've bought off of ebay, internet and LDS (many different LDS's). I will usually stick to an LDS unless the price is extremely over-priced at the LDS. I bought an air-intergrated computer on ebay for 65.00...this included shipping. I then took it to an LDS and had it checked out. Paid the service for the check out and 0-ring replacements and I use it every dive now. I know the computer was used but my LDS wanted $275.00 even for a used console type with out air intergration.

It's usually the prices at LDS that I don't understand. For example one LDS may have a product for say $250.00 and the LDS on the other side of town has the same procuct for 140.00...thats $110.00 differenc and they are both an LDS. I just don't know where they are getting the prices sometimes.

Anyway, I try to stick to shop around as many LDS's as possible and buy from the lowest priced unless there is exceptional service and I may pay a few more dollars for that.

Jeremy

 

[RIDIVER501]

After looking up the same light on LP
the cheapest shipping rate was $6.45 the most expensive was $34 and change.

so the light on LP with lowest shipping was $36.40.

so now we are talking a difference of $5.60 the question now is: Is your LDS worth $5.60.

The answer to that question will ultimately solve the problem of who you should do business with.

People always forget to run the shipping thing on LP to see actual cost.
I wouldn't be surprised if LP counts on that factor for people who post about how their LDS is screwing them.

Now by my calc if you choose the most espensive way to get that Item it would have cost you $64 and change. so in that scenarios who is screwing who?

 

[Scubaroo]

Is your LSD worth $5.60.

I think you meant LDS

 

[freediver]

Take it back, get the other one and use the $5.60 and buy your wife something.......reeeaaaall niiiiccce.