LDS: Point of Pain

[Derek S]

http://www.diverswarehouse.com/611

Paul, these prices don't seem that great, after you factor in S&H.

No they aren't they are the same as one of my LDS'es, and more expensive than the other one.

 

[pilot fish]

Do a search for Texas, there was at least 2 Internet Authorized dealers.

http://www.diveaeris.com/dealers.asp

Thanks

 

[redacted]

Wal-Mart of the world
. I had a man come into my store once with a regulator to be repaired under warranty. I refused to do the warranty work because he purchased the same regulator over the internet and saved less then $75.00. Well I got a call from my area rep, I told him that the last I knew I was the business owner and had the right to refuse service to whoever I wanted to, and if his product was so good, why are you letting your stores sell it on the internet cheaper then MSRP.

Tony "D"

So Tony, if I understand this right, you refused to service a potential paying customer's regulator because he had bought his regulator at a price less than you would have sold it to him. So after losing out on the sale to another retailer who's price you could not compete with by a $75.00 difference, you turned down another $50.00 or more worth of service income to punish his decision. Had you provided the service, you might well have had another customer for quite some time.

Please let us know where your shop is. That way we should all be able to keep an eye out for some good bargains at your "going out of business sale".

Keep your day job.

 

[JackConnick]

As others have stated, with the difference in shipping you're looking at $5-6 _that was a gift_. I don't think anyone giving a present would begrudge an exchange.

Your LDS has overhead, training and paying for a compressor so that you can get fills. If all anyone bought from them was fills they'd be out of business very quickly. And that is happening across the country.

I've bought lots of stuff over the internet/LP/used, etc. And had varying experiences. LP shipped us a "similar" compass that didn't fit my console and then was snippy about taking it back. What if you have a problem with the light? How are you going to get a new one or get it fixed or parts for it?

I'd price the better light and ask them if they can do something better on the price, or maybe give you a fill. But realize that if you want knowledge and service you'll have to pay for it sooner or later.

Jack

 

[diverbrian]

Wal-Mart of the world
The internet is why all of the dive operators are having a hard time. Just like Wal-Mart hurting all of the 20 year mom & pop stores in America. I as a dive operator and instructor trainer can tell you it has slowed us down. I had a man come into my store once with a regulator to be repaired under warranty. I refused to do the warranty work because he purchased the same regulator over the internet and saved less then $75.00. Well I got a call from my area rep, I told him that the last I knew I was the business owner and had the right to refuse service to whoever I wanted to, and if his product was so good, why are you letting your stores sell it on the internet cheaper then MSRP. I for one don't mind paying for something if I get good service. Plus if it needs service I can go back to the place I purchased it. I told the customer he needed to send the regulator back over the internet to have it fixed is what it came down to. If anyone here is a real business owner of anykind. You know what I mean. The internet is the wal-mart of the world. Let me just say, after everything is said and done. We will all end up buying everything on the net, because all that will be left is the federal government and wal-mart. I for one don't look forward to it.
I just had to get my .02 cents in on internet buying. I think the net is good for information, advertisement, communication etc. However I think we have taken it way to far.

Tony "D"

For some of the people that feel this way, let me ask this...

If you dealing with a customer that moved to your area, would you know if they bought their gear at an LDS or over the internet? Would it truly matter? Are you selling the equipment service at a profit? If you are, I don't see why you don't do it for a charge and then maybe you win a customer on some of the other things in your shop. Divers always have equipment or training needs (more like wants).

If they bought it at your store, the customer gets charged less. The only restriction that I have seen with our store's tech is that he can't (liablility) service gear that the shop doesn't sell. If you didn't buy it at the store but they do sell that brand, you don't get the price break on the service that the "regulars" get.

I buy very little dive gear over the internet. I have my reasons, but it comes down to me not wanting to fuss with the manufacturer over leaking cameras and other equipment issues. If I have a problem, it goes back to the shop and THEY send it back to Daisy Hill Equipment Farm (Snoopy fans know what I mean) and I go about my life until it comes back in. That is a form of service that is priceless as I am actually quite busy (especially during wreck season).

But the possibility of winning customers is great too. Our LDS owner has lightened up on divers that buy gear from other sources because he is realizing that. Most of the techies buy one thing or another from another source but go to him to order the bulk of our tech gear for that reason. It may cost a little more, but he stands behind it. When you own four or five (I lose count) regs, two wings (one for singles and one for doubles), and enough other sundries to stock a small dive shop yourself that is convient and he does well for business. It is a win-win situation. Isn't nice to know if your new drysuit won't fit that you can deal with a person at the shop instead of a voice on the phone? Again, that is worth the value in my mind.

 

[PaulChristenson]

Which ones have they authorized? Is there a list? What was the list for your puter at the LDS and what did you pay from Gerogia Offshore?

They are authorized for the entire Aeris Product line...
You can verify this by going to Aeris' web site and checking their authorized dealers list...

Well they may have raised their prices...I got two at $568.00 per... delivered


Paul in VT

 

[PaulChristenson]

http://www.diverswarehouse.com/611

Paul, these prices don't seem that great, after you factor in S&H.

Well they may have raised their prices...I got two at $568.00 per... delivered


Paul in VT

 

[scubapro50]

i like to buy my my lights from walmart only and seal em up with liquid nails,lol

don't laught ...... several of our dive boats have started requireing a 2nd light on all night dives. Several of us have gone to the Dollar Store where we purchase a regulator 2 AA light for a $1 as our second light ..... yes if floods but it continue to work .... after the dive we throw it away ..... once again it's not our primarly light but a backup. I often take a $1 light with me even durning day dives so I can shine it into holes in the reef to see what's there.

 

[nategasser]

I read about a guy who consults with local businesses on how to survive when Wal-Mart comes into their town. His advice is basically, don't fight their strengths, change your offerings to things they can't match.

There is a market for instruction, air fills, dive trips, repairs, etc. We as customers need to understand that, if marking up merchandise adds to a dive shop's bottom line, the loss of that business to higher-volume resellers may cause a price increase in the things we can only get from an LDS. We might complain about this, but the only way to survive a changing business climate is to charge what things are worth and not to subsidize things people do buy from you, with things they don't.

On a personal level, I'm just starting out and facing about $1500+ in purchases in the next 6 months. I've gone into two LDS, including the one I was certified at, and had an experience that can only be compared to buying a used car on the 29th of the month. My theory is that cool, knowledgeable, experienced divers are too nice to move lots of merchandise, so shops hire sales bulldogs who push you into stuff you don't need. At one shop I was greeted by friendly folks, and when I said I was there for gear, they sent me to the sales dude and all the cool diver dudes disappeared.

So I'm in search of a shop that values whatever business I bring them, whether it's fills, repairs, or expensive gear. That's the only way to gain loyalty.

Way more than my $0.02,
Nate.

 

[Watermutt]

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

She bought a light for you. Be happy that she didn't raise cain about how $30 or $40 is a waste of money because you dont REALLY need it, blah blah blah. She thought of making you happy, and followed through with it, which is what you wanted.

Also, at least she went to the LDS in order to get you what you want, instead of you ending up with a regular Maglite, or the equivalent!