LDS. the right ones are better than online

[offroaddiver]

I went into my lds looking for some goodies and saw the usual items. Pricing lead and other items. Mostly trying to figure out what I'll have to order online and what I can get through them. Then I notice something really nice. They now carry dive rite. I had bought a reg knowing that the closest place that would service it is an hour away and now it's a 15 min drive. The owner of the shop is an active instructor and he's always in the mood to talk. It's very rare that I go into the shop and not buy something. Now I will be buying the rest of my gear and not have to deal with online retailers and so forth.

I ordered some items online recently and have had nightmares. Amazon, for instance, is extremely slow on both billing and delivery. I ordered some text books and now realize how incredibly horrible that idea was. I ordered a book that was listed as some wear used . It has half the front cover ripped off. I still haven't gotten any returned calls or emails.

Finding a good LDS is always important. I'm one of the luckyones.

 

[BIGG_BUDD]

I'm not tracking...You mentioned "dealing" with online retailers, being burned by Amazon, and buying used textbooks, but nothing regarding online scuba purchases. Did you have a particularly bad experience with an online scuba retailer?

I'm not busting your chops, but your title implies that LDS's are superior to online scuba retailers. That may be the case, but you don't really tell us why.

I'm fortunate enough to live in Dallas, so ScubaToys is my LDS. If you have had a bad online experience, and ever consider giving it a second chance, give them a try.

Cheers,

 

[ReefHound]

Blah blah blah. Another LDS shill.

As the other guy said, you may have a case but you didn't make it. You didn't note anything particularly positive about your LDS other than they carry Dive Rite and the owner likes to talk.

I didn't see anything about online scuba deals but my experience with Amazon is quite different. I've always received everything I ordered - from books/music to cell phones - in less than a week. Slow billing? They bill your credit card in like 0.5 nanoseconds after you click "Place Order".

 

[Carribeandiver]

I ordered some items online recently and have had nightmares. Amazon, for instance, is extremely slow on both billing and delivery. I ordered some text books and now realize how incredibly horrible that idea was. I ordered a book that was listed as some wear used . It has half the front cover ripped off. I still haven't gotten any returned calls or emails....

Buying used books from Amazon is really buying from an individual. Amazon list the book and receives a commission for its sale but shipment is up to the selling individual. A description of the book's condition is also up to the selling individual. When listing his book for sale, the listing form has multiple choices to describe the condition, i.e. New, Used Like New, Used Very good, etc.
If you got a book and it was in significantly worse shape then what was described, notify Amazon I am not sure if they will do anything but if this selling individual gets enough complaints, I bet Amazon will make that guy change is way of doing things.
Also, as part of the listing agreement, the selling individual agrees to ship within 2 days of the order.
I have 17 chess books for sale at Amazon now, anyone want any? :blinking:
Sorry to highjack the thread, but I am sort of answering one of the concerns.

 

[diver 85]

You are lucky, the closest 'LDS' is 1 hr+ for me.......So for me, it's 1-800 plus some other numbers.......

 

[pir8]

I prefer to deal with an LDS face to face. I just feel better dealing with someone in person for life support equipment.

 

[ReefHound]

Buying used books from Amazon is really buying from an individual. Amazon list the book and receives a commission for its sale but shipment is up to the selling individual. A description of the book's condition is also up to the selling individual. When listing his book for sale, the listing form has multiple choices to describe the condition, i.e. New, Used Like New, Used Very good, etc.
If you got a book and it was in significantly worse shape then what was described, notify Amazon I am not sure if they will do anything but if this selling individual gets enough complaints, I bet Amazon will make that guy change is way of doing things.

I'm also an Amazon seller and can say that the buyer is 100% protected. Amazon's A-Z guarantee will reimburse the buyer for items that do not arrive or arrive in condition less than advertised or item is materially different (listing was a hardcover, you got a soft cover). Their goal is to be "customer-centric" and they lend all benefit of the doubt to the customer.

Sellers also receive feedback where, unlike Ebay where everybody has 99.999% positive, it actually means something. Checking feedback before purchasing can avert many problems and is just basic consumerism.

Sellers are held accountable. Unless you do something really bad (cuss out the buyer, sell bootleg DVDs, etc.) you are not punished for any particular incident but are held to accountability standards. Excessive (5%) refunds, claims, or negative feedback in a month and you get a warning. If it continues you might get another warning and then you get suspended.

 

[redacted]

I prefer to deal with an LDS face to face. I just feel better dealing with someone in person for life support equipment.

I understand. It is tough trying to get those keyman discounts from internet retailers.:14:

While I do get a discount on my gear I do have to buy all my own gear.

 

[vtscuba]

post removed by poster

 

[pir8]

Even before I was an instructor I prefered a LDS, but its nice to know tat you care enough about me to keep track of old posts of mine. I didn't know I had a fan club.