...
I feel for the small business (LDS) owners, just like I feel for the
IT professionals whose jobs are being outsourced to India, the
manufacturing laborers whose jobs have gone to Mexico, heck even the
corporate lawyers are losing their jobs to cheaper labor overseas.
Life's tough all over.
I'm an instant gratification type of guy, if I'm spending money I'd
love to have the item in my hot little hand immediately not wait for
5-7 day UPS ground, yet I am a single father on a budget and can't
justify spending an additional 20-30% markup + sales tax for the same
exact product I can buy online from an authorized dealer. I'd love to
but I can't. At least make an attempt, give me something to think
about.
If your an LDS owner or affiliated with one that does work with your
customers on price, great, wonderful, stupendous! I'd sing your
praises for all to hear, ... , however my experience
has been the opposite, when I've inquired, politely, I've been made to
feel like I was stealing candy from their kids and have felt unwelcome
in each subsequent return to the shop(s), eventually I don't go back.
I understand the frustration on their part, but do they understand
mine, it's a two way street, I got mouths to feed too.
I wish it wasn't all about money, but sometimes it is and it's just
unavoidable. If people are looking online for equipment, I'd gather
the vast majority are looking for a deal for financial reasons, they
don't want to stick it to their LDS, if they could walk into their LDS
and buy what they wanted regardless of price they would, I know I
would.
I agree about the life support equipment (bc, regs, computer),
unfortunately these items are normally the ones with highest cost &
markup and the difference in prices between the LDS and online are
very hard to ignore.
...
Customers:
- Support your local dive shop/economy, give them the first shot at
your business, what do you have to lose.
- If your considering shopping online do your homework, there are
reputable dot coms, don't let anyone tell you any different. You'll
always be able to get an airfill.
LDS's:
- Respect your customers position, we live in an online age, it's not
going away.
- Quit the scare tactics, the "voided warranties" and "no air fills"
doom and gloom messages. It just turns people off.
- If you have a brick and mortar store and don't do any ecommerce
your may be missing the boat, why wouldn't you sell the products your not
forbidden to sell online.