LDS's are just too expensive

[newjack06]

I like LDS's but I just have to go online for my equipment. I saved so much money by purchasing online compared to an LDS. And I purchased my equipment from online authorized dealers, that sent me warranty cards.
With all the competition, why can't LDS's lower their prices. Shouldn't diving be for everyone, not just the upperclass?
How does everyone else feel?
If it weren't for online sales, I would not be able to afford anything.

 

[NSDiver]

Here we go again...

Most LDS's just don't do enough sales to be able to sell at prices competitive with online retailers. I'm sure this will get echoed 100 times in the coming thread, but basically, the LDS can provide services that the online retailer can't... like air fills... etc etc.

-Nick

 

[Tassie_Rohan]

Owning a LDS isn't exactly a licence to print money - most only just scrape by.

See it as putting money into your local dive community.

Good troll by the way...

 

[Hockeynut]

My LDS is as cheap as anybody online with most of their stuff.

 

[del_mo]

My LDS will not only match most online prices, but their service after the fact can't be matched.

 

[newjack06]

and why is that?

 

[newjack06]

that i can understand, but still, people getting into the sport have to afford it. plain and simple. i enjoy the camaraderie of an LDS that has business. i don't enjoy being pressured to buy over priced equipment in an empty shop.

 

[Cheekymonkey]

search for it, it comes up about twice a week

 

[PermanentlyNarced]

Ethically speaking, I have a hard time buying gear online that I then expect to take to my LDS for annual service or the occasional repair. I know most people don't have a problem with that, but I just feel deceitful when I do that.

I also like to have a place to go to 'touch and feel' an item before I buy it. Again, I don't feel ethical going to the LDS to look at something and then turn around and buy the same item online. The LDS supplied a service to me and they need to be "paid" for that service, so I buy the item from them. Yes it cost me more, but if they didn't exist then I probably would make several bad purchase decisions because I did not get to 'touch and feel' the item before I bought it.

However, I do buy some dive items online (like photo gear), but I do not take those items to the LDS for service/repair and I don't go to the LDS to scope the items out first.

 

[TheHobster]

find a store to your liking and stick with it - the camaraderie, fun, experiences and deals will come - also the exemplary service - just remember every dollar you save online is NOT going into your local community - someday we will wake up and see no dive stores - just like grocery stores, service stations, Mom & Pop retailers etc - look at what happened with banks - in Indpls there is ONE bank owned locally (by a diver) - rest owned by out of state interests