LDS's are just too expensive

[newjack06]

that does not make any sense. if everyone is buying online, what does that say to the LDS? i know if i own a LDS, which i plan to in the future, i will make my stuff as affordable as possible.

 

[nitrox32]

You dont have to dig yourslf into debt. When i was getting my gear i would get apiece or two at a time and rent the rest. Now I have all my gear and didnt go into debt.

 

[newjack06]

im from the chicagoland area. i've heard the same thing from LDS's around here. and i have shopped for full packages. if i were to buy my package from a LDS around here would have cost me $1200-$1300. I only spent $700, from this site's sponsor, dive-supply, which is factory authorized, and a dive shop chain in Georgia and Florida. i care about this sport, the LDS and the amount of money in my checking account. i tried to keep my money in the LDS, i even looked at used equipment. unfortunately it did not work out in the LDS's favor.

 

[newjack06]

You dont have to dig yourslf into debt. When i was getting my gear i would get apiece or two at a time and rent the rest. Now I have all my gear and didnt go into debt.

over time you loose out with rental fees. thats why i decided to invest in the whole package. renting costs too, not only do you loose out on money spent, it takes away from your dive learning rental gear each time you dive.

 

[dschulte]

that does not make any sense. if everyone is buying online, what does that say to the LDS? i know if i own a LDS, which i plan to in the future, i will make my stuff as affordable as possible.

Not everyone is buying online, but it is a trend to those you meet on ScubaBoard. Online is something that will not go away. As far as the pricing when you open your LDS, good luck. Almost all manufactures have a price tier; the more you buy the less expensive the product is. For example, a top three wetsuit manufacture we buy from has 5 pricing levels. The difference between Tier-1 and Tier-5 for the midrange suit it $125. The difference in purchasing is around 100 suits per year. An Internet retailer can easily meet the requirements for the best pricing and can undercut the LDS. A LDS has to make between 15% and 35%, depending on the cost of the merchandise, to meet revenue goals. Internet retailers do not have the rent, taxes and insurance. When you open your store you will understand the challenges of brick-n-motor vs. Internet. For now, again, try to work with your LDS. If they go out of business where will you do your DM or get air?
:monkeydan

 

[dschulte]

over time you loose out with rental fees. thats why i decided to invest in the whole package. renting costs too, not only do you loose out on money spent, it takes away from your dive learning rental gear each time you dive.

Ah, but what you will learn is that your first choice is probably not your best choice. Most divers go through several configurations before finding what they like. Renting is a great way to try before you by. Also many LDS's will let you try out a piece of gear or point you to someone who has the gear before you purchase. Owing your gear out the gate is a wonderful thing, but definitely not the most cost effective solution. The resale market is poor and gear is like a car, depreciates almost 30% when you walk out that door, or open that package.
:monkedan

 

[DandyDon]

Welcome to SB, newjack06. If you had posted in Intros at first, I would have welcome you there first, suggested you complete your profile for better discussions, and suggested using our Search feature. See my Sig for a link to more on that.

Scuba would not be nearly so common are so affordable were it not for what the LDSs have done in past years to develop the sport for the commoner. That said, tho - we are in a transition period, where the Lds must learn to compete with the online providers - and I guarantee you that many there will. For a fee, I could find some for you, just a matter of phone calls and how to open the conversation.

I am not so lucky as my Lds has Little local competition, yet - they know they can have my business only if (a) they match online prices and (b) provide local services. If needed, I can take anything in there for over the counter right-now help. Actually, they service gear I bought before I started with them, but I always offer to pay - and do pay for Regs and BC servicing.

They phoned today, btw - a nice chat.

Newjack06, I don't know how much diving you've done, if any - but the experienced are here to help you, unless you just want to argue...??

 

[dschulte]

im from the chicagoland area. i've heard the same thing from LDS's around here. and i have shopped for full packages. if i were to buy my package from a LDS around here would have cost me $1200-$1300. I only spent $700, from this site's sponsor, dive-supply, which is factory authorized, and a dive shop chain in Georgia and Florida. i care about this sport, the LDS and the amount of money in my checking account. i tried to keep my money in the LDS, i even looked at used equipment. unfortunately it did not work out in the LDS's favor.

BTW, what did you get for $700 from Diver-Supply. Great shop, my primary source for OMS gear and close to Augusta.
:monkeydan

 

[newjack06]

Welcome to SB, newjack06. If you had posted in Intros at first, I would have welcome you there first, suggested you complete your profile for better discussions, and suggested using our Search feature. See my Sig for a link to more on that.

Scuba would not be nearly so common are so affordable were it not for what the LDSs have done in past years to develop the sport for the commoner. That said, tho - we are in a transition period, where the Lds must learn to compete with the online providers - and I guarantee you that many there will. For a fee, I could find some for you, just a matter of phone calls and how to open the conversation.

I am not so lucky as my Lds has Little local competition, yet - they know they can have my business only if (a) they match online prices and (b) provide local services. If needed, I can take anything in there for over the counter right-now help. Actually, they service gear I bought before I started with them, but I always offer to pay - and do pay for Regs and BC servicing.

They phoned today, btw - a nice chat.

Newjack06, I don't know how much diving you've done, if any - but the experienced are here to help you, unless you just want to argue...??

i need to figure out the profile setting. i've been certified for 14 years. i took a long time off because i could not afford this sport. not that i can, im thinking about the person who can't. who only has a few 100 bucks in his or her pocket for gear, only to be turned away for used or overpriced gear. and yes i enjoy walking into a dive shop who has people hanging out. i've been in shops after 5pm only to find high prices, and no business. that's what i don't understand.

 

[newjack06]

BTW, what did you get for $700 from Diver-Supply. Great shop, my primary source for OMS gear and close to Augusta.
:monkeydan

i got an aris XT BCD, oceanic CDX5 first stage with GT3 second, mares mini gage with compass. you can't beat that price anywhere. i also picked up a mares isotherm semi dry for $200 at Scuba Mart, which is outside Savannah. that suit, which is last year's model costs $350 online. this is why i couldn't pass up online sales. i stepped into a dive shop around the chicago burbs, the shop owner wanted to sell that same BCD for over $500.