Leisure pro now authorized scubapro dealer

[scubamarketing]

"Price fixing" has such a bad ring to it I will fully admit I don't entirely grasp the benefits of MAP, but I've never personally been the guy ordering inventory at LP or at my old LDS.

 

[redacted]

"Price fixing" has such a bad ring to it I will fully admit I don't entirely grasp the benefits of MAP, but I've never personally been the guy ordering inventory at LP or at my old LDS.

In the case of Scubapro, it is not MAP (minimum advertising price) we are talking about. Scubapro establishes a minimum retail prices which is 10% off of the MSRP. That does not leave a volume retailer much wiggle room unless they can come up with same fairly innovative wiggles.

 

[mike_s]

You've got plenty of wiggle room. It's called buying another brand of gear.

 

[scubamarketing]

awap, I'm no attorney and I definitely don't play one on TV, but how is that not price fixing? I thought price fixing was illegal at least in the US, but again, not even close to an attorney here. MAP leaves open some pretty gaping loopholes, but I guess my brain is fried from running holiday promos to think of too many with a minimum sales price.

 

[Pedro Burrito]

Here's a puzzler, at least to me. I wanted the Predictive Multi Gas software upgrade for my Uwatec Luna. My two local dive shops quoted me $285 and $325 for the software update. I purchased it online from Scubastore.com for $117. They aren't allowed to sell Scubapro equipment to the USA so I had them send it to my friend in Germany. I cannot understand why Scubapro can force their retailers to charge so much in the USA when it is so much cheaper in Europe.

 

[mike_s]

I thought price fixing was illegal at least in the US, .

You'd think it'd be illegal.



go read Leegin v. PSKS, US Supreme Court


As of 2007, "vertical price fixing" is not longer illegal as it was before under the Sherman Act.

 

[redacted]

awap, I'm no attorney and I definitely don't play one on TV, but how is that not price fixing? I thought price fixing was illegal at least in the US, but again, not even close to an attorney here. MAP leaves open some pretty gaping loopholes, but I guess my brain is fried from running holiday promos to think of too many with a minimum sales price.

Price fixing by a group of independent retailers is illegal. But price maintenance by a manufacturer is not: Unilateral Policy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

But I don't believe there is anything to stop your company from something like giving away a store certificate with every Scubapro product sold.

 

[boat sju]

But I don't believe there is anything to stop your company from something like giving away a store certificate with every Scubapro product sold.

Free air fills keep me pretty happy.

 

[Tejasmtb]

I bought every single piece of my equipment from my LDS because they took the time to talk with me about every single item, the pros and cons, other alternatives, and which they preferred. I got to try stuff on and see and touch all of the other similar items from its competitors. They know me by my first name when I walk in the front door at the LDS now, they know my child's name and ask about my life and how my recent trips have gone. They have always given me at least 10% off of my purchases, no matter how big or small. I have even received some items completely free, most notable a $300 Stahlsac travel bag and I can't remember the last time I had to pay for mask scrub or BC Life.

I buy from my LDS because it supports the local economy, because it puts food on the plates of families of those locally who share the same interests as me. We have a relationship now and I know if there is ever a warranty issue or even random self-induced damage that they have my back and best interests at heart and will do their best to take care of me. I like my free air fills and free weights when I need extra and I know that they can get me whatever I want and I will actually get to see it and touch it before I have to shell out a dime. It's all about customer service these days and I get it locally so why go anywhere else.

*Disclaimer*
I am not owner, supporter, or an employee of any LDS, I am not affiliated with the selling, manufacturing, or developing of dive equipment in any way or capacity, I am just a simple bubble maker from Texas supporting my LDS and the local economy.

 

[redacted]

Free air fills keep me pretty happy.

That is one big advantage the LDS can use if they choose to. But it does cut their profit margin which may not be sustainable with their low volume, high markup business model.