But online and mailorder sales of major items at half the price you demand are just something you will have to deal with. And how it is dealt with says a lot about the business. Unfortunately, you can only keep you customers uninformed or deceived for so long. And with forums like this some are learning the truth before they even start. What I really don't fully understand is why many LDS seem to be so protective of the business model. I'm afraid the answer is they like it and don't mind doing whatever they need to do to protect it. How long do you think this can continue?
In the mean time, I'm going to reap the benefits of this situation: cheap gear on the internet, and cheap air and training at the LDS.
Ding!
The LDS that gets pissy about this rather than adapting and working with customers (such as myself) to get rid of the restraints that make this system "popular" is one that, when the model changes, I will not patronize.
Why?
Because they have proven that their first interest is not the customer and a long-term relationship. Their first interest is in trying to extract as much money from me as possible, and they're not doing so by providing the best value around - they're doing it by restraining trade and resisting offering hardware at a fair and reasonable price.
The Internet and mail order are not going way. Not now, not ever. The manufacturers who you LDS's claim are "shoving these terms down your throat" are laughing their butts off while you starve as people figure out the truth - that they should buy their gear - all of it - from LP and DiveInn.
Scubapro does not care how many regs YOU sell as a LDS. They only care how many regs THEY sell, and if the demands shifts to the LPs and DiveInns of the world (and it is and will continue to!) they don't mind. They make the same profit either way.
You LDS owners had better figure out that it is and always will be an adversarial relationship between the manufacturer and you. They are NOT your "partners" or "friends". They are interested in exactly one thing - unit sales - and they don't care how they achieve it. If they can manage to dupe you into believing that they are "helping" you in an effort to keep you loyal, so much the better - even if it drives you into the ground. Since your volume is insignificant compared to DiveInn's and LPs, you simply don't matter to them.
The LDS had better figure out who really butters their bread - its not the manufacturers.