Major Industry Change re: Online Scuba Sales....

[Web Monkey]

There used to be sporting goods stores everywhere...

And electronics super stores dotted the landscape...

Sadly, all these places are gone now. There's nothing left but WalMart and the internet.

Uhm, wait. Remind me again...

Which industries has this happened to?

Clothing, Appliances, Electronics, Kitchens, Electronics, Computers, CDs (record store for you old folks)

I'd name more, but it's too much work this early in the morning.

The stores aren't all named WalMart, or even internet-only, but they work the same. They're all huge national or international chains that have killed off almost all of the smaller stores.

When was the last time you bought a stereo or a refrigerator or a Compact Disc or television from someplace that wasn't a huge chain?

Terry

 

[Thalassamania]

Clothing, Appliances, Electronics, Kitchens, Electronics, Computers, CDs (record store for you old folks)

I'd name more, but it's too much work this early in the morning.

The stores aren't all named WalMart, or even internet-only, but they work the same. They're all huge national or international chains that have killed off almost all of the smaller stores.

When was the last time you bought a stereo or a refrigerator or a Compact Disc or television from someplace that wasn't a huge chain?

Terry

Acutally I just bought a dishwasher, stove and refrigerator from a local family owned appliance store, and the price was the same as "Best Buy." But I know that's rare.

 

[RJP]

Clothing, Appliances, Electronics, Kitchens, Electronics, Computers, CDs (record store for you old folks)

I'd name more, but it's too much work this early in the morning.

The stores aren't all named WalMart, or even internet-only, but they work the same. They're all huge national or international chains that have killed off almost all of the smaller stores.

When was the last time you bought a stereo or a refrigerator or a Compact Disc or television from someplace that wasn't a huge chain?

Terry

Terry - I think you keep changing the issue, or at least you're discussing two issues at the same time.

Issue 1: e-commerce as a threat to bricks and mortar
Issue 2: consolidation of retail outlets into large chains

The fact of the matter is they are widely different issues. Don't fall into the logic trap that they must be related because they are occuring at the same time.

Either way, they are BOTH red herrings when it comes to scuba. The LDS or e-tailer that focuses on either of these two things as the "big picture" issue of the day is already dead, they just don't know it.

 

[ReefHound]

Terry - I think you keep changing the issue, or at least you're discussing two issues at the same time.

Issue 1: e-commerce as a threat to bricks and mortar
Issue 2: consolidation of retail outlets into large chains

The fact of the matter is they are widely different issues. Don't fall into the logic trap that they must be related because they are occuring at the same time.

True. Issue 2 started a long time ago and really took off in the 70's and 80's. Long before the internet came to the public.

Either way, they are BOTH red herrings when it comes to scuba. The LDS or e-tailer that focuses on either of these two things as the "big picture" issue of the day is already dead, they just don't know it.

So is the LDS that thinks they can continue to work on 50% margins and justify it by "service" or somehow punishing the customer or sticking their heads in the sand.

I don't completely agree with your belief that a model based on low price is doomed. Plenty of businesses are thriving on this model. While there are many who have failed with this model there are also many who failed with every other model as well.

But anyway, we've all strayed from topic. The original post was that the LDS needs to adopt the internet and use it to advantage. I don't think it was ever said that they must price match. Everyone assumes that the only way to use the internet is to compete on price.

 

[ReefHound]

When was the last time you bought a stereo or a refrigerator or a Compact Disc or television from someplace that wasn't a huge chain?

Terry

What does it matter where I bought it?

 

[Web Monkey]

Terry - I think you keep changing the issue, or at least you're discussing two issues at the same time.

Issue 1: e-commerce as a threat to bricks and mortar
Issue 2: consolidation of retail outlets into large chains

The fact of the matter is they are widely different issues. Don't fall into the logic trap that they must be related because they are occuring at the same time.

Either way, they are BOTH red herrings when it comes to scuba. The LDS or e-tailer that focuses on either of these two things as the "big picture" issue of the day is already dead, they just don't know it.

They're both actually the same issue: consolidation of buying power and retail sales by the giant corporations. Individual independant retailers that sell on-line or in-person are pretty much doomed. The internet presence is only a band-aid for SCUBA shops and will have no real effect once large retailers move in.

The only places that seem to be making it are co-ops like "Ace Hardware" where the stores are individually owned and combine their buying power.

Terry

 

[Vicente]

The answer has been obvious for a long time.

Would I expect a teacher to take a pay cut, and promise them hey you'll make it up on the commission on what we are going to charge for our books and school supplies?

Paying SCUBA workers for their work, like teaching, repairing, or driving a boat makes good sense. Why should the people performing this critical and taxing work do something *dumb*, like do that for minimum wage, and then try to make their money back on retail sales? The current model is all messed up and needs to be discarded. If rates for a SCUBA course go up by $100, well so be it IMHO.

I used to work with a great instructor. He had higher rates than anyone else, but he also had the longest and most thorough course. He'd also rent equipment to the students for those that weren't sure they wanted to buy a bunch of stuff right off the bat. He had no tight affiliation with any dive shop.

The dinosaurs will argue that the current economic model is the "right" one and we're all DOOMED if it is threatened.

 

[superstar]

Isn't is odd that Johnson Outdoors which ownes Scubapro has embraced online sales and big box store sales of every other product they make except for scuba gear? So if I want a new BC I must go out of my way to find a LDS that sell it but if I want a new trolling motor and a fish finder I can buy these at WalMart just around the corner. If the internet is good for the sales of marine electronics, camping gear, kayaks,etc, why not scuba gear?

 

[royalediver]

Better yet, let's get rid of those pesky middlemen and have Scubapro go online direct. Think how cheap everything will get!

 

[superstar]

Better yet, let's get rid of those pesky middlemen and have Scubapro go online direct. Think how cheap everything will get!

And there would be no LDS left to service our gear so we would finally be able to buy parts direct from Scubapro online. I can't wait.