My LDS cracks me up

[Brandon]

Ran into my LDS for about 3 minutes today... and actually managed to have a pretty decent experience.

I had about $65 worth of store credit I needed to burn off before I moved, and figured I could find a new mask or something.

Started looking at the masks, and got mobbed in about 2 seconds by Dive Shop Employee #47 as soon as I touched one.

"What kind of mask are you looking for?"

Me... handling not quite what I wanted, but thinking they might have it in a black skirt. (Aqualung Mythos I think)

"Low volume mask with black silicone skirt"

"Hmmm.... the only one with a black skirt we have is this one..."

Pointing at "The Beast"



They wanted $80 bucks! HAHAHAHAHAHAH! Not quite this exact mask, looked older, and had SS buckles. More like the ADT Seamaster, but didn't have such a heavy frame. Guessing it had been there a while...

"No"

"Well, we could order you one"

"No thanks, -I- can order one"

Bought $60 worth of books instead:

Tom Smith's Diver
Essentials of Sea Survival
and The Best of Alert Diver (from Dan)

Books are great...lots better than an overpriced, super high volume, "let's clear our inventory special" mask.

Aside from the silly mask bit, they were pleasant and easy to deal with. I think the key is not to stay in the shop for more than 3 minutes.

Know what you want, if they don't have it, leave.

-Brandon.

 

[The Kraken]

I know how you feel! There's an LDS that I frequent that each time I go in, one of the employees shows me something "new" that they have and tells me that I "need" it.

Well, he doesn't any longer, because the last time he did that I told him, "Please don't tell me what I need! I'm intelligent enough to know the difference between what I need and what I want!"

the Kraken

 

[kensuguro]

Aside from the silly mask bit, they were pleasant and easy to deal with. I think the key is not to stay in the shop for more than 3 minutes.

that's the strange thing about dive shops in general.. dive shops are so specialized, in what they sell, and also in the way they treat their customers, that you just can't expect anything remotely close to a regular shopping experience. The only store that had "standard" retail service style was a shop that was coupled with a section that sold general "beach" gear like bathing suits and resort wear.

At the LDS that I'm training (to work) at, we pretty much just chat with our customers and just make friends. I mean, there's only so much a diver really needs, so we might as well make the shop a place to sort of hang out, and share dive stories. The thing is, I've noticed that people buy more after they're relaxed. Not that I think you can boost sales based solely on this theory, but I think it goes to prove that it's much easier to shop without employees shoving things into the customer's faces. And obviously, customers probably make better decisions when they're relaxed too.

But also, the relaxed atmosphere at my LDS probably comes from a difference in the kind of customers we get. We're set right in the between two established residential areas, so we get lots of returning customers, read "long term relationship". Now, compare that with shops that make the bulk of their sales to transient tourists..

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

that's the strange thing about dive shops in general.. dive shops are so specialized, in what they sell, and also in the way they treat their customers, that you just can't expect anything remotely close to a regular shopping experience.

That's because, for the most part, dive equipment manufacturers control what lines of gear a dive shop can carry (i.e. if you carry so-and-so, we're not going to allow you to carry our gear), and how much they can sell it for (i.e. you're only allowed to discount 10% off of MSRP).

I know of no other retail business where the wholesale manufacturer/distributor has such a stranglehold on the local business. It's the major reason why most dive shops are struggling to stay in business.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[gratefuljames]

I'm really not buying anything from LDS. First, I have the same equipment for it seems like centuries now, and it doesn't look like it's breaking down any time soon (and I'm good with spit, neoprene, rubber cement and duct tape...lol). Second, I really can't handle the pressure you get the minute you walk through the door, or the cliches (you know, it's life support, not just 'equipment'). Third, if I find something I really want to buy (a couple years ago I decided to go to the Horizon mask because it fit me better) I buy it somewhere on the internet and get a better price and no pressure and it is delivered to my door. Fourth, if there was a store where I could go look at all the dive equipment, compare things in real time (like you can do at DEMA or Beneath the Sea or whatever) then I would go and peruse, but because of the "if you carry this, you can't carry that" thing, I don't even bother, because it's like going to a supermarket only to find out that they only carry "Wonder White" and no other breads. It's a tough business, for sure, and I know a lot of people have friends in the business and that it's hard to eek out a living with a dive shop, but, well, the way the industry has gone, I'm really not all that psyched about visiting my LDS anymore...

 

[DandyDon]

That's because, for the most part, dive equipment manufacturers control what lines of gear a dive shop can carry (i.e. if you carry so-and-so, we're not going to allow you to carry our gear), and how much they can sell it for (i.e. you're only allowed to discount 10% off of MSRP).

I know of no other retail business where the wholesale manufacturer/distributor has such a stranglehold on the local business. It's the major reason why most dive shops are struggling to stay in business.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

My Lubbock LDS is so great. I already had almost everything I could ever need, they don't carry my favorite brand, I've bought so little from them, I've only done one trip with them, and they still treat me like I'm the reason they are there.

I try to buy from them when I can, tho, call and tell them: "Okay, Leisure Pro and Scuba Toys have that camera for this price. I don't mind paying just a little more for local service, just not a lot more!!"

"No problem Don, thanks for telling me. I'll call the manufacturer, tell them I 've got to have a better price on this to match Scuba Toys, and call you tomorrow." It's done and done - at the same price, not even a little more. We just barely have 2 LDSs in Lubbock, and the other one is recovering from a previous retail manager that alienated people (including me) so we are really lucky to have Chad & Rachelle supporting the sport here on the South Plains.

Then my lady dive buddy starts OW in Houston and went thru major problems with the first two stores we tried there. (See "Well, we tried to support her LDS" #1 & #2 threads on Whine.) The third store nearly alienated her, and the fourth one suggested to us went out of business before we could get over to look at them. That's a differnt world down there. :11:

For the Oceanic fins I recently wanted, tho, it was good to have Larry also friendly and willing at Scuba Toys. As big of an Oceanic dealer as he is, he doesn't carry their V12s, yet - he matched the New York price, special ordered them, and got them to me in a week. Both really good resources. I used a pic fro LP like you did in my email, but that's about all I use LP for.

I keep nagging my LDS that they have go to get an online presence and operate their business there, too, as it's really required for survival anymore, I think. :14:

 

[NadMat]

Guess that's just another reason to love Austin
We have plenty of LDS's here, so I can pick and choose. Some are better than others, most will 'push' their brand to some extent. If I tell them 'just looking, I'll come find you if I have any questions' and they still are doin' the hard sell thing I can go somewhere else. I have two or three within an easy bike ride of house, and many more within a short drive. Because of the 'brand specificy' of some shops, I tend to have several favorites, each offering a different selection, and all offering good sales, service, and support.

 

[Rick Inman]

"The Beast"

I used to have a mask just like that back in the late '70's! It was the latest and greatest back then. The only thing better would have been to put a big fishbowl over your head.

-Hey, wait a minute! I might be onto something there... eyebrow

 

[Mark Vlahos]

I agree that that mask is a bit, well, outdated.

The funny thing is that in many dive shops the ScubaPro Jet fins that many of us love, myself included, are just as outdated.

Am I the only one that sees the humor in this?

Mark Vlahos

 

[Rick Inman]

That's not funny...