open a dive shop

[Albie Dee]

I want to open a dive shop in maryland.Any advise how to get started and what to do
?:14:

 

[Don Burke]

I want to open a dive shop in maryland.Any advise how to get started and what to do
?:14:

Work at one for a while and figure out the pitfalls, of which there are many.

I ran a dive boat for a shop in Norfolk for a little while and that was enough for me.

There would have to be some twist I do not see right now to get me involved as an owner, although I might work at one part-time.

 

[PhilEllis]

Give me a call. I will help you anyway I can.

Phil Ellis

 

[san diego diver]

contact the manufactures of the gear that you want to sell and see if they even will let you sell thier gear. i had a friend that opened a dive shop in so. california and the manufacturers were problematic due to the proximity of other shops and other issues. the dive industry is pretty cutthroat, so be VERY SURE of what your doing before you do it !! my friend ended up closing down due to the problems getting them to let him sell thier gear !!and he even had a corner on the tech market!! also make sure that you have a good compressor and BIG banks, a lot of time is spent on filling tanks. there isn't much profit in filling tanks , but if you don't have air fills, you might as well not open your shop !! take DON'S advise and get a job at a dive shop first and see if it's for you. also make sure that you have a couple of good instructers and divemasters, because it seems that the meat and potatoes is in newbies(classes and thier first set of gear !!) I wish you all the luck in the world and hope that my friends problems were due to our location in san diego and won't be an issue in your neck of the woods!!

 

[Scuba Brad]

If you want to end up with a million when your all finished............start with two or three million.

Happy Diving

 

[Seadiver5]

I want to open a dive shop in maryland.Any advise how to get started and what to do
?:14:

Albie:

As a marketing consultant I specialize in scuba marketing. My favorite part of this line of work is aiding in LDS success.

I would be happy to talk with you about how to be a success in this business. send me a private message and we can discuss it.

 

[wedivebc]

contact the manufactures of the gear that you want to sell and see if they even will let you sell thier gear. i had a friend that opened a dive shop in so. california and the manufacturers were problematic due to the proximity of other shops and other issues. the dive industry is pretty cutthroat, so be VERY SURE of what your doing before you do it !! my friend ended up closing down due to the problems getting them to let him sell thier gear !!and he even had a corner on the tech market!! also make sure that you have a good compressor and BIG banks, a lot of time is spent on filling tanks. there isn't much profit in filling tanks , but if you don't have air fills, you might as well not open your shop !! take DON'S advise and get a job at a dive shop first and see if it's for you. also make sure that you have a couple of good instructers and divemasters, because it seems that the meat and potatoes is in newbies(classes and thier first set of gear !!) I wish you all the luck in the world and hope that my friends problems were due to our location in san diego and won't be an issue in your neck of the woods!!

All good advice here but I would like to make a couple of comments. Don't be put off if a seller says they already have a dealer in your area. You will get product lines because some manufacturers are less restrictive. When you get some product lines then you go after the ones you really want. When the shop is well stocked with a competitor's gear you invite the rep for a company you want to deal with for a visit. The manufacturers are making it very hard for retailers to do business so keep as many doors open as possible. If one company gives you grief, push another line for a while. Don't fall into line with the pitch that too many brands are bad. And at least for starters don't sign up for any program sales where one company will make you commit to minimum orders in exchange for reduced prices. It makes you a slave to their product line.

 

[www.scubamazing.com]

How many dive shops are there in the area that you're already in? I wouldn't get too put off like like wedivebc said, but don't let that be an excuse for not doing the research.