After all of these years on this planet, spending a good portion of it in the military, I have found that most things have a fairly simple solution. It is PEOPLE, with their agendas, and often one-sides solutions that make things as difficult as they are.
Getting a little off point, but to give you an example to a simple solution to the LDS/internet sales.
First of all, if there is one phrase I am tired of hearing is, "they have a tiny profit margin", or even better yet, "we aren't making ANY money on that". If this is the case, you are either doing something wrong, or have failed to "tune" your business.
My daughter is getting married, so since my lady doesn't want to be embarassed by the way I dress, its off to the clothing store.
Try buying a size 52 sport coat, with a 19/37 shirt and a 38/32 pair of slacks that match.
The salesman looked it up in the catalog, tacked on a percentage, and I am waiting for it to arrive. Alterations on the shirt and jacket extra.
So this store made money on the sale, money on the alterations. I wasn't left with the attitude that I was being "boned" , and I'm sure I will be a repeat customer in the future. Just liked the guy.
So if I am to understand correctly, the LDS people sell products from "the" manu. that doesn't let him discount (much). So therefore he has a limited amount of products, overpriced, and his money is tied up in inventory that doesn't sell. (except to "new divers", who once they find out that that BCD they paid $570 for was only $365 on the internet, AND THEY SAVED SALES TAX. Plus it probably got delivered free to their door. Do any of the owners of the LDS really think that I would be back to their store? And I won't even discuss the fact that the first one I dealth with felt like he was doing me a favor to even talk to me.
Times have changed. Diving sites like this one are loaded with people like yourselves that are happy to give advise on problems and equipment. Although it may be rarely said, most of us new people (unexperienced) are just sorry that we can't thank all of you in person.
My solution to all of this is simply this. Why doesn't the LDS purchase the piece of equipment I picked on the internet, mark a 10% or so markup for their "margin" and sell it to me. YOU make the profit, and I get some of your expertise. YOU also get my repeat business. Plus your money isn't tied up in inventory.
And lets getting something straight right now! We new divers aren't worried about "warranties" at this stage, we are worried about "drowning". We can always work something out if a piece of equipment has to be repaired.
There is a very old saying in business. (hope I got it right) "You can't do business with someone that is pissed off at you"
Now I am aware that there are some GREAT LDS people. I think the dive shop people I deal with are. But times change, and if you don't change, you will be left behind.
They claim that only one out of five new divers will stay with the sport. The main reason given-COST.
