ScubaPro makes me mad.

[archman]

I work at a ScubaPro dealer, I'm a ScubaPro guy. We ship stuff all the time. We're not allowed to sell stuff below 10% of the current catalog price. We're also not allowed to sell stuff over the internet, so technically I can't offer to sell you some fabulous ScubaPro gear and ship it to your doorstep right now, so I'll refrain. But like I said, we ship stuff all the time.

Aw, NOW I get it! How ridiculous. I'm assuming the "stuff shipped" was purchased via telephone order, as that's the only avenue other than the internet for long distance transactions... unless carrier pigeons and telegrams are permitted.

So internet sales are not allowed, but phoning in your order to an LDS is? Sounds like an outdated legal mandate.

What if I sent an email to the LDS inquiring about buying something, and the entire transaction took place via emails and PayPal?

That's nice to know about the 10% markdown Kev... I'll have to keep that in mind when I haggle for gear... over the telephone of course.

 

[Joshv2]

So internet sales are not allowed, but phoning in your order to an LDS is? Sounds like an outdated legal mandate

hehe, most places wouldnt give me prices over the phone. The 3 places that did gave me a price range of over $100 on the item I was looking for...... but of course the cheapest place wouldnt ship...

 

[MikeFerrara]

I can't say about scubapro for certain because I've never been a scubapro dealer but several other manufacturers specifically state in their dealer agreement that sales must be "over the counter"...meaning no mail order, over the phone or internet sales.

In the last couple of years several manufacturers have changed their "over the counter only" policy but most have kept the pricing restrictions which can make it hard for the store to compete and restricts the choices of the consumer.

 

[Scubakevdm]

I can't say about scubapro for certain because I've never been a scubapro dealer but several other manufacturers specifically state in their dealer agreement that sales must be "over the counter"...meaning no mail order, over the phone or internet sales.

In the last couple of years several manufacturers have changed their "over the counter only" policy but most have kept the pricing restrictions which can make it hard for the store to compete and restricts the choices of the consumer.

HEY MIKE!
Didja miss me???
I'm not sure either, but I think the rule addresses marketing the product via internet or catalog. I suppose I could find out.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

My understanding of the dealer agreement is that it needs to be an over the counter sale where the customer at a minimum comes in the store either to order the stuff or to pick it up. The exception would be government sales where the dealer is free to take bids via phone mail or internet and is not limited to selling at no less than 10% of the MSRP.

So if a Scubapro dealer is doing mailorder, internet or phone sales (there is no distinction as far as SP is concerned) they are violating the dealer agreement and SP will not be pleased if it reported. So if you work for a dealer selling in that manner, It's be a good idea not to blab about it over the internet.

Things could be changing though in the industry. One company is now adopting a policy where internest sales are allowed at no less than the MSRP. They are also using a third party company to monitor this and if dealers are caught doing other than over the counter sales at less than MSRP they will be warned for the first infraction and lose the dealership if it occurs again. If this works well it could catch on as it allows internet sales but does not leave the LDS at a disadvantage.

 

[diverbrian]

Our shop dumped SP about about a year ago. The reason was the competing brands were selling better and the only thing that they was really selling with the shop was masks and fins (The Twin-Jets were real popular with new divers). The Suunto and DiveRite dive computers were basically making it not even worthwhile to sell the SP brand dive computer and the Seaquest BC's or DiveRite BP/W combos meant that the owner didn't even bother to display the SP BC's after so long. You get the idea.

Then SP has the gall to complain that the shop is selling enough business. The fact of the matter was that prices were better to the customer on the other stuff.

The manufacturer that I work for just went through this. We had a perceived (and I feel well-earned) reputation for lack of sensitivity to the customer on the product that we were making. We simply charged the price and expected the customer to buy the product instead of making the necessary changes to make our production more efficient and of higher quality. Two years later, after being almost out of business, our plant staff is about 2/3 of what it was, our customer complaint rate is far lower, and our prices are about 1/2 of what they were with Days Supply Inventory measured in days instead of months. Let me add that sales are at a record high and profits are through the roof.

Maybe some of the same things need to be seen in the scuba industry. Then manufacturers wouldn't have to inflate prices with dealer agreements to sell gear.

PS I don't know about SP's arrangement, but I do know that I bought a DUI weight harness directly from a shop from out of state by phone.

 

[MikeFerrara]

HEY MIKE!
Didja miss me???
I'm not sure either, but I think the rule addresses marketing the product via internet or catalog. I suppose I could find out.

LOL...of course I did!

 

[drbill]

Note that Christi is posting from Cozumel. I don't know if ScubaPro's USA policies apply there (unless she is buying from US shops).

My biggest gripe with ScubaPro is that they seem to be skimping on parts following their acquisition by Johnson. I still buy ScubaPro BCD's and regs, but only used through E-Bay so I get the older stuff. Never had a problem with any of it, but I have had problems with new SP product I've bought (and the warranty did come in handy then).

Dr. Bill

 

[Joshv2]

gotta give ScubaPro credit.

I contacted them onthis issue and they opted to allow a certain dealer to ship if I wanted them to.

even though I still dont like their policy,at least they are willing to listen and bend their own rules to help a customer out.


...that being said, just got my new Nighthawk BC on Friday :bang:

 

[scubapro50]

Have purchased several Scubapro products from LeisurePro without any problems. If you can save a few bucks go for it. Most of us don't keep the manfuctures warranty in effect by doing the required maintance every year. As long as Scubapro will furnish parts for repairs I'll be happy to pay the service fee. I am more upset with other companies that won't supply parts for their regulators even thou there was a written "lifetime" warranty to do so. ( see thread www.scubaboard.com/t70450-.html )