k4sdi
Contributor
I buy most of my stuff of the internet, but then again , the nearest shop to me is over 3 hours away...........
Mark
Mark
Shop loyalty to customers???
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triggertravel
Guest
When does supporting your local community become too much?
I live in Nebraska where very few dive shops exist. We currently have three in Omaha. My wife and I have tried to support the shop near our home by recommending them, taking classes through them, and buying merchandise in their store.
We average $600 in rentals per year, over $1,000 in new gear, and over $600 in classes. We started to realize that we were paying EXCESSIVELY HIGH prices to support our local dive shop. I explained to the dive shop owner that we really want to support our community and that we really like them, however we are having trouble paying sometimes double for what we can get on the internet. In several cases the LDS indicated that their cost is higher than what we are paying on the internet.
We made a choice to buy our larger ticket items (over $200) on the internet and utilize them for less expensive things and training.
The last trip we rented two Aeris 500 AI computers. When we went in to pick up the computer, one of the employees did not know how to run it but explained that it would be really easy to learn. We asked for a manual however they did not have one. We ended up downloading one from the internet which we read. The computer kept having problems and we brought it back in the shop. It ended up being just a battery. In my opinion computers are not straight forward if you have never used one and for safety reasons should be explained.
On day two of our vacation the computer started acting really weird and would stop working during the dive. It would work for a few minutes then stop working. The local PADI shop could not figure out what was wrong and suggested we ship it back to the manufacturer. We ended up renting another computer. When we brought the computer back to our LDS they didn't believe us.
My wife called the LDS and indicated that we should get a refund for the days that we could not use the dive computer. They did not agree and threatened to charge us for a brand new computer. At list retail prices. This was ironic because they didn't believe us that our computer stopped working. I had a long talk with the owner and let him know that it was best that we didn't do business anymore.
They make it sound like I will have no place to get equipment, air fills, our scuba information. We just bought our equipment, don't need air locally, and will take classes on vacation or at one of the other LDS.
It still make me sad to not use our LDS, however we stopped for three reasons:
1. Excessive Prices
2. Poor Service
3. A fraternity like environment where outsiders (customers) are not treated well unless you one of the LDS owner groupies.
I hope that another LDS will pop up that treats people more fairly. Until then I'll be shopping on the internet.
I live in Nebraska where very few dive shops exist. We currently have three in Omaha. My wife and I have tried to support the shop near our home by recommending them, taking classes through them, and buying merchandise in their store.
We average $600 in rentals per year, over $1,000 in new gear, and over $600 in classes. We started to realize that we were paying EXCESSIVELY HIGH prices to support our local dive shop. I explained to the dive shop owner that we really want to support our community and that we really like them, however we are having trouble paying sometimes double for what we can get on the internet. In several cases the LDS indicated that their cost is higher than what we are paying on the internet.
We made a choice to buy our larger ticket items (over $200) on the internet and utilize them for less expensive things and training.
The last trip we rented two Aeris 500 AI computers. When we went in to pick up the computer, one of the employees did not know how to run it but explained that it would be really easy to learn. We asked for a manual however they did not have one. We ended up downloading one from the internet which we read. The computer kept having problems and we brought it back in the shop. It ended up being just a battery. In my opinion computers are not straight forward if you have never used one and for safety reasons should be explained.
On day two of our vacation the computer started acting really weird and would stop working during the dive. It would work for a few minutes then stop working. The local PADI shop could not figure out what was wrong and suggested we ship it back to the manufacturer. We ended up renting another computer. When we brought the computer back to our LDS they didn't believe us.
My wife called the LDS and indicated that we should get a refund for the days that we could not use the dive computer. They did not agree and threatened to charge us for a brand new computer. At list retail prices. This was ironic because they didn't believe us that our computer stopped working. I had a long talk with the owner and let him know that it was best that we didn't do business anymore.
They make it sound like I will have no place to get equipment, air fills, our scuba information. We just bought our equipment, don't need air locally, and will take classes on vacation or at one of the other LDS.
It still make me sad to not use our LDS, however we stopped for three reasons:
1. Excessive Prices
2. Poor Service
3. A fraternity like environment where outsiders (customers) are not treated well unless you one of the LDS owner groupies.
I hope that another LDS will pop up that treats people more fairly. Until then I'll be shopping on the internet.
triggertravel
Guest
Tubaloo,
It is in the Millard South area.
It is in the Millard South area.
scuba_adventurer
Guest
Yeah guys, you have all got it all figured out!
Put those ripoff dive shop owners out of business because they mark their products up enough to pay the bills!
Sadly though, you will get what you have coming to you, and so will all of us who don't support online grey market sales. Dive shops will always exist. Some people would never work in any other industry. They will also attempt to make a profit. What online sales cause is a dropoff in sales that would normally compensate owners who provide cheap education. Dive shop owners will only raise classroom prices.
Doesn't affect you because you are already certified? Good. Hopefully you like diving with the group you have now, because fewer new divers will becoming along to join you.
What I am talking about has already happened in the Keys wehre DD has drove retail prices down, causing ow classes to be around $500. That is great for the sport!
What can we do as Dive Centers? We will do our best to help those enlightened individuals who understand how business works and would like to learn to dive for a reasonable price to make the best equipment purchases for them so that they will be happy. We will do as much as we can with customer service,but It does get old to have somebody come in and ask questions about regulators only to go buy online. ****, Leisurepro should be paying me commission for alll of the regs I have shown for them.
You guys decide. We are all divers, and our actions will shape the activity that we participate in. Have it your way.
Put those ripoff dive shop owners out of business because they mark their products up enough to pay the bills!
Sadly though, you will get what you have coming to you, and so will all of us who don't support online grey market sales. Dive shops will always exist. Some people would never work in any other industry. They will also attempt to make a profit. What online sales cause is a dropoff in sales that would normally compensate owners who provide cheap education. Dive shop owners will only raise classroom prices.
Doesn't affect you because you are already certified? Good. Hopefully you like diving with the group you have now, because fewer new divers will becoming along to join you.
What I am talking about has already happened in the Keys wehre DD has drove retail prices down, causing ow classes to be around $500. That is great for the sport!
What can we do as Dive Centers? We will do our best to help those enlightened individuals who understand how business works and would like to learn to dive for a reasonable price to make the best equipment purchases for them so that they will be happy. We will do as much as we can with customer service,but It does get old to have somebody come in and ask questions about regulators only to go buy online. ****, Leisurepro should be paying me commission for alll of the regs I have shown for them.
You guys decide. We are all divers, and our actions will shape the activity that we participate in. Have it your way.
This all sounds really sad - but then maybe I have just been very lucky (must get round to naming my fav dive shops in that other link).
In the UK the dive shop I use is always very fair with it's prices and always prepared to put packages together, they even have interest free credit and if you're really stuck will let you put some on account (though that may have gone now they've introduced the credit thing). I have also received good discounts for repeat business - and that was before I was on their books as an AI.
Also last weekend in London was the LDS (London Dive Show) and as this is a London shop they offered to split the profits for any kit baught on Saturday (not open Sunday) which I hope was well attended.
A lot of these shops need the equipment business as they won't break even just doing education so they should be careful not to upset too many people especially in this information age.
Just my 2yen.....
Jonathan
In the UK the dive shop I use is always very fair with it's prices and always prepared to put packages together, they even have interest free credit and if you're really stuck will let you put some on account (though that may have gone now they've introduced the credit thing). I have also received good discounts for repeat business - and that was before I was on their books as an AI.
Also last weekend in London was the LDS (London Dive Show) and as this is a London shop they offered to split the profits for any kit baught on Saturday (not open Sunday) which I hope was well attended.
A lot of these shops need the equipment business as they won't break even just doing education so they should be careful not to upset too many people especially in this information age.
Just my 2yen.....
Jonathan
You have to support your local business. If you don't shop locally and make it a regular practice, sooner or later you won't have the option.
when you buy online,
-where do you take it for service?
-who provides any needed instruction?
The local dive shop I would suspect.
Let's face it, there are good and bad in every industry. The good ones stay and the bad ones die off. It's up to you to support the good ones to ensure that the price of getting rid of the bad ones is something we all can afford
when you buy online,
-where do you take it for service?
-who provides any needed instruction?
The local dive shop I would suspect.
Let's face it, there are good and bad in every industry. The good ones stay and the bad ones die off. It's up to you to support the good ones to ensure that the price of getting rid of the bad ones is something we all can afford
kwesler
Contributor
You are right...here is the issue: what do you do when the LDS is a BAD one? IE, insists you buy from limited inventory and high prices or you get treated badly.
As to the question of where do you get warranty service on your equipment (or non-warranty for that matter) and where do you get trained...I get warranty service from the nearest, most convenient and cost effective authorized service center. I get rained, when necessary, at the same.
Folks-there is no sound argument in favor of bad service/attitude! What you are really saying is that the loss of the LDS will hurt all of us-AGREED!!!! However, that should not mean that we lower our standards as to how we are treated. I now patronize a group of stores-ALL LOCAL DIVE SHOPS SOMEWHERE-who have online sales arms, or who are located where I dive most often (the Florida Keys) who have excellent service, a friendly attitude and the inventory I seek. By the way, I DO pay more with them than is necessary sometimes-they EARNED that right over time. BTW2-I have never bought from the "gray market" online dealers.
As to the question of where do you get warranty service on your equipment (or non-warranty for that matter) and where do you get trained...I get warranty service from the nearest, most convenient and cost effective authorized service center. I get rained, when necessary, at the same.
Folks-there is no sound argument in favor of bad service/attitude! What you are really saying is that the loss of the LDS will hurt all of us-AGREED!!!! However, that should not mean that we lower our standards as to how we are treated. I now patronize a group of stores-ALL LOCAL DIVE SHOPS SOMEWHERE-who have online sales arms, or who are located where I dive most often (the Florida Keys) who have excellent service, a friendly attitude and the inventory I seek. By the way, I DO pay more with them than is necessary sometimes-they EARNED that right over time. BTW2-I have never bought from the "gray market" online dealers.
MNScuba
Guest
I thought I had a good LDS... I bought about 95% of my gear from them before my first class, took my first part of Open Water through them and will take the second part of Open Water with them in May. When I bought my gear I got the sales pitch... You'll get 15% off now, a free class and 5-10% off all future purchases.
That was B.S.
Now that I bought my gear and took the first class, I no longer get a discount. I went there last week and bought all myweight and some miscellaneous stuff for my Save-a-Dive kit and I got no discount! I called them about it later that week and asked why, and here's what he said to me:
Well, sometimes it depends on who you get for a sales person, sometimes we forget, and sometimes we just don't feel like it. (I'm not exagerating!)
Well, you know what... they just lost me as a customer, and I may or may not be taking my OW with them, I'd rather see my hard-earned money go to someone that appreciates it. My Wife got me a gift certificate there for a tank, and I'm glad because it comes with 30 free fills. That's the only time they will see me in the shop... after my 30 fills, I'm outta there. On second thought... according to this board, shops don't make any money on classes so I might as well finish where I started and then take my business elsewhere.
Bah!
That was B.S.
Now that I bought my gear and took the first class, I no longer get a discount. I went there last week and bought all myweight and some miscellaneous stuff for my Save-a-Dive kit and I got no discount! I called them about it later that week and asked why, and here's what he said to me:
Well, sometimes it depends on who you get for a sales person, sometimes we forget, and sometimes we just don't feel like it. (I'm not exagerating!)
Well, you know what... they just lost me as a customer, and I may or may not be taking my OW with them, I'd rather see my hard-earned money go to someone that appreciates it. My Wife got me a gift certificate there for a tank, and I'm glad because it comes with 30 free fills. That's the only time they will see me in the shop... after my 30 fills, I'm outta there. On second thought... according to this board, shops don't make any money on classes so I might as well finish where I started and then take my business elsewhere.
Bah!
icemyst7
Guest
My LDS will match any other LDS's price or on-line price that I find. If they don't have what I am looking for then they will get it for me. Thats why I am loyal to them and will not shop any were else. Plus the employees are honest and have my intrest in mind. To me that makes the best LDS's.
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