Should I buy from my LDS?

[RTdiver]

Hey guys, for my birthday a couple of weeks ago, I got a gift cert from my fiancée and she paid for my scuba cert. The only thing that I'm waiting on is for the shop to get enough people together for a Saturday class. At this time they only offer classes during the week which conflicts with my work schedule. I can probably adjust, but instead I'd prefer to use the time to prepare for classes and research gear.

My question is in regards to the gear, the shop only carries 6-8 brands of which only two are ones that I recognize as major brands. Scubapro and Oceanic. I spoke with the DM and he said that all he uses is Scubapro so he cannot speak to the quality of the other brands that the shop carries. My issue is that I'd like to be able to have some type of selection. It makes me wonder if I am really getting a good deal on things when I have so little to choose from. The fins that carry are all about $200, not that it's a big deal, but I've seen so many other brands that I'm interested in looking at. All of the fins that I have seen are also split fins too, I'm sure that they could order others, but there are only about 6 pairs on display.

The advantage of going through the shop is that they offer a 10% discount since I am taking the class through them, but with their pricing, I'm not sure if this is much of an advantage. For example, the spring straps that are on the back of the open fins run $79, but when I look online at other retailers, they are much less. They service the brands that they sell so that's a good thing. At least I won't have to ship anything off if I purchase through them, and if there is something that I purchase that does not work for me, they will let me exchange it.

Am I really missing out by purchasing through this shop and not buying online or is it really not going to make much of a difference in the end? BTW this is the only dive shop in town. I do not know any other divers so I really have no one else to ask but you guys. I live about an hour and a half North of Los Angeles, so worst case, I can drive to LA and make purchases there.

Thanks for all of your help!

 

[sphyrnidus]

My first advice would be, since you're just starting, it is better to use their equipement durin classes or maybe even rent. It is so difficult to find out what's best for you at this time. And once you have some experience it is easier to decide. Or maybe you find out diving is not for you and you have to unload all your expensive gear again.

 

[toddthecat]

To address a few issues:

-Ask a few other people who work there about other brands they use. At least the DM was honest about not being knowledgeable about other brands, but if he works there and sells gear, he really should be. I wouldn't hire a salesperson who could only speak about one of our 9 brands.

-If a dive shop were to carry every make and model of gear then they would be the size of a Target or Wal-Mart. Dive shops highlight some gear but can always order things in. Ask to see catalogs and, as I said, speak with some other employees.

-Feel free to browse the internet and see what you're interested in. You can always ask your LDS if they can order that product in and see what they would charge for it. Bear in mind, you might pay a little bit more through your LDS, however the likelihood is high that they will also be doing the service on your equipment. Regular customers can get more regular discounts. The guys who come in with a full set of equipment and only get air fills, mouthpieces, and service, are less likely to get things knocked off their bill. Think of it as comps at a casino. Regulars get free drinks, high rollers get free rooms, that sort of thing. If my regulars need an extra part or product or something, they tend to get some stuff complementary.

-Are you missing out by purchasing through your shop? Let us know when you find a way to try the fit on a mask you found online through your computer screen. Want to try out a particular product in the pool or during your class? LDS has it. Online places are...well just that. Online.


And in addition, outside of the LDS thing:
-Got problems scheduling classes? Go with the e-learning option.

 

[jord1990]

This thread might blow up just because you mentioned split fins. Anyway I would use their gear for the classes to. With buying online you should be very cautious if it fits you right. And like Todd said ask around little.

Jord

 

[kelemvor]

While I don't think there's anything wrong with the brands you mention, there's nothing horrible about any other big brands either. The 10% discount is part of scubapro's official marketing ploys. Any dealer is authorized to give that discount in store. Your dealer just chose to offer it "because you took the class". Personally, I like scubapro gear but dislike their various policies (like this price fixing thing).

There's definitely something to be said for buying from your LDS. While I don't like the holier than thou attitudes some shops have vs buying online you can get excellent service from a good local shop. That in my opinion is WELL worth the slightly higher prices you'll pay to go local on most items.

Small items like spring straps I wouldn't hesitate to buy online. $75? That's got to be like a $50 markup over the going rate, right? For example I got my cam buckle tank straps online for about that much difference in price (online vs local). LDS probably assume you won't notice the huge markup on small items when you're buying a whole kit.

I wouldn't tell the LDS you're buying anything online (if you do). Some throw fits like children, there was a recent thread here about some guy who bought a tank online and the LDS refused to perform a VIS because of that. Unfortunately for that guy he didn't have any other options in dive shops.

I generally buy big ticket items locally, and unless it's a ludicrous markup like the straps you mention I even buy lots of small stuff local as well.


I say buy local, but within reason. Be an informed consumer.

 

[robertarak]

I tell people if they are happy with your LDS, support them. Dive shops are closing left and right.....and some of them should! In order to help them continue to help you, you should do your best to support them by buying from them. Now, on the other hand if you are not happy with them, shop around. They do not deserve your business or support.

I am probably in your area, and I know there are not a lot of quality options here.

 

[toddthecat]

I wouldn't tell the LDS you're buying anything online (if you do). Some throw fits like children, there was a recent thread here about some guy who bought a tank online and the LDS refused to perform a VIS because of that. Unfortunately for that guy he didn't have any other options in dive shops.

Yeah I remember that thread. It is true, some places get hurt about it. Personally (and being a dive shop owner), that attitude will get no one anywhere. We have people that come in for advice for gear. For example, I'll sit down with someone interested in a BC or regulator, find out what they want/require in their equipment, then create a brochure over the next day or two that highlights a few options they have that we can order. Sometimes they use that info to go online, sometimes they appreciate the info and go through us. In the end it doesn't matter much as 90% of the time we can match the big box online guys.

If someone comes in and asks about gear and indicates they're buying it online, that's fine. We'll discuss the pros and cons of the gear. Most of them are trying to buy used stuff on eBay. That's when we discuss gear servicing and the fact you can't judge used gear by it's appearance, just as you can't judge a book by its cover.

Either way, they still need to get tank fills, service, VIPs, etc. Dive shops remember who their good customers are and reciprocate their loyalty.

 

[fjpatrum]

Just because you don't recognize them as "major brands" doesn't mean they aren't quality gear. Many shops only carry 1 or 2 brands so "6-8" is good, in my opinion. That said, researching your options is a good thing and this is a good place to start. Throw out the other brand names and see what people have to say about them. Most of the gear is made in the same factories no matter what brand name it has on it.

Personally, I am a proponent of buying gear early, even before class starts. I think you're more likely to dive if you own your own gear and I don't see any gear bought and then sold later as a "bad purchase" unless it didn't fit properly to begin with or was completely inappropriate, like a rebreather for an OW class. Research what you actually need for the area you plan to dive and make your gear selections accordingly. For example, being in Southern California, if you plan to dive locally, you should consider a 7mm wet suit or a dry suit, hood, gloves, boots, a BCD, fins, mask, snorkel (for surface swims and shore entries) Regs, and possibly tanks (steel), if it's in your budget. I'd also recommend a cutting device (or two), a light (or two), and an SMB. Conversely, if you're only going to dive in Mexico, start with a 3mm suit, BCD, fins/mask/snorkel, and regs.

Buy gear that fits properly and add pieces as you need. Computers are nice, but far from necessary. You can always dive tables and most of us newbies don't really need to worry about NDLs (maximum time at a depth) because we breathe our air too fast.

Talk to the shop about matching prices for gear your interested in with internet prices. 10% really isn't much of a discount when shops mark gear up by 50% or more. (I'm not saying they're price gouging- they have overhead to pay for but that doesn't mean you have to foot the whole thing with your individual purchase.)

Also used gear can be had for a significant discount and works just as well as new gear.

 

[RTdiver]

Thanks for all of the replies, I didn't expect such a huge response. Just another affirmation that I am on the right site. I think that you've all made great points. I would love to support the shop, especially since it's the only one in the city. Having to wait for the roster to get bigger before starting the classes is a good thing, it allows me to get time in to do all this research. I'm pretty excited as this is on my bucket list.

I'm sure that I'll get the stuff that I need to start the class from the shop, and hopefully I'll have met some people through the shop and here, that are more experienced than I am and can steer me in the right direction for the other things that I'll need. BCD's, regs, etc.

I'm not even going to start on the fins! Hahahaa

 

[SteveBF]

This thread might blow up just because you mentioned split fins. Anyway I would use their gear for the classes to. With buying online you should be very cautious if it fits you right. And like Todd said ask around little.

Jord

That's both Hilarious and too true Jord!

As to the LDS Question. I would hold off buying anything beyond Mask Fins snorkel and booties until you finish the class so that you don't blow a bunch of cash on something you don't enjoy. I try to buy as much as I reasonably can from my LDS because I want them to succeed... if they go away so do air fills and equipment service. I would for sure buy my regs and BCD from the LDS as I don't know how to service them and the LDS typically only services brands they carry.

Having said that I have on occasion bought small things on-line because the deal was just too good to pass up. I even rolled the dice on a wetsuit once that luckily fit.

I should also mention that my LDS fills tanks for free on Friday and Saturday if you buy them from them (I've already paid for both of my tanks in free air by now) so I am crazy loyal to them!

Cheers!
Steve