SP pricing

[DA Aquamaster]

I disagree with a couple points in this thread.

First, it is not about company policy. Scubapro would probably love to apply their MSRP policy in Europe, it's just that the EU trade regulations do not allow that kind of price fixing - or most of the other restrictions that are put in the US Scubapro dealer agreements. Thus, the thread should have been left there as it is not about SP policy, but rather about EU regulations and consumer protections - and the lack there of in the US.

Second, the fine print about "authorized dealer" and free parts for life will be in regards to the obligation of a US dealer to honor regs sold by other authorized US dealers.

It's really sad when a pricing policy of a US company and/or the US division of that company results in losing business overseas to the detriment of US dealers. At some point the light bulb needs to go off in terms of recognizing it's a global economy and US dealers need to be able to compete.

 

[redacted]

We don't afford "special" protection to ScubaPro but we do afford equal protection to all of our manufacturers who have agreed to participate in their Q&A forum.

I have given a few manufacturers a hard time, on their forums, about their products, prices, and policies. Scubapro probably less than others. But I have only been banned, by Scubaboard, from one manufacturers forum. Do you want to guess which one?

 

[Chris Brown Tech]

Because we have Freedom here in the US as opposed to those Government regulating socialist in Europe.

On a slightly more serious note, probably for the same reason that you can buy your prescription drugs in Canada for pennies on the dollar when compared to cost in the US.

. The same freedom that restricts US dealers to fixed pricing and punishes them if they do not comply? (which is illegal in the European free market)

 

[616fun]

Don't get mad, get even.....Buy Hog/Edge....Better for less.....When the others loose enough 'market share' they'll get the point [maybe] !!!!!!

+1. Screw ScubaPro, Aqualung or 'insert name that follows MAP/MARP atructures'.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I have given a few manufacturers a hard time, on their forums, about their products, prices, and policies. Scubapro probably less than others. But I have only been banned, by Scubaboard, from one manufacturers forum. Do you want to guess which one?

That's pretty funny in a sad kind of way. I won't be surprised if I get a ban of my own in that forum someday.

What Scubapro probably does not understand though, to their detriment, is the message that sends to the large number of Scubaboard members here who know you as a person who knows his stuff.

I don't try to maliciously bash Scubapro and in fact I regard myself as a die hard fan - in the old school tradition of "Deep down you want the best" when it was an engineering philosophy and mission at Scubapro, not a marketing theme. I still believe Scubapro will find its way back there eventually.

I am however very honest in highlighting both the good and the bad and I point out flaws and provide constructive criticism where it's needed. If it gets me banned, oh well, I'll still sleep at night. But in general my criticism is seldom about the engineering (other than on the X650 maybe, as they really missed the mark developing it) but rather on their outmoded, sometimes shortsighted and sometimes counter productive marketing and business practices.

 

[beaverdivers]

Simple, you have a choice buy Scubapro ( about $700.00 ) ( maybe Free parts for Life w/ purchase of computer & B.C. or buy SubGear ( about $500) - no free parts.

The New SubGear is less money than overseas.

 

[Chris Brown Tech]

Buy Hog/Edge....Better for less.....

Less..? yes agreed. Better....? Er, not so much

Don't get me wrong, they aren't bad, but certainly not any better than the Scubapeks Atomiseidons

 

[OldNSalty]

. The same freedom that restricts US dealers to fixed pricing and punishes them if they do not comply? (which is illegal in the European free market)

Look, you don't understand freedom. Everyone is free here but some more so then others. In this case, a person called ScubaPro is free to do all that price fixing because otherwise, the small businesses would be depriving ScubaPro of their freedom. Why do you hate Freedom over there?

 

[buddhasummer]

I have given a few manufacturers a hard time, on their forums, about their products, prices, and policies. Scubapro probably less than others. But I have only been banned, by Scubaboard, from one manufacturers forum. Do you want to guess which one?

Cressi?

---------- Post Merged at 10:55 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 10:53 PM ----------

He wouldn't get the parts for life anyway now. You need to buy a reg, bc, and computer for that. I can suggest a reg that will perform just as well with less expensive parts he can buy openly and even learn to service himself that will perform just as well. For half the US cost and just a bit more than the European cost for just a first stage and second. And he, not the mfg, can pick the hose length.

Aqualung?

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

The gig is already up.