Supported my LDS today

[FFMDiver]

Just purchased an AGA from my LDS.
Yes, I could have saved $150 by going on line.
Got to throw some business thier way sometimes.
Three cheers for me! :bandsmlz:

 

[LiteHedded]

wish I could afford to donate $150 to my LDS

 

[sasscuba]

wish I could afford to donate $150 to my LDS

me too.

 

[Caver95]

its not really donating, you get a service, or at least you should. I hate dealing with online companies. I will spend a little more coin, rather that go to wal-mart if I can get the service that should come with the price. KEEP THE AMERICAN DREAM ALIVE!!! shop local.

 

[Trever]

Why was the LDS $150 higher than an online store?

 

[divingjd]

Good for you. Thanks for helping to keep a local business going and rewarding them for the service they provide!

 

[Tamas]

Aga?????

 

[LiteHedded]

its not really donating, you get a service, or at least you should. I hate dealing with online companies. I will spend a little more coin, rather that go to wal-mart if I can get the service that should come with the price. KEEP THE AMERICAN DREAM ALIVE!!! shop local.

i'd love to but as a working student I just can't afford to pay an extra 150 dollar gratuity for their service

 

[jbichsel]

Why was the LDS $150 higher than an online store?

Are you serious? Let me count the ways:

Rent/mortgage - not all online vendors have bricks & mortar. If the facility has a poo, it didn't get there for free.

Utilities - not all online vendors have gas, water, sewage, garbage collection, swimming pools to fill/maintain. Swimming pool pump take a lot of electricity. Keeping a pool clean and healthy takes money. I've had 3 of them.

Keeping toilet paper on the roll, soap to wash with after, towel to dry, paying someone to clean, vacuum, dust, inventory, ship, receive, answer the phone, wash the windows, etc.

Insurance - if an online vendor does not have bricks & mortar, they don't have the associated insurance for fire, theft, liability, injury, etc.

Insurance, professional Liability - if an online vendor is not providing training, they don't have the requirement to carry this.

Inventory - if an online vendor does not carry inventory, they don't have the associated costs that carrying inventory does.

Training - SCUBA training is NOT a cash cow. Sometimes it is even a loss. For an LDS to stay open, they have to cover costs AND show a profit. Have the online vendor teach you skills.

Air Fills - try getting an air fill from ANY online vendor. Compressors, fill stations are not cheap. Neither is the eletricity to run them, the periodic maintenence, filter media/cartridges, testing. How about VIP? Hydro?

Service - How long will your reg take for service from the online vendor? How about if there is a warranty issue or recall? Will the manufacturer honor the warranty coverage from the online vendor? How much will shipping run when you want service from the online vendor, IF that is even an option? Want to talk to someone about something you read, saw, experienced? Want to explore new equipment in their pool? Want to pursue more training?

Trying on for size/features - How does that work with online vendors?

What if you need an o-ring, fin/mask strap, clip, etc. on the day of your dive as your heading to the lake/ocean?

TAXES - Uncle takes his share, not just from the initial sale, but there are property taxes, permits, fees that actually having a physical location require.

Annual fire marshal inspection, annual or semi-annual fire extinguisher inspections, public health inspections in some areas since the store has a restroom. None of these are fre in most cases.

How's that for "why"?

 

[TxHockeyGuy]

I guess I am lucky only living a little more than 10 minutes from ScubaToys, I get the best of both worlds . Then again we don't exactly have the best diving here locally .