Supporting the LDS?

[spacemanspiff1974]

Dilemma here.

I want to support my local LDS, but the prices from scubatoys or leisurepro are much better. What should I do? Should I bargain with the LDS to come up with a more favorable price on equipment? For example, BCD at the LDS is 500 and I can order online for 360. What shoudl I do?

I am willing to pay a slight premium on equipment through the LDS, i.e 20%, but when it starts climbing to a 40% or 50% premium, I cannot avoid the price difference.

Any thoughts? I was thinking of trying bargain to split the difference with the LDS, but not sure how kosher this is.

 

[gcbryan]

Dilemma here.

I want to support my local LDS, but the prices from scubatoys or leisurepro are much better. What should I do? Should I bargain with the LDS to come up with a more favorable price on equipment? For example, BCD at the LDS is 500 and I can order online for 360. What shoudl I do?

I am willing to pay a slight premium on equipment through the LDS, i.e 20%, but when it starts climbing to a 40% or 50% premium, I cannot avoid the price difference.

Any thoughts? I was thinking of trying bargain to split the difference with the LDS, but not sure how kosher this is.

You have the right idea. Most larger items bought at the LDS can be negotiated. If they can get close buy there. You aren't going to offend them by negotiating. They would love to have the chance to negotiate. Sometimes they can and sometimes they can't but it never hurts to ask.

 

[ffestpirate]

Wife and I bought some stuff online and some stuff at LDS. Not all shops are the same, but remember, it's also a place to connect with people and join dive trips. The manager of our shop, even took us to another store because he thought it was cool(it was).

 

[superstar]

Last fall I bought my daughter a BC from the LDS for her scuba lessons, then the dive shop canceled the class. I felt as if the LDS failed to support me. Support has to work both ways.

 

[ffestpirate]

Last fall I bought my daughter a BC from the LDS for her scuba lessons, then the dive shop canceled the class. I felt as if the LDS failed to support me. Support has to work both ways.

Shop stores like you would anything else, there are good and bad. Same is true with the net

 

[tiburon72157]

my local lds is a ripoff, and the attitude of the owner stinks. he won't deal at all. however, his right hand man at the shop, an instructor will deal on occasion. i do throw some business their way sometimes, but only when i'm in a jam, and if they will price match. otherwise, forget it. it makes no sense (cents) to waste your money...think of the other goodies you can get with that $140 you saved.

 

[TSandM]

My husband and I made a decision to try to buy what we can from our LDS. I therefore take items I want and the prices I can get them for to the shop owner and ask him what he can do for me. If he can get within about ten percent, we buy from him. If he can't, or he can't or won't carry a brand I've determined upon, we buy elsewhere. It seems to work to maintain good will on all sides.

 

[deco_martini]

My local LDS isn't just for buying gear, its also for yakking it up with the staff who dive often in exotic locations and give me recommendations for when I do my own trips.

Tip: When negotiating with your LDS, dont mention Leisure Pro. Pretend you've never heard of Leisure Pro. Just say "the internet" when you mention where you saw a lower price.

 

[americanoregon]

The world of commerce is evolutionary. You need not pay a big premium to shop in one place any more than you need to continue buying buggy whips just to keep the buggy whip makers in business, or order your house from the Sears and Roebuck catalogue for fear of hurting their business if you don't. If your local shop offers some service that makes it worth a premium, then do it. But I wouldn't pay a pile of dollars just to have a place to chat about diving in exotic locations when you can get more info from a couple of books and a Google search than you could get from your local merchant. If your LDS adds some value that enriches your life, or your community, then pay for that. I buy Levis at a local feed store that cost more than the mall, but I know my local feed store operator is the reason we have 4-H and FFA and a rodeo and county fair. And those are the same people that spend an hour special ordering a spare part on which they make only a few dollars profit. So, I don't mind paying a little more for some things to keep them in business. But what does your LDS do that an internet dealer won't? Free testing and repairs?

 

[DandyDon]

You have the right idea. Most larger items bought at the LDS can be negotiated. If they can get close buy there. You aren't going to offend them by negotiating. They would love to have the chance to negotiate. Sometimes they can and sometimes they can't but it never hurts to ask.

Yep - I tell my Lds that I want to shop with them, and I don't mind paying a little more than online if needed, but I'm resistant to pay a lot more. She appreciates that I'll do that, instead of just buying elsewhere, then calls the supplier saying: "I need a better price so I can match ScubaToys." She gets it, and so do I.

If the Lds does not appreciate such an offer, bad attitude - go elswhere.