The Great local dive shop vs. online debate

[ScoobieDooo]

Maybe when people stop buying from LDS's and paying as much as 40-50% MORE for their gear LDS will have to take a step back and rethink their sales strategy.

I refuse to pay twice as much for gear that is already expensive already!

 

[jonnythan]

ScoobieDooo once bubbled...
Maybe when people stop buying from LDS's and paying as much as 40-50% MORE for their gear LDS will have to take a step back and rethink their sales strategy.

I refuse to pay twice as much for gear that is already expensive already!

It isn't like the LDS guys have a choice.

 

[JRRKAR]

My wife and I were looking at buying two full sets of everthing (middle of the line quality and above). We live in an area that has few dive shops. We are about 40 minutes from three different shops (center of a large triangle). I contacted my favorite LDS to get a price for everything. They were basically charge MSRP and giving me a 10% discount for a large purchase. Through the internet I found a dive shop about 4 hours (and two states) away. We emailed a few times and talked on the phone. They started to know me by name after a couple calls. The price they gave me was over $1500 cheaper than the LDS. HOwever due to limitations on certain equipment from certain manufactures, he could not sell the stuff over the phone. So we took a weekend, drove up to Conn. and got all our stuff. On top of the price savings, we didn't have to pay sales tax (technically they shipped the items to us, out of state). They were very nice, gave us a free ride on there tour boat. We stayed the weekend and had a great time. Yes we spent $300 for a hotel, food, gas and entertainment, but we were still very far ahead of the game.

I know the LDS has to do what they can to stay in buisness. And it's a game of supply and demand. BUt when the LDS sells at MSRP, and another shop can give me a 20%-25% savings, on huge purchase, it's a no-brainer. I got great service, however they are 4 hours away. As for future maintenance, I will pay my LDS to do the maintenance. I will go to my LDS for training, fills and the misc. stuff needed. But money is money. I have to work for a living, so every dollar is worth shopping for.

I still feel a little guilty when diving with my LDS and the talk about equipment purchases come up. But I'm sure the instructors I'm dealing with already get this type of discount from the shop. So for them it's not an issue. For me, I have to look out for myself. So do what you feel is best for you.

Good Luck

 

[Genesis]

It isn't like the LDS guys have a choice.

They could form a buyer's club, as is done in many other businesses, and simply refuse to deal with the manufacturers who do this.

They could form that club and sue the manufacturers as a class for this conduct.

They could, as a group, find someone to make aftermarket parts that can't be had from the normal places (e.g. seats) and then tell the manufacturers to go pee up a rope on their polciies, and service whatever they like.

There are dozens of additional ways to "break the back" of the manfuacturers who do this.

Yes, there are challenges in all of those methods and forms of protest. No, none of this is easy.

So what?

Either you believe in something or you do not. If you do not act to solve these problems and are in the business then you're part of the problem, not the solution.

If you're a co-conspirator in the problem, you deserve to get lumped in with the rest of those who are causing it.

 

[medical1]

MikeFerrara once bubbled...


We used to get stuff from trident but, now, without a (what they call a store) they'll no longer sell to us. Tridents doesn't even have a MSRP. You are free to mark their stuff as little or as much as you want so I'm not sure what you're getting at.

My point being that if the LDS didn't elect to mark things SO high then perhaps more money could be made on additional foot traffic in the store, larger sales volume that would equal additional revenue & impulse buying.

Shoppers have a magic number. If it's WAY out of line with what can be bought through a few simple clicks of the mouse then what can you expect. :wacko:

Why would I elect to buy 1/2 the gear for the same amount of money?

You can't have it both ways

 

[Otter]

The little guy (LDS) gets screwed. The Mfgrs continue to get their $$ (e.g. LP directly or indirectly paid Zeagle the $340). LDS eventually dry up and, with no distribution channel to "tick off", the MFGs go direct to consumer and raise the prices. Online business goes away and MFGrs win. So what do we do?

 

[ScoobieDooo]

Otter,
Well maybe its time for LDS to form a union and 'boycott' manufacturers about their 'LIST' or 'MSRP.'

Tell me, when you shop for a car, are you willing to pay $20k
for a car if you can buy the identical car for $10k?

Probably not...that's how I feel about buying scuba gear.

I refuse to pay MSRP on gear that I don't need to...

 

[medical1]

Otter once bubbled...
The little guy (LDS) gets screwed.

EXCUSE ME - I AM THE LITTLE GUY!

Remember it's MY hard earned money that is being spent.

LeisurePro is not Microsoft! Some LDS want to run a business like ENRON.

Have the LDS ever heard of co-opperative buying?

Maybe the LDS should use LeisurePro as an example of a well run BUSINESS operation and not the devil :sweetdev:

Time to end my :box:

 

[Scottri]

First I would say wait to buy the major equipment items like a reg, computer or BC until you have gained a little more experience. You will be surprised how your requirements change once you have done some diving. If you find a mask that fits will buy it right away as that is a critical piece of gear. Fins are less critical but a pair that you can use well are a good item to purchase early. Don't spend a lot on a snorkel as you won't use it that much if at all.

As far as buying online, most manufacturers do not honor warranties from online purchases. Also, you will need to consider where you are going to have your gear serviced. If you are going to send it back to the company you bought it from you need to be aware that the turnaround may take a while so you will be without your equipment for up to two or three weeks, you will also need to pay to ship it to and from. If you are going to have your equipment serviced locally you will need to find out what shops service what brands. If there is not a Scuba Pro dealer in the area it will be a pain to have a Scuba Pro reg serviced. Some shops will give you grief about servicing non warranty gear some won't care. There is good and bad about buying online. I have never purchased regs, computers or BC online because I like being able to return it right away and getting it replaced without hassle. Service quality varies from shop to shop so ask fellow divers in your area as to which shops are good.

Good luck,

Scott

 

[ScoobieDooo]

The Consumer IS the Little Guy!

The owner of MY LDS is off every 2 wks on some exotic dive trip to Palau or Mexico. I doubt he supports that kind of lifetsyle by selling gear at low profit margins.

He is about 40% HIGHER priced than LP - and most times as high as 50%.

I'M the SMALL GUY!