The Great local dive shop vs. online debate

[Detonate]

 

[SeaJay]

Otter once bubbled...

If the LDS is not adding any value (outside of the specific transaction being decided upon), why are there so many people saying they would by from the LDS if the price is close....obviously there is some value....the question is how much.

I agree. And it completely depends on the LDS. In some cases, I actually feel that the LDS SUBTRACTED from the value with misplaced comments, rude behavior, and the like. However, assuming that they're at least corduial... I believe that it would be fair if the LDS were to add 10% to 15% margin for the fact that I can see the item and hold it in my hand, and buy it today. That's 10% to 15% OVER THE ONLINE PRICE PLUS SHIPPING. If the salespeople are knowlegable and add to the aid of the purchase, and if there's the ability to try the item first, I believe that a 20% to 25% margin could be added without much complaint from me. That's IN ADDITION to the profit margin taken by companies like LeisurePro. I don't mind paying for a service that I receive... So long as I get something for my money. Having an LDS insult me and then charge me for the service... Sorry, I don't feel obligated to buy there.

As for not understanding why LDS get irrate with potential-customers who don't buy equipment from them, I guess they have the same right to chose their customers as you do to chose your vendors. You are under no obligation to support an LDS and they are under no obligation to support your diving habit.

I own a couple of retail stores... They aren't dive shops, but they're retail stores. I agree... I believe that anyone has the right to choose to do business with whomever they want. You're right... It goes both ways.

...But for the customer, choosing to do business means only that they choose where to purchase from... For a company, choosing to do business means the difference between survival or not.

 

[5615mike]

MJillKDives once bubbled...
The problem with Leisure Pro is that, to my knowledge, they are not an authorized dealer of any line of equipment. And most manufacutrers will not honor warranties on equipment that was not purchased from an authorized dealer. This also means that you don't know where their inventory is coming from; counterfeit Scubapro bc's have turned up at Leisure Pro.

A friend of mine bought a hoseless Oceanic computer at LP only to have the unit promptly malfunction. I don't have the answer, but it could be that the computer was part of a flawed lot that was never meant for retail sale but nevertheless found its way to LP. Fortunatley for him, Oceanic agreed to rebiuild the computer for about $160.

I admit to purchasing small items such as lights from LP, but for major purchases I think it's better to buy from an authorized dealer.

MJillkDives

LP has their own warranty. In most cases it is as good as mfg's. For half price, in my case, I will take the chance it is not going to be covered by LP. In that case, I'll buy a second unit and still be even.

So what's the deal with the Oceanic computer. Would LP not cover the item under their warranty? Why not?

 

[hambleto]

I have to agree with Genesis that the LDS should educate the student and not just try and scare them. When I was looking at OW classes, I asked why can I not just go out and get a mask from Wal-Mart or some place less expensive. They told me that I will not be allowed to take a class with them UNLESS I bought the gear from them. Needless to say I walked out of LDS and went else ware. (Not to mention they were going to charge me 3 times as much for the OW class and sell me gear 2-4 times more than I paid. I really liked the people there, they were REALLY nice, but the price and that but from us or do not dive with us attitude made me walk away.

 

[scubasean]

McCartyGirl once bubbled...
I am new to scuba, I'm taking the classes currently and will be doing my OW soon. I have started looking at equipment and have a general idea of what regulator, BC and computer I want. My dive shop has said not to buy online, even though cheaper, the manufacturer's don't honor the warranties. Is this true or is it okay to buy online from reputable online companies? The prices are often a lot lower than that at the dive shop I go to.

Thanks!

LP has their own warranty...I bought my reg, BC and computer online and have had no probs....

Saved a few hundred which I spent on a new tank!

Bought wet suit and a few other things (mask, etc) at LDS (things I needed to try on...)

 

[scubacalifornia]

I just purchased my first set of gear and spent a lot of time reading scubaboard commentary on whether to buy online or from an LDS. I wanted a valid manufacturer's warranty, and I also support the idea that it's worth a bit more to support your local LDS.

As it turns out, my LDS very begrudgingly sold me some of the gear at a discount. I'm a negotiator by nature, but I obviously pushed them beyond their limit and it became a charged emotional issue instead of a business transaction.

I subsequently purchased the rest of the gear (the stuff my LDS didn't carry) at scuba.com, aka diversdiscount.com. It just happens to be they are headquartered near my home, so I did it in person. They are authorized dealers of the brands they carry. They will meet ANY advertised price, be that from another authorized dealer or from an online discount shop like Leisurepro. My suggestion is to go online, find the cheapest prices on whatever you're looking for, then call scuba.com and ask them to price match. And I offer that in the context of finding the best price with a manufacturers warranty, exclusive of any judgements about supporting your LDS, which I think philosophically is a good idea as well.

 

[emmagee]

Interesting reading the responses, I had no idea I would get this kind of resonse.

I went into the LDS today checkbook in hand prepared to buy the SP regs. with octos. and two Aeris computers. I asked the guy if he had any room on the number he quoted me the other day, he said not really and then asked me if I was going to buy two BC's and I said yes. He told me to wait until I was ready to buy them, and it will probably be Sat. after my gf does her checkout dives and she has had a chance to wear a couple of different ones. He told me to wait until Sat., print out what I can buy it for elsewhere and bring it in, said buying everything at once gives him more flexibility. After today am am confident that I will be able to deal with my LDS; I'll let ya'll know what happens.

Again, I really want to deal with my LDS, they have been great and it is worth something for real face-to-face interaction and being able to try gear on, etc. It's a shame that their hands are tied by the mfg., as these are the guys most divers work with.

 

[Detonate]

Since I already know where you are buying your gear....

Keep in mind that if you buy a Nitrox computer, BCD, and Regulater all at once, you get your Nitrox class for free $99 dollar class.

I'll be in class tomorrow with these guys.

 

[medical1]

Detonate once bubbled...
Since I already know where you are buying your gear....

Keep in mind that if you buy a Nitrox computer, BCD, and Regulater all at once, you get your Nitrox class for free $99 dollar class.

I'll be in class tomorrow with these guys.

Thats what I'm talking about. If true then the LDS does value your business. Just a little added value to a customer every one in a while builds a loyal customer following.

but - if he is charging you $500 more for the equipment then I guess that wouldn't be a great value even if he did throw in a $99 nitrox class.

Just compare apples to apples and make an informed decision :mean:

 

[knobber]

MikeFerrara once bubbled...


True more people are catching on to the net all the time and things will change. This year a number of manufacturers changed their mind and decided to allow us to sell online. Good move but they restricted the price just as before. Now what good would it do for me to put up an online store selling stuff at MSRP?

What is their reason for not allowing you to sell online? I would think that online sales would be easier for your local customers to shop from home, thereby generating more sales of their product.

Also, I bought a watch online once where I had to have the merchant e-mail me the final price because the manufacturer "wouldn't allow us to advertise a price this low". It was about 1/2 of what I would have paid at a store. How is it they can do this (granted, it's a whole nother industry)? Also, if you listed the MSRP price of an item according to the mfgr's instructions, but sold it at a reduced price to the consumer, how would the manufacturer know?

Just some questions from the least business-minded person on earth.