The Great local dive shop vs. online debate

[PhotoTJ]

Genesis once bubbled...



In the same two hours (one hour drive time, plus waiting and fill time, minimum) I can fill my own tanks, its cheaper besides over the next couple of years, all costs (including time) considered, and I get EXACTLY what I want.

Better, faster, cheaper.

Does an LDS have a place? Sure, if they can manage to provide a value equation that works for the buyer. If not, they should (and will!) go under.

Again, why do you care so much? Shop how you're gonna shop, and give it a rest.

I was right, wasn't I?

A. An LDS operator stole your girlfriend.

B. You're the CEO of LP.

C. You were driven from your homeland by a roving band of dive shop employees.

D. All of the above.

 

[JohnF]

Geneis says "No "independant" service shops? Why not? There are in the car biz. And a car is far more complicated than a reg, and vastly more likely to hurt someone if it malfunctions in a bad way."


Is it just my imagination or is Genesis kinda fixated on comparing the scuba biz to the biggest industries in North America? Scuba is nowhere close to the computer or auto industries in terms of volume.

In most if not all parts of NA the likelihood of a local scuba repair only facility being financially viable is right out there odds-wise with snowballs surviving in hell. The numbers, or lack thereof, make the possibilities remote. It's a fact of business life that there must be cashflow to sustain a business, and out of that cashflow must remain some bottom line for the operator. Otherwise the risk/reward ratio doesn't make any sense.

JF

 

[scubabum2002]

I am new to the idea of actually buying dive equipment online. I have used the net to check prices and compare equipment, however I've never actually bought anything. I am considering buying a Mares Proton Ice reg. Since none of my LDS's carry Mares, I intend to purchase online. Diver's Direct has the setup I want for $599 vs. LeisurePro's price of $379. My question is, how can they be so cheap? Is the gear warrantied by manufacturer, is it used, what's up? Please provide any guidance you can. Thanks.

 

[scubasean]

This issue has been hotly debated on the board.

If you order it from Leisurepro, you'll get their warranty rather than the manuf. warranty, for those items LP is not an authorized dealer.

I order from LP, but many folks will tell you that is taboo, esp. for regs or other life support equipment.

Good luck!

Sean

 

[cornfed]

If now one sells Mares near you I would check about getting it serviced. The real only complaint I've heard about them is it is hard to find a service tech (compared to ScubaPro, USD, etc). This could be a totally bogus rumor but I would check it out.

Cornfed

 

[ifukuda]

Mares will provide free parts for annual servicing if you purchased from an authorized dealer, but they won't provide parts if you buy from someone that's not an authorized dealer.

I believe LDSs charge about $30.00 for parts for a Mares reg not under warranty, which can add up. If you keep the reg for 5 years, you'd be paying $150.00 in parts just for regular maintenance.

 

[adjuster-jd]

After getting prices from Leisure Pro for a regulator, computer, tank, weights and wetsuit, and considering shipping costs, U.S. warranties, etc, I called my LDS and told them what price LP would sell for but that I would like to purchase from them if we could get close on the price.
Shop clerk checked with the owner and called me back with a price about $150 more than LP. After some negotiation, she agreed to throw in a card for 10 air fills and we called it a deal.

So, I get full warranty, a free regulator bag from Oceanic (from Oceanic, goodwill with the local shop (where I was going to purchase the wetsuit to ensure it fits anyway), good service and advice, and can maintain goodwill with the LDS for just a little bit higher price.

I was not optimistic that my local shop would be able to come close to LP prices, but we threw enough variables (tanks, weights, air fills, etc) into the mix to be able to come close enough to make it happen.

I, like most folks, am certainly interested in saving money, but if you are inclined to purchase online, I would certainly encourage folks to try to work with your LDS to see if you can get something close to online pricing and still keep your shop in business.

Thanks for all the purchasing advice I have gotten on the board here in the last couple days.

 

[washow88]

I cannot agree with you more, I tried to do the same with my LDC, but they did not go for it.
I guess they have enough business and do not want customers like us.

 

[reefseal]

Certainly buying a lot at once helps to get LDS to sharpen their pencils. You have more leverage buying all together.

 

[chappy]

My Girlfriend and I have become very friendly with a bunch of staff at our lds. At one point this summer, I was having a few adult beverages with my instructor and told him I was considering buying some misc. stuff from LP. He told me to contact him and he would work a deal. (We had already purchased two sets of BC,REG, GUAGES, and computers). Long story short. Yesterday I purchased a brand new SeaQuest Isoflex wetsuit for my girlfriend for 1/2 the ticket price! Just goes to show you, most lds will work a deal for ya. (The wetsuit listed for $300, I paid $158)

~Chappy