The Great local dive shop vs. online debate

[Lead_carrier]

Sometimes the LDS can get close to the price but sometimes it can't. Unfortunately, our shop is small so we have a problem meeting LP's prices or even coming close. What I can do is always help with gear, throw in some free air off the cuff, tune and repair for free, and a few extras like that. Of course it is all unwritten because my regulars know that we'll take care of them without question. If you can get your LDS to throw in the extas that's great. Sometimes it boils down to longterm care over a couple of hundred dollars in the short run.

 

[double125's]

The LDS I visit would have to slash his prices over 60% to compete with L.P. Combine that with 150 mile drive one way and it still aint worth it because L.P. delivers right to my door. It is also my philosiphy I should not have to haggle for the best deal. In my opinion the quoted price should be rock bottom. If you want me to buy it then post the price you expect me to pay. Like genisis says you have to earn my buisness I am not going to treat you like a charity and just give away my money.

 

[adjuster-jd]

While I agree that the price quoted should be the rock bottom they will sell for, the problem is that the LDS folks are rather held hostage by the manufacturers and risk losing their dealership of that brand if they undercut the price. I really feel for them as my LDS is a rather small shop also and frankly I don't know how they stay in business since there isn't a lot of diving in this immediate area.

If the LDS folks didnt have the restrictions placed on them by the manufacturers, they would be a lot more free to deal on the prices.

I'm glad I was able to work something out with my LDS to maintain the goodwill and have good local service.

Wow - 125 miles to LDS? I think I'd take the "L" out of that one...

 

[GottaDive!]

I recently purchased a reg setup and computer from LeisurePro. The dive shop could not come anywhere near the price. I have purchased quite a bit of gear and accessories from the shop though including tanks, suits, etc. I will try to support the shop as much as possible but on the large purchases economics does factor in.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Single item purchases are harder for an LDS to match. Most reputable companies have some minimum pricing policies to prevent their dealers from getting undercut. This is a good policy as it keeps the dealer in busines and ensures the product can e serviced in the future. The problem is Leisure pro will get the same item from outside the US and still undercut the LDS.

On package deals, the LDS can make up for not being able to discuount items like BC's and regulators by sharply discounting the wetsuit, boots, hood, gloves, tank, etc. with the result that they can often come close (within $100-$200) of a similar mailorder purchase.

With an LDS purchase you get to try it on, look it over, and if it's in the rental lineup actually dive it before you buy it. Returns are also no hassle, service is guarenteed to be available, warranties are factory backed, and if it's defective it can be exchanged on the spot. A mailorder dealer cannot offer that level of service and it's worth the extra cash to buy from the LDS.

You also need to consider what happens if the LDS goes under - mail order air fills are not an option.

 

[Laser]

adjuster-jd once bubbled...
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.

Nice job.
I'm forced to buy online because my shop won't do squat to get my business, and they are....well...priced like a high end LDS. I even bought a drysuit and a compputer through them but there is no budging on any prices. So online I go. I give your shop credit for negotiating. Nice to see you worked them, and didn'y buy blindly.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Just for kicks I checked leisure pro's site for a computer I recently purchased through my LDS. They E-mailed me a quote on their "too low to post" price of $514.95. I paid $549 at the LDS in January, not a major difference when you consider the passage of 6 months and add in shipping charges.

 

[rdriver]

I send things UPS insured everyday in my business and sometimes when I total an order ups from lieasure pro I end up canceling it, there shipping rates are outragious...... it does pay just for that sake alone to check out your LDS....heavy weighted things such as tanks and maifolds they really sock it to you on shipping...... a lot more than what it costs me to send things out. perhaps this is where they make up some of there margin?
RJD

 

[Knavey]

Computers at LDS $638 each

My order with taxes from LDS - $1362.13 with taxes

Computers at LP $415 each

My order from LP - $843.75 with shipping.

Now as a consumer with a difference of $518.38 which are you going to go through?

LDS or LP?

Remember $518.38...is it worth it whichever way you go?

 

[HammerNoMore]

I tend to make the decsion on a case by case basis. There are cases where I buy stuff online because it is close to 50% cheaper than buying through the LDS. I have no problem with doing so.

However, my 36# Pioneer MC system cost < $500 from my LDS, best online price I could find was $549....