The Great local dive shop vs. online debate

[PurduEE]

knobber once bubbled...


For example, a Mares 960 pneumatic speargun: LDS--$349; LP--$180. Mares Jubilee BCS: LDS--$549; LP--$275.

Did you share any of this information with the LDS? I buy quite a bit of stuff at my LDS, but I've never once paid the price on the tag.. Bear in mind that your LDS is somewhat bound by the manufacturers (like Mares) with things like MAP (minimum advertised price) which means they can't advertise something at a leisurepro-like price, but they can sell something for a closer to leisurepro-like price.

I know you are supposed to support your local LDS and all, but does anyone out there actually pay the higher price just because? Or, has anyone had a problem where you showed up to a sponsored dive trip with a lot of new gear purchased elsewhere?

Others will disagree, but if you are using your LDS as a place to get advice and try stuff on, but you are purchasing elsewhere, I support their right to (1) get hostile when you show up with LP gear, and (2) ask you leave and not come back. If you want to buy from LP, buy from LP, but don't use your LDS to get gear advice and try stuff on. Their time involved talking to you and explaining gear is worth something, and they certainly will not be able to give that resource away and manage to stay in business.

 

[wrongkey]

I'd buy the stuff from the LDS. It sounds like you needed, and got, some valuable service from them. You didn't know what to buy without their help and advice. You didn't know what size to get without trying on what they had. It costs money to maintain an inventory so people can try stuff on and get the right size. My personal guideline has been that if I have to have the LDS to make a correct purchase decision, then the LDS gets the sale, although I must admit the vertical price fixing arrangements forced on the LDS's by the manufacturers tempt one to do otherwise. If it's a no-service transaction, though -- you already know what you want and just need someone to sell it to you -- then there's no reason not to save the cash. Just my .02.

 

[knobber]

sorry guys, I forgot to add a couple things. the shop manager recommended I shop around before I buy anything; more or less she recommended I may be able to find a similar BC cheaper (I had just spent $600 at the LDS on the OW course and required gear). I called her to ask about one model and she said it was too good of a deal to pass up. All she was hoping was that I signed up for the two dive trips with her group, which I did (as well as my nitrox and AOW course on those trips).
Even though she recommended it, I still feel guilty buying it elsewhere; however, the money I saved allowed me to pay for one of the trips. As for the speargun, they didn't have that model of gun stock in until after our first spearfishing trip, and he told me I could rent a used one or find one before the trip.

But, overall, these responses are what I was afraid of

 

[Grajan]

I bought two BC's, regs and computers from an LDS that I will not use again because of "inacurate information" being provided so that was a SERIOUS waste of money.

My rule now is:

If it needs a lot of trying on - using the pool for fin swim-offs, trying a load of masks - etc. I will buy from an LDS.

If it is something where I know what I want and it does not need a lot of selection or support I will buy on-line.

I am seriously *&^%ed off with all of the attempts to restrict the operation of a free market in the diving industry. Pity I like Zeagle gear....

 

[knobber]

[QUOTEWhy did you go to a LDS when you intended to buy from an online vendor? That was not honest of you[/QUOTE]

I went to the first one to 1) see if my card was in 2) sign up for a dive trip, ended up signing up for two 3) see when the nitrox class was offered, and was told I could do both the nitrox dives and the AOW cert on the trips, so I enrolled in them. I asked if she recommended buying any additional equipment, and we eventually got into BCDs. Went to the second dive shop to ask about spearguns, found out they had a one-day trip coming up, and ended up signing up for it.
Personally, I don't really think it was dishonest since I'll have dropped $1300 at the first shop, and $250 at the second one by the time I also rent the gear for the trip. I never really intended to buy a BCD when I saw them hanging in the shop while taking the class. But I bought a tank banger, slate, and titanium knife there.

 

[Aquamaniac]

ALL of my dive gear (well over $4K) came from online stores.
The only time I go to a LDS is for the occasional gas fill when Im on the road.
I have ZERO complaints.
Dave

 

[Detonate]

Well, I would normally shy away from these types of topics, because it's sure to turn into a flame fest and will probably be pages long the next time I check up on it... BUT...

Here is my 2 cents....

If I go to a LDS try on the gear. Do the touchy feely thing in their shop. Talk to their employees for opinions, etc.... Then I normally try to deal with them for the purchase of the gear.

However, if I spend hours of my time searching the internet for reviews on products, spend hours in scuba forums doing research on products by talking to gear owners, and never step foot into a Dive Shop. Meaning I already know the make, model, and size of the equipment I'm looking for. Then I buy it from the cheapest place I can find it, online or not.

And to clarify the online or not.... Sometimes my LDS sells to me LOWER than any price I can find online. And the beauty of talking to the guy at the LDS is I can haggle. Haven't been too succesful in haggling with online checkout software.

i.e. LDS sold me the Tribal Pak (UK HID 100 Light Cannon + Titanium Knife) for $175. Couldn't find anywhere near that price online.

 

[sasdasdaf]

When I find a dive shop that has employees that actually give good advice, I will be happy to pay a little more to compensate for that extra service. Until then, I will continue to buy online.

It boggles my mind that my LDS should get pissed off if I buy gear from elsewhere... after all, shouldn't I pay 50% more than I have to just to patronize my LDS? Give me a break.

Your LDS will sell you whatever they are dealers for and will sell according to the manufacturer's set prices. I get more choice online and can get the same items for less, so why should I buy locally?

The only thing my LDS is good for is filling tanks, and they can't even do that properly.

 

[zeN||]

That's quite a con job for lds' to brainwash people into feeling guilty for buying online, in a market economy, if they insist on people buying what they look at or try on in their store they ought to put a sign up saying so, people look at, get info and try on items in other stores all the time. Imagine if Maceys gave their customers the same attitude about trying on their coats, they would lose half their customers.
There are some good reasons to buy in a shop for lots of things, getting properly fit for a wetsuit is worth their high prices, getting information, feedback and support on regulators, etc. A tradeoff works good for the customer.
Why in the world would I go to my lds to spend $350 on a speargun when I can order it for $150. This guilt crap is the lamest con job I've encountered in diving, get competitive on prices, or do something else zeN

 

[ScubaMarc]

If U are going to by from LP, why don't U also get your airfills there too. Just remember if U go to your LDS just for fills, the LDS will fade away and U will need to buy a compressor from LP.