The Grinch Who Stole Scuba Christmas.....

[BarryNL]

Whats wrong with a mearchant trying to get top dollar? That's why you shop around, it makes them competitive.

On that basis we'd all be buying off the internet.

Personally, I prefer to use an LDS and have a good relationship with them. That means I give them my business even when the internet is cheaper - and it means they don't rip me off to make a quick buck at the expense of a longer term relationship.

 

[Trever]

On that basis we'd all be buying off the internet.

Personally, I prefer to use an LDS and have a good relationship with them. That means I give them my business even when the internet is cheaper - and it means they don't rip me off to make a quick buck at the expense of a longer term relationship.

Peace to that, but if a merchant makes an extra 10% off of you it's cause you didn't do your home work. don't blame the merchant. I do agree 100% with your statement though. Unfortunately I do buy most of my stuff off the internet cause of price.

 

[Storm]

I managed retail stores before I went back to school to learn my current trade. Seasonal retail outlets, golf, fishing, skiing, diving, usually see better retail sale in the period just before their season opens. When it comes to Christmas, they see an increase in the general purchases (small gift type items usually less than $200.00 per purchase) but the volume is high.

Given the nature of the OP's complaint against higher end gear that has a set pricing window from the manufacturer, I doubt that a Christmas rush would add much to the LDS bottom line, in the way of volume purchases of high end gear. This type of gear is typically a very personal purchase; one that the average diver would generally rather do for themselves.

Now I know it's not the best solution, but if one wanted to be creative, one could make some deals happen. For example, I have purchased, from online suppliers, some equipment at slightly more than cost but lower than retail. Now I realize the margin is not great but it beats nothing.

For example I purchased some overstock item from a manufacturer for 35.00 CDN but according to my sources (two LDs owners) the local distributor for these same units has a wholesale at 60.00 CDN and MSRP at 120.00 CDN. When I asked the vendor what their inventory was they told me they could send me 100 units at an even bigger discount. All one would have to do is find a half dozen or so deals like this throughout the year and there's some Christmas flyer specials. It's not sexy, but I might make a difference.

In the retail world of Wal-Mart and Costco, with manufacturers and wholesalers taking their wares to the Internet for direct sales, and liquidators do so as well, the local retail outlet cannot rely just on manufacturer swag, spiffs, and discounts. The local retailer has to be more creative in the way they approach their merchandise purchasing and advertising.

 

[BarryNL]

Peace to that, but if a merchant makes an extra 10% off of you it's cause you didn't do your home work. don't blame the merchant. I do agree 100% with your statement though. Unfortunately I do buy most of my stuff off the internet cause of price.

I don't want to have to do my homework. I want an LDS that gives me a good price in the first place.

Two cases:

When I bought my lamp I didn't check prices first, the shop charged me full RRP though I later found out they normally sell at 10% discount. Good for them - they made €70 more than they could have done giving me a good deal - of which they keep about €58 after tax.

Another shop, when I went in looking for a BP/W first lent me one to try to find out if I liked it, then advised me to get a cheaper brand than the one I went in looking for and finally gave me a good discount without me having to haggle.

Well, I'll probably be spending around €2,500 to get tec gear and training over the next year or so... guess which shop is going to get most of that money. Guess which one I'll be recommending to other divers.