Using LDS for a fitting room

[dmoore19]

Most people pay 1.00 for the bottle of water because no matter where you go your going to pay 1.00 for it unless you buy it in bulk. The issue I have is when someone figured out that diving should not be for the Elite and extremely wealthy they did the smart thing and started selling product at a price people could afford. If Dive shops get mad because people found a way to enjoy the sport and actually be more inviting for new people to get into the sport because they can afford it then oh well.

One member on this board (Wont say names) was actually complaining once because instructors dont get wealthy because there is always someone who teaches because they love the sport or because its a friend or family member so they dont rob them. It should not be a sport kept to the elite. It should be available to every one.

While I agree whole heartedly if you want something bad enough youll pay for it. I refuse to give my life savings to a shop so it can survive and I can enjoy the sport. I bought a BCD online for 319 dollars that was retail from everyone else at not less then 700.00. It was brand new still in the box and I had 400 dollars I could use for my house hold and my bills were paid.

What I dont understand is why some people think of it as abuse when people go in with the intention of buying a wet suit per say and trys it on but cant negotiate a price with the shop that allows them to afford it. I go in and yes I try on a suit. I walk up to the counter knowing that the suit was say $149.00 I see the same suit in this shop for 400.00 and so I attempt to at least get it under 200.00 and am willing to pay for it. Why is it I am bad when I did atttempt to negotiate a deal with them that allows me to pay my bills, and pay for my needs?

Its not all about the poor dive shop any more its about meeting a happy medium where the dive shop can survive all while providing a service to the consumer at a cost he can survive too and enjoy his favorite past time.

It seems you have already shopped and know what you are willing to pay. If you already know what you will pay for the wet suit, why not ask first, just be upfront about it. If they don't want to come to your price, thank them and put it back on the shelf. That is what I have done in the past, it has worked for me. I just ask how much is this and they tell me. I am prepared at that point to either put it back on the shelf or try it on to see if it fits, if the price is good and it fits I buy it. They know me there and always give me something of a discount even without asking.

I don't expect to change your opinion by a post on an internet discussion board, especially when it comes to a topic such as LDS Vs Online, nor can you reasonably expect to change mine. It's my money, I spend it the way I want. If it's your money you can spend it the way you want. If I am spending your money you can tell me how to spend it, so send me some money and I promise I will spend it the way you like and on something I am sure I would really like.

I still don't understand why this is such a heated topic. Now if you wanna talk politics.................. You won't change my mind on that either.

 

[matthewmark_john]

I've skimmed through some of the posts and notice it's getting edgy in places. I'll just state my own practices and quietly bow out.

I was certainly part of this, and I apologize. I just think that simply repeating common arguments, especially derisively, is counterproductive, and that the real issues should be tossed around instead of epithets. That takes a certain amount of self-control when personal feelings get involved, and I for one did not exercise that self-control, and I apologize. But I think the dialogue is still important, and that everyone's ideas should be treated at face value, on an even playing field, no matter how immoral one might feel that idea/opinion is. I know I am personally susceptible to good persuasion, but quite resistant to compulsion or what I see as "bully tactics."

*Here's to keeping it civil*

 

[BoltSnap]

1. Why not ask about the prices and discuss any potential discount BEFORE you try the suit on?? If you don't reach an agreement, you walk out BEFORE you try the suit and waste everyone's time?? I think that it is sick to use the LDS as a private free fitting room.

2. Some are expecting the LDS staff/instructors to be rocket scientists/brain surgeons but get paid less than the person who cleans tables at the local Burger joint. I wonder if the physicians, engineers, lawyers, etc. amongst you would accept the pay rate instructors and LDS staff/owners get (almost definitely they won't).

 

[scubadobadoo]

1. Why not ask about the prices and discuss any potential discount BEFORE you try the suit on?? If you don't reach an agreement, you walk out BEFORE you try the suit and waste everyone's time?? I think that it is sick to use the LDS as a private free fitting room.

2. Some are expecting the LDS staff/instructors to be rocket scientists/brain surgeons but get paid less than the person who cleans tables at the local Burger joint. I wonder if the physicians, engineers, lawyers, etc. amongst you would accept the pay rate instructors and LDS staff/owners get (almost definitely they won't).

Is it really a "discount" if the shop down the street or the online shop sells it for hundreds less as marked or is willing to barter like a street vendor?

If a customer comes in your doors and tries on a suit for free is it really a "waste of time?"

Does a dive master, shop employee, or instructor with 100 dives really have the same qualifications as a lawyer, engineer or doctor?

 

[scubadobadoo]

1. No. It's not a discount. If they act like used car salesmen then they should expect to get treated like one. If I wanted to barter I would go to the bazaar.

2. No. It's not a waste of time. It's a chance to make a friend and some money.

3. No.

 

[k ellis]

It seems you have already shopped and know what you are willing to pay. If you already know what you will pay for the wet suit, why not ask first, just be upfront about it. If they don't want to come to your price, thank them and put it back on the shelf. That is what I have done in the past, it has worked for me. I just ask how much is this and they tell me. I am prepared at that point to either put it back on the shelf or try it on to see if it fits, if the price is good and it fits I buy it. They know me there and always give me something of a discount even without asking.

I don't expect to change your opinion by a post on an internet discussion board, especially when it comes to a topic such as LDS Vs Online, nor can you reasonably expect to change mine. It's my money, I spend it the way I want. If it's your money you can spend it the way you want. If I am spending your money you can tell me how to spend it, so send me some money and I promise I will spend it the way you like and on something I am sure I would really like.

I still don't understand why this is such a heated topic. Now if you wanna talk politics.................. You won't change my mind on that either.

LOL now that would be a reasonable solution to go in and ask in advance if your even waisting your time trying on their gear. I speak my mind on the topic but try to keep it civil but I have noticed their has been some heat in the room among other members. Its only a debate which will get warm but should not ever burn any one.

 

[scubadobadoo]

LOL now that would be a reasonable solution to go in and ask in advance if your even waisting your time trying on their gear. I speak my mind on the topic but try to keep it civil but I have noticed their has been some heat in the room among other members. Its only a debate which will get warm but should not ever burn any one.

I am one of the people who actually wants the LDS's to survive and do well. I even spend my money at SOME of them. I just don't think some LDS's tactics or business models work anymore for the most part.

I'm not sure asking in advance not to get fleeced is the solution here. I shouldn't have to beg or barter with someone to get a reasonable price when 100 other people will give you service and a reasonable price be they online or down the road.

 

[BoltSnap]

Love, peace and happiness.

 

[jester1226]

For those of you who like to go to the LDS and try things on to insure they fit correct, then go online and purchase them. Where will you go once the shop has closed down?

 

[scubadobadoo]

Yep, "negotiating" the terms of the "deal" is never done in the "civilized" world, right? It is only the third world do. Heck, you can't even look at the price tags first to determine if the "price is right" for you before you go forward. I guess this is for us poor uncultured folks in the third world to do.

Let's try to bring this back on topic.

You are right though. I can't look at the price tag to decide if the price is right before I go forward because that price clearly doesn't mean anything at some shops unless I am willing to blindly pay it. So why get mad if some moron customer comes in and tries on a wet suit they have no intention of buying? Who cares. Do your best to make a friend and some money because even if that one "waste of time" as you said doesn't buy anything, they may give you good feedback at the dive site. Every bit of positive energy you pay forward likely will come back to you. Now, if your shop still closes then that really sucks but we all know that the best way to make a million in scuba is to start with two million.