Why Isn't There a Free Market for Scuba Equipment?
- Thread starter Fairfax22032
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I've had my say on this thread... now the public will do the rest... and the public is pretty smart... Happy Diving
Get Off the Computer - Explore Your World
Get Off the Computer - Explore Your World
cdreamer
Contributor
The public is speaking... on a slightly different topic - but one I predicted... and have been predicting for some time - NO to the economic bail out! Enough is enough! The taxpayers have spoken. I thought this was coming, but honestly even I was surprised by the overwhelming vote.
This is the first sign that the tide is turning against Washington - and Washington now knows it. Nearly 80% of the American public was against a bail-out for BAD corporations. This is the first sign in the turning of the tides. The people are fed up with corporate greed and let Washington know it... and the elitist politicians in Washington didn't want to give up control by going against the people. They don't want to be voted out - so they staked their futures on siding with the American People. Good for them... but don't be fooled America... these same politicians still need to be voted out.
They have opened the door as red blooded Americans wanted... and let the chips fall where they may... We the American people are strong enough to pick up the pieces and move on without helping bad businessmen in co-hoots with Washington's political elite.
On a much smaller level - and applicable to this thread - Control by scuba elites will no longer be tolerated either. Small businesses shall be allowed to grow and prosper without being hijacked by things like MAP and MARP which directly impede their ability to grow and succeed.
Reality Check - Todays ruling in Congress will put a damper on this sport and many other activities in American life for the foreseeable future... so those of us prepared to make sacrifices - to work harder with lower margins, to do whatever - and I mean whatever it takes to keep our doors open will be the ones honored by the American diving public... and who knows... maybe divers will send the same message to the manufacturers as myself and others have sent to Washington... Enough with corporate greed... get rid of MAP and MARP pricing and allow a FREE and COMPETITIVE Market.
This is the first sign that the tide is turning against Washington - and Washington now knows it. Nearly 80% of the American public was against a bail-out for BAD corporations. This is the first sign in the turning of the tides. The people are fed up with corporate greed and let Washington know it... and the elitist politicians in Washington didn't want to give up control by going against the people. They don't want to be voted out - so they staked their futures on siding with the American People. Good for them... but don't be fooled America... these same politicians still need to be voted out.
They have opened the door as red blooded Americans wanted... and let the chips fall where they may... We the American people are strong enough to pick up the pieces and move on without helping bad businessmen in co-hoots with Washington's political elite.
On a much smaller level - and applicable to this thread - Control by scuba elites will no longer be tolerated either. Small businesses shall be allowed to grow and prosper without being hijacked by things like MAP and MARP which directly impede their ability to grow and succeed.
Reality Check - Todays ruling in Congress will put a damper on this sport and many other activities in American life for the foreseeable future... so those of us prepared to make sacrifices - to work harder with lower margins, to do whatever - and I mean whatever it takes to keep our doors open will be the ones honored by the American diving public... and who knows... maybe divers will send the same message to the manufacturers as myself and others have sent to Washington... Enough with corporate greed... get rid of MAP and MARP pricing and allow a FREE and COMPETITIVE Market.
You could have at least waited until we were on a new page, and the post where you applauded the MOD for taking action to keep the thread on topic was no longer visible.
cdreamer
Contributor
I thought he was done. Ken you should use one of your sock puppets
after you say your done with your spew.
after you say your done with your spew.
I believe this post does speak to the original topic - although it also addresses some politics...
I'll let you all have your say without me now... I promise I will not be back here. I'm confident that the diving public has been educated by this thread and knows where each of us stands.
We'll see who they agree with...
OP
Fairfax22032
Registered
You wouldn't happen to know the OP would you?
It smells a little to me.
Ken and I haven't met, but we have talked since I started this thread last week. Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect and the responses here have been educational. I appreciate the passion that people have for this and all of the topics on SB and have already started to become addicted to this site reading as much as I can.
As a consumer I now have a better understanding of why retail prices for scuba equipment are what they are, although it seems pretty clear that it is the manufacturers, not the LDS, who are driving this. I agree with an earlier comment that a 20% drop in retail prices is not going to enough incentive to drive a similar increase in the number of divers, but I think that it would, in the long run, lead to a healthier LDS community with divers opting to purchase more often from an LDS instead of online if the price differential became less significant.
In the end I want a retailer to value my business, but I also need to buy what my wallet will support. Maybe my attitude about where and what I buy will change as I become more seasoned, but at this early stage in diving I feel that it is important to develop local relationships.
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