We bought from our LDS. Like many the ability to try things on and try them in the pool was a big plus. They gave us fairly competitive pricing and then surprised us. Every time we have made a purchase over $100 they have sent us a gift certificate good for a year. The certificate is generally about 10% of what we spent. This keeps us coming back. When they did not have a wetsuit that I liked (did not like they way Henderson's fit me) they suggested I try a specific brand which they do not carry and said I could find it online.
Worth paying local dive shop prices?
- Thread starter jafoca
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EsseQuamVideri
Guest
To amend my earlier post... I did end up ordering my wetsuit from my LDS. They have been highly cooperative with everything else, so I decided not to penalize the other three associates I've worked with for the laziness of the one.
So I called to order, and who ended up taking my order? The guy who told me that all their prices were the same. I had to laugh.
So I called to order, and who ended up taking my order? The guy who told me that all their prices were the same. I had to laugh.
thelawgoddess
Contributor
jwilmot:
wow; consider yourself very, very lucky!
RMichaelson86
Registered
I stepped into a LDS looking for a pair of fins. I was looking at the Scubapro jet fins and the associate quoted me $128... Not only that, but the clerk did not appear to know anything about diving. Not the right environment for me, I'll buy them for $60 online, thanks.
thelawgoddess
Contributor
stevead:
yeah ... but:
on line---------------------------------------LDS
***************************************************************
attitude from your laptop---------------------attitude from a human
can hit delete, back, or off at any time--------pressure
can look at things over and over for free------looking more than once frowned upon
can find stock elsewhere---------------------can't get it or can maybe get it in a week
open 24 hours/day 7 days/week---------------limited hours for those with normal jobs
i'm sure there are more. it really goes both ways ...
Brewone0to
Contributor
First, I need to say that I do not work for or own a LDS.
I buy gear from several LDS in my area.(but then I buy ALOT of gear)
When shopping though I generally go to the shop that does my fills first (Cleanest/purist air in the area).
If he has it for a decent price I buy from him, if not I shop around a bit.
Sometimes I go elsewhere to get the brand gear I prefer and such as well.
But in the end if you always do your shopping online,and the LDS goes out of business.
Where will you get your tanks filled??
consider the expense of shipping your tank out for a fill.
And if it has to ship via airmail your really screwed,because they will have to ship it back to you will the valve removed.
So,unless you are ready to purchase a compressor and do your own fills.........
Just my two psi
I buy gear from several LDS in my area.(but then I buy ALOT of gear)
When shopping though I generally go to the shop that does my fills first (Cleanest/purist air in the area).
If he has it for a decent price I buy from him, if not I shop around a bit.
Sometimes I go elsewhere to get the brand gear I prefer and such as well.
But in the end if you always do your shopping online,and the LDS goes out of business.
Where will you get your tanks filled??
consider the expense of shipping your tank out for a fill.
And if it has to ship via airmail your really screwed,because they will have to ship it back to you will the valve removed.
So,unless you are ready to purchase a compressor and do your own fills.........
Just my two psi
thelawgoddess
Contributor
i have actually bought very little from online, unless you count gear exchanges on boards and ads on craigslist, through which i have purchased items from private parties. but i have 2 more major items to purchase, one of which i would like to get locally. for anything i am looking to buy that i know my lds is a dealer for, i have asked whether i can get it there and for how much. to me that is the lds' chance to give me their best price and i will not haggle beyond that.
lucky for me there are a handful of shops that are pretty short drives from me, and another handful or more within 2 hours.
lucky for me there are a handful of shops that are pretty short drives from me, and another handful or more within 2 hours.
seadoggirl
Guest
If you are new... GET PROFESSIONAL HELP in your life saving purchases. I've seen all kinds of crazy stuff posted on the web. How do you know that the advice you are getting fits your needs, your dive environment, your dive type, etc. You really need some one who dives with you to help with these decisions. I was lucky when I started to have a good friend who owns a shop lead me through the first purchases. At the time I thought it was all over priced. Now I could kiss the guy for leading me down the right path. I shop several shops but I always go back to the same shop to buy (if he carries it). He knows how I dive, where I dive, what is comfortable for my body type, etc. You can't short cut on life support equipment. If something bad happens, are you going to care that you saved $100. I know that I am worth the little extra to have the right stuff. Just my opinion....
thelawgoddess
Contributor
great, but if the shop owner isn't your good friend, how do you know their advice is "right" either? really - most people buying things at shops have never gone diving with the shop owner. and on top of that, you can go from one shop to the next and get two incredibly different opinions.
oconnor69
Registered
I've recently completed OWD and 'popped' in to a LDS to get an idea of what I would need to buy/spend. An hour and a half later I left the shop having received a detailed run down on all the essentials and instruction to go look around elsewhere. I did this and found that the LDS was 10-15% more expensive than online but as a newbie the advice was invaluable.
I went back to the shop late one afternoon to handover my hard earnt cash. He closed the shop and spent another 2 hours going through the equipment. At the end of the day I left the shop with a complete set-up including a few freebies. I checked out my purchases online and found that with the freebies given, I had paid pretty much online prices. The difference is, I understand the reasons for choosing one BC over another or why I've got those fins etc, I've got somewhere to go back to with questions and the kit is all put together and checked - not delivered in dozens of bags/boxes for me to figure out. Guess where I'm going for future major purchases!
I went back to the shop late one afternoon to handover my hard earnt cash. He closed the shop and spent another 2 hours going through the equipment. At the end of the day I left the shop with a complete set-up including a few freebies. I checked out my purchases online and found that with the freebies given, I had paid pretty much online prices. The difference is, I understand the reasons for choosing one BC over another or why I've got those fins etc, I've got somewhere to go back to with questions and the kit is all put together and checked - not delivered in dozens of bags/boxes for me to figure out. Guess where I'm going for future major purchases!
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