Worth paying local dive shop prices?

[redacted]

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!

You have found an uncommonly excellent LDS. I suggest you treat them as well as they have treated you. A good start would be identifing them publicly. No better advertisement than the testimony of satisfied customers.

 

[oconnor69]

The shop, for those in the UK, is Bath Dive Centre. They are also in the process of setting up a club and have already organised a number of charters. Oh, and did I mention they've given me a free pool session to try out the kit!

 

[divereh]

Supporting your LDS is definetly a good Idea, Dive shops are disappearing everyday. Shops cannot surrive on teaching and fills. Wouldn't it suck to have to drive 200 miles just to get your tanks filled? And as for warranty, I sure who ever you buy your stuff from on-line will promise you the world, buit you still have to pay for shipping to send it back, and to get it back your going to pay again. If you ever get a chance to see your stuff again. Have faith in your LDS, or at least give them a chance. The customer service you may receive may be worth the little extra it may costs.

 

[Ken abucs]

yes I own a dive shop and therefore I am personally biased, but I don't think anyone can dispute the above facts.

I agree there is a value to the items you listed. For me I place that value at 10 - 20% with a max of $100. I have a hard time paying $800 in the store when I can get the same or similar itam online for $400 - $500. I hope you see the logic.

I find other ways to support my LDS, like booking travel through them. Why give a travel agent the commision?

Ken

 

[scubapolly]

I have been doing some brainstorming with my shop owner recently of how to make us more competitive with the on-line market. In some cases we just can't "match" the online prices because you are comparing apples to oranges - grey market equipment, reconditioned equipment, etc.
One of the ideas we came up with is to either do some sort of free tank fills for a year, or give you a card good for free tank and weight rental when you buy a BC/Reg/Octo/Gauges system. We also give a pretty hefty break on the price for having regs bought from us serviced- which comes out to about a $30 a year savings. Add that to the air/weights, and we more than make up the about 10% we are usually over the online shops. As Oconnor mentioned, we also through in some freebies with big gear purchases.
This doesn't include all of the non-monitary benifits of buying from our LDS that have been mentioned on here- knowlegable staff, able to try stuff on, etc.

Does anyone have any suggestions of other things we can do to be more competitive $$$ with the e-tailers?

 

[divinginn]

sounds like you have a good start on being competitive,if all lds thought like this they wouldnt be losing so many customers. The best advantage you have would be top notch service,repairs and service done on time and correct,i dont mind paying alittle more but dont like being gouged. perks like free fills with major purchases or free rentals would go a long way to keep me spending in the shop.

 

[rhyz]

Being a newly certified OW diver I too looked around on the net for pricing and compared it too my LDS. Prices being a bit higher but the friendship, and knowledge I've gain through my LDs was invaluable to me. Plus the time they gave me personally also was a plus! I went with my LDS.

 

[beach89]

I just had the displeasure of going to a LDS that marked up 100% over online retailers. I'm going to look around to see if I can try not get ripped-off so much. There's 5 dive shops within 25 miles, so I have better choices. I'm also going to check online before I go to the store, so I know what's a fair price.

 

[scubapolly]

I just had the displeasure of going to a LDS that marked up 100% over online retailers. I'm going to look around to see if I can try not get ripped-off so much. There's 5 dive shops within 25 miles, so I have better choices. I'm also going to check online before I go to the store, so I know what's a fair price.

You could come to the shops in CIncy

 

[beach89]

You could come to the shops in CIncy

If I'm ever down there I'll stop by. Do you know of any good shops near Cleveland?