Worth paying local dive shop prices?

[AlexMDiver]

I agree.

 

[hvulin]

It's not another LDS vs. online debate!!!

They require only the basic stuff and this IS THE CHEAPEST part of equipment that you will buy! Since you already said you don't know what to buy go to them and let them help you (that's what they are for).....

Trust them for this, and buy this small things from them but when it gets to regulators and suits do your search and your math... btw. don't forget to give them a chance to beat (as much as they can) online prices and they will be more than just a shop to you...

 

[scubatoys]

The vast majority of scuba classes require students to have their own mask, snorkle, and fins, these items are often referred to as "personal gear" because in many places they simply are not available for rent.

The online vs LDS debate has gone on ad-nauseum, but in a nutshell:

on line---------------------------------------LDS
***************************************************************
lower prices----------------------------------higher prices
order from a picture and description-----------try it on
operator is just an "order taker"---------------staff will usually help fit you
days to weeks delivery time-------------------walk out with it today
problem have to be solved through shipping----problems solved face to face



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

Well, I own Scubatoys, and therefore I am personally biased as well, and I think I can dispute the above "opinions" (not facts.)

1) I'll agree with the fact that we have lower prices... so you're good there.

2) And for number 2, it is true that you cannot try something on over the phone, but we do have a policy that is something does not fit, and we have to change a size, we ship out the new one with a pre-paid return slip for the other, and costs nothing in shipping either way... so you can try it on at home.

3) 'operator is just an "order taker"' - Here I take a little offense. I'm a Course Director with thousands of dives, and we have another Course director on staff. Plus 2 other guys on the phone are Naui Instructor Trainers, and between the instructors answering the phones here, we have well in excess of several thousand certs behind us. I would be willing to bet that the average store employee in other dive shops does not have anywhere near the training and experience of our staff.

4) On delivery time. It is true if a shop has an item in stock, the customer can walk out with it, but many times we get calls from individuals who had visited a local shop, and they did not have the size, color, brand, etc, and would have to order it from the manufacturer anyway. And most all out items are in stock, ship the same day, and arrive as quick as one to two days depending where they are and what shipping method they choose.

And your last point... addressed in #3 above.

The other side of the coin, is it seems if you go into dive shop A, "Tusa is great and Mares is garbage!" (because they carry tusa, and not mares) and dive shop B, "Mares is great and Oceanic is Garbage" etc, etc, etc.

With some on line vendors, the selection is much larger, meaning we can find a package that fits the needs of the diver, not just sell what we carry and have in stock. More options at lower prices is an advantage for the consumer, especially when delivered with good customer service and knowledgeable staff.

So I understand your generalizations, and your personal bias, but I just wanted to point out that it is not "facts", and will really vary from one on line store to another. Depending on the on line shop, you might be correct, but some other operations could not be grouped in there.

 

[tigersharks77]

I used to work as a store manager for a couple different dive shops in a couple different areas of the country and the experience is pretty much the same in those areas. As a dive instructor\shop manager, my livelihood depended on equipment sales through the shop. I always worked deals out with people as best as I could without losing money for the shop. Everyone likes the fact that if they want information, they can take a class at their LDS, or can take that reg in that has just the slightest leak and only needs a new "O" ring added real quick by their local LDS. What they don't like is to support their LDS by buying equipment from them to take their classes and get that personal touch that the internet doesn't supply. In my experience, a lot of people relied on our LDS for their vacation planning. What a better deal than to go with a dive shop on a dive trip. Those are the guys that have been places and know people in the area and know the best dive spots. You don't get that from a travel agent. Plus the LDS books everything for you too. I will also tell you that if your LDS is reputable, they may make $100 per person after all expenses are paid out for the trip. Making that kind of money on a $4,000 trip isn't much profit at all. Local activities are usually minimal cost and a lot of fun, but doesn't net the LDS much money either. These are the perks that you get when you support your LDS and keep them in business by purchasing at least your personal equipment before class. If you don't like the people there or the service, try another one if available. If you get poor service and they don't offer to fix the problem when you talk to them about it, then by all means shop where you want. These dive bums at the LDS don't make a lot of money and do this because of the passion. I personally have a hard time not supporting their business and livelihood, but again, I once was in their shoes too.

 

[tigersharks77]

Shops stay in busines if they provide enough customers with what their demand is.
I think you should only support shops that provide you with want you want, not for the sake of supporting a local shop. If the local dive shop density is too high, then that is unfortunate. If the local shop cannot compete with on-line prices, then perhaps the shop could also sell gear on-line, thus selling more and being able to lower prices.

It is unfortunate that you have not had the experience of a great group of guys and gals in your area that you want to keep them up and running. In the United States, if a LDS is caught by the manufacturer selling mail order or online, the product and line is pulled. At this point, the LDS doesn't have anything to sell and is in the bread line. Not everyone in the world has dive destinations within driving distance. I live in the Mid West and some of the best diving spots are old quarries on peoples privately owned land. These places dont have fill stations just sitting there for the few of us that know about the spot. Not supporting your dive shop for your reasons is a little cold. In such a niche specific industry, getting all the support you can is a necessity. I think if you owned your own business, you would see that.

 

[DiveMaven]

I have to agree that when you have an excellent LDS with a knowledgable staff who are focused on providing service, it's more than worth it to buy and pay a little extra. How much extra is up to each individual IMO.

On the other hand, why should I have purchased my Zeagle Zena or Envoy regs from my LDS (who is an authorized Zeagle dealer) when the salesperson constantly tried to steer me away from Zeagle and onto Apex regs, including not so nice remarks about Zeagle? When I pointed out that the Envoy tested nearly perfectly on the Scuba Lab tests in Rodales, they didn't have much room to wiggle, but continued to push Apex. Then later, when I went in to see if they had a Zena in stock, not only was it marked over $700, but the salesgirl didn't have a clue that it was even a modular BC!!! She didn't know anything about the Zena and consistently tried to push me into a SeaQuest Diva. Hmmm, didn't she hear me when I said I just sold my Diva because I hated it??

Admittedly, ScubaToys is definitely a big Zeagle dealer, but it was really refreshing to speak with the guys there about different choices and simply feel confident that I had made the right decision all the way along. Larry also helped me decide which computer to buy, which I didn't have a clue about, and it was the perfect choice.

Recently I also had the choice of having my LDS service my Envoys. Okay, so I could send them to ScubaToys, which would cost me $50 total including shipping for service and take about 10 days, or I could take them to my LDS where the technician JUST finished his certification at DEMA and spend $60 and take 2 weeks. The technician around here that I'd love to use works for a shop that isn't a Zeagle dealer, so I'd have to pay for parts, which would bring my cost up to well over $70. Gee, is that choice a no-brainer?

I may not live in Texas, but I still consider ScubaToys to be my LDS and I hope to visit the shop one day just to meet Larry and the guys in person....and to drool!

 

[tigersharks77]

Like I said, if they aren't willing to do business with you and give you the top quality of service that you expect, then by all means shop elsewhere. I completly understand if you get ripped off or feel that you are getting taken for a ride. I don't work in LDS anymore because the ones I worked at were more concerned for the bottom dollar than the customer. I would not do business with them and support them blindly just because they are my LDS. I applaud you for giving them the chance to earn your business, in this instance, they failed and you ended up getting exactly what you wanted.

 

[frankc420]

I had this same question when I was looking online and at the LDS. The prices online were much cheaper, but I did find out that there are alot of online sellers that do not have a LDS, and alot of warranties are void due to this.

I enjoyed my experience at my LDS, so spending the extra $$ was well worth it. The people that sold me my gear were very friendly and do not work off of commission, so it made me feel as if they weren't just trying to sell me something to make a sale.

They helped me fit all of my gear, and even the shop owner wears the same BC and uses the same reg that they sold me. (Oceanic Probe LX & Alpha 8) I love the gear I bought, and if we have any problems we can take them straight to the shop and get it repaired.

Buying from a LDS makes your relationship with the shop that much tighter, as your supporting them, and they realize that so you get more attention from them when your in a squeeze. I'm sure they would give you the same attention before you buy, but it's just a little different afterwards.

With the gear I bought, my LDS will also upgrade it once for the difference in the upgrade cost. Ex, If I wanted to upgrade to a Delta reg, I would give them back the Alpha and pay the difference between the 2. Nice deal IMO.

 

[Trimix2dive]

The debate that just won't die. GAWD. Buy what you want from who you want when you want. Want advise pick-up the phone and call, or stop buy and ask. Whom are your confortable buying from.

I have purchased all my equipment from the following 4 places - Arlington Scuba Center, Lone Star Scuba - Dallas, from Larry himself mentioned above, and ebay. Each one had something I wanted. I even (believe it or not) was told by one to go to the other because they had what I wanted. OMG could that be the ultimate in customer service. What were they thinking, do right by the customer and get that customer for life (outside of one sale) ????

Every LDS I've ever delt with has been accomodative. They will match the price if they can. It's where do you put your loyality vs. a $10 bill. The price difference I've found factoring back over the last 15 years between the two is small.

 

[AJ Tudor]

Why not do both? If an LDS also has branched out and has an online order option, they'll generally be cheaper.