Dive-aholic:
I didn't really get that "feelgood" feeling when I was there. It was all business. I would also be surprised if they do much diving, if they're even certified at all. It just wasn't what you expect when you walk into a "dive shop".
padiscubapro:
Most of the people there are strictly sales people.. They do have a few instructors and do run classes..
I have absolutely no misgivings about LP as merchants. I've had several times when I've wanted to consolidate orders to save on shipping, or needed a copy of an invoice, or like that; they've always (via e-mail) responded quickly and well.
Caveat: But now we'll verge into analysis, not known facts... Dive-aholic, I've gotten the same impression that you did, when I've asked via e-mail for advice, or for them to check on how a piece of equipment was constructed. It was basically, "Um, I'm too far away from the warehouse. You want to buy it or not?" (OK, not quite that bad, but still...) I've written in another thread that I have no problem with their sales people not being divers... but their advertising at least implies that they are. Customers shouldn't think that they are.
Conversely, I also have a problem with employees of an LDS who obviously
are experienced and qualified divers, but who blindly push only the brands and products that they happen to carry. We've all seen that.
Padiscubapro, where do you get your information? My particular concern, like hoosier's in starting this thread, is with LP's service technicians; everything else is just... well... sales. How are their techs trained? Do they have the correct tools? Can they get the correct parts? With an LDS, I could at least see the shop and make my own judgement (much like a car repair shop). With these guys, I just don't know -- other than trusting them, which I've been doing.
Why are we all so fixated on LP? Because, I think, they're not Bubba's Dive Shop on the local corner. LP has an enormous influence on the scuba market in the U.S., and beyond; because of their effect on market prices, that influence extends far beyond their sales volume. No wonder they're loved, hated, and everything in between.
Oh, and I share hoosier's wish that we'd finally get the (clearly identified) views here of any LP employees. It's long been an urban legend around ScubaBoard that they lurk here. That would again actually not be a problem... they may want to see what people are saying about their company, and not want to reveal themselves for fear of getting attacked. (See what happened to Mares' president in another thread.) But the legend further goes that they use temporary non-attributable usernames, covertly heaping praise on LP. If so, that would be something else again. But that's what you're talking about, right, hoosier?
--Marek