How much is too much?

[tomboyy]

In another thread we're having a discussion about the perfect dive shop. This got me to thinking about prices. How much of a mark up are you willing to pay if your LDS doesn't have a web site and is strictly a brick and mortar shop ? I know some of you will say it depends on what your buying, regulator verses a light for example.

I'll give you a couple of real examples.

1st, 2nd and octo LDS price $ 788.00
WEB price $ 688.00

LED light LDS price $ 79.00
WEB price $ 51.00

On the light example sales tax and shipping are the same. I bought the Reg set from my LDS, after shipping the price difference was around $ 86.00 I thought the price difference wasn't enough to not get the benefits of buying from my LDS.

I think the price difference on the light was enough to buy on-line. I try to give my LDS all I can but sometimes their pricing is just to much. Is this pretty much the same way everywhere ?

 

[LittleOne]

Yes. This is the same everywhere. For me its not so much as supporting my shop as the service I get there. I don't know about yours, but with mine as soon as I grow out of a bcd or wetsuit or my reg is damaged they automatically replace it with only a 20 dollar fee. It seems like a deal to me I buy a few things off of the internet like hooks and lights because the replacement doesn't really apply.

 

[Alex777]

Given the very high level of service I have always had at my LDS, I am happy to pay the usual price, which is essentially the list price + duty + shipping to Grand Cayman. Tropical diving is not (at least, it shouldn't be) gear intensive. For those few things I really need, I pay little attention to price. The important things are quality (of the gear) and quality (of the personal relationship with the LDS).