Obviously, since I'm one of the largest internet dealers, you know my opinion on this. I will fill you in on the other side of the coin for what it's worth. First, vertical price controls are not illegal. A manufacturer can set a price that they want their product sold for. My brother just bought some new headphones for his plane... $995 everywhere on every web site. You will see this is not unique to the scuba industry. It is only when one manufacturer gets together with others and says, "Hey, let's all raise our price of snorkels by 5 bucks..." That's when it becomes illegal.
As far as the reason some manufacturers do it... simple. Everyone has to have their business model. There are a lot of dive shops who dropped brand A or brand B since there were people selling it too cheap on the net, so it was not possible to turn a profit with that manufacturer. The basic LDS still is a majority of the sales in the US, and some manufacturers want to position themselves as the company that looks out for the local shop. That is their choice. If you don't like their business decision... Just don't buy Aqualung or Suunto products... easy enough.
Their other thought is since a majority of the training comes through the LDS, if they are not supported with price controls, then they will go out of business, then there will be fewer divers, then who would the manufacturer sell to?
True, the world will work itself out... I'm sure one day, all lines will be sold on the net, and most of the training will be on the net, with just a stop in a pool, or resort - Padi is already pushing this.
Shops as we know them, will die out... with just one or two large shops in major markets. The rest of the training will be picked up by independent instructors, clubs, etc.
Just like the consumer can make a choice; Should I buy gray market? Should I buy from an authorized on-line dealer? Should I buy local? The members of this board do not all have the same opinion... so why should we insist that all manufacturers have the same rules?
We now have Cochran Computers. They allow you to show your stuff... but can't click and buy. But if someone calls, you can sell it. Other manufacturers like Oceanic didn't allow, now they do. Some manufacturers will "bend the rules" with prior permission if there is not an authorized dealer in the area. All these companies have their right to make their rules. You guys vote with your wallets.
As far as the reason some manufacturers do it... simple. Everyone has to have their business model. There are a lot of dive shops who dropped brand A or brand B since there were people selling it too cheap on the net, so it was not possible to turn a profit with that manufacturer. The basic LDS still is a majority of the sales in the US, and some manufacturers want to position themselves as the company that looks out for the local shop. That is their choice. If you don't like their business decision... Just don't buy Aqualung or Suunto products... easy enough.
Their other thought is since a majority of the training comes through the LDS, if they are not supported with price controls, then they will go out of business, then there will be fewer divers, then who would the manufacturer sell to?
True, the world will work itself out... I'm sure one day, all lines will be sold on the net, and most of the training will be on the net, with just a stop in a pool, or resort - Padi is already pushing this.
Shops as we know them, will die out... with just one or two large shops in major markets. The rest of the training will be picked up by independent instructors, clubs, etc.
Just like the consumer can make a choice; Should I buy gray market? Should I buy from an authorized on-line dealer? Should I buy local? The members of this board do not all have the same opinion... so why should we insist that all manufacturers have the same rules?
We now have Cochran Computers. They allow you to show your stuff... but can't click and buy. But if someone calls, you can sell it. Other manufacturers like Oceanic didn't allow, now they do. Some manufacturers will "bend the rules" with prior permission if there is not an authorized dealer in the area. All these companies have their right to make their rules. You guys vote with your wallets.