We are all to blame for jobs going overseas.
We shop to find the lowest price on everything from Gas to Airline Tickets and even Scuba equipment. The companies that manufacturer these goods that we buy need to find ways to keep the price of their products low so consumers will continue to support their manufacturing facilities. To do this they use differing methods, but the highest cost to business is labor, and no labor is cheaper than that overseas. The companies also have another problem. We, the cheap consumer, are also stock holders and demand that they turn a big profit or we will sell and the stock will decrease in value. To make a big profit they cut costs in any and every area they can including labor. By keeping the cost down the American market will buy the product, and sales will continue.
It's a bad circle that we are in. Please do not blast me as being BIG COMPANY, as the internet has made many LDSs honest and those that were at 400% deserved the fall, but there are many shops that are well below MSRP and still get hosed for trying to make a decent profit.
At my LDS, a guys wife came in and bought $2000 worth of gear for his christmas. I don't know what he said to her, but she called in tears saying they had taken advantage of her. I gave the shop owner a list of the gear if purchased from LP, and they were $235 apart. I told the shop owner to let it go, but he offered fre Nitrox training, a free wetsuit, and a few other things.
I was glad I was at the store when he came in mid conversation about my listing my home. Here is the conversation...
"I would be glad to list you home for you, that's what I do".
"Oh thank you, but I am going to save myself the $21k fee and use the internet"
"You'll never sell your home that way, and the laws are to complicated for the average consumer to understand. Not only do I list your house, but I network with other realtors, use local listings, MLS, and have an agent at your home during any open house. It is also safer for your family using an agent to sell your house."
"I understand and appreciate the offer, but I could use the money I save from this and use it toward upgrades on our new home."
" The people that sell homes on the internet are usually selling property that is in bad shape and are hard to track after the sale."
"I'll let you sell the house if you are willing to do it for 2%, thats still $7k, and I am sure your costs will not exceed $1k."
"I can't stay in business if I sell for 2%. I have fixed costs like my office and support team that get a piece of the pie. Nor would it be fair to the rest of my clients if I took your home for less than the 6% fee."
"Well home team realty here advertises 3%, how do they stay in business?"
" They are a low cost agency, that provide virtually no service and I hear they don't always return calls to perspective buyers."
"Thanks again, but I think I will do it myself and save that money for other things."
"You'll regret not using a licensed realtor as we are always here for you in case there is a problem from the time you start to show your house, till closing. I don't think you understand the issues that can arise when selling your own home, but you'll learn that saving money is not always best in the long run and that is not enough for the trouble instore for you."
"You could be right, but how much should I save to make it worth it? You are back here complaining that you were taken advantage of with the price of your equipment and that will only save you $235. And to add to that your gear purchased from here comes with the full manufacturers warranty. How much do you think that is worth?"
"Well this is different, once I buy the gear the sale is over, your house may take 2 months to sell, and there is a lot that needs to be done. This shop will make plenty of money if the sell at the same price as LP."
At this point I gave up, as I know the LDS owner is just to nice, but I thought it was interesting how defensive he was about his own job, but thought that everyone else should make less....
Off my box now, and gosh i feel better.