Zept
Contributor
Oh. Now I feel stupid. Nothing new about that, though
.Z
The Dive Shop of the Future
- Thread starter Rick Murchison
- Start date
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Oh. Now I feel stupid. Nothing new about that, though
.Z
Does the new BK veggie whopper make the list of approved DIR consumption equipment?
Or would the mayo kill it?
Or would the mayo kill it?
Seriously... I don't think there is a vegan requirement to DIR.
But isn't there a Speedo requirement?
VTernovski
Contributor
JetBlast, this was a treat for me to stumble on this post. Nicelly said, couldn't agree more.
I dont think that LDS are going to change much in the future. What will change is the relationship between distributors and LDS.
The Internet sale of SCUBA gear currently takes advantage of the established pricing model established by the distributors. Many indirect costs such as advertising and service labor are factored into the pricing. There is no better advertising for a distributor than to have the training staff use their gear and have it hanging on the wall of the dive shop that everyone walks past to go to class or get an air fill. To the best of my knowledge the distributors do not compensate for labor costs associated with warranty repair and service.
Since Internet sellers do not have these indirect costs they can sell at a lower price and still make a profit plus they can take advantage of larger sales volume. But this practice is self limiting. Eventually they would run all of the LDSs out of business and then the advertising and servicing components would be missing from the equation so no one would buy gear.
Another thing to think about is the large amount of gear sold via the Internet that will soon need service and/or repair. This is going to create a shockwave through the industry. I know intellectually that Im going to have to pay for service on the regulators I purchased over the Internet, something that is free on the ones purchased from the LDS. The lower cost more than compensated, but in reality it will be a shock when I have to pay $50 for service. There is potential profit for LDSs brewing here.
What is going to change is the relationship between distributors and LDSs as they see the current model falling apart and have to adapt to survive. Any small business and particularly dive shops has always been a risky proposition. The weak ones will be weeded out but the strong ones will adapt and survive.
Mike
The Internet sale of SCUBA gear currently takes advantage of the established pricing model established by the distributors. Many indirect costs such as advertising and service labor are factored into the pricing. There is no better advertising for a distributor than to have the training staff use their gear and have it hanging on the wall of the dive shop that everyone walks past to go to class or get an air fill. To the best of my knowledge the distributors do not compensate for labor costs associated with warranty repair and service.
Since Internet sellers do not have these indirect costs they can sell at a lower price and still make a profit plus they can take advantage of larger sales volume. But this practice is self limiting. Eventually they would run all of the LDSs out of business and then the advertising and servicing components would be missing from the equation so no one would buy gear.
Another thing to think about is the large amount of gear sold via the Internet that will soon need service and/or repair. This is going to create a shockwave through the industry. I know intellectually that Im going to have to pay for service on the regulators I purchased over the Internet, something that is free on the ones purchased from the LDS. The lower cost more than compensated, but in reality it will be a shock when I have to pay $50 for service. There is potential profit for LDSs brewing here.
What is going to change is the relationship between distributors and LDSs as they see the current model falling apart and have to adapt to survive. Any small business and particularly dive shops has always been a risky proposition. The weak ones will be weeded out but the strong ones will adapt and survive.
Mike
dvleemin
Contributor
Part of this is Devil's advicate but . . .
Why do - or should - dive shops get treated differently than any other business? Sure, there are some people that won't shop at the big national brands and prefer to shop at the mom and pop shops, but thats a very very small minority - look at the sucess of Walmart and Amazon as proof. Isn't it the American way to have a free market economy - some businesses will survive and thrive, and others won't? The LDS's that come up with a good business plan will survive and ones that don't won't. And the ones that sit around and complain about the internet, instead of accepting it and modifying their business plan to compete in this new environment will go out of business and that's good. How many horror stories do we read on this board daily about poor experiences at LDS's? I suspect these are also the stores that sit around doing nothing and complain.
And will someone please explain to me how its any more dangerous to buy the same make and model of regulator from one place vrs another? They came from the same manufacturer. You have NO way of knowing how either one was treated before you got it. What's the difference? As for the not having a c-card thing - you don't need a c-card to buy anything - only to get a fill so that argument doesn't hold any water.
Darryl
Why do - or should - dive shops get treated differently than any other business? Sure, there are some people that won't shop at the big national brands and prefer to shop at the mom and pop shops, but thats a very very small minority - look at the sucess of Walmart and Amazon as proof. Isn't it the American way to have a free market economy - some businesses will survive and thrive, and others won't? The LDS's that come up with a good business plan will survive and ones that don't won't. And the ones that sit around and complain about the internet, instead of accepting it and modifying their business plan to compete in this new environment will go out of business and that's good. How many horror stories do we read on this board daily about poor experiences at LDS's? I suspect these are also the stores that sit around doing nothing and complain.
And will someone please explain to me how its any more dangerous to buy the same make and model of regulator from one place vrs another? They came from the same manufacturer. You have NO way of knowing how either one was treated before you got it. What's the difference? As for the not having a c-card thing - you don't need a c-card to buy anything - only to get a fill so that argument doesn't hold any water.
Darryl
Gator Diver
Contributor
ckharlan said"
We do. Sports authority sells low end gear
"
We do. Sports authority sells low end gear
dvleemin
Contributor
I think costco online in the US sells some stuff as well . . . IDI if I recall.
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Awesome! Awesome! I usually avoid getting involved in these discussions but this thread is very informative and interesting,one!
AS a LDS owner I am seeing about 90 percent of the things people are talking about in progression! I saw the premier LDS with two pools in our area close, I saw five shops in the Maryland close up with one new opening! I figure once they wipe out there saving and decide they need an incomes Or there lease comes up for renewal they will close!
in my shop we went from 4 full time employees, 4 partime and 9 partime instructors go to one full time, 3 partime employees and 6 instructor! They usually leave because they cannot generate enough friends to pay there instructor liability insurance, which this year like ACA insurance is going to sky rocket with Willis leaving the industry!
Equipment sales is an interesting subject, our prices are competitive to the Internet, however we stock less in the way of hard goods as the manufacture use us as a showroom and want payment in advance on top,of it so why push it! Then look at the special , free octopus or computers with purchases by the manufacturers, appears they must not be selling as much as they thought they would!! I mean why do you give away equipment to sell something if you are doing so fantastic!
watch closely the affect that Willis leaving the market and PADI insurance increases and see how many instructors remain in the game!
What is hurting us is the loss of mask, fin, snorkel sales and that I think that will change as the economy changes and people begin to travel again!! as ager as big box, Mares, DDI and West Marine are in bed together so it is coming!
some things on the mark are increased service, air fills, Nitrox fills, training and travel! LDS will adjust and they will be filtered out in demographic areas but they will exist! Socially it is a great recreation and purchases by customer will exist and how we do business is changing, education is also another growth for us, but agency changes are beginning to be like the new rules in professional football, making the industry too boring!Failing to deal with change will put us out of business, I hope not but we will continue to do our best with what we are dealt! The comment about the government getting involved I believe is not too far off!!
Thank you all for the input and food for thought to help us change!!
AS a LDS owner I am seeing about 90 percent of the things people are talking about in progression! I saw the premier LDS with two pools in our area close, I saw five shops in the Maryland close up with one new opening! I figure once they wipe out there saving and decide they need an incomes Or there lease comes up for renewal they will close!
in my shop we went from 4 full time employees, 4 partime and 9 partime instructors go to one full time, 3 partime employees and 6 instructor! They usually leave because they cannot generate enough friends to pay there instructor liability insurance, which this year like ACA insurance is going to sky rocket with Willis leaving the industry!
Equipment sales is an interesting subject, our prices are competitive to the Internet, however we stock less in the way of hard goods as the manufacture use us as a showroom and want payment in advance on top,of it so why push it! Then look at the special , free octopus or computers with purchases by the manufacturers, appears they must not be selling as much as they thought they would!! I mean why do you give away equipment to sell something if you are doing so fantastic!
watch closely the affect that Willis leaving the market and PADI insurance increases and see how many instructors remain in the game!
What is hurting us is the loss of mask, fin, snorkel sales and that I think that will change as the economy changes and people begin to travel again!! as ager as big box, Mares, DDI and West Marine are in bed together so it is coming!
some things on the mark are increased service, air fills, Nitrox fills, training and travel! LDS will adjust and they will be filtered out in demographic areas but they will exist! Socially it is a great recreation and purchases by customer will exist and how we do business is changing, education is also another growth for us, but agency changes are beginning to be like the new rules in professional football, making the industry too boring!Failing to deal with change will put us out of business, I hope not but we will continue to do our best with what we are dealt! The comment about the government getting involved I believe is not too far off!!
Thank you all for the input and food for thought to help us change!!
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