DavidHickey
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I just read a thread about a bad experience at the local dive shop. I have had similar experiences with my LDS and have been on their bad side and have now gotten on their good side by spending a few grand with them. I have just never in my life seen an industry were they try to make the CUSTOMER feel as if he needs to earn the respect and loyalty of the business. But this thread is not about that. My question to all of the LDS owners who were upset on the last thread, is why do you just sit back instead of doing something about it? My LDS knows I have purchased equipment online and they are not happy about it but since I have also spent thousands with them they tolerate the fact and do treat me with respect. But what I don't understand is when I talk pricing with them they are usually unwilling to budge and tell me that alot of the equipment is price protected by the manufacturer and they cannot lower the price without getting in trouble with the manufacturer which could mean losing the line of equipment. Well HELLO!!!!!! Obviously the manufacturer is currently back dooring them with a huge smile on their face. There are many discount stores and web pages selling this same equipment at half the price. The LDS owner tells me that these online stores and web pages are not authorized to do what they are doing and that the manufacturer does not allow it. Well unless they are deaf dumb and blind they have to know about it, these stores actually publish CATALOGS, have Huge WEBSITES, and advertise every make and model known to man. Do you LDS owners actually think that the manufacturers are not aware of this? And do you actually think that they do not encourage this or profit from these sales? Leisure pro even prints catalogs with prices and mails them to anyone interested and matches any manufacturers warranty. Either my LDS is lying about the pricing restrictions, or in my mind it sounds like the manufacturers are giving you guys a raw deal. How many times have you as a dealer researched these supposively protected prices and called the manufacturer and officially filed a complaint about sellers who are not complying? If Scott from Zeagle is on here, not putting you on the spot, but HOW does leisure pro offer a complete line of Zeagle equipment without Zeagles authorization or knowledge and below everyone elses rate? I would have to guess that the volume of sales from Leisure pro has to make them at least one of your top 10 distributers. There has to be a way manufacturers could track this equipment to see where its actually going and find who is abusing the system. If not they could implement a system. But my guess is they don't mind the extra profit they are making and would rather look away. Anyhow I could be way off base here due to bad info from my LDS but it seems to me that instead of taking your frustration out on your customers you guys should ban together and put some pressure on the Manufacturers who are suppose to be protecting your rights as dealers.
Oh and just something on trying equipment out in the pool at the LDS which was part of the topic on the sour deal thread. My LDS will let you try anything out in the pool. BUT there policy is they charge you for the item upfront, and if it does not fit or you do not like it you get a store credit in the full amount. So you can pick out another item or something that fits better. Kinda weeds out the people who are out to waste their time or just want a fitting to buy on-line. Might be a thought for you guys who are having problems.
Oh and just something on trying equipment out in the pool at the LDS which was part of the topic on the sour deal thread. My LDS will let you try anything out in the pool. BUT there policy is they charge you for the item upfront, and if it does not fit or you do not like it you get a store credit in the full amount. So you can pick out another item or something that fits better. Kinda weeds out the people who are out to waste their time or just want a fitting to buy on-line. Might be a thought for you guys who are having problems.