As many of you know, I own a dive shop and in fact am in the process of closing it. We're not closed yet though. Anyway I have often posted about the demand that the manufacturers place on the dive shops and what I think the effect on the industry is.
I have been a Cressi dealer for a couple years now, however the cressi stuff doesn't sell that great and we mostly sell a few of their masks, fins and bags. Just today we had a customer who wanted a Cressi mask in a color that we don't have in stock. My wife called to order the mask and was told that they wouldn't fill the order unless we placed a $1000.00 order to bring us up to where we SHOULD be for the year.
My wife explained to them that she was going to get the mask on-line and fill the customers order whether Cressi liked it or not. Cressi told her that if she did that she was just supporting those who are putting us out of business. My wife explained to Cressi that it was the manufacturers who were putting us out of business. Keep in mind that Cressi get real silent when asked how Divein can sell Cressi regs for less than I pay for them.
BTW, the mask only cost me a couple dollars more from an online source.
I would rather deal with the mob than the dive equipment manufacturers. In fact I see little difference in methods and ethics.
I have been a Cressi dealer for a couple years now, however the cressi stuff doesn't sell that great and we mostly sell a few of their masks, fins and bags. Just today we had a customer who wanted a Cressi mask in a color that we don't have in stock. My wife called to order the mask and was told that they wouldn't fill the order unless we placed a $1000.00 order to bring us up to where we SHOULD be for the year.
My wife explained to them that she was going to get the mask on-line and fill the customers order whether Cressi liked it or not. Cressi told her that if she did that she was just supporting those who are putting us out of business. My wife explained to Cressi that it was the manufacturers who were putting us out of business. Keep in mind that Cressi get real silent when asked how Divein can sell Cressi regs for less than I pay for them.
BTW, the mask only cost me a couple dollars more from an online source.
I would rather deal with the mob than the dive equipment manufacturers. In fact I see little difference in methods and ethics.