jaardappel
Registered
Okay, I have read quite a few stories so far about LDS vs. Online buying and the warranty/service by-in with the LDS, so I think I have a good story share.
I am currently in a dive class that lasts 6-8 weeks and is taught by a group of "we won't certify you unless you are 100% safe and you prove-it" instructors. So I feel pretty safe that I won't be left without basic skills when I graduate.
Meanwhile, I have purchased a Zeagle Escape, with Zeagle regulators, an Aeris computer, a Dacor ECO 5/4/3 suit, Apollo bio-fins, and a smattering of other equipment online. The only thing without a warranty that I bought was the Zeagle Escape BC, but I purchased a store-only (from Unrealfind.com) warranty for a couple of years.
In total, I've spent nearly $1500 on gear that I am sure I'll put to use in the near-term. There are two local dive shops where I currently live (I'm not in NY yet) and both have similar equipment which would cost me over $2100 plus tax. Now, being the smart person, I realize that LDS has personnel to pay...insurance to dole-out...service onsite...most warranties to guarantee etc. BUT, you can't beat price. I move around enough (1x per 1.5 yrs on average), so I intend on getting my gear serviced at whatever local dive shop I go to and not by mailing my stuff back to the seller for "local" servicing by the original dealer. In my case, that the cost outwieghs the benefit of what the LDS can provide me should I have bought it from them.
So here's my vignette--I took my BC and regs to one of the local shops and after "sending it out for service." Yesterday I went in to pick it up. He and I talked for a bit, and as he is discovering that I bought most of my stuff online, his attitude towards me turns really icy. Of course I explained that I got a great deal, but then he puts an "online buyer warranty" card from Aqua Lung in my face and says, "you need to be wary of buying SCUBA gear online." I replied, "I half-agree with you (props to the LDS for service/warranty) and I half-don't." Before I could explain, he scoffs, walks off to get his phone and says, "you're not disagreeing with me, your disagreeing with every dive manufacturer."
On top of all this, the guy wouldn't annotate the dates and service (initial setup and testing of regulators) performed on my equipment. "I didn't test it, my tech did and he's at another shop 100 miles away" he says. I say, "can you at least descibe in my user-manuals (back-page...the "services performed" section) what your tech did?" "That's not my job" he replies. "So if a new diver buys stuff from you and has it put together, you don't annotate what you do to check out his gear?" "Yes, I usually do it but it'll cost you extra" he remarks. "But I paid you $60.00 to put together and test out my gear, can't you annotate what service was performed so I can track the maintenance on my equipment?" "No. You didn't buy it from me and I don't have time right now (he was chatting in a chair with a local when I walked in...really tight for time I'd say" he argues.
Okay. I get it. You are mad that I didn't buy my gear from an LDS, and more specifically you. I even asked him if I could pay him extra to function test my gear and he refused. His attitude was so bad and haughty (he ignores you when you walk in until you say "hello, how are you?" and then follows your comment with "excuse me?"), that although I dropped $16.00 for a new snorkel for class (a non-dry), and $40.00 for soft weights, he treated me like the bastard step-child he never had. Nearly everything I said he rolled his eyes, did the "oh young man (I'm 30 but look about 20 with a ballcap on)" look and generally told me with his body language that he wanted me out of his shop.
I thought about making some smart-ass remarks but my military training kicked in and I decided to be the bigger person and just smile quietly. Needless to say, the shop with whom I'm taking my course with is completely the opposite in attitudes than this one. I've gotten three others into the dive course with the "good shop", and three other people intend to dive with us on our final dive.
My point in sharing this story is to say this: Like others who have written in this board, I've just had my bad experience, but it is limited to one dive shop. I won't turn against the LDS's as I haven't seen poor attitudes all around. For goodness sake though, if you own a dive shop, have a good attitude...after all, you are selling gear to newbies, experienced and pros who need your support to continue shopping there. If people find good deals on the web, great. Maybe a selling point would be spectacular service, lowering the price a bit, word of mouth value and not acting like a jerk.
I intend to tell my co-workers not to go to that dive shop ever again. Please send me your thoughts and maybe I'll tell you the name of the dive shop if I feel like a little vindication is needed.
I am currently in a dive class that lasts 6-8 weeks and is taught by a group of "we won't certify you unless you are 100% safe and you prove-it" instructors. So I feel pretty safe that I won't be left without basic skills when I graduate.
Meanwhile, I have purchased a Zeagle Escape, with Zeagle regulators, an Aeris computer, a Dacor ECO 5/4/3 suit, Apollo bio-fins, and a smattering of other equipment online. The only thing without a warranty that I bought was the Zeagle Escape BC, but I purchased a store-only (from Unrealfind.com) warranty for a couple of years.
In total, I've spent nearly $1500 on gear that I am sure I'll put to use in the near-term. There are two local dive shops where I currently live (I'm not in NY yet) and both have similar equipment which would cost me over $2100 plus tax. Now, being the smart person, I realize that LDS has personnel to pay...insurance to dole-out...service onsite...most warranties to guarantee etc. BUT, you can't beat price. I move around enough (1x per 1.5 yrs on average), so I intend on getting my gear serviced at whatever local dive shop I go to and not by mailing my stuff back to the seller for "local" servicing by the original dealer. In my case, that the cost outwieghs the benefit of what the LDS can provide me should I have bought it from them.
So here's my vignette--I took my BC and regs to one of the local shops and after "sending it out for service." Yesterday I went in to pick it up. He and I talked for a bit, and as he is discovering that I bought most of my stuff online, his attitude towards me turns really icy. Of course I explained that I got a great deal, but then he puts an "online buyer warranty" card from Aqua Lung in my face and says, "you need to be wary of buying SCUBA gear online." I replied, "I half-agree with you (props to the LDS for service/warranty) and I half-don't." Before I could explain, he scoffs, walks off to get his phone and says, "you're not disagreeing with me, your disagreeing with every dive manufacturer."
On top of all this, the guy wouldn't annotate the dates and service (initial setup and testing of regulators) performed on my equipment. "I didn't test it, my tech did and he's at another shop 100 miles away" he says. I say, "can you at least descibe in my user-manuals (back-page...the "services performed" section) what your tech did?" "That's not my job" he replies. "So if a new diver buys stuff from you and has it put together, you don't annotate what you do to check out his gear?" "Yes, I usually do it but it'll cost you extra" he remarks. "But I paid you $60.00 to put together and test out my gear, can't you annotate what service was performed so I can track the maintenance on my equipment?" "No. You didn't buy it from me and I don't have time right now (he was chatting in a chair with a local when I walked in...really tight for time I'd say" he argues.
Okay. I get it. You are mad that I didn't buy my gear from an LDS, and more specifically you. I even asked him if I could pay him extra to function test my gear and he refused. His attitude was so bad and haughty (he ignores you when you walk in until you say "hello, how are you?" and then follows your comment with "excuse me?"), that although I dropped $16.00 for a new snorkel for class (a non-dry), and $40.00 for soft weights, he treated me like the bastard step-child he never had. Nearly everything I said he rolled his eyes, did the "oh young man (I'm 30 but look about 20 with a ballcap on)" look and generally told me with his body language that he wanted me out of his shop.
I thought about making some smart-ass remarks but my military training kicked in and I decided to be the bigger person and just smile quietly. Needless to say, the shop with whom I'm taking my course with is completely the opposite in attitudes than this one. I've gotten three others into the dive course with the "good shop", and three other people intend to dive with us on our final dive.
My point in sharing this story is to say this: Like others who have written in this board, I've just had my bad experience, but it is limited to one dive shop. I won't turn against the LDS's as I haven't seen poor attitudes all around. For goodness sake though, if you own a dive shop, have a good attitude...after all, you are selling gear to newbies, experienced and pros who need your support to continue shopping there. If people find good deals on the web, great. Maybe a selling point would be spectacular service, lowering the price a bit, word of mouth value and not acting like a jerk.
I intend to tell my co-workers not to go to that dive shop ever again. Please send me your thoughts and maybe I'll tell you the name of the dive shop if I feel like a little vindication is needed.
ScubaRon
