Online Sales - The importance of buying from local businesses

[PhilEllis]

One problem, and it is the shops own fault, is divers will go to the local fitting room for some hands on shopping and never give the store a real chance because they are certain no good will come of it. With the exception of the online guys who advertise they will price match, I've never seen an LDS give much indication they are willing to compete.

You hit the nail on the head on that one. If someone comes into my shop to try on a wetsuit or bc, I am GOING to make the sale. You MUST be competitive. Unfortunately, many dive stores just don't seem to understand this.

Phil Ellis

 

[Stu S.]

I moved to Florida and needed some new stuff to start diving again. The LDS had plenty to look at. A Scubapro mask was a good fit. No price on it, and it “looked” like a $30 or $40 item. The owner told me $80. I really wanted it, but could not justify that kind of spending on a mask. I left the store.

A day later, I did a search for that mask on line. A store called Leisure Pro had it for $36. I felt good, as I could justify that kind of spending. I ordered, and it was the exact thing. (See picture at left.)

Soon after, I got new fins, from Diver’s Supply. They helped me select. There were no decent fins in dive stores at that price.

Did this take money away from local merchants? No. I just would not have bought anything.

 

[Sinbad the Diver]

this thread is very timely since I am going through the process now of figuring out what to buy and where. I can tell you that my LDS where I did my certification is not high on my list after this process. Fantastic folks, very knowledgeable and I will be spending some money there mostly to compensate them for time some of them have spent discussing options with me (I don't feel too bad because the whole time I was in the store talking to the salesclerk not one other person came in, but I did get a lot of information that I can use and that is worth something). That and the fact that I got some nice gift certificates to the shop for Christmas.

Bottom line however is I can buy almost every piece of gear I am looking at for less than 1/2 through ST (either lower price or lower cost lines that my LDS doesn't carry). This is not the beginning either. Now that I know a little I'm starting to see that the stuff I have bought already (mask, fins, snorkel, boots) I paid at least 1/3 more for. Doesn't leave me in much of frame of mind to continue to go there.

I am a big supporter of local businesses. I live in a small town stuck in the middle of a major metro area and I buy at the locally owned businesses as much as possible. But just like the local hardware store, I can't justify spending 40% more for the same product unless I need it quick and it's the only thing I need. If I need a bunch of things or it's after 6 and local store is closed I make the 15 min drive to HD.

I am obviously not an expert on this market, but for some of the LDS owners on here and those that support them, this is my take on the situation you are in based on the recent experiences of someone with no skin in the game and thus little bias.

 

[jimdiverman]

Bottom line however is I can buy almost every piece of gear I am looking at for less than 1/2 through ST (either lower price or lower cost lines that my LDS doesn't carry). This is not the beginning either. Now that I know a little I'm starting to see that the stuff I have bought already (mask, fins, snorkel, boots) I paid at least 1/3 more for. Doesn't leave me in much of frame of mind to continue to go there.

I am a big supporter of local businesses. I live in a small town stuck in the middle of a major metro area and I buy at the locally owned businesses as much as possible. But just like the local hardware store, I can't justify spending 40% more for the same product unless I need it quick and it's the only thing I need. If I need a bunch of things or it's after 6 and local store is closed I make the 15 min drive to HD.

I wonder how Craig (and all of the other owners of good LDS's on this board) feel about Craig's original post now. I would think they would have been happier if Craig kept his trap shut (or at least his fingers from typing). The truth always has a way of surfacing, doesn't it?

 

[Dive Right In Scuba]

I wonder how Craig (and all of the other owners of good LDS's on this board) feel about Craig's original post now. I would think they would have been happier if Craig kept his trap shut (or at least his fingers from typing). The truth always has a way of surfacing, doesn't it?

I dont mind his post at all.....thats the typical response of most divestores.....Thats why alot go out of business.....they dont understand that ripping people off for $500 today, takes away $5000 in future business! Let them keep doing that, those that understand what it takes to keep customers, will prosper...and be the scapegoat

 

[Cacia]

I dont mind his post at all.....thats the typical response of most divestores.....Thats why alot go out of business.....they dont understand that ripping people off for $500 today, takes away $5000 in future business! Let them keep doing that, those that understand what it takes to keep customers, will prosper...and be the scapegoat

In almost every negative, there will be an upside for the astute. It takes some practice to reframe situations this way, but that is so key.

One thing in Hawaii, is there is often "more to the story" regarding a LDS finances. It might look profitable but in fact be used as a loss right off in a larger tax picture, especially if associated with resorts or hotels.

I see/hear new shop owners sometimes assuming too much about other local shops finances when trying to compete.

One sure sign to me things are nosediving fast, is that a few years ago, it was cutthroat for the military contracts (shops on the bases) I don't sense too many operators even want them now, even with the cheap rent, free electricity, and ready supply of young spenders with disposable incomes....

A few operators here recently told me it just does not make sense to go after those contracts now. (I know of at least one that just came up for re-bid)

 

[akbpilot]

Too bad the OP is gone. I really wanted him to tell me why it is better to pay $80 at the LDS for an XSscuba item with a $50 MSRP.

Explain to me the calculus of that deal, please.

(I can't help it, I keep reading these threads!)

I'm sorry he's gone too. After taking a look at his web-site I was going to ask him if he thought being closed on Sundays was a good idea for a business involved in a leisure time activity. I understand some people have religious and moral reasons for being closed on Sundays, but I was just curious if he thought being closed during 50% of his customers leisure time would have any affect on his sales.

 

[boat sju]

Catherine,

When we were in Maui a few years ago I got the impression that the dive shop prices were actually pretty decent. I figured there was a lot of competition. Granted, I didn't price out any bigger ticket items like BCs or Regs. I'm curious what other visitors to the Islands think?

 

[Dive Right In Scuba]

I'm sorry he's gone too. After taking a look at his web-site I was going to ask him if he thought being closed on Sundays was a good idea for a business involved in a leisure time activity. I understand some people have religious and moral reasons for being closed on Sundays, but I was just curious if he thought being closed during 50% of his customers leisure time would have any affect on his sales.

WE are closed on Sundays. Im sure it affects business a little, but our customers know where we are.....Out diving at the quarry with them

 

[garyfotodiver]

WE are closed on Sundays. Im sure it affects business a little, but our customers know where we are.....Out diving at the quarry with them

Which means that if I want to pick up a couple of tanks Sunday morning and dive somewhere else, I am outta luck.