LDS VS Internet Sale!!!
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psychocabbage
Contributor
The wife and I dive and are somewhat gadget geeks that purchase equipment because we would rather own our own than rent.
Now, our LDS which are personal friends mind you, created an issue.
During the holidays, the wife wanted to get me my own tank. I am known in our circles for my ability to suck some air like no other.. We have found that if I am on a 100 I can last as long as others on an 80.. so the wife was going to buy me an aluminum 100 for the holidays.
Upon asking our friends, the LDS owners, she was told that it was not a good idea and instead she should get me one in steel. Ever see the price difference? Notice some color options missing on steel? Steel. WTF?
From that day on my wife has not visited the dive shop. We are currently getting the kids certified there and I still go there from time to time (I am also their webmaster).. but its different now. My wife has no desire to really ask them for any equipment and has returned to various online outlets she had used before.
I too do not like seeing higher prices. If I know I can go down the street and get an item for $7, why whould I spend $12+ at my LDS?
If the internet does not kill the LDS, huge mega stores like GanderMountain surely might. Their prices are very good and they have monster selections.
I for one get annoyed when an LDS gives you the riot act for spend your hard earned $ online when in fact, its your hard earned $ and your right to spend it where you see fit.
Our friends offer lifetime fills for us if we buy our tanks there.. Incidentally I bought my wife her tank there at the LDS.. She has yet to use it (maybe next weekend.. when our kid does the OW)
I think I would respect a shop more if they embraced the internet rather than loathe it openly.
(For background, I am an ex bicyclist and bike shop manager. We had the same scenario there as online (magazine mail order) bicycle retailers could sell for much cheaper than your local shop. Now that it has been quite some time, and the volume has been there, online is still prevelant and I find that many brand names stopped selling to online retailers. So that just may be the fate of the scuba lines.. Brands will cater to either shops or retailers and go from there.. You like a particular brand, they may force you to buy at only a shop or only an online retailer.)
Now, our LDS which are personal friends mind you, created an issue.
During the holidays, the wife wanted to get me my own tank. I am known in our circles for my ability to suck some air like no other.. We have found that if I am on a 100 I can last as long as others on an 80.. so the wife was going to buy me an aluminum 100 for the holidays.
Upon asking our friends, the LDS owners, she was told that it was not a good idea and instead she should get me one in steel. Ever see the price difference? Notice some color options missing on steel? Steel. WTF?
From that day on my wife has not visited the dive shop. We are currently getting the kids certified there and I still go there from time to time (I am also their webmaster).. but its different now. My wife has no desire to really ask them for any equipment and has returned to various online outlets she had used before.
I too do not like seeing higher prices. If I know I can go down the street and get an item for $7, why whould I spend $12+ at my LDS?
If the internet does not kill the LDS, huge mega stores like GanderMountain surely might. Their prices are very good and they have monster selections.
I for one get annoyed when an LDS gives you the riot act for spend your hard earned $ online when in fact, its your hard earned $ and your right to spend it where you see fit.
Our friends offer lifetime fills for us if we buy our tanks there.. Incidentally I bought my wife her tank there at the LDS.. She has yet to use it (maybe next weekend.. when our kid does the OW)
I think I would respect a shop more if they embraced the internet rather than loathe it openly.
(For background, I am an ex bicyclist and bike shop manager. We had the same scenario there as online (magazine mail order) bicycle retailers could sell for much cheaper than your local shop. Now that it has been quite some time, and the volume has been there, online is still prevelant and I find that many brand names stopped selling to online retailers. So that just may be the fate of the scuba lines.. Brands will cater to either shops or retailers and go from there.. You like a particular brand, they may force you to buy at only a shop or only an online retailer.)
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WTF? It was good advice they gave. I'd have given the same. Color options? Color doesn't have an impact on your diving, but the buoyancy characteristics of your cylinder does. Ever wonder why you don't see many AL100?
Oh, welcome to SB....
garyfotodiver
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sharky60
Contributor
My LDS IS Scubatoys!
Living in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area, I can go online and check for the products I want, if they have it I can just drive up there and get it rather than pay for shipping.
If I didn't live in this area, I would most likely seek out a local store to deal with that had the products I wanted at a fair price.
Growing up the son of a small buisiness owner, I would much rather keep my money in the local economy if at all possible.
Living in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area, I can go online and check for the products I want, if they have it I can just drive up there and get it rather than pay for shipping.
If I didn't live in this area, I would most likely seek out a local store to deal with that had the products I wanted at a fair price.
Growing up the son of a small buisiness owner, I would much rather keep my money in the local economy if at all possible.
psychocabbage
Contributor
Thanks for the welcome!
Steel:
BF -10lbs
BE -2lbs
Weight Empty 33 lbs
Cost:in the $300+ range.
Al:
BF -4.3
BE (500psi) +1.9
Weight Empty 41
Cost:under $200
I have dove with an Al 100 and had 0 issues. It did not feel heavier. I didnt feel as if I was suddenly going to shoot up when I had it down to 800psi.
I am an ex athlete and while I just turned 37 I still race BMX and exercise regularly.
Isnt the benefit of the LDS that they know you personally to some degree. I am no hulk but am generally more fit than those around my age. While many freak out over the bouyancy of an item, are they getting geeky enough to count all of their equipment? dive knife? That doesnt float at all. Light? Mine wont float. All of that will even out.. and I woudl bet the +1.9lbs of the Al tank, is offset by my spool, knife and light alone. Not to mention what else I may be dragging along with me just to amuse myself..
I dont like the look of steel. I am snobbish and prefer all my stuff to be black. Just a color preference.. I also do not like the properties of steel compared to Al when dealing with water. I would much rather have Al anyday. Being the consumer, we walk in asking for a specific product, we are not in the mood to hear you are not going to sell the product to us. We will just spend our $ elsewhere.
scubapro50
Contributor
Lowest price can be important but is it worth the wait for shipping. If you need something now because you're leaving tomarrow then the internet is not your best choice. Dive shops you visit on vacation are not always as cheap as your LDS. Plus remember if you have trouble with the gear it will take additional time and money to solve the problem.
The only real advantage to a steel tank on your back over an Al is that you can take some weight off your belt. The buoyancy swing will be about the same for the same volume of gas.
If color is the driving factor the shop should give you what you want. If nothing else they should discuss your preferences and perhaps provide options, but they should certainly sell you what you want even if it means ordering it in.
Mat.
If color is the driving factor the shop should give you what you want. If nothing else they should discuss your preferences and perhaps provide options, but they should certainly sell you what you want even if it means ordering it in.
Mat.
I think it's fair that your LDS gives their opinions on steel versus aluminum. It's not very wise for them to insist or demand, though.
Where did you get those specs? Exact numbers will vary by manufacturer but you should be seeing a 7 to 8 pound swing for 100cf air.
Steel costs more upfront but many have found it to cost less in the long run, often lasting far longer than aluminum when cared for properly. YMMV.
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