Mail order vs dive shop?

[farsidefan1]

Strong vote here for the local dive shop. I shop at the one where I certified. They give me a discount on everything I purchase and the serfvice is phemominal. They service my gear every year, let me try stuff in the pool, I got one mask which seemed fine when I got it but just seemed to leak constantly when in the ocean. They took it and since I already had a few other masks including the prescription one which is my favorite they traded it for one of the new kadence snorkels. They have so much to offer in experience and fortunately they are in business for the long haul. The current owner is the daughter of the lady who owned it for decades before.
Reviews and the written word or advertisements pale compared to touching feeling and trying out new gear. I wouldn't even consider buying something online like a mask, BC or wetsuit. And I'm technologically challenged enough that I want someone I can go to without feeling like a leech and ask them about the nuances of my computer more than once. I can't afford not to know my gear and the shop (I'd name them but I don't know if that is against the rules) has incredibly competent help. If your life depends on it - touch it, feel it, try it.

 

[RaginCajun]

In retrospect I feel pretty sick about what I paid for equipment from a LDS compared to the online prices at LP for example. In retrospect, I would probably choose LP or equivalent online dealer over my LDS, but I didn't have the guts to do it just starting out....Scuba Pro and others do a real good job of putting fear into your mind from the start.

Here's my LDS experience:

ScubaPro Knighthawk BC with Air 2 $600+
ScubaPro MK25 S600 $600+
Oceanic VT Pro Nitrox computer w/ transmitter $650 (close out special 2 yrs ago)
Add this up on LP or similar site and I should have easily saved $400-500.

So what did my $2000 get me? Not much, in fact I'm not really impressed with that dive shop these days and I don't patronize them much. They were recommended by a friend who worked there years back and several of the good folks moved on. I don't go there for air, or service. Nor did my wife wish to get certified with them (she wanted Padi not SSI).

Further to this my wife did here OW with a different shop. We purchased, mask, fins & snorkel from them. In the class my wife who was somewhat iffy about scuba in general bailed on the class because they were going too fast and she didn't have a partner. I seem to remember ~8 students per instructor but can't remember exactly (this may be well within the Padi guidelines).

Further to this, when she told the instructor that she just didn't feel comfortable at the class's pace the shop offered a private lesson, for the cost difference only, but in the end it was more like being double charged for both classes. This shop was sumarily fired from Mr./Mrs Ragin Cajun inc and needless to say I don't shop there any more.

Now, we deal with another shop in town and have now bought MRS her own equipment (identical to mine for the most part) We ended up doing the rent to own pay over 6-12 months with free rental gear in the meantime deal with this shop and for the most part are pretty pleased. The owner/operator/staff are great, very friendly and quite helpful. I get frustrated every time I realize that buying something from them is a bit more costly than an online dealer, but sometimes it just can't be avoided. We'll see after I get the bill for service on my regs, tank and a few other things...

In summary, I wish I would have purchased a few more things online but a good LDS is an asset. To this end, LDS or online shopping is really a personal choice and if feel that the value of personal service and being able to touch before you buy is worth the price difference then go for it. Don't even get me started about warranty and gray market that's another ball of cheeze.

 

[Brandon]

It's your money - you worked hard for it. Be an informed consumer and spend your money wherever you're most comfortable.

-B

 

[Primus67]

thanks for the feedback people. i'll probably keep ordering the smaller stuff online, but when it comes to bigger stuff like regs and BCs, i'll get them at the shop as they offer free yearly inspections and repairs as well as the lifetime warranty.

 

[don Francisco]

There is no one answer to the on-line vs. LDS debate. I'm in the bicycle business & we were dealing with the same issues far longer than the dive industry.

Simply put, comparing a local shop to an on-line retailler is like comparing apples & pomegranates. They are completely different and the only commonality is that they both sell dive equipment.

First, they have different economic structures; Main Street rent vs. industrial property rent, human time per dollar sale including time to answer questions not necessarily ending in a sale, vs. the time to download & process an internet order, the obligation to collect sales tax vs. the exemption for out of state sellers (technically the tax is stll due & you're supposed to pay it, but few if any ever do).

They also have different selling modes. Online retaillers must win your business on price competing with the total on-line community whereas the LDS is more focused on personal service, advice, and the benefits of take-it-home showroom buying. There are more differences, and I could go on and on, but I hope you get the point.

The LDS also has a few non-tangeble benefits,that on-line sellers either can't or don't provide, such as tank fills, tank inspections, convenience, being there for that Friday night emergency that seems to arise before a big trip. The LDS is often the largest advocate for the sport in the community, runs local dive trips, is the fount of local dive knowledge, and the major source of new divers which help keep the sport growing. All of these may or may not have meaning for you if for example you are mainly a tropical resort diver.

The beauty of America is that you as the buyer have choices, and can spend YOUR money as YOU see fit. Buy where you see the best value, all things considered. If you want to support a LDS by all means do so, not from guilt or a sense of obligation, but because you see benefits to doing so. If you prefer to source at the lowest total cost, who's to say you shouldn't.

I'm always amazed to see the vehemence displayed by partisans of both LDS and on-line sellers.
There's no reason to get all worked up hating an outlet where they don't spend their dollars. If they are spending dollars with someone they hate so much, they can and should spend them elsewhere. Likewise LDS owners should realize that they are in business by choice, as are their competitors, both LDS & on-line.

My suggestion is that you (if you wish to) visit the local shop, explain your situation and see if they want to make you a reasonable package deal you're comfortable with. You might also split your dollars, going online when you know exactly what you want, and paying more for advice or the try-on option where that makes sense.

Above all, DO NOT LET ANYONE TELL YOU HOW YOU MUST SPEND YOUR DOLLARS! It's your money, you worked hard to earn it, and after Uncle Sam, the Governor, Mayor, spouse & kids all take their cut, you should be able to spend what little is left as you see fit. If the local guy treats you well, reward him with your business, if not find someone else. dF

 

[scubapro50]

It's your money - you worked hard for it. Be an informed consumer and spend your money wherever you're most comfortable.

-B

and if the stuff breaks or start giving you problems be sure you remember where you purchased it and figure out if the extra shipping charges and lost time where worth the few bucks you saved ............

 

[ReefHound]

First, they have different economic structures; Main Street rent vs. industrial property rent, human time per dollar sale including time to answer questions not necessarily ending in a sale, vs. the time to download & process an internet order, the obligation to collect sales tax vs. the exemption for out of state sellers

Not really true. What you don't seem to realize is that nearly all the major online retailers *are* local dive shops. Leisure Pro, for example, is located in downtown New York City. Although they probably own the property, how do you think the prevailing rent there compares to *your* local dive shop?

 

[ReefHound]

and if the stuff breaks or start giving you problems be sure you remember where you purchased it and figure out if the extra shipping charges and lost time where worth the few bucks you saved ............

I agree, and that calculation for me makes it a no brainer. It's far cheaper for me to ship a box than drive to the dive shop these days. Not that I've had any significant problems in the first place. And all my savings have allowed me to own backups of everything so there is zero lost time.

 

[psychocabbage]

I am so done with any LDS.. Online 100%..
People can try their worthless scare tactics all day but what it boils down to for me, I can actually buy 2 times the gear for the price. When you are talking margins like that (keep in mind, I did get a "Deal" or so they said) then there is no reason to not go online.

Every new diver I talk to, I urge them to go online and not be fooled by scare tactics and whatnot..

If all my LDS went under.. I would be happy as I dont need them for anything.

We are currently looking at getting our own compressor to do our own air fills.

Dont even get me started on "LDS dive trips".. Ugh.. Have people not heard of Orbitz? Travelocity? Geesh.. Book your trip, call up an operator, book the dive and done. Simple. No issues. I also hate paying for my trip so that some one who could pick a date and advertise could go for free..

 

[psychocabbage]

and if the stuff breaks or start giving you problems be sure you remember where you purchased it and figure out if the extra shipping charges and lost time where worth the few bucks you saved ............

What do you do for a living? (rhetorical question mind you)
Lets compare shall we?

Equipment has issue -
LDS route - try and go on either a weekend or during a lunch break.. Drive there and back to home or office.. spent gas and personal time.
Wait for part to be fixed, repaired or whatever..
Return to LDS and drive back to home or office.. Depending on the time you had to get there and whantot you may or may not of gotten lunch that day.. spent gas and personal time.


Online route - Put item in box.. Send.. My office gets daily UPS, Fedex and DHL service as well as USPS.. I dont have any problem putting items in a box at my leisure and leaving them on the pickup desk..
Thats pretty much it.. except waiting as above for the repair part.. But odds are, they have it in stock, replace and send out and done.. I get it with my normal deliveries.

No lunch lost. No extra gas wasted.

Ya.. Makes way more sense to go online!