Wow... Is this Common?

[RJP]

Being serious for a moment I can not believe some people on here talking about business and how you waste their time by asking them questions and then buying elsewhere. This person paid 1/4 of what their LDs was asking.

I believe most of the comments about the ethics of taking up the LDS's time and buying elsewhere were...

• made prior to the revelation that the LDS was asking well over even MSRP for the items and/or...
• being made in the more general discussion around the overall difference in pricing between LDS and online

No doubt that an asking price which appears to be TWICE the MSRP is out of line. (Veracity of that information and exchange rates notwithstanding.)

 

[Thadmn]

Thanks Jridg and covediver for your replies

I should have added a couple details before I posted. The online store was LP and they are not an authorized dealer for this brand therefore they have their own warranty which matches what the manufactors should have. For this warranty to stay in effect, you still require yearly servicing signed off by a certified dealer. This is what I assumed, I will call them tomorrow to double check this as I'm not sure it's even stated anywhere.
I had also told him I was aware that there would be charges for servicing and whatnot but that did not help the situation.
He includes all servicing required on any peice of equipment bought from the shop at no additional charge.
I haven't thought about shipping it back to LP for servicing, that might be something to check into.

In the LDS defence I can understand why he'd feel burned by my decision because I did ask him for product information, differences etc. and I did not give him a chance to match. For this I do feel guilty but I did not ask because I knew he wouldn't be able to match it. Deep down I was expecting a reaction like this from him knowing his personality but I've been holding it off for such a long time that it came as a shock when I finally experienced it :-/... It just feels like this is unecessary drama and I was dissapointed in his reaction even though I expected it. I have a good relationship with the instructors and thats the reason why I didn't walk out the moment he made me upset. We came to an agreement at the end but to get there was painful...

Well this is more of a venting thread but I would love to hear if this sport really is this dramatic... I posted some time ago about purchasing equipment from my LDS as opposed to online. The price difference was incredible, I paid a quarter what he was asking for the equipment. So I took the plunge and bought a BC, regs and dive comp online. I haven't even used them but it has taken me about 2 months to tell the owner of the LDS that I have this equipment... Keep in mind I have been certified with this gentlemen, rented gear for the dives at the lake, bought way overpriced fins, mask, boots, gloves and a few other small gadgets. I finally decided that I needed to have a chat with him about the equipment to ensure it would be ok when yearly servicing would be required etc. The meeting was ANYTHING but pleasant... He at first completely refused to deal with any equipment not bought at his store and that his customers come first. I was upset to say the least. He did not acknowledge me as a customer and honestly made me feel like S*** for not purchasing a few pieces of equipment from him. He told me to go to the person I bought it from and get them to deal with it (if it's a manufactor repair I agree) but if it was just for servicing?? I was very upset about the way he reacted and if he didn't "change his mind" on the matter I would have walked out and never turned back. The problem is that I don't have an option to go to another LDS as I have the equipment and to take it back is no longer possible. He is the only LDS in the city to guarantee the warranty of the equipment with his signature on a yearly basis...

I'm just curious if this is a common occurance? Although I understand that these LDS depend on their students to purchase equipment from them they are not a charity. I found a deal elsewhere (significantly less!) and I jumped on it. This experience really sours my outlook on the sport.... It's unfortunate because it's rubbed off on my spouse and he now refuses to get certified until we can find a different LDS where he feels comfortable.
I suppose any future purchases are expected to be done at the shop... or I think I may have to find a new LDS

Screw him, you can always send it out. I believe Scuba Toys among other places would be happy to help you with service, probably more timely as well. I've recently had a problem ordering a piece of equipment through an LDS. It didn't come and it didn't come. He promised he'd call right back, but blew me off twice. I finally called the manufacturer directly in order to get it. They never received the order. All he did was FAXed the oeder and forgot it. Not excactly the stellar service you want to pay extra for. Needless to say, I won't be ordering my new wing from him...and I will be saving $100.

 

[NudeDiver]

Some people have raised a good point about using on-line places for servicing. I would take it one step further though, and compile a dossier of on-line equipment service providers, make it real nice like, and give it to the LDS. Let them know that they have on-line competition for this line of business as well.

 

[Sas]

Some people have raised a good point about using on-line places for servicing. I would take it one step further though, and compile a dossier of on-line equipment service providers, make it real nice like, and give it to the LDS. Let them know that they have on-line competition for this line of business as well.

I did this for a friend who was about to start his OW. I gave detailed pricing information about the basic stuff - fins/mask/gloves/boots/etc and stuff to ask the dive shop, I had also listed online stores that he could check out. There was a few negative comments in there about certain LDS practices I had experienced too. Anyway, he printed the email and took it into the shop with him and left it on the table by mistake. The shop owner picked it up and started reading it. Anyway... his attitude changed quite abruptly when he realised my friend was aware of online scuba stores and their pricing, and he started recommending the right gear (i.e. nothing unnecessary) and giving my friend a good price Most places I believe are quite willing to compete if it comes down to it.

I currently keep a list of the (many) bits of dive gear I want with the current price at a few different shops including Leisurepro and places like that in excel. This is so I can find out when something is on special and also so I can show local stores and try to get them to match price. Eg. I just bought a new tank on special and saved over $160

 

[gary0358]

I find this discussion quite interesting and the dillema we are in as local divers. While the LDS's of the world need to find a way to compete with the LP's and other internet based scuba resellers, how can they do it? How does LP sell a product at rock bottom prices when they don't represent the product? Is it surplus? Are they buying products at auction from LDS's that can't weather the storm? The fact is that the LDS and the local divers need each other. Where are you going to get your reg tweaked, or a strap replaced at a moments notice.

And when we've all quit supporting our local dive shop, because we can save a few bucks...we'll all just buy our air online.

Do your best to support the quality local dive shops - we need them!

 

[NudeDiver]

And when we've all quit supporting our local dive shop, because we can save a few bucks...we'll all just buy our air online.

If all of the local dive shops manage to go out of business (unlikely, since new ones seem to keep opening here), then you can bet good money that SOMEONE will open an air fill station - even if it is operating out of their garage.

 

[Sas]

I find this discussion quite interesting and the dillema we are in as local divers. While the LDS's of the world need to find a way to compete with the LP's and other internet based scuba resellers, how can they do it? How does LP sell a product at rock bottom prices when they don't represent the product? Is it surplus? Are they buying products at auction from LDS's that can't weather the storm? The fact is that the LDS and the local divers need each other. Where are you going to get your reg tweaked, or a strap replaced at a moments notice.

And when we've all quit supporting our local dive shop, because we can save a few bucks...we'll all just buy our air online.

Do your best to support the quality local dive shops - we need them!

Ok this has been said numerous times: If there is the demand for air fills, then a local shop will exist to meet the demand. That is how markets work!

 

[NudeDiver]

SAS: beat you to it

Hell, in this town, *I* would be tempted to open an air fill station. Would be a good excuse to buy a big compressor and get some shop space

 

[Sas]

SAS: beat you to it

Hell, in this town, *I* would be tempted to open an air fill station. Would be a good excuse to buy a big compressor and get some shop space

Damn. I need to learn to type faster

Also one thing that is overlooked by people who comment about how no one will be able to get fills - a number of clubs run a compressor not for profit also.

 

[WaterWolf]

I believe most of the comments about the ethics of taking up the LDS's time and buying elsewhere were...

• made prior to the revelation that the LDS was asking well over even MSRP for the items and/or...

I don't know about that. This is from the OP's original post:

"The price difference was incredible, I paid a quarter what he was asking for the equipment. So I took the plunge and bought a BC, regs and dive comp online."