Chain Store v. Small Dive Shop

[divebelly]

I have been diving for almost 2 years now and I have visited many dive shops in that 2 years...I am just curious as to what the benefit is to going to small independent dive shops as apposed to going to a "big box store"... I know that it is nice to be able to support the little guy, but in this economy I can't see paying up to 70% more at a small dive shop for the same item or service that I can get at a large dive store. For example, I called a small dive shop in the area to get a price for VIP on a tank, they told me $25, the large chain store was $15....To me it seems like simple math. Maybe I am wrong.

 

[Garrobo]

You're right. Get it done where you want. I can only remember buying a pair of gloves at a small shop when I forgot mine and it was a rip-off. I buy all my stuff online.

 

[scubafanatic]

Decide if you will ever need to have a relationship with that small shop, there are many old-school anti-WWW small shops that will have a VIOLENT reaction to discovering you shop at places like Leisure Pro or Scubatoys...I personally know of 2 local shops that will confront/verbally dress-down anyone that 'catch' doing that...be prepared to lead a double life if you deal with both types of shop, as Leisure Pro and Scubatoys can't do gas fills over the WWW.

 

[shoredivr]

On the other hand, I know some small shops that would not dream of doing the kind of behaviour scubafanatic describes.

 

[elmer fudd]

I've found that the small shops beat the online retailers more often than you'd think when it comes to price. A recent case in point: Tacoma Underwater Sports sold me two new XS HP119's for $339 each about a month ago. What's more, since I bought from them, I can expect to get free fills for a long time to come. I've had this happen several times now.

Of course the price is also often higher and sometimes much higher, but you shouldn't just assume that the prices online are always the lowest.

 

[stakanak]

Your local LDS will work with you on prices, the chain stores will not. Your LDS needs your business, the chains do not. Your LDS will usually beat anything online, chain stores will not.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Depends on the shop, I suppose. My LDS of choice is owned by the two guys who run it. They'd been working for one of the two "chain" shops in our area, and decided they could do it better on their own. To my concern, they have.

In most chain shops, you walk in the door and if you're lucky someone will say "can I help you?" At my shop, you walk in the door and it's "Hey Bob, where'd you go diving yesterday?" I don't have to tell 'em what mix I want in my tanks ... they already know. I don't have to worry about whether or not the person filling my tanks or servicing my regs knows what he's doing ... I know that he does. If I want an item they don't carry, they might help me find it ... or at a minimum they won't fuss if I choose to buy it someplace else. Most recently when I purchased a new drysuit from someone else, the two owners asked if I could bring it in so they could take a look at it. Service always comes with a smile, and if I come in with a special request, or am in a hurry for something, I can count on them to drop what they're doing and take care of me.

I don't choose a business strictly by the price of their products ... although with my particular shop I've never had a complaint about what they charge me for things I buy ... I also consider that an LDS is a service provider. I insist on good value for my money, and good customer service is worth a lot.

Biggest reason I choose the smaller shop ... it's like spending time at a friend's place. Walking into a shop where you know you're going to be welcomed warmly and the owners are looking out for their customers is fun ... which is why I dive, and why I do business with that particular dive shop ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[spectrum]

To me it seems like simple math. Maybe I am wrong.

If that small shop were gone tomorrow your you miss them?

The next issue really depends on the shop's demeanor. Some shops are carriage trade with a take it or leave it mentality and a high degree of WWW hostility.

Others will do what they can to earn your businesses. They may not have access to the truckload of last years model at a killer price but can offer a discount or free accessories on the current model. (You can always try asking for some free air fills!) It may not be apples to apples but they can work the value equation. The more you patronize a shop the more they are apt to treat you as a valued customer. When they drop what they are doing to repair something that's on the fritz some Saturday morning, saving your weekend you'll know what I mean.

I'm willing to go on the order of 20% over an online price to patronize locally IF I can get the same item. Most of my online buying is now driven by needs without local support.

I don't have any experience with a big box scuba department. I do have 8 years in a hardware store in the 1970's. HD & Lowes are not even in the same league of service and expertise.

BTW, Some nice SS bolt snaps can be had in the Lowes scuba dept!

Pete

 

[TSandM]

I would pretty much duplicate Bob's post. My LDS will work with me on prices, and has done things like come in on a Sunday morning (when they are closed) to fill tanks for me for a special event. Saving $10 on a VIP (Even though we have something like 19 tanks now) isn't worth it to me to give up the advantages of a personal relationship with a good shop.

 

[diver 85]

Consider yourself lucky that you have choices------for me(as I have 2), my "small independent dive shops" are located 50 & 70 miles away----I don't even know what a "big box store" is---unless it's reached by a 1-800 number & about 500 miles away...