How much are you willing to pay your LDS over online?

[Lenaxia]

Hey SBers,

I've been looking into purchasing a dry suit and I had a chance to try out a White's bullet suit at a recent sale at the LDS. It's great and even better to know that if my body shape changes I won't need to buy a new drysuit!

However when I asked them what it would cost I was quoted $2900, and that was after a 20% discount. The price included tax and a full package (thermals, boots, wet hood, wet gloves, inflation hose).

I priced the equivalent package (sans gloves as I already have them) on Scuba toys for $2250.

24% less.

When I was purchasing the rest of my gear, I bought everything at once (BC, wetsuit, vested hood, computer, 1st/2nd stages, octo) and the best the LDS's could do was double that.

Obviously online you lose the service of in person quality, however, how much mark up is too much before you turn to purchasing online? Or do you always purchase online?

[edit] I should also mention that I'm more concerned about discussing items of significant value. $500+ is a decent range as that includes most mid-high end BCs and regs.

 

[KTwo]

I'm willing to pay a premium on those things that I can get elsewhere to keep my LDS in business. But I'm not willing to allow myself to get robbed. My LDS has been, with a few notable exceptions, within the 10% range of online. So if they can stay in that area I'm fine. Those purchases, along with those things I can't get online (instruction, fills, VIP, etc) should be sufficient to keep them in business.

-K2

 

[mizzie]

I didn't answer the poll because to me it's really more about the actual dollar amount saved rather than the %. For example, if I was buying something that's $15 at the LDS and I can find it for $10 online, I might buy it local and pay the extra $5 (even though that would be a 33% savings), in part to support the store and in part because I can see what I am buying.

But, if I buying something that's $2000 at the LDS and $1800 online, I'd probably buy online. It's only a 10% difference, but it's also $200. In your case, I'd probably buy online. That's a $650 difference, which is huge! At least, it is to me, since I don't have unlimited money to burn.

 

[Garth]

So far I have purchased most online. Bare drysuit eBay new = 500 bucks. Know you size. Even if you had to replace all the seals and the zipper 3 times you would still make out. Funny thing is I haven't had a problem the entire year I've had it. And it fits and keeps me dry and on and on... So happy.

 

[tonka97]

I'd go with Scuba Toys....save about 800.00 AND they have a personal touch too. Talk with them.
They stand by their products, and won't steer you wrong.

 

[vladimir]

0%, generally, but if they provide some service or product that I can't get on-line I am happy to pay what the market will bear. For example, I have paid quite a bit for quality private training. For a product that is completely fungible, however, it seems silly to pay more to support my LDS. There are a few charities that I am happy to support financially, my LDS is not one of them. A well-fit custom dry suit might qualify as something you can't (or are less-likely to) get on-line.

 

[Wookie]

I tend to support my LDS (Although Scubatoys is an LDS for me). I can take stuff back, I can get alterations, I can get new seals installed, I can make them do all of the stuff I don't have time for. With that said, Diver's direct is local for me, and I tend to call dive shops and have stuff sent to me. LDS's don't stock the quantities in which I buy.

 

[Lenaxia]

I didn't answer the poll because to me it's really more about the actual dollar amount saved rather than the %. For example, if I was buying something that's $15 at the LDS and I can find it for $10 online, I might buy it local and pay the extra $5 (even though that would be a 33% savings), in part to support the store and in part because I can see what I am buying.

But, if I buying something that's $2000 at the LDS and $1800 online, I'd probably buy online. It's only a 10% difference, but it's also $200. In your case, I'd probably buy online. That's a $650 difference, which is huge! At least, it is to me, since I don't have unlimited money to burn.

Somewhat of a given, I guess I was trying to imply the big ticket items. I do buy small things at the LDS including my weights (havent bought tanks yet but those too). I should've said for things over $500.

 

[Michael Kazma]

0-20% depending on the item (0% for stuff over $1000, 20% for stuff under $60 etc.)

IF I FIND A LDS SELLING ALL THAT I NEED! Which is almost impossible today!

 

[surfinusa555]

For me it depends if it is something that is likely to break or need service (bcd, reg, etc). Example: My girlfriend bought her bcd at the lds and it started to leak in the power inflator after around 7 dives. We took it in and within 10 minutes they had replaced the entire power inflator setup. I'm not sure that would have been easy if she had bought it online.