Support my LDS? Really?

[Eric Sedletzky]

I used to have a love/hate relationship with the shop closest to me. They are the ones I got my initial certification through, but through the years I was bent over a few times on gear and other stuff. There were times refused to set foot in there again, then as time passed I would lighten up and return usually for air fills and trinkets because they always have had good air. I also liked a few of the staff members and they were into my vintage stuff.
I now have an understanding of how the shop is and know what to expect. It seems that most problems between customers and shops starts with some percieved lovey dovey feeling on the part of the customer, then when they get slapped in the face with "This is a business to make money" aspect they get bent about it.
A place of neutrality and a clear head needs to be maintained when entering a shop to avoid such pitfalls.
Don't always trust a shop owner with your emotions. Diving is a very emotional hobby and it's easy to get caught up in a mental wirlwind.

When I go into my LDS now I'm pretty harnened. If I see a tank that I want for instance and I think it's marked a bit high I inquire if that's the regular retail price then I say, well I'm in no hurry so let me know if the thing goes on sale or if you'd like to do a little better on it somehow either in price or free air cards I may be interested. I also let them know I will be shopping around.
Then I shut up and let them talk...

Shops need to remain on their toes to keep customers. As customers it's our job to make them work for it.

 

[MegaBMan25]

My local LDS is great. I've gotten big ticket items there (BCD, Wrist Computer, Fins, etc) For the small stuff i go online. However, it sounds like the LDS that is closest to you is run by a bad businessman. I would say try shop 2 and see how it works. An hour drive seems like a small price to pay to not get ripped off. For some people, their LDS is at least an hour from where they live. Really you should be supporting the more cutomer friendly LDS regardless of proximity to where you live.

 

[karlimmergut]

I let the dive shop rip me off 10 bucks here and there, these are not wealthy people... no harm helping them out as long as they do not make me stand for 20 minutes waiting for someone to notice my presence, as one of my neighborhood stores does. I bought basic life support equipment from the local shop, and otherwise I normally tend to buy (almost) everything else online unless in last minute. Not because it is cheaper, but because it saves me a lot of time, there is more information and reviews available, exchanges and returns are quick and easy...

 

[toliver66]

First of all... from what you wrote about shop owner #1 the guy is an idiot and a severe danger to anyone who dives with him. And not only would I not take any classes from this guy (free or other wise), but I would not dive with this guy even if he was the only other diver left on the face of this planet. Second, The whole "Support your LDS" thing is crap. Some shop owners take advantage of this implied loyalty to implement price gouging. Customer loyalty is earned not given nor should it be expected just because a dive shop resides in your same community. I support the dive shop that supports me. I expect discounts simply because discounts promote good old fashion competitive business practices. And probably just as important as reasonable pricing if not more so is customer service and relations. I don't mind paying a few dollars more and driving the extra mile if I'm going to get respect, friendly service and support after the sale. Do yourself a favor, write off shop #1 and support shop #2. It sounds like shop #2 has/will earn your loyalty and patronage. Last time I checked this was still a free country. Where I buy my gear is my business and to catch attitude from a dive shop just because I'm in possession of a peace of gear I didn't buy from them is unacceptable and unprofessional. And I will take my money else where. There are to many good shops out here to tolerate bad business practices and shoddy shop owners.

 

[LowDrag]

I bought my basic gear from my LDS for around $300. I thought I had payed too much until we priced everything online at LeisurePro and a couple of other places. The prices came out pretty close to the same so I figure I got a good deal considering I can go in and sit and chat with the shop owner and the manager anytime I want. Obviously I don't impose on them if they have other customers or they have a class in session. As for shop #1, I wouldn't give that shop the time of day. I would however say that when you buy gear you should do some research first so that you can avoid getting gouged. In the end it is your responsibility to protect yourself from people like that. Good luck in your future dive purchases.

 

[jtoc]

If "it's the closest shop to me" is the only reason you have for patronizing that business, go elsewhere. "Local" doesn't have to mean "closest".

 

[graham_s]

I have 3 shops close to me.
One is a small single stockist deal that only has Mares gear, the two others are more diverse, all have schools.
Of the other two, one is big and flashy and is part of a local chain of a few shops, the other is smaller and looks a bit tatty from the outside.
I was restarting diving, and needed a full set of gear.
I went into the flashy shop first, and looked around.
I saw pretty mush everything I wanted and had the money to buy it all there and then.
Could I even get the assistant in the shop to put down his phione and talk to me?
No.
So I walked next door and looked in the tatty shop.
Not quite as good a selection, but the assistant in the shop was helpful and friendly.
That is now my LDS.
To be fair, I did get my reg and BCD online, but everything else I've got from the smaller shop.
I don't need the air or the training, because I'm with BSAC and in a club with its own compressor, so air fills and training I can get in house.
All I need a shop for is occasional purchases.

 

[BDSC]

I guess what I can't figure out here is why you bought anything at all from him after you paid $240 for items you could have bought at Leisurepro for $83. You said you immediately realized you got you head ripped off. Well if that's true, then you really shouldn't be complaining about any price you paid for anything after that. At that point if you over pay for anything or don't shop around for the best deal it's 100% your fault and really has nothing to do with any pressure he puts on to buy from him.

 

[MegaBMan25]

If "it's the closest shop to me" is the only reason you have for patronizing that business, go elsewhere. "Local" doesn't have to mean "closest".

Exactly.

 

[D_B]

The reason to go to any particular LDS is because they treat you like a valued customer, with helpful advice, reasonable, or even great pricing, and trust , in their instructors, and their classes/training ...

if you cant get that, then they are not worthy of your patronage