Comparison of the buying online vs local LDS argument

[kelemvor]

I think another might be LeisurePro but I agree, there are few shops (that I can think of) without an actual brick and mortar full service shop.

I thought that too, but a quick google search set me straight. They're somewhere in new york city and there's photos of the leisurepro showroom posted.

 

[stuartv]

Almost every online scuba store also is a brick and mortar shop somewhere with loss leaders like fill stations. The only exception I can think of is Amazon. The only difference as I see it is that some shops choose to limit themselves only to customers in close physical proximity (those without online stores). Meanwhile, other shops don't limit themselves in the same way (those with online stores). The former is a bad business decision for any kind of retail store, not just scuba.

The way Amazon works, I suspect the majority of the scuba gear they sell actually still has a scuba shop of some kind behind it. But anyway....

I agree that it would be smart for every shop to also sell online. However, the costs of doing so are not nearly as cheap as some people seem to think. Someone upstream talked about paying a high school kid $100 to setup an online store for a shop. That is not even REMOTELY a reflection of the real cost of doing so.

Plus, the reality is that implementing and running a good quality and successful online store requires expertise and skills that most dive shop owners not only don't have but mostly it's a case of they don't even know what they don't know. So, to put up their online store they would have to pay someone - someone expensive, if they are going to really get good results. I do this kind of thing for a living. It's not really different than scuba instruction. You can pay somebody that is cheap, but you're almost certain to get what you pay for, so to speak.

Bottom line: Most scuba shops simply do not have the resources to put up a competitive online shop.

 

[Dogbowl]

I thought that too, but a quick google search set me straight. They're somewhere in new york city and there's photos of the leisurepro showroom posted.

They have a showroom in NYC, yes, but I don’t think they are full service with air fills, lessons, etc.

 

[stuartv]

I thought that too, but a quick google search set me straight. They're somewhere in new york city and there's photos of the leisurepro showroom posted.

True, but I think they are still different in that they don't do training, service, or fills.

 

[ScubaBunga]

I would love to support and buy everything from my LDS, but the reality of life is that they are an hour away and there is no "extra" money in my household. If the shop was closer I'd be in there every day - and hopefully working there part time as well as I love being around it - just not possible. The value of having the shop there, the work they do to schedule events, trips, etc. are great. They are also knowledgeable and open to discussing anything diving/gear/etc. And very happy with the training they have done with my boys. So anything I "can" buy from them I will. I really wish they had more online of what they do carry. I'd be happy to order and pick it up next time I'm in the area. Many times I'll zip to amazon at night for a little item as it's much easier than finding time during the day to call and ask about a misc item and no way I'm driving an hour to see what they have for little stuff.

I also have had some VERY bad experiences with other shops so now do my own VIPs (actually got the cert) and do my own service on my old gear. I also bought 2-3 more sets of gear like mine (for my boys who are now certified) from ebay so I could service it myself. Now I do trust my LDS (now that I found one I can) with my gear, but to be able to afford to dive and buy other stuff from them, I can't afford to pay them for stuff I can do. They have matched online prices where I have asked them about gear, but I've also bought a lot online or ebay where there was no way they could match. When I wanted a pony, I could not find a used one, so I bought a new one and they matched the price. But I then built my own strap kit for minimal cost.

So I think they have value (good ones - I really like my LDS now), so I support them where I can afford to support them. I would like that to be always, but the reality is I have to make the decision to either not get gear/stuff or go elsewhere (online) to get it. I would also love to dive every day from an island home with reefs by my dock, but I live/work in flatland looking forward to quarry diving!

 

[gcarter]

The way Amazon works, I suspect the majority of the scuba gear they sell actually still has a scuba shop of some kind behind it. But anyway....

I agree that it would be smart for every shop to also sell online. However, the costs of doing so are not nearly as cheap as some people seem to think. Someone upstream talked about paying a high school kid $100 to setup an online store for a shop. That is not even REMOTELY a reflection of the real cost of doing so.

Plus, the reality is that implementing and running a good quality and successful online store requires expertise and skills that most dive shop owners not only don't have but mostly it's a case of they don't even know what they don't know. So, to put up their online store they would have to pay someone - someone expensive, if they are going to really get good results. I do this kind of thing for a living. It's not really different than scuba instruction. You can pay somebody that is cheap, but you're almost certain to get what you pay for, so to speak.

Bottom line: Most scuba shops simply do not have the resources to put up a competitive online shop.

Easy. Inexpensive.

Create your online store today with Shopify

 

[stuartv]

Easy. Inexpensive.

Create your online store today with Shopify

I'm familiar with Shopify. And others. There's a lot more to running a quality online store than just having hosted software that implements the store itself.

 

[stuartv]

Just one example: My shop got a new online store setup. It wasn't that expensive. But, they have been bogged down for weeks now (months?) just trying to get all the inventory entered into the system. Pictures. Descriptions. Sizes. Colors. Etc, etc.. They could hire someone to enter all the info, but they would first have to put together a spreadsheet or something to give the data entry person, so it doesn't really actually get any easier.

 

[kelemvor]

Just one example: My shop got a new online store setup. It wasn't that expensive. But, they have been bogged down for weeks now (months?) just trying to get all the inventory entered into the system. Pictures. Descriptions. Sizes. Colors. Etc, etc.. They could hire someone to enter all the info, but they would first have to put together a spreadsheet or something to give the data entry person, so it doesn't really actually get any easier.

They weren't computerized before or didn't bother to do a conversion from their previous inventory management software? That's a pain in the butt for sure, but I can't imagine running any business without having computerized inventory. It would be a mess. If you had to re-inventory everything, it would probably be a good time to get some barcode or rfid stickers and a reader.

 

[Charred]

The problem with LDS is that they are not stores like we think of them that stock products they owner thinks are best or whatever their business model.

In fact they are just showrooms for 1-2 manufacturers. This limits their selection and it gives away their intent.

Its the manufacturers' rules that are killing the LDS. Your charity to them by paying higher prices won't save this business model.