Handling LDS fee?

[Superlyte27]

you're one of those people with 30 hours in a day, aren't you?

Not for the reasons you think, and not because I have a noble work ethic. After my boy died, I took a huge risk that I thought would cripple me financially, instead it paid off like crazy. I stay busy every minute I’m awake so I don’t have down time to think about my boy. I’m running out of stupid crap to do to keep me occupied.

Most of the long timers here remember when I was a broke prick making $12 bucks an hour for Centurylink.

At any rate, I hope my message came through. There are some genuine people with a genuine love of the sport. If they don’t stay profitable, the sport will suffer. People will be forced to drive long and far for fills and service or buy their own compressors and be limited to the few product lines that will let you service your own gear.

 

[TTPaws]

Since your a dealer, I’ll take your word for it. I saw what I saw.
What I don’t like though about manufacturers pricing is, as a consumer, I can’t price shop. What I mean by that is the price is set. You can go look at any online store to include amazon and eBay and the price is the same with the exception some include shipping. The only way to get a “deal” is on the used market. I do my homework and try to only buy things I need used that are still in warranty. I also try to buy items from folks who have never registered said product and have them include original receipt. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn’t.
Glenn

Funny thing is, I'm finding the same thing in the camera business. I'm looking at somewhat higher end cameras (1500-2k for the body) and everyone seems to have a minimum advertised price. So it's not just scuba gear.

 

[BoundForElsewhere]

Funny thing is, I'm finding the same thing in the camera business. I'm looking at somewhat higher end cameras (1500-2k for the body) and everyone seems to have a minimum advertised price. So it's not just scuba gear.

Psst.... B&H....especially the used dept.

 

[MrVegas]

I think people are getting used to shopping and comparing prices anonymously and frankly a lot of people feel uncomfortable discussing prices or asking for a shop to order something, and thus just order online. The few times I've asked a shop near me if they could get me something I saw online for the same price, they said sure.

 

[shurite7]

Actually the primary reason people shop online is because it is convenient and the package arrives at their door. Price sometimes plays a role, convenience plays a more influential role.

 

[Superlyte27]

I’m going to make a sign that says, “We’ll match any price from an authorized retailer”

 

[Lostdiver71]

I would prefer to spend money at one of many local dive shops and most of them will either match the price or come close enough that I am willing to pay the premium to give them my money. Others will try to charge me $5 for a regulator port plug, which I have a bag of about 30 somewhere but can't seem to find said bag, while another dive shop gave me a couple for free as I have been a regular customer since they opened in the 90's.

 

[_Ralph]

I have no sympathies for LDS that (for whatever self proclaimed reason) ‘can’t compete’ against online stores.

I don’t complain that Warren Buffet has made billions on investing and I haven’t... that’s ludicrous.

While some online stores may fly ‘under the radar’ regarding its commercial entity side (same can be said for some ‘LDS’, the costs between two stores (LDS vs Warehouse) should be roughly the same.

Taxes, business fees, rent, utilities etc all cost the same in a given space (ie, if one were to look at a customer front store vs warehouse in the same exact location).

It’s also the same complaining about a larger volume/customer base store in the same market... if you couldn’t attract/keep your customers (which in turn get you more volume, which may get you bargaining chips for larger discounts), they found somewhere else to go... that’s on the store, not the competition.

If retail hasn’t adapted (and most Scuba industry/LDS haven’t), someone will find a way to do it ‘better’

Even with Covid, some stores refused to do online ordering... and now, they’re even further behind ....


I do give my local tank filling scuba store the first crack at items that they ‘carry’ before looking online. More times than not, they’re not interested in ordering in.... their loss, not mine.

The smaller items that is ridiculously inflated (aquaseal, bolt snaps, etc), I source at other establishments (brick and mortar in the same city) that sell the same (often times, exact) items for much less.

If you haven’t figured how to adapt in the ever changing landscape of retail, it’s not the customers fault.

_R

 

[p_kos]

Actually the primary reason people shop online is because it is convenient and the package arrives at their door. Price sometimes plays a role, convenience plays a more influential role.

The most frustrating thing about ordering items in via LDSs is having to wait several weeks to several months, sometimes only to find out they actually forgot to order it. When DGX gets it to my door in 2 days across the continent it’s hard not to order on line.

 

[Superlyte27]

I have no sympathies for LDS that (for whatever self proclaimed reason) ‘can’t compete’ against online stores.

I don’t complain that Warren Buffet has made billions on investing and I haven’t... that’s ludicrous.

While some online stores may fly ‘under the radar’ regarding its commercial entity side (same can be said for some ‘LDS’, the costs between two stores (LDS vs Warehouse) should be roughly the same.

Taxes, business fees, rent, utilities etc all cost the same in a given space (ie, if one were to look at a customer front store vs warehouse in the same exact location).

It’s also the same complaining about a larger volume/customer base store in the same market... if you couldn’t attract/keep your customers (which in turn get you more volume, which may get you bargaining chips for larger discounts), they found somewhere else to go... that’s on the store, not the competition.

If retail hasn’t adapted (and most Scuba industry/LDS haven’t), someone will find a way to do it ‘better’

Even with Covid, some stores refused to do online ordering... and now, they’re even further behind ....


I do give my local tank filling scuba store the first crack at items that they ‘carry’ before looking online. More times than not, they’re not interested in ordering in.... their loss, not mine.

The smaller items that is ridiculously inflated (aquaseal, bolt snaps, etc), I source at other establishments (brick and mortar in the same city) that sell the same (often times, exact) items for much less.

If you haven’t figured how to adapt in the ever changing landscape of retail, it’s not the customers fault.

_R

There is a huge difference in overhead between an online store and brick and mortar store. HUGE! Like 5x the overhead.

It’s rare that we have to special order anything. We thrive on the fact that Type “A” personalities are impulsive and want to walk out with the item today. So, we have every item of every one of our major product lines in every color of every size.