SharkBait,
I started this post, actually i just wanted to see where most people lined up on the internet vs LDS argument. I work in a shop that understands that the internet is cheaper. we try, with the understanding of our shop providing a bit more than the stuff that is dive gear and a price, to be competeative most of the time. so i think we might be an exception. I personally am not afraid of LP and others. There are some things they sell that you can't beat on prices, I have been to their sites. I think in a large part they handle an other than lds customer, the one who will buy a ScubaPro Reg that will normally carry a lifetime warranty, free parts for life, and be bench tested in a local facility by an authorized tech, and save some coin for none of these services and get a boxed reg with an LP warranty by mail. and really, that is ok. I don't believe that you should throw money out the window, or shop in your lds to keep their doors open and the lights on. I feel bad for you if your lds is opperating in that way, it does nothing to further this great sport. i think we are pretty receptive when one of our customers comes in and tells us what they can get it for on the net. we make sure the customer understands what they are and are not getting from the mail order company, and then we try to do what we can to make the customer happy. sometimes that is to tell them to get it online. i know most shops here in town are that way. but i can not speak for them.
Something you said kind of scares me though. that despite the economy people want the best deal. if it is only price you are refferring to, you are wrong.
some people buy hardware from the local mom and pop hardware store, even though they can go to home depot for less. they like the owner, they know him, they have beers with him and invite him to parties. they like that the owner knows where you live, how long you have shopped with him, and a little about you. and people pay extra for it. they would rather shop and joe's or bobs hardware than chase some "expert" in an orange apron around the huge ware house. some people pay more for a nice family atmosphere , with an actual family that owns and staffs a restaurant instead of going to Olive garden where the food is cheaper. some people pay more for sal's than pizza hut, some people pay more to order a new book from the mom and pop shop instead of getting it for 20%off at the B&N staffed buy some kids who have not read, or heard of hemingway, but know all 99 flavored syrups you can get in you venti non fat half cap macciato. There is a very expensive canon camera shop here in town. I wanted an underwater housing for my camera and they had it. I had never talked to anyone there. i went in once, years ago to check out the digital rebel. the man at the counter went on and on about his new one and showed me some pictures he printed out. I said thanks, got a catalog, and left. When i went in to inquire about the housing, he told me how much. it was more than 150 bucs over the internet price. i told him that. he went to look it up in the catalog. while i wated, his wife, a very nice old lady told me that they carry the housings but not a lot of people ask about them. we talked about diving for a bit and he came back and told me he could not match that price. i turned to leave and his wife stopped me, she said they could take 50 bucs off. she was nice, and seamed pretty interested in my underwater photo hobby. i got one, for 100 more than the J&R online price. i dove a few days before my trip to the caverns and springs of central florida, and the housing flooded. i took it to the shop. they not only replaced the housing, but they also opened up my camera, cleaned it with some solution, dried it, and tested it out before giving it back to me. he remembered my name, and asked me if i had a dog. yes, a german shepherd, i told him. he told me to watch the dog hair on the o ring, and told me to bring in my shots after vacation. i don't know that the internet scuba clearing house would have done that for me. tomorrow night i am diving with a customer who bought some gear from us. he wants to try it out, and who better to try it with him than an instructor who owns the same stuff, and sells it ever day. now maybe this guy is just a huge idiot because he could have saved some money and just tried it out on his own, and all that matters is the price, and business is business, and evolve or die. in fact, i disagree, so i am an idiot too. see it is not about business, and the bottom line. i became a diver, an instructor, and a salesman in an LDS because to me, it is about diving. tomorrow, or any day, any of you are welcome to come diving with me...unless you are busy, diving with liesure pro...
