O2BBubbleFree
Contributor
nereas:Not everyone can be a fireman with SCBA access...
From another thread:
Since the nearest Dive Shop is 2 hours away I have to get fills at a fire dept supply store.
Poster is not a fireman.
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nereas:Not everyone can be a fireman with SCBA access...
Since the nearest Dive Shop is 2 hours away I have to get fills at a fire dept supply store.
O2BBubbleFree:From another thread:
Poster is not a fireman.
ReefHound:Everyone won't do that because everyone isn't smart. There will always be schmucks to pay the inflated LDS prices so the savvy shoppers can get cheap fills. The fools are the ones who "support" the LDS only to see it close anyway.
There should be a scuba park or charter who has a fill station to get fills. If your area is so devoid of local diving that this cannot be supported then maybe your area isn't suitable for diving. One wouldn't expect to be an avid snow skier living in Belize.
letsgodiving:Any business that doesn't compete deserves to go out of business. The LDS's have other income streams, like certifications courses and air refills etc. When it comes to retail sales they have to use their own judgment when it comes to loss leaders.
We have LDS's that are competitive, and others that aren't. One LDS marks their scubapro up by about 40% above MRSP, and then discount it down as if they are doing you a favor. The end up charging people around 10% above MRSP, and try and act like they are doing you a favor.
Some LDS deserve business and others don't, it is simple market forces. The same market forces that keeps the costs of all products down.
jsado:If I've learned one thing from this board it's that scuba isn't a poor mans sport. And some of you, find curious little ways to point that out and basically belittle those who NEED to find the best deals around.
nereas:Buying from the internet is often unsafe, because often the gear you get is unsatisfactory. Not always, just often.
do it easy:I generally buy from my LDS- their prices are competative with online sales, plus I get free hair I get a discount because I am a DM/AI for the shop, but I think they would give most people a discount for larger packages.
nereas:Dude, if those lakes up there are so shallow that you can get away with air safely, then you are a lucky and happy man. I am fine with air to about 30 to 40 ffw. Deeper than that and I want nitrox. And nobody gives away nitrox free.
nereas:Gear sales are the primary profit factor, to cover the other overhead costs of the dive shop.
Air fills and instruction normally barely breaks even. You need to understand that if you want to benefit from the convenience of a local dive shop.