Flash, Waterdogs, Spydertec,
Flash,
You say dive shops should adapt. If we play by the rules, as they exist, I see no options. We cant expand service because unless you are a dealer you cant be authorized to service. Cant be a dealer for very many lines because we have to buy more than we can sell. We cant lower prices unless we increase volumes, could buy at a lower price or reduced overhead like the online merchants. Playing by the rules, we do not have a worldwide market.
Waterdogs,
You are not wrong for trying on a bc at an lds then buying elsewhere. But you wont be able to do it for long if you dont pay for it. We wont have the stuff for you to try on. You dont owe me, but I cant buy a bc with my money just so I can have it here for you to play with, while I stand around using my knowledge and experience to make a sale for an online merchant. The online merchant is spared the expense of paying a dive pro (salesman). They have me for free.
Spydertec,
If I purchased inventory from sources other than the distributor I could offer a wider range of products and increase volumes. You are correct that it is not illegal to sell something you own. However I would not be authorized by the manufacturer to provide service so I would have to backdoor (black market) parts and service manuals also.
There would be additional risk for everyone involved. Lets say I sell you a reg. There is a problem with the reg that I cant economically fix. Do I eat the reg, or stiff you?. If I were a dealer we both would be taken care of. I might have to eat some shipping and a little time. Online merchants depend on huge volumes from worldwide markets to take up the slack. I would still have a limited market and volumes and maybe less than reliable suppliers. A couple of warranty issues could put me in the red in a hurry. What if you got hurt while using the reg. Did an authorized tech inspect the reg to manufacturers specs before it was sold? No. Could I even know if what I sold you was the real thing vs. counterfeit or tampered with? No. Providing unauthorized service would be very risky from a liability standpoint. A private person may not incur much liability selling used or black market life support equipment (I dont really know) but a dive shop would.