battery change at LDS

[wwdiver]

I just left my LDS. I went to pick up some extra lead and a new gauge. I figured as long as I was going, I'd take my old computer along to get the battery replaced while I was shopping. I already had the replacement battery and o ring but don't have a screwdriver small enough to change it myself so I figured I'd just have them do it. I knew that I could by a gauge from ST cheaper but thought I'd spread some business locally. While kinda bad mouthing my old computer brand, they changed the battery and then hit me for $35 bucks for the 5 min. service. I've had the same thing done in Austin for ZERO DOLLARS!! Needless to say, I told them they could keep the gauge (guess where the next one is coming from) and left. BTW, they even managed to bash ST a little while I was in there (said they were killing all the LDS's in Dallas). Anyway, I just needed to vent...

[bennerman]

A high quality chef's knife works very well on tiny screws, albeit a little slow and a tiny bit dangerous.

[chinacat46]

For $35 he could have bought the screwdriver and then would have it for the next time.

[bennerman]

Or, for $9.99, he could use my idea, and give bennerman the additional $25.01

[Coastie6]

Got a price from a LDS to change out the battery in my wife's unit quote was $17 without a new O ring. Thought it was fair, but was selling the unit to a neighbor. So, I went to WalMart and got a new battery for under $4. Made me feel better giving my neighbor a new battery in it and saved me $13.

[Coastie6]

Originally Posted by wwdiver

BTW, they even managed to bash ST a little while I was in there (said they were killing all the LDS's in Dallas). Anyway, I just needed to vent...

Whha whha whha; tell them it's called competition and perhaps they should be more competitive rather than whine. Competition doesn't always take the form of cheaper. I've said it previously, I'd pay a small "up charge" for a relationship with a quality LDS, and have done so many times. Quality, to me equates to customer service, and charging $35 without parts for a simple user capable battery change on a computer doesn't breed loyalty to that shop as far as I'd be concerned.

[gee]

That sounds like the definition of highway robbery. Would it help to talk/vent to the owner, or was he the one that rang you up?

[awap]

Anyone who commits to a service purchase in a dive shop without prior agreement to the price is just asking to be screwed. And you were.

If your area has a BBB, register a complaint.

[cruzan]

Originally Posted by wwdiver

...they even managed to bash ST a little while I was in there (said they were killing all the LDS's in Dallas). Anyway, I just needed to vent...

ST is a LDS in Dallas competition is the name of the game. If they are getting their butts handed to them see what their competition is doing and try to compete.

My LDS can't or won't try to compete with their online competition but they are determined to try to provide better and quicker service for their regular customers. They may not be 100% but they get better at it everyday.

[Zenagirl]

Gee, nice of your LDS to demonstrate WHY ST is kicking their butt!