My LDS is getting cranky

[theduckguru]

I am 52, live inland, plan on diving 6 days a year max, refuse to dive in boring quarries or cold water. I kinda wanted my own gear and really didn't want to invest a bundle. I really wasn't all that interested in a reg warranty that would require me to pay for service if the reg sat unused in my closet for a year just to maintain free parts.

Knowing that, my LDS still tries to sell me a very expensive reg, says I need sealed diaphram freeze up proof reg, I need to service every year, and tries to tell me what a great deal the free parts are. Duh?

So I do some research, come up with a good reg package online at a very good price with basically a warranty that don't mean much and find a good repair station specializing in the reg brand that will service incl. parts and shipping for less than my LDS's flat labor rate. So much for those free parts.

So I give my LDS another shot at a dive computer. I get pushed to buy a model that cost more than my personal computer at home. Duh, are these folks listening.

I guess if you aren't going to listen to me as customer or opt to carry only scuba brands beyond my budget, I don't have any where else to go but online.

[Flatliner]

Maybe I should send a note to all the customers I deal with that says I won't sell them any service for equipment that they don't buy from me. No wait a min. If I did that I would get fired...

[Okc_diver]

so if I bought my equipment from an "authorized dealer" and moved to where your LDS was would they not service my equipment? How would they know if I bought it online or at another store?

[rsmith5894]

Okc diver- I know what you're saying...I thought about that myself! How do they know if I purchased my Legend reg from them or from somewhere in California? Maybe because they "log" every purchase you make at their shop. They have a file on all of the transactions that take place. So in essence they are creating a cult like atmosphere, buy from this dive shop or else!? Here, have some Kool-Aid and everything will be good...the internet was just a dream!

[awap]

Are you going to start to look for a good LDS now or wait until their going out of business sale?

[Okc_diver]

Originally Posted by rsmith5894

Okc diver- I know what you're saying...I thought about that myself! How do they know if I purchased my Legend reg from them or from somewhere in California? Maybe because they "log" every purchase you make at their shop. They have a file on all of the transactions that take place. So in essence they are creating a cult like atmosphere, buy from this dive shop or else!? Here, have some Kool-Aid and everything will be good...the internet was just a dream!

As long as there is something else mixed with the Kool-aid?

[rsmith5894]

awap, they've been around for 30 years! It's a family business and they have always been wonderful. You are a realist and I respect that, I hope they figure this out pretty soon and decide to expand their business. So to answer your question...I'm going to continue to give them the opportunity to be my LDS.

OKC- The Kool-aid is just Kool-aid....I promise, {insert evil laugh}

[mitsuguy]

I actually don't see a problem with what they are trying to say, but their delivery is what makes it bad...

"we don't service brands we don't sell"

there is absolutely nothing wrong with this statement at all

but this part: " If you buy your gear online then ship it back to them and let them service it."

is most likely someone being frustrated with getting a lot of people bringing stuff they bought online thinking just any dive shop can service it (to get reg service kits, you need to sell that brand)... I actually don't think they have any bad thoughts in mind, it was just delivered poorly most likely out of frustration and unhappy people that don't know any better...

For instance, my TUSA regs, if I needed them serviced, I wouldn't take them to a shop that doesn't sell TUSA stuff, but then again, I am informed and know why it matters, but, many other divers might not know...

[Bert]

I got lucky I guess. The only thing my LDS said about internet purches is make shure they are an authorized dealer. ( i ended up buying my BC/Reg from Him)

[rayaa3]

Originally Posted by lt.dan58

he got all pissed and I'm still not sure why... He was getting paid to sit outside the pool and bs with his buddy... I would love to get paid to just sit by a pool for 30 minutes and get paid... needless to say I probably wont be buying from there anymore

So here's a little insight on why he might be pissed.

I know this varies from shop to shop...but, many shops require their instructors to buy all gear from that shop. Some shops aren't as strict, and merely require instructors to only use gear (with students, or on shop trips) that is at least offerred at the shop (you are wearing a oceanic bc, and our shop doesn't sell oceanic, what does this say to the students).

That might be why he was such a pisser about the whole thing...or he could just be a jack ass...it's not like the world isn't full of them.

I know it's tough to compete with good online business people like ST...I've heard all the "do you really want to buy life support gear on the internet?" comments I care to.

I have one really good LDS in town. They offer and service many manufacturers. They have as good of prices as I can find on the gear they sell. They even price match if the item is a currently sold item from the manufacturer, and they are price matching and auth reseller. However, since ST sells alot of closeout items, they usually have better deals, on a year or two older model.

I'de still end up at ST, because I don't have to pay sales tax, and I get a 10% forum discount...effectively an 18% incentive...and orders are usually a few hundred dollars, so it adds up fast.

All my tank renting, air filling, training, and service - I go to my LDS for. If they decided they didn't need my business for all of that, well, I'de go some place else. Maybe some place physically closer to the water I dive. I can always send my gear to ST for service, and for the same price (even with shipping) that I can do it here.

I live in Oklahoma, 3 somewhat good places to go diving in the entire state. If all the shops but 3 in the entire state closed their doors, it would be only mildly annoying. There are 6 dive shops in town that I can think of quickly, and the closest acceptable muddy water to dive in, is an hour away...the closest "OK" lake diving is 2.5 hours away.

The market is too diluted out here...so these guys are hungry. In their hunger, they bite the hand that feeds them.