Local Dive Shop is getting out of hand here

[danielh03]

Hey guys, yes, it's yet another LDS Gripe, complaint, or moan, I will let you decide. Last week, I made an order for an OMS reg set from ST. I stopped by the LDS to get a tank filled so that when it arrives I can hit the indoor pool and play with my new toy. When I dropped the tank off, the owner, and only employee of the shop asked me why I was getting a fill when its this cold out. I told him I was going to play with my new reg. He started asking me were I got it, how much I paid, and other questions like that. Kinda put me on the defensive if you know what I mean. After he found out that I bought it on line, he started giving me this long speach about how its a worthless reg because I can't get it serviced in this area (even though he sells the SAME REG), and there is no warrenty on it ect ect ect. I know that ST backs every thing that they sell, and I have no worries. But it still chaps my butt!

Authors note: Half way through this post, I was toned out to a stranded boater on the KY lake, TN river. The air temp is 20 degrees right now, and I just got back from a nice brisk boat ride. PLEASE, for goodness sakes, make sure you have gas in your boat before you leave the dock!

[PsychDiver]

I don't tell my diveshop anything any more. It saves me having to deal with the normal bad mouthing of the internet. I use them when it is right for me and when it is not I don't. Like I told them one day - You are not a charity and I don't give away my money to businesses.

[danielh03]

Originally Posted by PsychDiver

I don't tell my diveshop anything any more. It saves me having to deal with the normal bad mouthing of the internet. I use them when it is right for me and when it is not I don't. Like I told them one day - You are not a charity and I don't give away my money to businesses.

It's just really getting under my skin. He is the only LDS around here, and for the most part he has decent prices. I have been wanting to buy a nice O'neil wetsuit from him for months, but you know, letting go of 350 dollars is hard to do when you get a bad reaction because his price got beat. I guess its one of the many headaches that drives us to diving lol.

[JahJahwarrior]

Did you ask him beforehand if he could match the price?

I went to the shop I like to patronize and showed them ST's prices, and he pulled out his catalogs and played with numbers until he almost matched their price on a BP/W setup.

But, it is rude of him to insult his customers. Start dropping hints about buying your own fill station or something...

[danielh03]

[quote=JahJahwarrior;107847]Did you ask him beforehand if he could match the price?

I went to the shop I like to patronize and showed them ST's prices, and he pulled out his catalogs and played with numbers until he almost matched their price on a BP/W setup.

But, it is rude of him to insult his customers. Start dropping hints about buying your own fill station or something...[/quote

Yes, I asked. Short answer was no lol. All kinds of reasons were given, but regardless, if he could/would have matched the price then yes, I would have bought from him. I would like to see his face if he thought i was going to open a fill station lol! He would have a heart attack right there!

[adv_diver1]

This is my LDS. I am sick of the crap most LDS's give out.

[Zenagirl]

I have to say that since the closest LDS was bought out by another shop, it's a pleasure to go into. As a matter of fact, when we used the pool recently and I found out that my gear needed servicing, I didn't hesitate to have them do it. Because I bought my regs from ST and wanted free reg parts from the LDS, I had to take in my proof of purchase, etc. They didn't even blink when they looked at where I got it. They got $100 out of me (serviced regs and BC, including inflator), and I'll definitely be returning.

The LDS that bad-mouths only shows their ignorance.

[BSea]

Originally Posted by Zenagirl

I They got $100 out of me (serviced regs and BC, including inflator), and I'll definitely be returning.

The LDS that bad-mouths only shows their ignorance.

Mine is the same way. Yes there are bad shops out there, and unfortunatly for many of you, there arn't any good choices. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. Mine will attempt to match prices, and many times comes close. He doesn't get mad when I show up with gear from outside the store (like my mach V wing from ST). He might ask where I got it, but doesn't get upset. He knows he'll get plenty of my business.

[adv_diver1]

I am sure there is a good one around here, but most of the shops are about 20 or so miles from my house, making it 40 miles or so round trip. The time and gas spent are worth a good deal with gas prices being $3. ST has slightly better prices to begin with and are offering free shipping and some other deals, so this is my LDS for now.

I can't wait to get my bc reg package!!

[ReefHound]

In the first place I've found it best to just keep your mouth shut and don't tell your LDS about anything not involving them directly. No good can come from it. Some shops can handle it well. If you told Larry you bought a reg from LP he may not be happy inside but I doubt he'd say anything to you but wish you the best with it and let it be your call. But others get indignant and upset so why even go there.

You needed to end that conversation quickly by just telling him you felt he was being a bit invasive and that you don't second guess him on his personal consumer decisions.

But on the other hand, were you planning on using *his* indoor pool to test your new reg or your own pool? It would be a bit crass to expect the shop to let you use their pool to test your new reg bought online.