My Local Dive Shop

[FishFood]

Ive got a question... Should I be irritated at my local dive shop?

I feel sorta guilty for ordering through STs lately so I popped into my LDS today to get a couple items. Now, a very nice older couple owns this shop so it's hard to get mad at them, however its frustrating sometimes. For example, today I went in for a couple flashlights, and a DC600 Camera Battery. Simple Enough, Right?

They had ONE Princeton ShockWave in stock. No big deal, I only need one. However, I also wanted another smaller LED light for a back up. Well, the only other light they had was a cheap(ish) incandescent light. Ok, no biggy, I guess. I really wanted another LED, but If I ask them to order one itll be months...

Next, the DC600 battery. Well, they are a Sealife Vender, and have some Sealife items, but somehow dont stock the DC600 battery. In fact the only batteries they had were the SeaLife AA's. Uh, thanks, but I can get those anywhere....

Makes me SOO thankfull i odered my Sealife camera from Scubatoys instead of them. Id probably still be waiting on it...

Which reminds me. I asked the owner to order me an Aqualung Pocket Snorkel about 3 months ago. Today I was told itd be in in two weeks. I doubt ill ever see it. Not that I care, i really dont want it anymore.

It's like this everytime I go in. They seem to never have even the most common of item in stock.

To give them credit, their items are usually only a little bit higher than ScubaToys prices, and they are very helpfull and freindly. Dont push anything you don't need. On the other hand, im very thankfull that ScubaTOys and UPS can get an item to me in 3 days for the base rate.

Anyway, maybe biz owners can answer this. Should I be irritated or is this the best a smaller dive shop can do?

[fire diver]

Most small dive shops simply can't afford to carry lots of inventory. It's a double edged sword. They don't carry lots of stuff, so they lose out on sales. Without the sales, they can't afford to stock more items.

FD

[kingfish]

My local shop is the same, they have pretty much nothing in stock....you cant even try things on to see if you like them.

Jas.

[Zenagirl]

Ours fortunately stocks the little stuff, but the big stuff is in such limited sizes that it's impossible to know if something fits. Then when they order it in what they think is the right size and it doesn't fit right, they're irritated that you didn't buy it. That's why I like ST, I can order something and if it isn't the right size, they'll send me the right size or a different brand.....all without getting irritated....they actually sound HAPPY to help!

Also, since we live in a cold water area and only dive warm, we rarely can even find anything in the first place for warm water diving. So I just don't bother with the LDS anymore (except for "dry" classes) and go straight to ST's website.

[WV Diver]

Originally Posted by fire diver

Most small dive shops simply can't afford to carry lots of inventory. It's a double edged sword. They don't carry lots of stuff, so they lose out on sales. Without the sales, they can't afford to stock more items.

FD

I think this says it all in a nut shell. Larry can shed some light if he sees this thread.

I come from a scuba deprived area and there are only a few shops around. The closest one is 2+ hours drive. This makes me even more willing to throw them a bone to keep them around for reg service and the like and one owner is a friend of mine.

If you tell your small LDS the items that you are likely to want in the future, like your favorite style/brands, the computer batteries you will need and other things that you know you (and your friends) will be getting sooner or later then they can plan ahead a little bit for you.

I hate going into a small shop and seeing that they have spent their money on stock that will never sell in our area and has been on the shelf forever. Sometimes I make suggestions and sometimes they listen.

You have to deal with your small-time LDS like an individual more than a store.

[caroln]

My LDS isn't that small, but they never seem to have any selection for anything. It's either buy the one variety they have available or don't buy it at all. Loads of things they don't have in stock too, so you have to order based on a picture and hope it's what you want in real life. I don't see how that's any better then ordering online where I can see the same picture, and save some money.

[mike_s]

Originally Posted by fire diver

Most small dive shops simply can't afford to carry lots of inventory. It's a double edged sword. They don't carry lots of stuff, so they lose out on sales. Without the sales, they can't afford to stock more items.

FD

while that's true, GE's past CEO Jack Welsh said "You can't use yesterdays business practices in business today and expect to be in business tomorrow...." Meaning, if they want to stay alive they have to learn to change their business model or they might not survive.

Scubatoys used to be a small local shop also. They figured out how to change, so can the rest of the shops.

[Charles R]

I can not see why you would be irritated with them shop local for what they have and shop Scuba toys fro what they don't they are friendly and helpful and don't say anything about what or where you buy then they are a great local resource

[creggur]

That is a tough one... One of my biggest complaints about the shops in my are is INVENTORY!!!! It is a double edged sword, but they can't expect to grow or stay in business if they don't step out on the limb a little bit and stock some inventory.

I've said it before and I'll say it again...The folks that own most dive shops may be great divers and instructors, but they don't know anything about running a service based retail business.......

[Charles R]

My biggest complaint was when I Decided to go the Tech route now try and find stuff at your LDS that was impossible I had to order about 80% off the internet and there are about 15 dive shops within 20 min of me. None of them cared about me ordering my stuff cause they dont sell it and are not vendors for the things I wanted