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#51828
Buying Scuba Gear - Dive Shops and Price Competition
Greg - 4/27/2014 6:33 AM
Category: Survey
Replies: 81

When you’re in the market for new scuba gear, you probably research online, talk to dive buddies, read reviews/ratings, browse your local dive shop, etc. When you have decided on the scuba gear you want and you’re ready to buy...if you found a price elsewhere (online, or with a competing shop) that is lower than your local dive shop...do you give your local dive shop the chance to meet or beat the price?
#71
Diving_Granpa - 2/27/2018 4:21 AM
[Choose #2] I shop around. I don’t usually buy from the US though because of hiked shipping charges that other countries don’t charge.
#291
captn_rob - 9/28/2017 5:04 PM
[Choose #2] always shop around.
#104
BoHundt - 4/16/2017 11:58 PM
[Choose #4] I look for what i want online, i have several Dive shops near me and unfortunaltley the one with the best prices and is willing to match online prices, burned there bridge with me on my kids dive lessons, there for i will never darken ther door again
#5471
DiveBuddyChgo - 3/12/2015 5:47 PM
[Choose #4] I price shop for the product that I’m looking for. Get better prices, no 10% tax and at my door del’d free in 4 days. Purchasing online from another dive shop anywhere USA.
#104
mcolligon - 2/03/2015 4:31 PM
[Choose #1] I will pay a little more within reason to support the LDS.
#15534
Brian_V - 9/16/2014 3:47 PM
[Choose #1] I always give the LDS I support 1st shot at all my purchases. They’ve always come through getting me the best price they can.
#142
USACMASDiver - 6/17/2014 9:42 AM
[Choose #4] If they have what I want I buy from the local guy/gal. Do you want air in your town or not? The margin that your instructor made on you was nothing. Support the local business and support local quality.
#62
Stumpy - 6/08/2014 2:05 AM
[Choose #1] Unless the Web site I’m buying on is that of either a known and trusted dive shop or that of the actual manufacturer, I would be very cautious about buying equipment online.
#2635
John_giu - 5/29/2014 5:55 AM
[Choose #1] Two of my local shops http://scubadelphia.com/ and http://www.northeastscubasupply.com/ are very competitively price against online sellers. Given a choice on the same item I do business locally. Other in the area simply are too expensive.
#543
mikey1077 - 5/28/2014 4:42 PM
[Choose #4] 2 local shops here in clarksville they arent open when im off work so most of my gear is bought oline or at dive shops where ever im at
#39
RobertCF - 5/06/2014 11:16 AM
[Choose #4] LOL, what LDS? I have to get 100% of my gear online.
#803
Hawkeye54 - 5/06/2014 10:02 AM
[Choose #4] I sometimes negotiate, but more often than not it is a hassle and I just buy what’s most convenient for me. My LDS aren’t very well-equipped and one of them has lost my business altogether.
#23
terry73030 - 5/01/2014 2:48 AM
[Choose #2] our local dive shop is located 3 hrs away so Internet is definitely most convenient unless I am in the area then I usually stop in and shop.
#36
lifelady - 4/30/2014 3:34 PM
[Choose #1] Unless of course it is used gear. Normally they will match the price.
#34
rohan - 4/30/2014 9:57 AM
[Choose #2] lowest price Sir ...
Anonymous - 4/30/2014 6:46 AM
[Choose #4] I price first @ my LDS then shop around 4 the same item but @ a different $ 2 try & save $
#379
cmulvaney - 4/29/2014 7:06 PM
[Choose #4] Guess I wasn’t logged in. Greg, can you remove the Anonymous post that I did. lol ScubaToys.com is about 3 miles from my house and usuallythe lowest price I can find.
#3240
daz88 - 4/29/2014 5:48 PM
[Choose #4] always try to buy local. unless it’s a crazy big savings buying online.
#121
yougotmyworld - 4/28/2014 9:36 PM
[Choose #1] only for scuba items, i don’t negotiate much with dive shop and pay to support them, they are supporting sport and i dive with them sometime.
#593
DiverMikeB - 4/28/2014 8:22 PM
[Choose #1] Yes and no mater what it is they match the price. took $400 off a dry suit even!
Anonymous - 4/28/2014 9:56 AM
[Choose #1] My dive shop saved me over $500 in parts fees. The parts replcement program is only provied by dive shops. So saving $80 online would not be in my best interest. It’s hard to put a price in good service and information you get from the shop.
#756
Sonnylynnvick75 - 4/28/2014 9:18 AM
[Choose #1] I try to give them the chance to meet online prices and if its within ten dollars, I credit that to shipping and buy LDS otherwise I order online.
#4035
uwlover4u - 4/28/2014 7:06 AM
[Choose #2] If it’s only a few bucks difference I’ll buy local. Otherwise I look for the best deal.
#8590
dalehall - 4/28/2014 5:13 AM
[Choose #2] My local dive shop makes so much money through the internet, their local customers don’t matter to them. I and my entire Dive Club have stopped using them for anything but minor purchases such as defog.
#20384
LatitudeAdjustment - 4/28/2014 4:17 AM
[Choose #1] And things I need to try on for fit, trying them on and then buying them online is just wrong!
#2229
btw2459 - 4/27/2014 7:14 PM
[Choose #1] I always try and give the LDS a chance to get my money. If they can come close to the online price then then get the purchase. That is, if the stock the brand I’ve been looking at.
#12114
Eric_R - 4/27/2014 3:15 PM
[Choose #4] Service is important to me. My two sons gear are all from the local shop. They have a lot of years ahead of them and we dive with our local shop every week during the summer.
Anonymous - 4/27/2014 2:11 PM
[Choose #4] The dive shops within a reasonable distance from me don’t carry many brands. I shop on-line and get what I want.
#28736
RAWalker - 4/27/2014 1:19 PM
[Choose #1] although I am a Proponent of online retailers I’d rather support a local shop. My area has a number to choose from but whether local or online I reward best price and service with my business.
#2579
rcy7 - 4/27/2014 1:06 PM
[Choose #4] Depends on the gear. Major items from my dive shop. Minor items, best price.
Anonymous - 4/27/2014 10:55 AM
[Choose #1] I try to support my shop as much as possible, but where I am it can be hard with the US a 30 minute drive away and much better prices.
Anonymous - 4/27/2014 7:58 AM
[Choose #1] Always.
Anonymous - 4/27/2014 7:52 AM
[Choose #1] I always support my LDS even if it costs more.
#4394
Scubadad2 - 4/27/2014 7:38 AM
[Choose #1] Of course I do, but that is because when I pick a dive shop I develop a friendship with the owners. I am also honest with them and if they can’t beat it they usually let me know pros and cons of equip.
Anonymous - 4/27/2014 7:23 AM
[Choose #4] All my gear was bought at deals not shop could match. However, I doubt our LDS would care to compete with anyone’s listed price.
#51828
Subscribed
Greg - 4/27/2014 6:34 AM
[Choose #1] I’ll support my local dive shop as long as their prices are comparable. I’ll even pay a little more for good service.