How big a markup would you expect at LDC?

[dmcartwright]

Hi there,

I am currently shopping for my first set of kit. (Regs, BCD and other stuff). I have been to my local dive centre and got some prices, (Apex XTX50/40 or Scubapro Mk25/600 Regs and a SeaQuest Pro QD+/SL ); however I also seem to be able to get the same kit around £100 cheaper on the Internet. (SDS and Simply Scuba).

While I accept that I will have to pay a bit more at my LDC, the question is what sort of level is acceptable? I know that my LDC will provide a great place to try the kit (they are prepared to rig up the regs so that I can try them etc.).

I was just wondering what, other more experienced divers; feel would be an acceptable mark-up?



Thanks in advance.....

[Lazlo]

Hi there. If it was me, I would simply quote the internet price and ask for a discount. I wouldn't expect the full £100 off, and that would be fine. You are (hopefully) going to get a better service locally. Things like servicing may be cheaper, and if something were to develop a problem, it's a lot easier to just walk down to the LDS to sort it than otherwise. And they'll let you try out kit - which sounds very good.

How much of a markup you're prepared to accept is up to you. What's it worth to you?

[ScubaK@]

At the end of the day you get what you pay for. Internet prices mean internet service, and if you get good service from your LDS you should expect to pay for it. If the service is bad then buy on price!

[Freeflow]

deleted

[BobK]

Originally Posted by Freeflow

If you have a problem on the net you can run into problems with returns, what may be a simple tweak done in 10 min at a shop can stop you diving for a week plus while the kit travels around by post.

If you don't support local shops [I use three different ones] then they will go under, and you can't get air fills by email.

Internet shops have less overheads if they run on the web only-you could run an internet shop from a 3 bedroom house quite easily as a one man band.

Agree It always amazes me when I am told that somebody managed to get something cheaper, from a 'big name' 50 miles or more up the road, but they have not factored in the cost of petrol or time spent.

And of course when they buy from the t'internet, some of the cheeky b*ggers then go to their LDS to get it fixed. Support your LDS

[David D]

How much are you prepared to throw away so that your LDS gets the business?

Personally, if there was five or ten pounds in it I'd go with the LDS. If you do end up returning kit you're going to have to pay that in postage. In any case, Scubapro I can recommend, Apeks get very good reviews, so they'll likely just work straight out of the box.

As already suggested, ask for the discount and if you don't get it go with the internet.

As to the argument about servicing, don't worry about it. Any LDS will happily service any reg that they're qualified to service without enquiring where you bought it.

Bottom line, save yourself a hundred quid and go with the internet box shifter. I would.

[BobK]

Originally Posted by David D

How much are you prepared to throw away so that your LDS gets the business?

Personally, if there was five or ten pounds in it I'd go with the LDS. If you do end up returning kit you're going to have to pay that in postage. In any case, Scubapro I can recommend, Apeks get very good reviews, so they'll likely just work straight out of the box.

As already suggested, ask for the discount and if you don't get it go with the internet.

As to the argument about servicing, don't worry about it. Any LDS will happily service any reg that they're qualified to service without enquiring where you bought it.

Bottom line, save yourself a hundred quid and go with the internet box shifter. I would.

If it really is a hundred quid, and your LDS will not budge, thats fair enough.

I personally would be prepared to pay a little more than £5 to £10 above the internet price. Depends how you factor in the 'fuel' and 'time' when your LDS goes bust, and you have to go further afield for an air fill

[Twinsetmad]

Originally Posted by BobK

Agree It always amazes me when I am told that somebody managed to get something cheaper, from a 'big name' 50 miles or more up the road, but they have not factored in the cost of petrol or time spent.

And of course when they buy from the t'internet, some of the cheeky b*ggers then go to their LDS to get it fixed. Support your LDS

This also always amazes me too....These internet shops like SDS are someones local dive shop. So why should someone that lives in Sheffield give better prices than another local dive shop?

As said before I would expect them to meet or beat the net prices....or go elsewhere.

Support your LDS....but don't let them take the piss with their prices.

[sleaford_diver]

Where I live the nearest lds is a 40mile round trip. I work late hours. So the internet was the best option for me . I did however buy some stuff from simplyscuba online because I had tried it on at their shopwhilst doing my ow course. As for air fills. I get most of them from a friend who has their own compressor or from a lds near my place of work where i buy my nik naks

[Simon TW]

Originally Posted by sleaford_diver

Where I live the nearest lds is a 40mile round trip. I work late hours. So the internet was the best option for me . I did however buy some stuff from simplyscuba online because I had tried it on at their shopwhilst doing my ow course. As for air fills. I get most of them from a friend who has their own compressor or from a lds near my place of work where i buy my nik naks

If you build a relationship with the LDS it will pay off in the long run. Like the night before a trip and you need to borrow somthing like a reg cos yours is freeflowing.