I've never been to Adventure Sports but I think any LDS in general would be unhappy having a customer walk into their store and talk about the difference between online prices compared to their prices. I'm not knocking you Sagacity but that's not something I would do nor do I feel that anyone should do that. It's bound to rub a LDS employee the wrong way and understandably so IMHO. Like you said your intent wasn't to try on stuff in the store and then turn around and buy it online but bringing online prices up with the LDS isn't likely to lead to hitting it off too well with them.
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The lesson was learned with them. It had been over 15 years since being in a dive shop when we went - before Internet shopping, and I had no idea of the climate. The subject came up when they said they could price match, and we indicated the price we had found online. We now understand the climate, and don't bring up the subject of online shopping anymore. You are certainly correct on your points. My dive buddy and I are new to the SCUBA world right now (I say new for me b/c even though I was certed in 1990, I had only been on 3 dives since 1999; and never bought my own gear before)
I will say, however, there is a paradigm shift in the business with online shopping, and the LDS needs to consider that to stay in business. When I bought my wetsuits online, I didn't try on something similar in a shop, and then buy it online. When my buddy tried on suits in a shop, she bought them there when they fit right.
I shop where I get the best value - which isn't always measured in dollars and cents. There are LDS I'm happy to pay $140 for the same wetsuit I can get online for $90 - but there are LDS that act as if I'm doing something wrong by even considering buying online - as if I should be obligated to buy from the LDS.
I do agree with your points, but I am the customer, they should be trying to hit it off well with me. They're not just competing with the Internet, they're competing with other dive shops as well, and it shows poor form on their part to react negatively when a simple, "Sure you get can get a better price online, X, Y and Z are why you should get this product from us, instead of a faceless Internet retailer." Unless that shop doesn't want customers like me, in which case they accomplished their goal. :
There are 4 other LDS near me, and we've bought or had gear serviced at all of them. I bought my first set of gloves online because I didn't want to pay $20 when I could pay $9 - but, I will be in the market for gloves for local diving, and its almost a guarantee I will buy those gloves from the LDS; and boots and fins - and I'll need a new mask that I'll want to ensure a good fit, etc etc etc.
EEK! I really kinda rambled a bit there! :o Sorry! :-[
My point is just that I reward good service with my business. I may go back - but right now I have several other LDS; who treated us well, AND the Internet I'll check with before going back. Just my $0.02 ;D
P.S. This was in NO way a defensive post, I COMPLETELY agree with your points, and we probably should not have brought up things the way we did. Just kinda clarifying my view, which turned into rambling, which I'm famous for.
Think about it - this really long post, still ended up having a P.S. at the end, LOL!
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