On Wednesday, June 28, 2000 6:11 AM, None None (and you have no idea how
foolish I feel saying that!<g>), wrote:

> I came across a disclaimer from Scubapro about online sales.  Basically
they stated that they would not warranty any product sold online.  I also
came across similar statements by Atomic.  I am sure other companies will
follow suit.  I am interpreting this decision as backing up all of the scuba
shops that have supported these manufacturers for so long, but the bottom
line (IMHO) is that this really stinks.

I understand your point of view, but I think the situation is a little more
complex than you allow for.

Manufacturers and dive stores are in a symbiotic relationship.  The dive
store is the shop window of diving;  they *should* be focussed on attracting
people into the activity;  on training them.  (You can do a lot of things
on-line but training ain't one of them!<g>); on organising diving excursions
and other activities that keep people diving; they should offer continuing
education, (both formal and informal); advice on purchases best suited to
the customers diving needs; and equipment service and maintenance.  In short
they help create and grow the market that equipment manufacturers want to
reach and often have an influence on the marketing strategies of those same
manufacturers.

Many Equipment Manufacturers now spend considerable sums in research and
development;  They produce products that are more comfortable, more
practical and convenient to use;  emphasise and research safety aspects of
diving;  and generally - because they have larger promotional budgets than
individual stores - promote an attractive image of diving as a "must-do"
activity.

Without the support of suitably trained and qualified service technicians
common to most dive stores, manufacturers would be obliged to employ far
more equipment maintenance staff than is currently the case.  Their costs
would increase and undoubtedly be reflected in the cost of product..

Few dive stores would survive without the support of equipment sales.  With
a reduced number of dive stores the pool of divers (potential customers)
would dwindle.  There would be less money available to the equipment
manufacturers for R&D.  We'd all go back to making our own unlined neoprene
wet-suits and a live-aboard trip would probably mean curling up on the bare
deck of a hold that you had to share with several tons of dead pilchards!
:-)

> By shopping on leisure-pro, me an my girlfriend have saved about $500 on
$1000 worth of gear based on prices offered in town.  The mark-up on gear in
dive shops is ridiculous and these manufactures are backing up this gouging.
If anything, the online stores are bringing some competition to the dive
gear market, the dive shops could always choose to offer a more competitive
price on their gear.

True!  Let's apply that principle across the board to the entire labour
market!  (There'll always be somebody prepared to do your job for half the
money that you get!) :-)

Personally, I've never shopped on price alone.  And I do like the idea of
dealing face-to-face with the person that I buy a product from -
particularly in the area of life-support equipment.

 I would guess that in not offering a warranty - if that's what their
disclaimer states - on products sold on-line, that those equipment
manufacturers recognise the importance of their relationship with dive
stores - either that or they're stealing a march on their competition by
making dealing with them more appealing as far as dive retailers are
concerned!  :-)

Strike