Defective BCD in Confined Dive

[ScubaSteve]

Sounds like a less than ideal situation. I too offer a discounted course fee to my students who buy mask, fins, snorkle, and boots, but I Always quote my full, undiscounted price and then tell them they can get xxx discount if they buy a,b,c.

That is the way to do it

 

[sixgears]

Well sixgears, you have definitely found yourself a winner. If you were a fisherman I would say throw it back in the water. If you can (and they allow you too), finish your classes/pool sessions, tell the LDS owner whatever he needs to hear without committing anything to him, get your referral and never look back. As TSandM has said, the dive shop has to make money and some do it honestly and in and up front manner which works to win back business. Others do it in an underhanded and sideways way which gets them some money but rarely wins them any recurring business.

By the way, if you had already paid for your sessions in full prior to the second class, then you are OK. I had to pay for mine up front....maybe I look shifty and untrustworthy.....so I expect you did. That said, you can tell the LDS that he has no right to increase his price and that you will not pay anything more. If he does anything stupid like refuse you your referral, three letters - BBB (Better Business Bureau) to start. I think you just need to get away from them....it creates a poisonous environment.

If you are ever in my neck of the woods around Edison, New Jersey steer clear.

 

[sixgears]

After an exhausting day of trying to find options my wife and I decided to cut bait and go elsewhere. We could have gotten our money back but decided instead for the LDS to give us a referral for the coursework already completed rather than begin from scratch. Initially they gave us an option of making an additional payment to cover what they didn't make due to the equipment fiasco but we decided against it and instead just took the referral and pay someone else to finish the course.

The way we looked at it, instead of continuing the course where the LDS and us not having a good relationship, was not worth it anymore. So we moved on to another shop where they have their own pool instead of us always rushing out of the YMCA.

The best thing about it is that WE'RE DONE TOMORROW!!! You heard it right - they will cover modules 4 & 5 including the pool sessions!!!

Now I just have to study and cram :lol:

 

[nwhitney2003]

Sounds like that was the best decision. Too bad it came to that. I hope that you two can find a LDS that meets your needs as well as theirs. Good luck to you both and keep us all posted on your diving adventures!

 

[ZenDiver.3D]

Good luck, and I'm glad it was resolved..... Now you can move on, and have a great time!

 

[Doc]

After an exhausting day of trying to find options my wife and I decided to cut bait and go elsewhere.

I appreciate that you left their name out of this, but it really wasn't all that hard to noodle out. Jeepers- that just doesn't seem to make sense. What were they thinking?

It's nice to see such a well written and seemingly even tempered report.

Best Fishes

 

[sixgears]

Whew!!! Finished the coursework today including the pool sessions ... passed the final exam as well!


... now on to Grand Cayman to do the check-out!

 

[sixgears]

I appreciate that you left their name out of this, but it really wasn't all that hard to noodle out. Jeepers- that just doesn't seem to make sense. What were they thinking?

It's nice to see such a well written and seemingly even tempered report.

Best Fishes

Thanks. I'm not into bashing people specially any local LDS but I do call it out and challenge policy specially when it seems to bait people into taking a course. Hey, that's their policy but no one has to agree with it. When we were closing out at the LDS yesterday someone else called in and inquired about the course (which I overheard) and they always quote the lower price without mentioning anything about equipment purchase. Hopefully that person starts perusing these boards.

 

[Bob Vincent]

The lack of the "adjustable snap closure" is a major defect.

Not the end of the world for someone at ease and experienced, at least in a pool, but you have to take a serious look at any future business with this operation.

Refuse to use it in your pool sessions if you wish, but you've already heard their answer at this point. You could report them to the certifying agency if you had nothing else to do. It will be messy, either way. You decide.

Definitely do not use this defective gear in your open water sessions. Explain to them right now that this relatively simple fix must be completed before you proceed. It isn't much more than a simple 1.5" nylon belt strap with Fastex clips. Three dollars worth, total- they can buy this stuff in the sewing department at MallWart. If I had to guess, the strap is still there but the Fastex buckles have fallen away. The old Velcro losing it's bite is fairly irrelevant in comparison- a good snug belt will obviate most problems associated with old hook and loop material.

Again, do not do the open water portions with this rig.

Right on!

 

[sixgears]

Just an update on where we are ...

My wife and I are now OW certified. We also took a Nitrox class from the LDS that gave us our referral and now certified in that as well. Now we're looking into local NY/NJ diving so we need a few more gear. So let's see, I'm looking for exposure protection maybe even a drysuit ... hoods, gloves, reels, lights ... and that's for two people. Wreck diving classes and AOW is also in sight right now.

I guess I'll be spending my money where the customer is the focus rather than the victim.