w ripley
Contributor
I think we're very fortunate to have so many good dive shops in our area. For sure each shop has it's own unique personality, and there are people in some shops that we just avoid. But, if you're going to live and dive in one area you just have to invest the time - and money - to get to know the staff and the shop policies.
Keep in mind that sooner or later you're probably going to need to use many, if not all, of these shops. Maybe you want a deeper pool for a reason, or a very good trimix fill, or to see a product that only one shop stocks. There are lots of reasons, so try not to burn any bridges you really don't have to.
Some of us have had to build our own fill stations, not because we can't get a decent fill, but more because our diving schedules make it hard to get to one of the shops, especially if we get back from a dive late at night an need a fill for the next morning, for example.
Also, it's difficult not to use the internet the more specialized our diving gets. More and more dive shops are going in that direction, although it doesn't seem to have caught on in Hampton Roads. It would be nice to be able to pull up a local shop's website and look for the item you need and see what it costs, but such is not the case yet. If a local shop doesn't have an item you want, and unless it is something like a specially cut drysuit, you're always better off - time wise - to order on-line, IMO.
My suggestion is to try several shops and stay in touch with the guys who have posted on this thread. You'll enjoy diving in this area much more if you do. Because there is a large group of divers in this area, join some of the local groups (Facebook, Hammerhead Club, etc.) and you'll have a better idea of what is really going on.
Hope to get to dive with you sometime.
Keep in mind that sooner or later you're probably going to need to use many, if not all, of these shops. Maybe you want a deeper pool for a reason, or a very good trimix fill, or to see a product that only one shop stocks. There are lots of reasons, so try not to burn any bridges you really don't have to.
Some of us have had to build our own fill stations, not because we can't get a decent fill, but more because our diving schedules make it hard to get to one of the shops, especially if we get back from a dive late at night an need a fill for the next morning, for example.
Also, it's difficult not to use the internet the more specialized our diving gets. More and more dive shops are going in that direction, although it doesn't seem to have caught on in Hampton Roads. It would be nice to be able to pull up a local shop's website and look for the item you need and see what it costs, but such is not the case yet. If a local shop doesn't have an item you want, and unless it is something like a specially cut drysuit, you're always better off - time wise - to order on-line, IMO.
My suggestion is to try several shops and stay in touch with the guys who have posted on this thread. You'll enjoy diving in this area much more if you do. Because there is a large group of divers in this area, join some of the local groups (Facebook, Hammerhead Club, etc.) and you'll have a better idea of what is really going on.
Hope to get to dive with you sometime.
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