Cal Azzouni's student speaks

[MCarter]

Hey Cal:
Thanks for our call yesterday. The training that I received from staff at Village Divers was never the issue; Edwin was thorough, professional and patient, giving individualized attention as needed to all participants in the class. As I stated during our discussion, there was some miscommunication early on as to what was to be expected of me as a brand new diver. I am glad we had a conversation about the fact that developing a two-tier system for dive training might be helpful; one for hard-core divers, those who know they are coming back for more and will therefore probably want to purchase all there own equipment; and one for those who are learning to dive specifically for a vacation that may or may not be their only one. I am glad you considered the feedback useful.

Happy holidays.
MCarter

 

[DandyDon]

Hey Cal:
Thanks for our call yesterday. The training that I received from staff at Village Divers was never the issue; Edwin was thorough, professional and patient, giving individualized attention as needed to all participants in the class. As I stated during our discussion, there was some miscommunication early on as to what was to be expected of me as a brand new diver. I am glad we had a conversation about the fact that developing a two-tier system for dive training might be helpful; one for hard-core divers, those who know they are coming back for more and will therefore probably want to purchase all there own equipment; and one for those who are learning to dive specifically for a vacation that may or may not be their only one. I am glad you considered the feedback useful.

Happy holidays.
MCarter

Huh, welcome to SB - the biggest, bestest, and friendliest online diving community in the world. But I have no idea what you are referencing...??

 

[nauifins73]

Referencing? Maybe another thread that was of a negative theme on Cal?

 

[DandyDon]

Referencing? Maybe another thread that was of a negative theme on Cal?

S/he just joined today...?

 

[cummings66]

It was a thread where another diver was down big time on them and most people tended to not agree with the poster of that thread. They described this person as the "victim" of Cal's operation and thus the "victim" has got wind of the thread and responded.

To my way of thinking the whole thing was a misunderstanding. Apparently the poster did not think or believe they should have had to purchase any gear at all in order to do the class and most people who responded said that yes, around here it's common to have to buy your own gear like fins, boots, mask , and snorkel.

That does bring up an interesting thought as this person has stated, why don't many shops have a 2 tier system, one where you rent those items for those that just intend on doing a vacation dive, and then one where you buy them? I know I've never seen anything above other than a fin for rent, but why not?

That said, I own all my own gear and multiple tanks and don't understand the fuss. Once you start diving I think it's way too easy to get hooked.

 

[MikeFerrara]

It was a thread where another diver was down big time on them and most people tended to not agree with the poster of that thread. They described this person as the "victim" of Cal's operation and thus the "victim" has got wind of the thread and responded.

To my way of thinking the whole thing was a misunderstanding. Apparently the poster did not think or believe they should have had to purchase any gear at all in order to do the class and most people who responded said that yes, around here it's common to have to buy your own gear like fins, boots, mask , and snorkel.

That does bring up an interesting thought as this person has stated, why don't many shops have a 2 tier system, one where you rent those items for those that just intend on doing a vacation dive, and then one where you buy them? I know I've never seen anything above other than a fin for rent, but why not?

That said, I own all my own gear and multiple tanks and don't understand the fuss. Once you start diving I think it's way too easy to get hooked.

I guess I don't know what equipment is the subject here. When I had a shop we provided everything except mask, fins, snorkel and wet suit boots. Snorkels are too cheap to even bother discussing. Who wants to wear some one elses wet suit boots? and I would have had to have way too many masks and fins on hand to fit every one...all so they could save and I could lose. What sense does that make? They didn't have to buy it from me but they had to get it someplace. Besides, with what OW classes sell for, I needed to sell the masks and fins just to make it worth teaching the class. LOL in fact, Id go so far as to say that, given the current business model of most dive shops, selling the equipment IS the reason for teaching the class. Untill the cost of training goes up some there just isn't much sense in being bothered with those who aren't going to buy anything other than the card.

 

[joe rock]

I guess I don't know what equipment is the subject here. When I had a shop we provided everything except mask, fins, snorkel and wet suit boots. Snorkels are too cheap to even bother discussing. Who wants to wear some one elses wet suit boots? and I would have had to have way too many masks and fins on hand to fit every one...all so they could save and I could lose. What sense does that make? They didn't have to buy it from me but they had to get it someplace. Besides, with what OW classes sell for, I needed to sell the masks and fins just to make it worth teaching the class. LOL in fact, Id go so far as to say that, given the current business model of most dive shops, selling the equipment IS the reason for teaching the class. Untill the cost of training goes up some there just isn't much sense in being bothered with those who aren't going to buy anything other than the card.

This is exactly the equipment they were talking about on the other thread.

 

[docwascuba]

I f you cant afford the basics, you cant afford to dive.. You dont take golf leasons with someone elses clubs. You dont play tennis in someone elses tennis shoes. I personally bought my equiptment during the training process..

 

[IceBergSlim]

Yep, I assume it was something to do with the "anti-Cal" thread a few days ago.

For the record: Cal is cool. Village divers is a great shop for technical issues. He can mix what you want. Has DR, H, OxQ and Zeagle in house.

I cannot comment on his OW classes.

I am far from a "regular" at that shop but I can say I have almost (almost) always gotten what I wanted there.

(to be honest I work at another NYC shop and we don't have the stuff Cal has.)

I'm glad he is around.