Choice nuggets from the LDS

[Gator Diver]

I am in the unusual but beneficial position
of being close to 3 LDS (one hour away),
EE (45 minutes away), and University of Florida.
All offer courses through different agencies. There
was also another LDS that just recently closed
its doors.

Of course EE does well. But the other 3 LDS
in the area seem to being doing fine.
They all offer courses at similiar prices and
in the end I went with the LDS that had
a class schedule that jived with my work
schedule. I purchased my reg. from a different
LDS and have not purchased a BC (got that
for free from a friend). I still get my air
and accessories from the LDS where I took
my class. Neither place has given me any slack.

I think it is a matter of how you treat your patrons.
All of them in my area treat their customers well,
new or old. Guess I am just lucky.

 

[MikeFerrara]

jrg once bubbled...
Hooked4Life, you could write a letter to PADI and let them know the reason why their classes aren't available. Tell them exactly what your LDS told you -- that you're not worth training any more since you bought your own equipment. If all 3 of you wrote letters it would get their attention better. See if they think it's BS or not. Maybe they can do something to help.

Absolutely you should tell PADI. I know I've tried. First note that one of the PADI co-founders was VP of Aqualung for many years. You didn't think the industry evolved the way it did by accident did you? PADI is well aware that their OW class (which when taught well takes at least 40 hours) is beig sold for $99 in order to sell equipment. They are well aware that shops are using every loop hole in the standards to make these classes as short and cheap as possible. They are well aware that even though the letter of the standards may be met that often intent of the standards is not met.

I know they are aware of this from conversations I have had with PADI training consultants. They know what's going on and they know what the dive shop business model is and the implications of it. What they don't know is that there is any one who doesn't like it. Most people are just fine with fast cheap classes and cheap gear on the net.

With all that said PADI can't force an instructor to teach. We can teach when we want and who we want and we can charge what we want. The only requirement is that once you paid for the class and completed the requirements you must be awarded the certification.

But please tell PADI that the business model that they helped create and still help to maintain stinks.

BTW, if an instructor doesn't want you for a student because you're not in the market for equipment you could always let them know if you're willing to pay a reasonable fee for the class. Most people are willing to work if they stand to make a reasonable wage. It's just that shops who teach without selling equipment don't make a reasonable wage or even cover expenses for that matter.

Best get used to it. Cheap gear on the net and cheap classes at the shop aren't going to last. I would have prefered to get the retail out of my shop completely and just make the place a training facility but the way thing are now there just isn't enough money in training.

 

[pipedope]

Even if a person bought gear somewhere else it is still worth teaching them. The are going to be in the market for more gear.

Besides, if you offer classes for sale at a given price then you are obligated to deliver the goods to customers who come in with the money. If the price requires that you buy gear from thaat shop then that must be prominately stated in the advertising.

A loss leader is leagle, bait and switch is not.

 

[MikeFerrara]

pipedope once bubbled...
Even if a person bought gear somewhere else it is still worth teaching them. The are going to be in the market for more gear.

Besides, if you offer classes for sale at a given price then you are obligated to deliver the goods to customers who come in with the money. If the price requires that you buy gear from thaat shop then that must be prominately stated in the advertising.

A loss leader is leagle, bait and switch is not.

It's not bait and switch. When I had a shop my yellow page add said we offered classes. It didn't say anything about under what conditions. If I couldn't afford to conduct a class I didn't teach one. If I wanted to turn down a student for any reason I did (and still do). There's no bait and switch and no false advertising. I am not obligated legally or otherwise to teach any one who has money and I never advertised that I would.

Face it. The cost of equipment has come way down and the cost of training is going to go way up. In the mean time some strange things are going to go on.

 

[Gator Diver]

why is the cost of training going to go way up?
is it to make up for lost revenue to online purchases
or what?