Deep Blue Scuba? Thom still in BIZ? Austin

[austingent69]

I left Austin in 2005 for up here (Michigan) I left several pieces of scuba equipment (BCD, Reg, Computer, Wet Suit, etc) with Thom Dutton on consignment. After a year he says he sold some or all of it, checks in the mail. Nothing!!!

I look at his web site it looks old and never is updated hmmmmmm? I call the number listed for three years, answering machine says Deep Blue Scuba (usually full - won't take more messages) or when it does take a message, never a return phone call.

So before I call a business owner what I think he may be, I am giving him the benefit of doubt. But I am quite sure after 3 years I am correct.

Any one else have dealing with Deep Blue Scuba and Thom like this? Is he even in business? I am planning a trip back to Austin in the near future, don't want to waste my time going to a empty store address. :no

Thanks you for listening to my gripe. The Scuba community in AUSTIN is awesome!! I was part of it for years as a PADI/NAUI/TDI Instructor and travel specialist!

Rick Scott
PADI - NAUI Instructor
austingent69@yahoo.com

Next Adventure: Cozumel April 1 -8

 

[scubadale]

Don't really know the shops in Austin but a quick google search turned up this scubaboard thread:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/texas-swamp-divers/181362-deep-blue-news.html

Probably says it all.

 

[austingent69]

Don't really know the shops in Austin but a quick google search turned up this scubaboard thread:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/texas-swamp-divers/181362-deep-blue-news.html

Probably says it all.

scubadale, I guess that does answer my question on integrity to some extent. Interesting that the local news affiliate got involved. thanks for the info! I have since discover Deep Blue Scuba has a myspace page, and by the sounds of it Thom Dutton is still operating in a not so above board manner, if he still allowed to teach by any organization. Myspace shows when a page was last update, so............

Internet: You can run ~~~ but you can't hide!!! LOL

 

[scubadale]

Did you see if he will let you be one of his friends?

Love the power of the net.

I know of someone that used to print up there own c-cards. They got caught too.

Hope you aren't too saddened by what looks like a total loss. But I would have some fun and see if I could make his life a little more difficult.

You gonna dive Travis when you come back?

 

[BullSharkGator]

I spoke with Dutton on the phone a few days ago. He is opening his shop again after a "4-month layoff" (to recover from a tank valve injury that gashed his shoulder and forehead). I called him because I had heard a rumor that he had closed shop forever and I thought I could nab a couple of cheap, used, VIP-ed, hydro-ed AL80s and see if he wanted to sell me a couple of his big bottles that he has hooked up to his compressor. When I drove by his place in January, you can see his bottles sitting by the front door (odd place for them to be set-up there) . . . .
Long story short: He said on the phone that he claims he's pretty much recovered, he says he SDI/TDI, he claims he's going startup classes very soon. And he said he needed all of his tanks and suits for classroom gear, so he's not interested in parting with any used gear.

AustinGent69, I know this is not much help since I don't really know him. (For all I know he'll be the cowboy having a brew next to me at SXSW tonight.) Whatever, I hope it helps and I hope you get your dough, or your gear back.

I guess the article link that Scubadale posted on this thread right before me has to make you raise eye brows. Also, I read the rest of the thread that the article link takes you to, it makes me scratch my head about the local established dive shops around here.

I need to find me a shop that doesn't play games. Everyone is private messaging me with non-stop baggage on instructors and dive shops when I'm just trying to find something more open-face. I went into Clearwater and they do not even have prices listed for a lot of their equipment, they kid in there ask me what all i wanted and that he'd get me a price. ???How's that work??? I mean, do you got a price you can stand by, or don't you??? And at Christmas, I needed a mouthpiece as a stocking stuffer for my dad so I went to Scubaland, they had it listed for $10 and the guy said he'd give me a special break and discount it to $9. ????? I know a mouthpiece should cost $5 to $7 so I walked away from his special discount. I'm frustrated, I guess I'm going to have to start buying my mouthpieces/gear from diversdirect.com back in Florida. Even after shipping it to Austin, it won't yank $10 out of my pocket.

 

[kmcneer]

I have always had good luck w/ Toms. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Mack Diver]

I'm not saying I don't have mouthpieces that sell for $10.00 and more. But, I also have your standard mouthpiece at $5.99.

 

[austingent69]

Not to promote any one dive operation in Austin. When I said Thom. I meant Deep Blue Scuba not Tom's Dive and Ski. I was staff instructor with Oak Hill Scuba (Mark) always treated people fair in my opinion but we know how that goes (we don't need any OHS bashing please) I can tell you this however, Mack bought the operation and I can tell by my dealings with him so far, he is a full service scuba operation, return emails promptly etc. Thanks Mack for you help with Cozumel!

Rick

 

[Mack Diver]

Anytime Rick. Stop by when your in town.