Dive Shop Etiquette

[RJP]

Trips are the easy one, especially if your preferred shop's trips are booked. If they have a dive-travel capability, ask them if they can help you book a different trip. I use my shop to book me on liveaboards and landbased vacations seperate from shop-arranged trips. If they don't have this ability/desire, you can still ask them for suggestions as to where to go and with whom. "I see your Cozumel trip is booked... the shop across town is running one to Hotel X. Is that a decent hotel/op? Any ideas about how that shop runs trips? What gear will I need to buy to go on such a trip?" Assuming your preferred shop's trips are not an option for you, I think your shop would rather you go diving somewhere... with someone... (rather than stay home alone) because active/traveling divers buy gear and pursue training.

 

[Tom Winters]

Dive shop relationships are just like personal relationships - if they can't fit you in on a given day, you just go find somewhere else that day.
It's perfectly normal and perfectly acceptable.
The next time you go into that first dive shop, ah, I would recommend not running your mouth off about what a great time you had at XYZ dive shop.

 

[spectrum]

Take your business wherever it makes sense to do so, mix and match as you see fit.

Obviously if you can favor a shop you will hopefully be considered a valued customer and be paid back in spades over time.

In too many cases anything less than 100% loyalty may get someone twisted but that's their problem and may help you decide on any long term alegiance.

The one thing you want to avoid is flaunting what you did or bought elsewhere. That can make an uncomfortable situation painful.

 

[RJP]

Dive shop relationships are just like personal relationships - if they can't fit you in on a given day, you just go find somewhere else that day.
It's perfectly normal and perfectly acceptable.

To take that to an extreme example, I work on a dive charter boat here in NJ. Say I'm not working on Gypsy Blood this saturday, but still want to go diving. If I don't want to dive the wreck that Gypsy Blood is going to (or they are booked solid, as is more often the case) I'll grab a spot on the Independence, Dina Dee, John Jack, etc. If crew members are comfortable going where they want to go... customers should be as well.

:d

 

[dumpsterDiver]

I would say to check out the other dive shops. You may THINK you like the one you are at, but the next one down the line may be even better. Since you just got certified and really don't know much, you will have to go with your gut.

I find so many dive shops are managed by idiots. Ignorant, arrogant or out to screw you... So if after a little looking around, you find one where they treat you well and you are comfortable... try hard to give them as much business as you can.

Scuba is a weird business. If the shop likes you, they can make an adjustment in a reg or fix a part on a BC etc. in 3 minutes.. and if they like you, all it may cost is a smile. Take the same problem to some other shops and the gear will have to be "logged in" and will be checked out by the "technician" and you might receive a call back in 2 weeks with a cost estimate.

Find one shop that meets your needs and if you "cheat on them" keep it on the down low, that information will not help them or you. It ain't like buying groceries.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Many many years ago, I became involved with a dive shop because it was the only one offering trips to places that interested me. The owner was dynamic, big personality, lots of fun . . . for awhile. In time, I started to see through her. Found myself saying "if only she would use her powers for good" (ala superhero powers) Eventually, she left town owing everyone and their dog money and/or gear. Pretty sure there are still some warrants out for her butt. She lives on the other side of the world now, maybe using her powers for good, but I doubt it beyond using them for her own good.

So, as some of the other posters have said, check around. You may still end up loving your current shop, or you may find yourself loving them all, but at least you'll have something more to base it on than the "transference" that comes from initial certification.

 

[RJP]

Scuba is a weird business. If the shop likes you, they can make an adjustment in a reg or fix a part on a BC etc. in 3 minutes.. and if they like you, all it may cost is a smile. Take the same problem to some other shops and the gear will have to be "logged in" and will be checked out by the "technician" and you might receive a call back in 2 weeks with a cost estimate.

By that definition, nearly EVERY business is "weird" really. My Audi dealer likes me. I've purchased three cars from them, use them for service, and send friends and relatives there. They really like me. When I have a little problem... they put me to the front of the line. They either handle it quickly while I wait, or they give me the keys to a demo vehicle so I can be on my way. If you called them for the same problem they would tell you they can squeeze you in a week from Tuesday, you'll need to leave it, and they don't provide loaner cars.

Weird, huh?

 

[miketsp]

I use multiple shops for both equipment and trips. Not all my local dive shops will be running their trips to the same destination on a particular long holiday weekend - so the destination normally determines the choice even though I do have some preference as to which group I will travel with.

The only thing that will cause stress is if I wear a dive shirt with a logo from shop A on a trip with shop B if both shops are located in the same city. No problem to wear a dive shirt from an out-of-town operator (or from another country).
So something to bear in mind when you're packing.

 

[sphyrnidus]

@Mike: Or don't wear free ads for any shop

 

[Doc Harry]

It is imperative that you dive with other people so that you can learn things that you didn't see or learn from your instructor.