Dive Shop Protocol?

[Decompressionable]

Hi everyone... I have a question that's been nagging me for a few weeks now and I hope some of you guys can shed some light on it for me...

I'm a new diver who was certified in Mexico and returned home to continue the adventure, so to speak. I enrolled in a local dive shop's drysuit class in order to take a wreck diving class so that i might one day dive the wrecks nearby. there are other dive shops in the area but i chose this one based on their relaxed atmosphere and cheap rates on the class.

But i soon learned that though they offer the drysuit class for X amount of dollars (which includes gear, pool sessions and the exit dive transportation), they subtly hinted to me that in order for me to get these great rates I had to buy all of my gear from their store and they were overt in mentioning that they did NOT have the cheapest prices. But, they claimed, it was a 'scratch our back and we'll scratch yours" scenario.

i was stunned when I heard that their wreck diving course was only $150.00 dollars. But when I said, "Wow, that's sooo reasonable." they said that it's an unwritten rule that I buy the safety sausage, reel and line from them (250+ dollars)

i didn't feel comfortable after hearing this and after already having paid for the drysuit class. Now, they are claiming that I should be buying my own seals for the drysuit from them for the exit dive, even though I didn't receive one drop from the seals on the suit that I practiced in the pool with. One instructor at the pool said I was good to go, but the owner of the dive shop said i had to buy my own.

Is this a common practice among dive shops?

Can any of you give me some advice? It would be greatly appreciated.

 

[medic001918]

My advice would be to find a new shop. Granted many shops use cheap training in hopes of getting gear sales out of the deal at a higher profit margin, your training shouldn't be contingent upon your buying gear from them. They can require you to have certain gear for a given class (ex: reel for wreck; mask, snorkel, fins & boots for OW, etc.), but they can't dictate where you make your purchase.

It sounds like they are not really the most honest shop to deal with and need to revise their business model. Keep searching for a better shop that will offer what you desire in terms of gear sales, and training. I have a good shop here, but I don't purchase everything from them since they aren't always willing to work with me on prices. I'll pay a little more as long as I'm getting something out of the deal. I just bought a set of Apeks regs for my doubles from them this week. They gave me a fair deal...it wasn't the best best price, but it came with the warranty and I walked out with them that day. Another online retailer gave me a better price and offered to do the warranty service and parts as long as I sent them back each year which wasn't a big deal. The problem was that they kept saying that what I wanted was backordered. After the wait, it was more convenient to go to the shop and get what I wanted...while retaining the benefits of getting the manufacturer warranty.
This same shop requires that to take any class other than open water, you do so in a backplate and wing. They would prefer it be Halcyon (as they're a dealer for them and also a very DIR oriented shop), but as long as you have a setup that meets their standard they are fine with it.
There are pros and cons to buying at your local shop. A good shop will work with you.
I'd ask for a refund and go do your training somewhere that meets your needs.

Shane

 

[almitywife]

.... they said that it's an unwritten rule .....

are you an american??? tell them that you require their unwritten rule in writing so your lawyer can look at it!!

and yes, find a new dive shop.

of course all lds would prefer you to buy from them but the nudge nudge, wink wink stuff will only mean you will be taken advantage off

a relaxed attitude for a dive shop once you are more experienced may be fine but for a newbie its their way of asking you to bend over ....... leave now, take your money elsewhere now

and goodluck!

 

[Mack Diver]

Run Away BRAVELY! If a shop expects you to buy gear in order to get a special price on a class, they should very much up front about it.

 

[SparticleBrane]

For most dive shops (not all, but most), this protocol applies:

1: Shovel load of horse manure at diver, claiming it's the best thing ever.
2: Smack customer over the head, empty their wallet.

 

[nereas]

It sounds like the sales clerk that you spoke with is some kind of moron. That means his I/Q is really low, probably around 50% of average.

Drysuit classes are normally free, if you buy a drysuit. Otherwise the instructor can charge you whatever he/she wants, usually in the range of US$ 50 to $100 or slightly more. Depends on where you live.

Some places use Euros, which are more expensive than US dollars right now.

 

[scubadale]

Shane gives good advice. Unless this was the only store around for 60 miles I would not use them. There will come a time when you want something that they don't sell. If you buy something from someone else it is very likely that you will be treated different from that point forward.

Some stores think they "own" the customers. The store your describe sounds like one of them. If you insist on diving with this store go ahead and give them a book of signed checks or maybe just permanent access to your credit card.

Since you say that their course was cheaper it seems that you have other options of local shops to use for training. Ask other divers in you area what shops they use for training, and why, and where they buy their equipment, and why.

 

[scubadale]

For most dive shops (not all, but most), this protocol applies:

1: Shovel load of horse manure at diver, claiming it's the best thing ever.
2: Smack customer over the head, empty their wallet.

At my store we don't use protocol 1. It is just too much work. But protocol 2 works well.

 

[SparticleBrane]

Vote with your money. If you feel uncomfortable, tell them to shove off and find another shop...

 

[Web Monkey]

i was stunned when I heard that their wreck diving course was only $150.00 dollars. But when I said, "Wow, that's sooo reasonable." they said that it's an unwritten rule that I buy the safety sausage, reel and line from them (250+ dollars)

The real answer depends on how many other shops are in your area and what kind of service you can expect and what kind you want, and what they're willing to do for you if you spend most of your money with them, and not specifically on what they charge for any particular class or equipment.

If it's an exceptional shop, that will give you great training and first-class service with fast turn-around times when you need it (and if that matters to you), then it doesn't really matter if they charge you a little more than you would pay if you shopped around.

If it's a crappy shop and you went there just because they had a good deal on the class, you might be better off buying your stuff elsewhere (and maybe taking the class elsewhere too)

i didn't feel comfortable after hearing this and after already having paid for the drysuit class. Now, they are claiming that I should be buying my own seals for the drysuit from them for the exit dive, even though I didn't receive one drop from the seals on the suit that I practiced in the pool with.

I'm really not sure what's going on here. If it's a rental drysuit, you shouldn't need to buy seals. It's their suit and seals should be included in the rental. Some suits have replaceable seals that snap in with rings, however these seals are very inexpensive and the shop should have a good supply on hand in various sizes for the rental suits. Charging for them is really bizzare.

DUI makes a suit with zip-seals (have a seal like zip-lock bags), but these are typically only replaced when they fail, are very expensive and not something that you would be expected to buy.

In any event, if the seals didn't leak in the pool, they shouldn't leak in your OW dive.

One instructor at the pool said I was good to go, but the owner of the dive shop said i had to buy my own.

That's just really confusing.

You might want to ask "Why?" If you don't get a clear and reasonable answer, you're probably getting hosed.

Terry