First I am an older diver who is starting back diving with 25 year laspe. I dived for about twenty years before I quit.I do not have certifications of any type now, however I firmly plan to get re-certified before I begin diving again.
My plan is to purchase all my dive equipment before I begin the course so I will be using my own equipment. As i am familar with the equiment I am most comfortaable with I visited a local shop to discuss certifications and purhasing equipment prior to beginning the course.
I was told, by the co-owner of the shop, a woman I will not name or reveal the shop, that she could not sell me "life support equipment" (BCD & Regulars) until I became certified or actually signed up for the course. I very politely told her I thought she was mistaken and that she could sell anything but air refills. I politely asked her if this this her shop policy which I would respect or if she was referring to some legal requirement. She told me it was not shop policy but it was a "requirement". By whom she would not say.
My concern is, is she correct? Is this some sort of legal or PADI requirement ? If so how do all the internet sales sites get around it?
I can respect a shops decision and their policy not to sale equipment without certs if that is their decision and estabished policy, however I get the feeling its just a gimmick to ensure i sign up for their certification program(which i probably would if they sold me the equipment). I do not respect a shop that will maybe lead me to beleive its sort of legal requirement if it is not?
I could very happily purchase all my equipment on the internet, and probably save a few bucks, but I firmly beleive in supporting live storefronts and the support service/warranty they offer in the long run.
Should I move on to another shop or is this indeed a requirement? And dont just say go ahead and sign up for the course, you are going to do it anyway, as I dont like the feeling of being railroaded.
Thanks
My plan is to purchase all my dive equipment before I begin the course so I will be using my own equipment. As i am familar with the equiment I am most comfortaable with I visited a local shop to discuss certifications and purhasing equipment prior to beginning the course.
I was told, by the co-owner of the shop, a woman I will not name or reveal the shop, that she could not sell me "life support equipment" (BCD & Regulars) until I became certified or actually signed up for the course. I very politely told her I thought she was mistaken and that she could sell anything but air refills. I politely asked her if this this her shop policy which I would respect or if she was referring to some legal requirement. She told me it was not shop policy but it was a "requirement". By whom she would not say.
My concern is, is she correct? Is this some sort of legal or PADI requirement ? If so how do all the internet sales sites get around it?
I can respect a shops decision and their policy not to sale equipment without certs if that is their decision and estabished policy, however I get the feeling its just a gimmick to ensure i sign up for their certification program(which i probably would if they sold me the equipment). I do not respect a shop that will maybe lead me to beleive its sort of legal requirement if it is not?
I could very happily purchase all my equipment on the internet, and probably save a few bucks, but I firmly beleive in supporting live storefronts and the support service/warranty they offer in the long run.
Should I move on to another shop or is this indeed a requirement? And dont just say go ahead and sign up for the course, you are going to do it anyway, as I dont like the feeling of being railroaded.
Thanks