Diving Concepts!

[SPKelpDiver]

So about a little over a month ago I sent my Diving Concepts crushed neoprene drysuit into the company for a zipper repair. Keep in mind, this drysuit has only had 50-60 dives and hasn't even needed a neck seal replacement before the zipper went out. I will admit I abuse a lot of my gear, but I babied that drysuit. I always rinsed, waxed and lubed the zipper, and stored the suit with the zipper opened.

So a month later, schools out and I finally have the time to dive again. I call Pacific Wilderness to check the status of my suit. They still haven't heard from Diving Concepts regarding my suit. They call and talk to Collin from Diving Concepts. He tells them that "drysuit zippers are on back order". Basically my suit has been sitting in there facility in Santa Barbra for a month unattended, and nobody even bothered to inform my dealer of this.

I decided on Diving Concepts for a couple reasons. The Crushed Neoprene suit looked rugged and perfect for the kind of shore dives I do. I have also had a friend relate to me his terrible experience with dealing with DUI when it came to drysuit repairs. Needless to say I am very disappointed about the way D.C. has handled this. How the **** can you be a Drysuit company with zippers on back order for over a month?!

Thanks for listening to my rant. On the bright side, diving wet has driven me back to the old rugged goat trails of P.V. which I have avoided since I have been diving dry. I plan on attempting Whale Rock and the Point Vicente Pinnacles from shore before the summer is over.

 

[nimoh]

well justified rant, I'd be willing to bet that they are able to find some zippers on their shelves when new orders come in

 

[undrwater]

There are a few other shops that can handle dry suit repairs...and turn around time is often far superior to the manufacturer's time. This doesn't help you now (unless you ask them to send to another shop at their expense!), but perhaps for some time in the future. Dive Right In Scuba and Superior Drysuit Repair both have good reputations.

 

[fnfalman]

I kept vacillating back and forth between wetsuit and drysuit just because of the repair & maintenance issues with the drysuit.

 

[undrwater]

I kept vacillating back and forth between wetsuit and drysuit just because of the repair & maintenance issues with the drysuit.

If you're not getting cold, I can see the struggle. In some cases, I believe diving dry can be cheaper than diving wet.

 

[Grover48]

Communication is a wonderful thing. I called Diving Concepts 4 times in a 2 week period and never had a phone call returned. I needed to know if they installed silicone seals in their drysuits. I am allergic to latex.

I called Dive Right In Scuba and they helped me with what I needed - a dry suit with silicone seals on the wrists and neck. Yes. I met them at the Long Beach Scuba show and went through the specs line by line on a Whites Fusion Tech, complete from hood to boots, fusion undergarment as well as the Mark II, with dry gloves. I am very happy with their service and my Whites Fusion Tech.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Diving Concepts will not deal with customers. Any phone calls or emails need to go through the dealer. I've had to send drysuits back to them many times and it can be extremely frustrating. The shop has to call every time I ask when it will be done. I had my suit in there for a new zipper and it took over three months. Still better service than I received from DUI.

 

[Grover48]

Thanks for that information. It helps me understand why my calls were not returned.

 

[nimoh]

go into the shop and ask to borrow their phone, then phone diving concepts and explain that the customer (you) are looking to get dry suits for your wife and kids, but are reluctant to go with diving concepts because of the turn around time on repairs.

 

[Mr Carcharodon]

Tell them you won't give them their business, and why. If enough people do they will listen.

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