DM Expectations...

[HydroAuto]

oops.

 

[HydroAuto]

The role of the dive shop owner is to sell scuba equipment. That is why they have all of that inventory. While you should be free to dive recreationally in whatever gear you choose, while working with the shops customers, I think you should expect to use and promote the things THEY sell. They are not in the business of highlighting gear sold by their competitor.

Personally, I think there should be more separation between the shop & instruction. Classes should be a device to train people how to dive safely & competently, not a method of selling equipment. However, I understand that the industry is not exactly set up to do this at this time.

We require divemasters and instructors to use the gear we designate. Why? Because we sell scuba gear. We are different in that we offer to PROVIDE the equipment to all of the professionals. Many of them already own what we sell and if they choose, they are free to wear it. However, they are also welcome to leave their personal gear in the bag and use the stuff we designate. We have NEVER required anyone to buy anything to work for us or participate in any of our programs. That being said.....we reserve the right to provide suitable gear that matches our marketing objectives.

Well, that is reasonable. I don't have so much of a problem representing the equipment they sell. I wouldn't mind using dealer supplied gear, however, they made it quite clear that I would have to purchase it.

The difference between you and the shop I visited is that you require wearing/using designated equipment... and they require purchasing it.

 

[RiverRat]

That being said.....we reserve the right to provide suitable gear that matches our marketing objectives.
Phil Ellis

Hey Phil. You are one of the better LDS/online vendors out there so I'd like to pick your brain a bit if you don't mind.

In your opinion, do you think that wearing shop gear during classes really makes that much of a difference? I'm not privy to the marketing data from my local LDS so I really don't have a way to get numbers on this stuff. I'm sure a percentage of overall non-internet sales come from divers wanting what the instructors and DM's are using. But from what I've seen I'm not too sure it's a big number. For example, when I started out at the shop I'd say I only bought maybe half my gear from them. I could of cared less what everyone else was diving. I wanted a backplate and Oxycheq wing and Apeks regs period. When it came time for a drysuit I felt that the Bare HD tech I got compared to DUI's TLS series at about half the price. I wanted Bare and they didn't sell it. When I help with classes I see quite a bit of the same thing.

 

[diverdowndh]

That is definitely an interesting question - how much does wearing that equipment from the shop really affect purchasing decisions? I know for a fact that I paid more attention to the others in my classes (recently did the AOW and Rescue, which prompted this thread, going on to DM). I guess when the instructor pointed out some of the cool features of his equipment in my Rescue class I paid attention but I don't ever recall an instructor posing like someone out of a Sears catalog with a plug to buy at the shop...
Now, since my interest in this LDS/Instructor I have bought many smaller things from his shop. He gives me a GREAT deal on anything I buy. He knows I am very aware of how easy and cheap things are on the 'net but also knows I want to support him and the shop. I am buying a new 3mm wetsuit (so is my fiance') for our upcoming trip thru him and I am amazed at the price he is giving us - this makes it completely worthwhile to pay only slightly more than I could online, and support the shop. I have absolutely NO problem paying a little more to get the fit, style, etc.