Downsides of being cheap, sharing examples

[Catito]

How about having to pay an extra $1 USD for a cab ride at a dive destination that you paid $2,500 to be there?

I think it was $0.70. Pay it and move on…

 

[ibj40]

I think it was $0.70. Pay it and move on…

Well now I can see the difference.

 

[Jeff_O]

My mask leaks.
It is my third $150 mask that still leaks. I am not inclined to fork out more money so I put up with it.
It only leaks when I turn my head to look for my buddy (husband). I have decided he can look for me.

I got a name brand face mask and it was OK. It leaked a little now and then. Later about less than a year after, I saw a few masks to try on from the floor. Then there was a package with mask an snorkel for like 1/4 the cost of all those others. I had already spent money not long before on name brand. I opted for the $25 package and I can't remember if I had asked to open the package 1st to try on. In any case It had been around since late 90's and is still going. Snorkel not, though mask is the best. Sometimes it happens like that. The drysuit made to measure and considering my input on how much room for undergarments took me 20 years to find out this is the way to go. Suit now cost 2x as much, but 20 years I might expect that.

 

[kaylee_ann]

Well, what I dislike are divers who are so cheap that they don’t tip the crew or tip cheaply. I am not part of a crew…but to me that is pathetic. Everyone should be paid for their services (if normal to great service is provided).

Imo, if I can’t afford to pay a fair tip, then I can’t afford that dive.

 

[kaylee_ann]

How about having to pay an extra $1 USD for a cab ride at a dive destination that you paid $2,500 to be there?

If you can afford a $2500 trip, can’t you afford the extra dollar?

 

[ThatDogDontHunt]

Over the years I accumulated a bunch of old obsolete "needs battery" Uwatec dive computers from eBay via low ball bids. Surprised to discover that only 1 was non-functional after a battery swap. I now have a drawer full of working units and they will likely outlive me.

This means there is no way I can upgrade to a shiny new Shearwater...

 

[Jonn]

if there was ONE huge regret I have it would be the back zip!!

I love my cheap back zip bag suit! If you have the shoulder mobility to get into it yourself (if you can touch your hands behind your back) they’re more durable and sleeker fitting than front zip with telescopic torso.
My cheap-o regret: chinese dive lights on Amazon. Some are okay, have a pair of “Wurkkos” now I’m pretty happy with. With the money I’ve spent on duds over the years I could have bought something fancy from DiveRite though…

 

[Rayk]

It violated the number one rule of diving which is “look cool.” Very hard to look cool when all your bolt snaps are rusting.

Right pocket of drysuit has emergency items, left pocket WD40.

 

[formernuke]

Underwater kinetic dive lights. Junk everyone broke with little use.

 

[VikingDives]

I wonder if you took a diver that paid for good instruction and one that paid for crap instruction... waited for both to have 100 dives under their belt in recreational gear if the 1st would still be better than the other? Honest question. I wonder if it's the instruction... or time underwater that makes a good diver. I'm sure instruction has some to do with it, at least in the beginning... but there's something about taking the training wheels off and just seeing what works (for me). I learn better hands on.

Having time underwater after class did far more for me than any in class instruction... they even said it at the end of OW... "this is a license to go practice"

(this is not at all directed at you or meant to be offensive towards your shop... just talking)

The problem with those divers who get crap instruction is they don't come back. When you're overweighted and you struggle in the water, it isn't fun. I'd venture that most of those divers don't come back.

I don't have a large sample, but my shop's retention/return rate is better than 50 percent... probably much better than that. One factor I can point to is my students feel comfortable in the water.