Don't even consider buying from this guy. He is absolutely overwhelmed with the move to Nevada, unable to provide customer service to his past customers and ruder than ever. I called DSS to ask about taking care of a leak in my wing that occurred on the very first dive (after buying it about 20 months ago) down in COZ. I understand his warrantee is only 1 year, but I was hoping to at least see if he would back up his gear (that apparently is the best in the WORLD) or buy another wing. After being berated because he has equipment in 3 different states and is overwhelmed and it's my fault, I should have let him know what I think of him, his business and his customer service, but I politely listened, thanked him and said goodbye.
I HIGHLY suggest that you go elsewhere for your gear, if you ever are able to buy from him again. I've been around the world many times and have dealt with all kinds of wonderful and not so wonderful people, but he is at the top of the ego/jerk list. I've been nothing but nice and respectful to him but he doesn't have a clue how to treat people, especially those who have given him their business. I'm done with him and have to swallow the cost of replacing the bad wing (the best one IN The WORLD) with another one, hopefully from a company with great customer service.
If you chose to buy from DSS in the future, do so at your own risk. Some people just don't deserve our time or our money.
I highly suggest you look elsewhere for dive gear too. I have zero doubt that I'm unworthy of your business.
I've been absolutely honest about our current resources, yet some still think if they call or email me when my equipment and supplies are 1) Disconnected, 2) Packed, 3) in Transit 4) Who knows where. that I will be able to provide a ship to address and date certain when they can have their out of warranty goods repaired and returned.
Sorry, but my crystal ball just doesn't have the range or the resolution to do that. No doubt yours would in a similar situation.....
I could list the many challenges I have encountered in moving, but I doubt you care. Suffice to say they profound, numerous, frequently change, and presently require 120% of my available bandwidth to manage. Some foreseeable, others much less so.
The fastest way for me to again be in a position to offers service and sales is to focus on my new building, and focus on relocating my equipment and supplies. When that is accomplished I will have some finite idea of what we can offer.
I could of course offer the typical happy talk that one often sees firms spew in these circumstances, but I'd rather be honest then over promise and under deliver.
As I have stated many times, I designed and built dive gear because I enjoyed it, nobody in the dive business is getting rich. Fortunately other investments have made it possible for me to engage in scuba and to live quite comfortably without ever selling another thing.
I should thank your for your original post. If I choose to leave DSS closed I'll simply refer folks to your original post to explain why life is too short to waste it dealing with unrealistic, vindictive, small minded people.
I would council caution,
the lets see which scuba operator or boat operator or gear manufacturer's head we can put on a stick today crowd may soon find they have drastically fewer choices. Look around, shops are closing, boats are in drydock, long time gear makers are throwing in the towel. The scuba business is at best hard work, long hours and low margins.
The scuba business is for many (most?) involved an advocation, remove the pleasure and why bother?
Tobin