Maybe I misheard his name. I'm refering to Laurie's husband. I'll dive him the benefit of the doubt, but when someone constantly talks down to me....
I do get good fills from UDI, sometimes a little TOO good.
But I'll just shut up now.
Favorite LDS?
- Thread starter zerj
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
Maybe I misheard his name. I'm refering to Laurie's husband. I'll dive him the benefit of the doubt, but when someone constantly talks down to me....
I do get good fills from UDI, sometimes a little TOO good.
But I'll just shut up now.
Soggy
Contributor
Yeah, that's Rock.
Too bad you've had a bad experience there. I find it strange since the majority of the staff are women.
reefseal
Contributor
I like this thread but would appreciate everyone's read on shops in S. NH.. (for us non Mass divers)
Portsmouth Scuba
Aquatic Escapes (Londonderry)
Aquatic Specialties (Merrimack)
Dive Winnipesauke (Wolfboro)
Divers Den (Manchester)
Aquatic Ventures (Hudson)
Portsmouth Scuba
Aquatic Escapes (Londonderry)
Aquatic Specialties (Merrimack)
Dive Winnipesauke (Wolfboro)
Divers Den (Manchester)
Aquatic Ventures (Hudson)
Spectre
Contributor
I've been to Portsmouth Scuba way back when. If your out that way however, you're better off talking to Donny @ Atlantic Aqua Sport. There is a reason all the divers @ UNH drive _past_ Portsmouth Scuba to go see Donny.
I've driven past Aquatic Ventures a couple dozen times, and I've never seen them open. I can't comment there.
I'd frequent Aquanuts in Concord if it wasn't so far out of my way. The owner there was my OW instructor when he worked for Divers Den.
Aquatic Escapes I've been using more and more lately. I really like the fact that they do 'by the cuft' on fills. I got my AL40 topped off there for a grand total of 72 cents.
One not in your list is Discover Diving in Atkinson. I've done most of my business in the last year through Jeff there. I'm very happy with that shop.
I did my open water with Divers Den, and I've since fired them as a shop. I only go up there when I have time and I want to try and burn out my fill card. I had a couple problems with them not calling me when I was on a waiting list for a class, and then there was a whole issue with my BC that I bought new from them, but it turned out that the power inflator had been mucked with and not re-assembled correctly.
ericfine50
Contributor
I am using Northeast scuba in Chelmsford. Like them for fills, and small stuff. ECD - Use them because on the way home from work. Service has been good in both. Will check out the shop in Leicster. Thanks for heads up on that.
Eric
Eric
large_diver
Contributor
It's weird how the feeling you get from a given shop can vary widely from day to day....it really depends on who's in there on a given day. A few comments:
East Coast Divers -- don't set foot in their Framingham store because that guy Lubold is a jerk (KIDDING)
I actually use their Brookline store. I've gotten to know the manager there well and we have a very good relationship. I actually don't like going in there unless he is working -- why deal with someone you don't really know?. My experiences in that shop when other folks are there have been mixed. The manager greets me by name when I walk in, understands how I dive, gives me what I ask for but isn't pushy with sales pitches, provides advice when asked for in a diplomatic way, gives GREAT air fills -- bottom line, he listens and tries to meet my needs = great customer service. He is someone I would send others to. All that being said -- this is a realtionship that has been developed, both by him and by me....and one I am happy to have.
South Shore Skindivers in Weymouth -- I haven't used them in a few years, but Howie (if he is still there) is one of the most knowledgeable and nice dive shop employees you'll ever meet.
Cape Ann Divers -- I think it depends on the day you are in the shop. On weekend mornings, I totally agree -- they are too busy to help with anything and unless they know you, you will be lucky to even get the time of day and it likely won't be with a smile. I actually bought my first wet suit from them (I wanted a Bare specific Bare size/model that they had in stock) -- I went in there on a weekday afternoon knowing I would get their full attention. Mary the store manager was extremely helpful and has always greeted me with a smile ever since.
East Coast Divers -- don't set foot in their Framingham store because that guy Lubold is a jerk (KIDDING)
I actually use their Brookline store. I've gotten to know the manager there well and we have a very good relationship. I actually don't like going in there unless he is working -- why deal with someone you don't really know?. My experiences in that shop when other folks are there have been mixed. The manager greets me by name when I walk in, understands how I dive, gives me what I ask for but isn't pushy with sales pitches, provides advice when asked for in a diplomatic way, gives GREAT air fills -- bottom line, he listens and tries to meet my needs = great customer service. He is someone I would send others to. All that being said -- this is a realtionship that has been developed, both by him and by me....and one I am happy to have.
South Shore Skindivers in Weymouth -- I haven't used them in a few years, but Howie (if he is still there) is one of the most knowledgeable and nice dive shop employees you'll ever meet.
Cape Ann Divers -- I think it depends on the day you are in the shop. On weekend mornings, I totally agree -- they are too busy to help with anything and unless they know you, you will be lucky to even get the time of day and it likely won't be with a smile. I actually bought my first wet suit from them (I wanted a Bare specific Bare size/model that they had in stock) -- I went in there on a weekday afternoon knowing I would get their full attention. Mary the store manager was extremely helpful and has always greeted me with a smile ever since.
mooseknuckles
Registered
I must agree with THE BEAK. The Inland Divers in lester kicks ass!
I've only been there a few times, but the service there has never let me down. They actually taught me about the products I was buying, - pros/cons, alternatives, My first time there I was even given a tour of there facility (dive pools etc,)
Much Recommended
I've only been there a few times, but the service there has never let me down. They actually taught me about the products I was buying, - pros/cons, alternatives, My first time there I was even given a tour of there facility (dive pools etc,)
Much Recommended
large_diver
Contributor
F%$k!
Just when I thought I had a good relationship with the ECD Brookline manager -- he moves to 100% instruction and is not working in the shop any longer!!! I went in the shop today at lunch and it was like I had never been there before....
-C
Just when I thought I had a good relationship with the ECD Brookline manager -- he moves to 100% instruction and is not working in the shop any longer!!! I went in the shop today at lunch and it was like I had never been there before....
-C
AT Grimaldi
Registered
Hello. I think this thread is very helpful and I can add some value as I recently purchased $3500 of gear through ECD - Framingham after having reviewed over 12 other stores. Here is my experience.
2 years ago, I went into ECD, told them I didn't know how to swim, but wanted to dive. Rather than snicker, roll their eyes or outright laugh in my face [like every other dive shop I called or visited], they told me to get swimming lessons and come back to them. I did and got certified, SSI OW, Nitrox, and several specialties. See below for more on my SSI Advanced.
I have been a customer of Chuck Lubold [known on here as LUBOLD] for a bit over 2 years now and can personally attest to his STRONG commitment to my diving goals and what it will take to get there.He has talked me out of thousands of dollars of gear when he could have just as easily sold it to me. He has showed me how to use the gear I purchased both in the store and pool. He has special ordered 2 NTROX stickers [a very small order] for me when I'm sure he would have said he didn't have them in stock. In short, if I were going to open a dive shop, I would try to recruit Chuck to work for me.
Last year, I purchased all my gear from them and got my OW cert from them. This year, I needed a DUI CF200 drysuit, 2 steel 120s and a pony bottle. After not knowing whom to purchase this stuff from, I actually created a RFQ [Request for Quote] formally typed it up and faxed it to over 14 shops throughout New England. Most didn't even respond. ECD was among the first to respond telling me to take several items I was going to purchase off the list, as they were included in the packeage with DUI. Other shops never mentioned that. ECD, pressed me on my choice of gear and made sure I would use what I was purchasing. I wound up purchasing all my gear from them, not because they were the lowest price, but because I trusted them more than anyone. I like them. I have very little free time, having an newborn, running a company etc. When I choose to spend time on diving, weather in a shop or water, I want to do it with people I enjoy spending time with. I enjoy walking into the ECD and Dive Locker shops. The know me and I know I can trust them.
Furthermore, Paul Adler, ECD - both location's owner, is tremendous as well. He, too, has told me to wait on gear, certifications etc until I was more comfortable in the water, had more dives, etc. Put it this way, he sets the environment for Chuck and Brendan [their fill and service guru] to welcome me and want me to go back time and time again to buy all my gear from them. I commend him for that effort.
I should say, that all my certifications were with Mike Walls, their former ECD - Brookline store manager. He has since left company [under good terms] and opened his own shop in the old ECD location in Hyannis. The Dive Locker. http://www.capedivelocker.com/ He is a great guy. very safety focused and extremely patient with all in the class. If he sees one student needing more help, he will pull that student closer to him, without making them feel awkward and continuing with the class. In fact, the only significant purchase I have not made from ECD - Framingham, is with The Dive Locker and it is my SSI Advanced OW. If / when I move to the cape, I will probably have a tab with this guy.
I hope this helps. Feel free to PM me if you like.
2 years ago, I went into ECD, told them I didn't know how to swim, but wanted to dive. Rather than snicker, roll their eyes or outright laugh in my face [like every other dive shop I called or visited], they told me to get swimming lessons and come back to them. I did and got certified, SSI OW, Nitrox, and several specialties. See below for more on my SSI Advanced.
I have been a customer of Chuck Lubold [known on here as LUBOLD] for a bit over 2 years now and can personally attest to his STRONG commitment to my diving goals and what it will take to get there.He has talked me out of thousands of dollars of gear when he could have just as easily sold it to me. He has showed me how to use the gear I purchased both in the store and pool. He has special ordered 2 NTROX stickers [a very small order] for me when I'm sure he would have said he didn't have them in stock. In short, if I were going to open a dive shop, I would try to recruit Chuck to work for me.
Last year, I purchased all my gear from them and got my OW cert from them. This year, I needed a DUI CF200 drysuit, 2 steel 120s and a pony bottle. After not knowing whom to purchase this stuff from, I actually created a RFQ [Request for Quote] formally typed it up and faxed it to over 14 shops throughout New England. Most didn't even respond. ECD was among the first to respond telling me to take several items I was going to purchase off the list, as they were included in the packeage with DUI. Other shops never mentioned that. ECD, pressed me on my choice of gear and made sure I would use what I was purchasing. I wound up purchasing all my gear from them, not because they were the lowest price, but because I trusted them more than anyone. I like them. I have very little free time, having an newborn, running a company etc. When I choose to spend time on diving, weather in a shop or water, I want to do it with people I enjoy spending time with. I enjoy walking into the ECD and Dive Locker shops. The know me and I know I can trust them.
Furthermore, Paul Adler, ECD - both location's owner, is tremendous as well. He, too, has told me to wait on gear, certifications etc until I was more comfortable in the water, had more dives, etc. Put it this way, he sets the environment for Chuck and Brendan [their fill and service guru] to welcome me and want me to go back time and time again to buy all my gear from them. I commend him for that effort.
I should say, that all my certifications were with Mike Walls, their former ECD - Brookline store manager. He has since left company [under good terms] and opened his own shop in the old ECD location in Hyannis. The Dive Locker. http://www.capedivelocker.com/ He is a great guy. very safety focused and extremely patient with all in the class. If he sees one student needing more help, he will pull that student closer to him, without making them feel awkward and continuing with the class. In fact, the only significant purchase I have not made from ECD - Framingham, is with The Dive Locker and it is my SSI Advanced OW. If / when I move to the cape, I will probably have a tab with this guy.
I hope this helps. Feel free to PM me if you like.
Similar threads
