Favorite LDS?

[MASS-Diver]

Living on the SS I frequent:

North Atlantic Scuba in Marshfield - very friendly staff, great prices on gear (APEX dealer), cater mostly to shallow water lobster divers though so don't mention anything even close to "techie." Unlimited air fill for $40 a year.


SS Diver in Weymouth- any size tank filled with NITROX for $10. Halycon, manta, and OMS dealer. Staff is knowledgale about DIR diving.


Diver's Market in Plymouth, DUI dealer, argon fills. Now that my instructor doesn't work there, I don't go there. Local clique of tech divers associated w/ that shop

CAD - great charters, just don't try to get a $6 air fill if you have an NITROX stickers on your tanks as you will be shot.

ECD - looking forward to checking out the shop, they run a trip to Bikini - very cool

Northeast Scuba - I want to check out there as well: TDI instrcutors, TRIMIX cert class, rebreather stuff, a chance to hang out with the "big boys."

 

[Soggy]

MASS-Diver once bubbled...
CAD - great charters, just don't try to get a $6 air fill if you have an NITROX stickers on your tanks as you will be shot.

Heh heh....

 

[LUBOLD8431]

MASS-Diver once bubbled...


ECD - looking forward to checking out the shop, they run a trip to Bikini - very cool

Thanks for the plug!!! We actually have two spots left on this trip, so PM me if anyone is interested...

CHuck

 

[MSilvia]

There are three shops in the area that I have significant experience with, and while I've popped in for an air fill on the way by several others, I don't really feel qualified to give an opinion on them.

Mass Diving, Natick:

It's a good shop, and they give a good fill. I've gone there for training and been a repeat customer (PADI Medic, Rescue Diver, EAN Diver) as a result of some good experiences with the training staff. I've found Mark to be a bit agressive on the sales floor (like the time I went in to price waterproof watches and he tried to upsell me a wrist mount dive computer). I generally don't go in there looking for gear, but since they stock Dive Rite, it's my go-to shop for accessories for my Transpac II BC.

Cape Ann Divers, Gloucester:
It's a small, poorly stocked shop, but it's the only place on Cape Ann so they have a monopoly of convenience. The problem I have is, as Mer pointed out, that for a $6 air fill, I expect a full tank and usually don't get one there. They fill fast and hot, and charge one of the highest prices around for it. Okay, so they do run a decent charter operation, but in my experience it isn't the best in the area... for my money, I'll go out on Day Breaker with Capt. Marceaux. I think of CAD as a backup LDS. If I forget to bring a towel or weight belt or something, it's good to have them there.

South Shore Divers, Weymouth:
I got my OW cert with them back in the 80's (and saw Howard in there a week or two ago at the service counter), and have always had a good experience there. They're very professional, very knowledgable, and I go there for all of my service needs. I had a reg that I bought online serviced there last year (for a very reasonable price), and Al gave me a rental set to use for the week (for the cost of a day's rental). I've gone in looking for a side mount system for my pony, and was not only shown several options available at the shop, but was also freely given advice on how to make my own DIY rig if I was so inclined. Fills are generous and slow, the staff is friendly, and I'm inclined to listen to their advice as if it was impartial. I like that, and though there are a buch of shops closer to me, I have my air card at SSD and drive the extra distance to maintain a relationship there.

 

[PK]

I'm glad this thread came around. I've been looking to check out other dive shops. Based on what I've read and heard from others, I'll definitely check out Northeast Scuba, Inland Divers, and Atlantic Aqua sport. So thanks for everyone's opinions.

Anyway, here are my opinions based on my experience:

CAPE ANN DIVERS, Rockport, MA:

I purposefully try to have good relationships with people there just for the emergency stuff and recommendations for dive sites. A friend of mine warned me early on that they are a rip off, sticklers for policy, but highly convenient if you must use them. Best to readily accept the things they do even if you don’t agree with them because they’ll never listen to their customers about their business. All the people I met so far seem professional and fun to chat with… except this older man who topped off my tanks last Sunday. Before he filled them with air, he looked at me like an old arrogant schoolmaster and said “are these up to date for inspectionnnnnnn?” After a pause I said “yes” and continued my conversation with my dive buddies. I don’t know why he didn’t simply look at the inspection sticker clearly slapped on the tank to eliminate all his doubt that I was trying to pull one over on him….but he continued to stare at me in a suspecting way. Did he want a confrontation of some sort?? He wasn’t going to get it from me so I just ignored him and he eventually filled the tanks. How creepy is that? He is probably the owner.

CAD is clearly NOT the place to buy equipment or air. I also have been cheated by being charged $6 just to top off the air in my tank (probably one of their policies). It was early this season and the tank reduced pressure just a bit over the winter, down to 2000 lbs. They topped it to 3000lb and charge me their full price. That was lame but I bit my tongue. I knew the workers there just do what they are told. They are clearly a convenient location which they take advantage to gouge customers, especially unsuspecting new divers whom they probably make most of their money from. Not a business plan I respect. They need competition.

IDEA FOR NEW BUSINESS for those of you who might be interested:
Dive shop on Wheels. Convert an old bus, fill it with product samples and an air compressor. Also some rental gear ready for the occasional item some people may forget (gloves, fins etc). Drive around to dive sites and do business with divers in action, based on convenience and competitive pricing. Let people see your catalog of stuff during their interval times. They can place orders with you, get air refills right after their dive, etc. You can have a little music going as you drive to attract the divers attention, (like how ice cream trucks get kids’ attention). Being mobile allows you to pick your sweetest market areas as they change. Or mix up the dates you drive based on weather. You can drive Cape Ann one weekend then RI another, etc. You wouldn’t have to worry about local competition too much… just change your location. If you had a brick and mortar business in Cape Ann, for example, then Cape Ann Divers can simply make a few adjustments to crush you with competition and name recognition. So if you’re not mobile then you may not last long. I hope one of you out there has the entrepreneurial bug to do something like this!

Okay, on to another dive shop review:

UNITED DIVERS, Somerville, MA

I've had extensive experience with this shop since I became certified 2 years ago because they are so close to my home. I've had swings on good and bad opinions about them. I was happy with them until recently. I developed a nice relationship with Andrew, but he's now gone. I’m very sad about this. He gave great information and his equipment recommendations were targeted to my needs. He never tried to oversell me anything. And I could always trust him to be fair. I'm back to being a total stranger there, and treated as such. I get the sense Rock knows a few things important and may be willing to share them, but I need to get to know him better. I always enjoy seeing Mike when he's there but I haven't bought anything from him other than air. Dave can be clueless (don't know if he's still there). Margaret and him totally pissed me off one time. She quoted me a "rent to own" discount on tanks. I returned a few days later to purchase them. She claimed to Dave (without coming out from the back room) that she never saw me before in her life and that she would never ever tell me tanks are part of the rent to own program. Dave relayed this to me adding "and I believe her." F/off Dave! (oh, um, it seems I have just momentarily transformed back to that moment... must go back to happy place...) Anyway, Andrew fixed the problem and sold me the tanks for the price I understood them to be. This is without him knowing that THEIR OWN website stated tanks are part of their rent to own program (and still is)!! Beware of this shop. They can be good and bad depending. I go to them for air and only because they are close to where I live.

 

[Soggy]

PK once bubbled...
Dave can be clueless (don't know if he's still there). Margaret and him totally pissed me off one time. She quoted me a "rent to own" discount on tanks.

I won't deal with Dave. He is argumentative and not very competent. Mike, Rock, and Margaret are the only people I will deal with there. They all know me and are very willing to help out. Margaret co-owns the shop with her husband, Jim. FYI, I found out today that Dave still only dives with a J-valve, backplate, and horsecollar BC. I saw his "rig" when I was in today getting a nitrox fill. Mike just rolled his eyes.

FYI, I just bought two E8-130s from them and got a great price because of the rent-to-own...Margaret worked it all out for me.

 

[PK]

Soggy once bubbled...


FYI, I just bought two E8-130s from them and got a great price because of the rent-to-own...Margaret worked it all out for me.

I knew Margaret and her husband own the shop. Perhaps Dave didn't actually talk to Margaret when I made him go in the back room and ask her about her quote she gave me a few days earlier. He probably pretended.... jerk. But I politely made him give me free rental tanks until I came back for Andrew to solve the problem. He did.

So I am now not so sure I should be negative towards Margaret since I've not had an "in person" problem with her (just via Dave). Aaron, I'll take your word that she's okay. I like her when I speak to her directly.

 

[o2scuba]

zerj once bubbled...
I am new to SCUBA just certified a couple of weeks ago now it looks like it is time to blow a large chunk o cash on my own gear. Actually make that two since my wife dives as well.

Anyway are there any LDS's to avoid or that you would strongly reccomend?


Looks like you got a lot of responses!!! It is always nice to get input from others regarding their experiences and opinions of businessess.

I would suggest that as a new diver, you may wish to demo a few different types of equipment. I can't count the number of times i've seen people rush out to invest in equipment, then realize within a year (or less) that perhaps they would have been happier with "x" or "y". That's what I did way back when... I had less than a dozen dives on my new full inflation bc when I realized back inflation was much better for me (not to mention weight integration).

Many shops will allow you to rent gear, then if you buy within 30 days, the rental fee is discounted from the purchase price.

Another good source for non-biased info is other local divers. Getting to know others, and diving with them, may also prove useful.

Good luck,

Andrew

 

[perpet1]

mer once bubbled...


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.

Rob.... Rock.... it's all in the details!

Pete

 

[perpet1]

PK once bubbled...

IDEA FOR NEW BUSINESS for those of you who might be interested:
Dive shop on Wheels. Convert an old bus, fill it with product samples and an air compressor. Also some rental gear ready for the occasional item some people may forget (gloves, fins etc). Drive around to dive sites and do business with divers in action, based on convenience and competitive pricing. Let people see your catalog of stuff during their interval times. They can place orders with you, get air refills right after their dive, etc. You can have a little music going as you drive to attract the divers attention, (like how ice cream trucks get kids’ attention). Being mobile allows you to pick your sweetest market areas as they change. Or mix up the dates you drive based on weather. You can drive Cape Ann one weekend then RI another, etc. You wouldn’t have to worry about local competition too much… just change your location. If you had a brick and mortar business in Cape Ann, for example, then Cape Ann Divers can simply make a few adjustments to crush you with competition and name recognition. So if you’re not mobile then you may not last long. I hope one of you out there has the entrepreneurial bug to do something like this!

Insurance might be tough to do rolling tank refills because the air quality will change from location to location. It does not take much carbon monoxide to kill you when it is in a scuba tank you you are at depth. Not to mention there may be a honkin a** (technical term for large) big truck next to your van pushing exhaust into your compressor suction.

Just a thaught,
Pete