I posted this earlier in response to a different thread. Thought the powers to be might want to take a look at the last couple of paragraphs for a new section for the board. Think eBay-like feedback section with short text and +,-,neutral rating to score LDS, Dive Site, Equip experience/satisfaction. My explanation lies below.
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I'm with Fred on this. Many times in this industry, the problem lies with the manufacturer that the LDS deals in. I've heard people flame a LDS because they didn't get a product on time as promised by the LDS. The problem usually lies in our small niche companies and their production capabilities. Small manufacturer's take second fiddle to larger orders when getting components from a supplier.
As for operators, unsafe actions by crew members might be reported as they pertain to safety of a board member relying on a certain DM or Capt. The inherent problem is that these events often take place far from our LDS/operators and these positions turn-over quite frequently. A bad DM may be fired or move on quite quickly, but we would banish that operator due to outdated information.
I think we continue to post warnings about bad experiences sans names and offer a PM for someone traveling to that area in the near future so that they may make a relavent descision based on current status quo.
There is enough flaming on this board of equipment manufactures that sways uninformed people from making purchases that would be perfectly reasonable for their needs. For instance, over time, as a new member reads regulator posts, he or she will conclude that Apeks is the only way to go and forgo buying the Aqua Lung from their LDS. Whatever. I will give equipment that I have experience with a good or bad review, but never flame the other guys. Unless it's Halcyon. (Just kidding!)
Maybe we should have a scoring section of the board where we can put a +, -, or neutral feedback for equip, operators, dive sites, and dive shops. This would be like the feedback on eBay. Then a potential consumer could make up their own mind free of flame and use the SB feedback section as a tool for this descision.
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MEM Pilot
PADI Rescue Diver
TDI Advanced Nitrox/Deco
"Donkeys kill more people annually than plane crashes."
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I'm with Fred on this. Many times in this industry, the problem lies with the manufacturer that the LDS deals in. I've heard people flame a LDS because they didn't get a product on time as promised by the LDS. The problem usually lies in our small niche companies and their production capabilities. Small manufacturer's take second fiddle to larger orders when getting components from a supplier.
As for operators, unsafe actions by crew members might be reported as they pertain to safety of a board member relying on a certain DM or Capt. The inherent problem is that these events often take place far from our LDS/operators and these positions turn-over quite frequently. A bad DM may be fired or move on quite quickly, but we would banish that operator due to outdated information.
I think we continue to post warnings about bad experiences sans names and offer a PM for someone traveling to that area in the near future so that they may make a relavent descision based on current status quo.
There is enough flaming on this board of equipment manufactures that sways uninformed people from making purchases that would be perfectly reasonable for their needs. For instance, over time, as a new member reads regulator posts, he or she will conclude that Apeks is the only way to go and forgo buying the Aqua Lung from their LDS. Whatever. I will give equipment that I have experience with a good or bad review, but never flame the other guys. Unless it's Halcyon. (Just kidding!)
Maybe we should have a scoring section of the board where we can put a +, -, or neutral feedback for equip, operators, dive sites, and dive shops. This would be like the feedback on eBay. Then a potential consumer could make up their own mind free of flame and use the SB feedback section as a tool for this descision.
__________________
MEM Pilot
PADI Rescue Diver
TDI Advanced Nitrox/Deco
"Donkeys kill more people annually than plane crashes."
No question that their is great value in direct experience thoughts with a given LDS, Hotel, etc. This is powerfull and valuable stuff.
