Industry Perks for Dive Pros?

[paraninja]

Hello,

I gained my PADI Divemaster rating in Thailand this past winter. While over there I discovered that many of the scuba equipment retailers offered discounts to Divemasters and other dive professionals.

I'm back home in California now, and I'm wondering if that sort of practice is common here stateside. I've never been in a dive shop in the United States; if I were to present my Divemaster card at checkout, would it be met with confusion? laughter? perhaps a punch in the face?

What about online retailers -- are there any that offer discounts to industry professionals? If so, which ones, and what do you do/say to gain them?

My primary profession (non dive related at the moment) grants me access to, what are customarily referred to as, "pro-deals" from equipment companies related to my line of work, wherein I can obtain products, often directly from manufactures, at discounted rates. Is there anything similar in the dive world?

I really appreciate everyone's consideration. I'm quite new to the "Pro" side of the house, and totally new to the US dive scene.

Stay Safe.

 

[diver_dj]

In my experience, you won't get a discount just anywhere. You may get one from an LDS if you are active as a DM for them.

 

[tracydr]

We always ask. 10% is the norm at many places. Especially for my husband, as an instructor.

 

[RJP]

You can usually get a discount on gear from a shop for which you actively DM. Additionally many manufacturers offer "Key Man" discounts to active dive pros... these discounts are administered through a shop for which you actively DM.

Other than that, producing your DM card at checkout for a shop that you just wandered into will probably be met with a "well-good-for-you" and a smile.

 

[flots am]

I'm back home in California now, and I'm wondering if that sort of practice is common here stateside. I've never been in a dive shop in the United States; if I were to present my Divemaster card at checkout, would it be met with confusion? laughter? perhaps a punch in the face?

In exchange for free labor, DMs and instructors in the US usually get a discount, and sometimes perks like free air, however I'm unaware of any discounts anywhere except at the shop you work for.

flots.

 

[decompression]

Sadly, your cert card and $2.50 will get you a grande at Starbucks. As most say you have to be working for a shop to get a discount from them, in return you highlight the advantages of purchasing gear from the shop to your students. Occasionally a manufactures rep will offer some swag or cost discounts but that is increasingly rare.

 

[chrpai]

I had a conversation with some DM's for a local shop the other day and it was insane. According to the story, a DM was asked to help out with a class. The DM accepted and mentioned needing tanks. The LDS manager then said "we can rent some to you".

Shocking disbelief followed until someone intervened and grabbed the DM some tanks. The LDS manager then tried to play it off like "oh, loan you some tanks is what I meant." The DM made it clear to me that he/she didn't believe that at all.

So that's what a DM card rates you over here in the USA. YMMV based on the relationships you develop.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Key man deals are generally available only to shop.employees as others have said. Sometimes shops get keyman deals but do not pass them on even to shop employees. They take the deal and sell the stuff at full retail to their other customers. There are those however that do pass these deals on to instructors that are affiliated with or just bring business in to the shop. Those are the ones I work with.

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[Makhno]

Hello,

I gained my PADI Divemaster rating in Thailand this past winter. While over there I discovered that many of the scuba equipment retailers offered discounts to Divemasters and other dive professionals.

Professional courtesy discounts are commonplace not just in Thailand but here in Taiwan, too -- at least at the instructor level. When I've booked diving trips elsewhere in SE Asia I've asked about professional courtesy discounts for instructors and they have usually responded with discount price quotes (and I didn't give my business to those who didn't offer a discount). Likewise, if an instructor or a DM wants my services as a local guide or to take a specialty course or something, I always give a professional courtesy discount. One notable exception is technical diving, because so many of tech diving customers are instructors at the recreational level.

Too bad that professional courtesy seems not to be the norm in the States.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Sometimes the lack of that is dictated by the mfg. Other times by shop owners who see other pros only as competition and not a source of possible new business. Very short sighted on their parts but a reality nonetheless.

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