Industry Perks for Dive Pros?

[pickens_46929]

Common discounts?

When you are working for or are associated with a shop...

Free air, nitrox and tank rentals. Free VIPs on your own tanks. Often times entry fees even when you are not helping specifically with a class. Occasionally a free piece of gear here or there (nothing big mind you). Discounts on equipment from time-to-time but often that depends upon the manufacturer's rep and manufacturer. Discounts on trips if you are helping plan or organize them for the shop. Tips from students when given.

Online stores? Rarely though it does happen

Never hurts to ask.

 

[Bombay High]

Prices in the United States are probably the lowest you will find anywhere in the world for dive gear.
Stefan at Dive Supply in Phuket and the rest of Thailand offers discounts to dealers and extends that to instructors and DM's, but Dive Supply hardly qualifies as an LDS. Their warehouse is the size of an aircraft hangar and he is Scubapro's largest buyer.
I found prices in the US to be lower than the discounted price I got in Thailand.

 

[James R]

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.

I would love to know what shop that allegedly happened at. I find that to be so ridiculous it's near comedic. As a DM that doesn't "help" with classes anyway, I would have certainly laughed at "renting" me tanks for helping them both make money (shop and instructor).

Of course the manager may have actually been focused on other stuff and actually mean't loan the whole time, no way to say.

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

Often courtesy in general is not the norm here.

 

[oly5050user]

We have gotten a 30% off discount on boat trips from SubTropic divers on Key West when they were in business. Did not ask for it.during check in I presented a pro card and they gave a discount and even extended it to my wife who is not a pro. As such i have referred people here in NY to that business. I wonder if the new operator on the property does the same?

 

[pickens_46929]

Had my experience with a dive shop like that... there was a big difference depending upon a complicated matrix of which owner was there, what manager and whether they had their bran cereal for breakfast.

I would love to know what shop that allegedly happened at. I find that to be so ridiculous it's near comedic.

 

[mdb]

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.

Apollo Sports: Instructors: Sign-In

 

[chrpai]

I heard the story from a male and female DM buddy team that I bumped into at Windy Point on a wednesday night. I'd give you a name but that really wasn't the point of the story. The story was the interesting part and not who the LDS was. Perhaps it wasn't a "class" but it was some kind of "event" for certain. That detail aside, the rest of the story is accurately retold. The DM in question told me that it was his/her believe that the manager was very much throwing out the idea of "renting" the tanks to see if it would stick to the wall and then back peddled out when it became embarrassing.

Eitherway, I don't need to mention the name of the store or the person in question ( I know both) as I really don't need to get attacked again by someone who gets all touchy and calls me a liar because I repeat a story about a dive shop that he may or may not be affiliated with. :whistle:

 

[James R]

This time your story is completely believable, which is a lot different than the other one you just brought back up. Big difference. I don't really care what shop it is anyway...none of them write me a paycheck last I checked. I was just curious.

 

[chrpai]

Sorry, when you wrote "I find that to be so ridiculous it's near comedic" I thought you were saying you didn't belive me (again). And actually I was referring to someone else coming by and attacking me ..... it wasn't you as I recall.

I really never make anything up. I'm just a fly on the wall listening to what other people tell me. If I find it insane enough and the source credible, I might tell it at the bar.

 

[James R]

It's no big deal, sometimes it's hard to know exactly what someone means online. I meant that it would be ridiculous, as a DM or DIT, to pay rental fees on tanks to help them out.

(I still don't believe your buddy's story about the painted tanks not being able to be sent to hydro though, and I never will!)