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Tobin and I are both curmudgeons. I quite like him, but alas, our politics render us not friends on Facebook, although we are in real life.I hate to say it but that sounds like Tobin ;-).
Added: I never had an issue with him or his products
You keep missing the point, and that is in itself, pure gold. Some people are just not worth selling to....Not so...in order to buy a stairway to heaven...someone has to have a stairway for sale.
Damn, but that old thread was just as fun as this one. I'll never forget that line!Damn the power mad satraps that designed this place....
But what a wonderful sense of humor he has.No ring...no self respect...no sense of decency.
No. While both may be blunt, Wookie is never abusive and never, ever whines about his customers. He understands social media like very, very few people out there. Tobin is the polar opposite of Wookie in most every respect.I hate to say it but that sounds like Tobin ;-).
He has certainly earned my respect in this thread. His patience and reticence to go on the attack displays a lot of business acumen. Of course, his fans have come to his defense, much to the chagrin of the OP.I've said it before and will say it again, VDH is an outstanding store, and resource.
Four paragraphs? I have never seen a post from you that contained any useful information. All you do is ramble on.
1. The customer is always right.
2. Not everyone should be a customer.
4% increase in web hits...too bad your shelves are empty...just think if everyone of these additional 4% wanted to buy something you don't have in stock...and you've got time to drink beer and pet cats...
While your getting your beer...how about putting my Kraken in queue...black hoses...DSV...DIN fitting...please make sure the mouth-piece isn't covered in cat hair...
that is...unless you're no longer in business...laugh while you can...
I read it....in every activity there is a beginning. a middle and sadly an end
The diving world is no different there is a beginning a middle and end
A fast review of dive companies-- That are distant memories -- Many names new to most modern divers -- Sea Net in 1954 to only Sub Sea Products 1970- Even more after 1970 that were established have disappeared into diver dust
FYI
Here is a list of over 35 dive companies that no longer exist
Sea Net - the first in the US- closed in 1954
Aqua gun
Voit
Swimaster
Voit Swimaster
Healthways
Sportsways
Scuba Master
Kirkhill Rubber Co
Dacor
Emerson SCUBAlungs
Sea Craft (Their 1958 back plate copied by VDH - What is old is now new!)
Aquacraft
Bendix Watercom
White Stag
Empress
Oceanic Equipment
The Bangstick
Parkways
Parker UW systems
Rubber Fabricator's
SMG
Triton
Aqua Engineering Co
Aqua Environmental Co
Bayley suit
Farallon
Giddings UW enterprises
GMC (Global Manufacturing Co)
King Neptune (Lloyd Bridges)
Nemrod
Neptune UW products
New England Divers (NED)
Samson
Sea Suits
Subsea Products
All of the above were full service responsible companies with well trained personnel an in house inventory with a shipping departments. Yet they are no longer in existence !
Why ? GOK
Death in family (Sea Net) - poor products-to many products - to few products - Poor promotion - poor distribution channels- to early in market place GOK ? But they have all disappeared !
VDH is what is normally classified as a "home based cottage industry." It is subject to all the same rules and regulations of a normal business but must also be subject to and abide by city and state regulations to operate a manufacturing, repair and distribution business with in an apartment complex.
Tdditional vehicle & foot traffic, additional waste products and the big one Chemicals should give concern to the apartment complex and the city and state governments.
There is also product liability of a cottage industry produced underwater breathing device aka SCUBA unit. It is understood that those acquiring a VDH UW breathing device for the first time sign a waiver of liability- which is a contract for a future undetermined event
But what about when it is sold to the second of third owner ? Or when an original owner buys the farm
(which so far has not been reported and which all are thankful ) BUT-The surviving wives, brothers, mothers and fathers will possibly want a "pound of Flesh" (aka $$$$)
If it occurs- lets hope it doesn't - it will be an interesting item of litigation --
Yes there is a beginning. a middle and end - It is assumed VDH is a little over the beginning for it is still only a "A one man home based cottage industry." It is unfortunate that this thread has so many positive responses that are being read and analyzed world wide.
This thread and all its positive responses could be the beginning of an event originally created by the Lieu brothers of Hong Kong and their duplication and improvement of the US Divers Mistral in Chinese shops so long ago - The Bunns regulator became the best Mistral ever produced which was also marketed by an English diving company --- only time will tell
Is VDH Done ? Not at present ! But who can predict the future for this hobby which has morphed into a one man home based cottage industry ? It can continue on in its present state and customer/fan base for an indefinite time or it can expand and move into commercial establishment, employ a staff, fully stocked inventory, provide employee and product insurances, join DEMA, advertise, became a main stream dive company and increase prices but can it remain competitive in the current dive industry- ??? It will never happen !
I wish you well in your endeavors to enlighten and equip the modern diving world with "vintage type"
dive equipment - it is a noble effort with high risk and few rewards...but it currently fills the needs of a small contingency of the diving community who want to look and dive like their childhood hero Mike Nelson. That is good That is great! Bravo !
I have spent entirely tooo much time on this - which will not be read -a total waste of time
Sam Miller. III
I enjoyed every word. Good insight, and yes: GOK.I have spent entirely tooo much time on this - which will not be read -a total waste of time