Daughter is coming home from college for Christmas break and wants to get certified. LDS says $750 for classes and pool time. She will do the open water dives in the caribbean while we are on vacation during her spring break. Because LDS does not have anyone else signed up she has to pay the "private lesson" rate. They will furnish tanks and a reg, she has everything else. The alternative is to take the entire course when we get to Belize, a 5 star PADI dive shop. Thoughts and suggestons?
LDS Certification Costs Fair?
- Thread starter Chivas
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You might ask if they would nudge it down slightly since you're seeking a referral -- not needing them to do the cert dives. Otherwise, the timing is driving things, can't fault them for saying they would charge a private rate.
(Where I am the rate is $305 + books & personal gear, so $750 would be like a "class" of 2.5 people).
(Where I am the rate is $305 + books & personal gear, so $750 would be like a "class" of 2.5 people).
We charge $350 for that in Dallas... So over twice the price... seems a bit high.
RICHinNC
Contributor
Way high.....
The Kraken
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Remind them that you didn't ask for private lessons.
Now, if they can't, or more likely the issue, won't conduct a class with less than a certain number of students, based upon their break even point, well now, that's another matter.
In the case that the LDS won't teach your daughter at the class rates then I would suggest 1: that you consult another LDS, 2: do the course while on vacation.
the K
Now, if they can't, or more likely the issue, won't conduct a class with less than a certain number of students, based upon their break even point, well now, that's another matter.
In the case that the LDS won't teach your daughter at the class rates then I would suggest 1: that you consult another LDS, 2: do the course while on vacation.
the K
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Seems way too high to me. It's not her fault no one else signed up for their expensive course and since she didn't request private lessons it is unreasonable to charge her the private lesson fee. My LDS charged $295/person with $60 for book/dvd.
I'm sure there will be a charge for the OW dives in Belize too. You didn't mention the cost for the full resort course. You would have to weigh the cost of taking the full course at the resort... against paying your LDS $750 AND paying the OW dive fees.
If you are concerned about the time spent, while on vacation, in a classroom/pool you might want to have her take that part locally. However, she might be more comfortable finishing the course with the same instructor she started it with.
I'm sure there will be a charge for the OW dives in Belize too. You didn't mention the cost for the full resort course. You would have to weigh the cost of taking the full course at the resort... against paying your LDS $750 AND paying the OW dive fees.
If you are concerned about the time spent, while on vacation, in a classroom/pool you might want to have her take that part locally. However, she might be more comfortable finishing the course with the same instructor she started it with.
It's nobody's fault that she's the only student, thst's just the way it's working out. $700 is about the going rate for a private cert up here but that's for the whole job. In the case of group lessons you usually don't get much of a break when doing a referral since it's all done as a gorup. In other words thet instructor has go through all of the steps anyway.
In the case of a private program ending as a referral they never go to open water at all so a price break is in order. Private nstruction is worth a premium but I'd shoot for something a little less than $500.
I'd avoid a crash resort course.
Better still.... Do the private as quoted, do the Carribean cert dives as planned and have the LDS do her PRIVATE open waters at home next summer. That way she gets private lessons, certified for spring break and will be a well oriented local diver. A little more $ but a good result.
edit:
Another option: When she comes back to do her local dives have them make them AOW material if she feels he has a handle on the basics in the warm water.
Pete
In the case of a private program ending as a referral they never go to open water at all so a price break is in order. Private nstruction is worth a premium but I'd shoot for something a little less than $500.
I'd avoid a crash resort course.
Better still.... Do the private as quoted, do the Carribean cert dives as planned and have the LDS do her PRIVATE open waters at home next summer. That way she gets private lessons, certified for spring break and will be a well oriented local diver. A little more $ but a good result.
edit:
Another option: When she comes back to do her local dives have them make them AOW material if she feels he has a handle on the basics in the warm water.
Pete
What would it cost to get a plummer or an electrician for the same number of hours?
Entry level dive training is pretty inexpensive. Much of it isn't very good either. If you look I'm sure you can find it cheaper but if I were you I'd find a really good instructor and pay them what they're worth. Unless all you're after is the access that is granted to those who posses a card.
Are they providing equipment?
Does that include books?
How much pool time?
What's the experience of the instructor, both as a teacher and as a diver?
Do they go above and beyond the rediculous training standards in class and OW?
What are you getting for your money aside from the access that comes with the card??
When I was teaching we spent about 10 hours in class and about 15 in the pool for an OW class. That's 25 hours of my time, not including preperation or travel and I was providing the equipment and air. With other costs like pool and equipment, I wouldn't want to devote that much time for that kind of money? Would you?
Entry level dive training is pretty inexpensive. Much of it isn't very good either. If you look I'm sure you can find it cheaper but if I were you I'd find a really good instructor and pay them what they're worth. Unless all you're after is the access that is granted to those who posses a card.
Are they providing equipment?
Does that include books?
How much pool time?
What's the experience of the instructor, both as a teacher and as a diver?
Do they go above and beyond the rediculous training standards in class and OW?
What are you getting for your money aside from the access that comes with the card??
When I was teaching we spent about 10 hours in class and about 15 in the pool for an OW class. That's 25 hours of my time, not including preperation or travel and I was providing the equipment and air. With other costs like pool and equipment, I wouldn't want to devote that much time for that kind of money? Would you?
Too high?
Well, it's higher than the going rate, but then classes (and gas sales) have long been a loss-leader for dive shops to get customers in the door where they can make some money selling equipment at what many here consider "obscene profit margins" and "rip-offs."
With internet sales cutting deeply into the local dive shop's ability to get enough money in the door to stay in business, profits will have to shift to other areas than gear sales, and a $750 private class is probably about right.
Rick
Well, it's higher than the going rate, but then classes (and gas sales) have long been a loss-leader for dive shops to get customers in the door where they can make some money selling equipment at what many here consider "obscene profit margins" and "rip-offs."
With internet sales cutting deeply into the local dive shop's ability to get enough money in the door to stay in business, profits will have to shift to other areas than gear sales, and a $750 private class is probably about right.
Rick
As you did not ask for, and are not taking the whole private course, I think you should get a much better deal
My OW ... 10hrs classroom + 12hrs pool + ocean dives (shore) + books - LDS 2-for-1 sale = $150
DB
My OW ... 10hrs classroom + 12hrs pool + ocean dives (shore) + books - LDS 2-for-1 sale = $150
DB
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