My LDS just keeps getting crazier!

[redacted]

Ok. Here's the deal after talking to them about this. Their pool insurance policy requires that all gear be checked out by them. However, you don't have to get your gear inspected. There are 10 or so Seaquest BCs and Aqualung regs in the pool room for use by customers and students. If you don't want to get your gear inspected, then use one of their rigs in the pool. It is as simple as that.

I really didn't get into Don's problem with them, but they are aware of it and concerned. Morgan indicated that she tried to accomodate him. That's not really any of my business so I didn't pry.

I'm just relating their side of it here, so don't shoot the messenger!

Would you please ask them who they have their pool insurance with? Thanks

 

[TheRedHead]

I told them about this thread. Lisa wasn't aware of scubaboard but I told her how to access it. My deco class is next Saturday so I don't want to be personally involved with any controversy. I made them aware and I think that is enough.

 

[Ray Chavez]

Hmmm...

Their boat and pool, their call.

Depending on the mask, fins, snorkel and wetsuit, $800 is reasonable.

$70 sounds about right, the facilities, tools, ability and time all cost the shop money, why should you get it for free? They were even up-front about limited availability of parts.

I wouldn't teach anyone in an airtrim either!

[tantrum]uhhhhh, my LDS doesn't like me trying to screw them over[/tantrum]

Are you for real? that is a total rip off. Starting with their BS on "certifing" the gear to making you buy overpriced equipment. $800 for fins, mask, snorkel and wetsuit is pricey even with top of the line gear, wich I doubt they give you. If that happen with my LSD I'll tell me to F off.

 

[Don Wray]

That's their story now RHM....they told my buddy he would have to rent the equipment. Yep, she tried to accomodate me, told me if I wasn't happy go somewhere else, which was reasonable and I am. Once I pick up the two tanks I am having VIP and Hydro'd, get my 9 other fills, I won't bother them any longer. P.S. Lisa never left her office during my, Morgan and Randy's conversation, so she wasn't involved in what transpired. I do agree with Gator on one point, their pool their boat their call....My call is bye.

 

[TheRedHead]

I think your friend misunderstood, Don. You don't have to rent equipment for the pool, only the OW checkout dives, including the tanks, I believe. I didn't do my OW checkouts at the lake, but instead chose to do them in Florida on a referral, even though the checkouts were included in the price. That was my call. Yes, I think terminating your relationship with any place of business you are not happy with is a good call on your part.

Cheers!

 

[Carolina Diver]

After this thread Don, I would check that air fill...

 

[ckjacques53198]

I'm newly certified through my LDS. They are an SSI shop and sell Aqua Lung. I showed up for my first class to find that I was the only person to sign up for the class. I would have totally understood if the class was cancelled or postponed to the following month. My instructor/owner taught me as if it was a full class. I got what amounted to a private lesson for $500 (which included everything including full rental gear). The LDS doesn't try and sell like a sleazy used car salesman. There is no debating that online places like LeisurePro and Scubatoys have much better prices. I aprreciate the way I was treated by my LDS and thus look forward to giving them some business.

 

[matts1w]

Although I do not understand the inspection "fee," I do understand the the LDS' frustration with LP and Ebay.

I have expereinced both of these scenarios in the last two weeks.

1. Student comes to last week of class with a brand new reg set purchased from LP. W/O mentioing the brand, (it is one with which we are a dealer and carries a parts for life program) he was very proud of his purcahase and couldnt wait for us to assemble everything so he could use it in the pool. OF COURSE we assembled everything for free and did it with a smile, and OF COURSE we asked where he got the gear. Turned out it was a present from a relative and although they WERE going to buy it from us, they found it for about $200 less at LP. Fine. This student had NO IDEA that the gear he bought had no warrenty and no parts for life.

2. New diver/former student bought reg set and that was about 1 year old and was probably used less than ten times. It really was in great shape. It retails for about $750 and is the same brand for which we are a dealer. He won the EBAY auction and paid about $485 after shipping. He wanted us to check it out which we gladly did. The first question: When was the gear last serviced? Turns out it was never serviced, so he agreed (rightfully so) to have it done. Of course we charged him for parts and labor for 1st, 2nd, and alternate. His $250 savings is now barely even a $150 savings for a used reg set with no warrenty. Next year he will have saved about $90. The year after that about $30. In five years from now he will have a seven year old reg with no warrenty that actually costs more than if he had purchased a new set from us.

Here is the frusturation. I do not want to turn my classroom time into an atmosphere that we are into the hard sell and an explination of the pros and cons of buying from LP or EBAY, but I am starting to feel that this is going to have to be a necessary evil. Most of our customers who buy big gear from LP or EBAY would have never made the purchase if they had all the informtaion. Sadly, those that do never give us a chance to present our side of the equation.

We always will work on gear no matter where it was purchased and always address our customers with a smile. If you purchased a reg set from us and it is having issues we will gladly loan, not rent, one of ours so you can still dive. We will never charge you more for parts than anyone else, nor will we say anything negative about your gear. The bottom line I think it is fair to shop around, but PLEASE give your LDS a chance to show you what they have to offer.

 

[redacted]

I have expereinced both of these scenarios in the last two weeks.

1. Student comes to last week of class with a brand new reg set purchased from LP. W/O mentioing the brand, (it is one with which we are a dealer and carries a parts for life program) he was very proud of his purcahase and couldnt wait for us to assemble everything so he could use it in the pool. OF COURSE we assembled everything for free and did it with a smile, and OF COURSE we asked where he got the gear. Turned out it was a present from a relative and although they WERE going to buy it from us, they found it for about $200 less at LP. Fine. This student had NO IDEA that the gear he bought had no warrenty and no parts for life.

2. New diver/former student bought reg set and that was about 1 year old and was probably used less than ten times. It really was in great shape. It retails for about $750 and is the same brand for which we are a dealer. He won the EBAY auction and paid about $485 after shipping. He wanted us to check it out which we gladly did. The first question: When was the gear last serviced? Turns out it was never serviced, so he agreed (rightfully so) to have it done. Of course we charged him for parts and labor for 1st, 2nd, and alternate. His $250 savings is now barely even a $150 savings for a used reg set with no warrenty. Next year he will have saved about $90. The year after that about $30. In five years from now he will have a seven year old reg with no warrenty that actually costs more than if he had purchased a new set from us.

I agree that these are probably 2 customers who made a costly mistake with some short term savings. What I don't understand is why so many LDSs are apparently so ineffective in objectively conveying this message to their customers. Which means you would have to tell them about ebay and leisurepro and when those sources make sense and when they don't. Objective information rather than biased scare tactics will get thru but may cost the LDS sales on non-servicable things like masks and fins. And then there are the "authorized" internet dealers.

Maybe you should just acknowledge that there are lots of sources for dive gear and if they opt to shop around, please also consider your shop as you are sure you can put together a competetive deal for them. And then do it.

 

[Don Wray]

Ok...last installment..just got off the phone with my buddy and he went by the Dive Shop, got all his money back except for $30 which is fair as they had assembled his gear...he says they were cordial and all went smooth....Morgan is going to refund my money for my membership, and all is good in the world. My bud has found another SSI instructor and begins classes next Friday. Not trying to flame this thread but out of fairness, felt I had to give an update.