My LDS just keeps getting crazier!

[utdivermatt]

I have my gear serviced by a guy who knows it. I'll be damned if I'm letting strangers touch just bc they demand to.

I'm soooooo pleased that I have the LDS I do now. They also teach & support tech divers, for those who need it, but they don't play these friggin' games over where a customer got the gear they have, nor demand that they "certify" it before they allow you on their dive boat, or in their class, etc.

Well said. I am sick of LDS's that dont seem to realize you can go down the street and find another dive shop (granted you cant always, but in Memphis you can), that offers the exact same thing.

I dont admit to being a lawyer, or know much about law at all, but shouldnt the dive shop have a liability release. I can only think of one place I have dived that did not require one. The way I understand it, it makes you responsible for what you do (crazy thought in America, I know). Maybe I am way off, but I thought that was the route most dive shops went, not these shenanigans of trying to charge you for your gear to be ceritfy. If they 'certify' your gear and you die, wouldnt that make them more responsible?

 

[Wayward Son]

Part of it is the guy she said was a past president of NASDS. That explains much. That org was very much of the same mindset that Scubapro created, which was how the whole "authorized dealers, no mail order, over the counter" policies got started.

I don't care about LP in the least. But my gear all came from authorized dealers, has been serviced & maintained by authorized dealers at considerable expense to me & I'm not taking a chance on someone goobering it up.

They want see my last receipts for having it serviced? I might agree, if I feel like being bothered to go dig them out of a box & coming back. Or I'll give you George's phone # and you can call & ask him about his servicing. Or I might just get a case of the azz & leave & not come back. Depends on my mood at the time, but I don't like being pushed around. Sure, check they hydro & VIP on my tanks if you like. I'm not paying you to look, though.

 

[douglasville diver]

Wow what a story! I feel lucky.
For basic ow I had to buy fins, mask, booties and snorkel.
The course,NAUI,the instructor/shop owner 30 yrs. exp 5000+ dives charged 250.00,that included -b/c wetsuit,air,reg,pool,classroom,book and video.
Checkout was 300.00 included 2 nites hotel,boat,air fills,and instructor fee in panama city beach.
He don't believe in just selling the gear he has in stock or any gear for that matter until a student passes the course,then if you want your own gear,he will gladly fit you out with what ever it is you want and match any internet price. On top of that he services any and all equipment you can think of.
I've seen the J.C. PENNY dive shops, and again I'm so lucky to to have trained and continue to learn with a true diver and not a retailer

 

[747pilot]

My closest LDS isn't the one I use. I was going to and even signed up for lessons. Big mistake. If I bought ALL my equipment from them I would get my lesson for free but if I bought ANYTHING from anyone else they wouldn't even teach me. The sad part is that I had started using the PADI book. When told that the store demanded payment for the book. No problem... till they told me the price, $145.00!!!!! I paid it but shouldn't have. Should have just cancelled the bill on my credit card. BTW PADI couldn't do a thing to help though they did try. Guess who hears about this kind of service?

 

[*Floater*]

You haven't taken a class from the Floater. How do you know this? Everyone here complains about PADI quickie classes and here is a shop that offers a longer, more comprehensive class - and you pay for that. They also teach technical diving classes as well as all of the SSI specialities and Rescue. They have a private boat that customers can use any weekend in the summer.

Anyone who cannot figure out in 5 minutes how one of these works, should not be allowed to teach scuba diving imo.

 

[TheRedHead]

What she said.

I have my gear serviced by a guy who knows it. I'll be damned if I'm letting strangers touch just bc they demand to.

Well, Stu, I just bought an Apeks ATX50 from them so I have free parts for life. :laughing:

You're right in that Aqualung and the dealer agreement plays a big part in their philosophy. They must have 90% of their space devoted to Aqualung. They gave me a really good price on the Apeks.

 

[Wayward Son]

If you're interested, this is an interview with the guy who made Scubapro what it became:

http://www.fathomspub.com/cgi/interview.pl/9/index.html

It's lengthy but quite interesting. In there you will find some discussion of how NASDS (I was certified through them in 1978) came to be & related to Scubapro. I think Bronin's comments shed some light on this dive shop.

 

[TheRedHead]

Anyone who cannot figure out in 5 minutes how one of these works, should not be allowed to teach scuba diving imo.

Do you really think that is the *real* issue here? Leisurepro is the real issue.

 

[Courtneyf82]

Lame....... New LDS needed. "certify" your BCD? I wouldnt go one step further into that shop.

 

[Wayward Son]

Well, Stu, I just bought an Apeks ATX50 from them so I have free parts for life. :laughing:

You're right in that Aqualung and the dealer agreement plays a big part in their philosophy. They must have 90% of their space devoted to Aqualung. They gave me a really good price on the Apeks.

That's great for you. My gear is largely Scubapro, not AL or Apeks or Seaquest. They can keep their grubby mitts off my stuff. I have a tech who's been servicing this gear for decades. I trust his work. I do not easily let people mess with my gear.