My LDS just keeps getting crazier!

[DiveMaven]

It sure sounds like this shop is much more about getting as much money as they can, rather than getting as many customers as they can.

 

[oly5050user]

Are you nuts?

- Mask $40-60$
- Fins NO more than about $100
- Wetsuit a nice 7 mil isn't any more than about $350 or so. You can get a thinner suit for much less.



$70 to service a reg...hmmm. I suppose that's not too bad a price, if simple parts are included such as a standard service kit.

It sounds like these guys are much more interested in making a buck than they are at making happy customers who will come back. It's also sad that for many, this is thier introduction to the world of diving which may make them think twice about the whole sport.

seems it is $800. for equipment and acad/confined water and ow training off a boat for $800. seems about right to me..
About the lds attitude,not that I say its ok , sometimes you have to grin and bear it,but why did'nt your friend trust them enough to get his equipment there using the lds staff's help on type and sizing? You said training is top notch.Seems you all did'nt even give them a chance.Buy from LP and you do not always get the real thing..I have posted before about knock off regulators and parts they sell.Knock off inflator hose assemblys they use to keep costs down..Maybe the lds staff felt insulted about that.
I take it as part of my job teaching ,that the student pays me to teach and to assist them in gear decisions for the type of diving they may eventually be interested in.I have had people buy LP and it seems its always a headache..Had 1 student show up for ow course with full tech gear and he could barely swim,purchased at LP ,and he tells me all he wants to do is tropical diving in warm clear water..did not make my time very easy.

 

[bottomlover]

I think their classes run $550; you get a $200 discount if you buy one of their packages.

I think you can get mask, snorkel, blade fins and Mesh bag for around $250.

Upgrade to split fins, upgraded snorkel and bag and it goes to around $400.


I don't think their class prices are too bad. Considering the quality of instructors, I believe the classes are worth the cost.

The equipment cost, on the other hand, is HIGH. I was able to buy an AL Titan Micra with cobra computer from another "Authorized Dealer" (not LP) for less than Dive Shop charged for a base Titan with guages.

All things considered, i would still recommend them to another newbie with the warning "Watch for the high pressure, high cost sales pitches" and ignore the scare tactics of "If you buy it somewhere else, you can't use it on our boat and in our pool unless we certify it" . You can still use their Deck/Rental Gear on the pool and rent Gear for Open water.

How many Memphis divers do we have here?

 

[utdivermatt]

Memphis! right here! Ok, actually I moved to Knoxville and live there now. Im home every now and then

 

[Loneranger]

A local shop near me makes all new divers perform basic skills in a 15' tank while instructed by dive master. You will not be allowed on their boat unless you can do so. They do not charge for the test, it just covers them from putting rusty, unskilled divers with malfunctioning gear into harms way. Maybe the shop you are dealing with should use their pool to test the equipment in a real life situation (include a one time fee), and not punish those who don't purchase all their gear from them or choose LP to do so.

 

[TheRedHead]

In all honesty, I think the "inspection fee" is really a part of the membership ($70) which allows you unlimited use of the pool and dive boat. It also encourages you to buy their gear. They have wonderful facilities with a huge, 15 foot pool and a big dive boat. I think they should raise the price of their dive club to cover those fees. I would pay it for the use of the facilities. To me $100 is trivial, but I can understand that others are more budget-conscious.

 

[dherbman]

Maybe they like me more than you guys.

ya think?

I've seen shops bend over backwards for one customer and all but tell another to take a hike. If you are one that isn't liked, I would find a shop where you are at least tolerated. When I have a potential client that is interested in contracting me and I'm not interested, I double my rate.

Some posts sound like the poster actually thinks the LDS is there to serve them. It's not.

 

[bottomlover]

In all honesty, I think the "inspection fee" is really a part of the membership ($70) which allows you unlimited use of the pool and dive boat. It also encourages you to buy their gear. They have wonderful facilities with a huge, 15 foot pool and a big dive boat. I think they should raise the price of their dive club to cover those fees. I would pay it for the use of the facilities. To me $100 is trivial, but I can understand that others are more budget-conscious.

It wasn't apart of the Wild Blue (dive club) fee, It was stated that i would have to Pay for the Wild Blue fee in addition. I would have accepted the whole thing a little better had it been present that way, a 100 Discount for a 150 Dive Club if you buy your gear there. But it wasn't present that way. It was presented to me that if i buy my gear elsewhere i would have to have it "Certified" and i would have to pay the Dive Club membership. So i wasn't Saving As much as i thought i was.

Also, During my open water class, Randy noticed that someone didn't have the inspection sleeve on their 2nd Stage. He made them pull it off and use the Rental Gear until they had them inspected.

Don't get me wrong, i am still a supporter of The Dive Shop. I just do it carefully, because $100 is not trivial to me and there are several divers in my household.

 

[Carolina Diver]

Some posts sound like the poster actually thinks the LDS is there to serve them. It's not.

And thus the problem with limited competition. More direct competition would force a business to cater to customer needs rather than their own desires. Unfortunately, diving still isn't a big enough sport to support more shops and areas not on the coast generally don't have as much selection. The best way to prove a point to the owner is to take your business elsewhere.

 

[Don Wray]

My membership was $55, included 10 tank fills, unlimited use of the pool and dive boat...they charged my buddy $799 for the ow class, does not include boat fees at his ow sessions...either has to join wild blue or pay the daily fees...in the $799 he a 3mm wet suit, aqualung fins, a mesh bag, an aqualung mask and snorkel, and boots..think they threw in a bottle of spit. He ask about just the class price and it was $599...others in the area I have found out since charge $350 for instruction all inclusive....you either use their equipment or your own. The only other cost will be lodging at the ow site. Anyway, off the saop box now...good diving to all. RHM, would tell you I'd see you June 11th but doubt I'll be welcome after some folks read this post. Best!