My LDS just keeps getting crazier!

[TheRedHead]

I bought a BP/W for my wife (LDS) and another for myself (internet).. Received the same levels of service from the people there.. they even commended me on the price I purchased mine at.. Not a negative thing was said... A definite class act. (not the shop being discussed in this thread, just using as an example)

I bought my Dive Rite BP from Dive Rite Express and Randy at the Dive Shop helped me set up my harness for nothing. I have a good relationship with them. They service my Zeagle reg from scubatoys.com. I have since bought an Apeks from them because I love the one my DH has. Let's be fair here.

 

[TheRedHead]

There was no argument in paying them to assemble the regs, fully expected to, I am a Wild Blue member but was told post joining that I wouldn't be able to participate until I have my equipment certified by them. That's ok too...I just won't participate, get my 10 fills and call it even. I don't need a pool, I live on a 75,000 acre lake and have my own 5 acre lake.....the pool use was part of the club membership package for me and part of my friend's class. My main point is they have created more anxiety to learning than there already was. He is afraid he will not be treated right at their facility during training. And, if he likes the Morphus and that's what he bought and intends to use, that's what he wants to train on....Just like some like jackets others like wings...The instructors are knowledgeable and that's why I initially took him there. RHM, Morgan told me they don't appreciate anyone buying from the internet. He and I have both bought equipment from them also...just not everything we have.

I understand how you feel. They have an issue about liability and making sure everyone is diving with good equipment. I don't think you friend should worry about his instruction, though. It might be a case where they don't want to use an AIR2 type device for the share air drills.

They don't appreciate anyone buying from Leisure Pro that's for sure. I've talked to Randy about scubatoys and other vendors I use. You do agree they have a good class? Do you want me to talk with them about your friend's concerns? I would be happy to help.

EDIT: I know they are having problems getting Dacor parts. I witnessed a situation where they had to turn away a reg service from an old customer with a Dacor reg because they couldn't get the parts. They will service Mares though.

 

[Don Wray]

I'm glad you've had good luck with them...I likewise do not feel like I have and in being fair, I think I should be able to relate my experience...I had fully intended on letting them service my equipment, in March of 07 when it's due and has been used more than the one time I have used it. Again, I have bought equipment from them and so has my friend, I had intended on taking specialty classes from them and didn't ask them to set the equipment up for nothing...just received dogging for not buying from them...Randy was in on it too...saying the places we purchased from were not authorized dealers....they are on Mares website as an authorized dealer. They have been nice enough to offer my friend his money back and if they do let him, that is good of them, as they probably aren't required to do so. I'm not shooting them in the dark either, as they were told yesterday, face to face what I thought.

 

[TheRedHead]

Sounds no different than me taking my gear on a boat. I take great care of it. I would almost be offended if someone required me to pay to have them 'certify' my gear before I got on a boat.

But here's the thing: you don't have to pay them to use the boat. You get to dive off the boat for free all year.

 

[Don Wray]

Thanks anyway, but if I wanted to, I would not be able to change my buddy's mind. I offered to sign a waiver for their insurance as I have my own dive insurance anyway.

 

[BabyDuck]

nobody's touching my gear as a condition to get in their pool or go on their boat. deal off.

sounds like they 'wouldn't know how' anyway, since it isn't the brand they sell...

 

[TheRedHead]

Thanks anyway, but if I wanted to, I would not be able to change my buddy's mind. I offered to sign a waiver for their insurance as I have my own dive insurance anyway.

It's their liability they are worried about. But I understand how you feel and since you live a good distance away, you probably don't take advantage of all the pool time. I'm in the pool every other week at least. If you use all the perks, it's not a bad deal with the unlimited pool time and boat dives. If you don't, then it probably seems unfair. Good luck with your future classes!

 

[ocrmaster]

I think someone should report them to SSI.

Or look for another LDS. Why SSI and not Padi or Naui?

 

[TheRedHead]

I think someone should report them to SSI.

The owner is a vice president of SSI. He was the president of the old NASDS? agency.

They are also a Dive Rite dealer.

 

[Wayward Son]

nobody's touching my gear as a condition to get in their pool or go on their boat. deal off.

sounds like they 'wouldn't know how' anyway, since it isn't the brand they sell...

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.

I don't dive any AL gear. From what I've read, I may not dive ANY gear they're dealers for. So why would I be stupid enough to let a shop not trained & authorized to work on my gear "certify" it?

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.