My LDS just keeps getting crazier!

[TheRedHead]

Could they trace it though? Or can a typical dive shop employee or owner type the serial of a reg into some database and see who originally bought it and registered it, from where it was bought and when?

I'm sure they could and probably would if you were trying to take advantage of a warranty and free parts. I'm not sure about a database, but I suspect they would call. I have some KEF loudspeakers I bought in New York and I needed a driver replaced. Took them into my local hi-fi shop and they were able to find out when and where I bought them and whether or not it was covered under warranty. It rather pissed them off that I had bought them from another dealer for $500 less. And it took a long time to repair the relationship with my local store.

 

[bottomlover]

As a close friend of the LDS in question, I just wanted to set the record straight.

On "certification" of gear: The policy is that all gear, no matter where purchased, must be serviced annually in order to be in the pool or on the boat. If an individual has bought gear somewhere else, it has been serviced within the last year and it carries the necessary service tags, the shop does not charge to service the gear again. If the gear is not serviced, it cannot be used in the shop pool or on the shop owned boat. The service is not an "inspection" or "certification" of gear, but a servicing according to manufacturer specifications. The owner is charged for labor and parts, unless parts are covered under a program such as Aqualung's "parts for life."

That was not my experience. Either the policy has changed in the last few months or it was a scare tactic to try and force me to purchase from them instead of the other Authorized Dealer LDS (not ebay, not LP, Not Internet). Since the gear i purchased has already been serviced and wouldn't need it's Annual service for another 11 months 25ish days?

 

[serambin]

I think an uncertified diver buying a poodle-jacket integrated Cressi BC on the net - at whatever price - is the most uninformed gear purchase I've read about recently. You don't have to buy anything to take your OW certification class. I certainly didn't.

You must live on a different planet. No one in my area will give you compeditive prices if you didn't buy your equipment from them. E. G. $20.00 for a one day rental tankor refill. $55.00 for a basic snorkel.

 

[TheRedHead]

You must live on a different planet. No one in my area will give you compeditive prices if you didn't buy your equipment from them. E. G. $20.00 for a one day rental tankor refill. $55.00 for a basic snorkel.

The price of the class included the student gear. I already owned mask, fins and snorkel because I was an avid snorklerer. The class was $500. It was the most expensive class in the area, but I really didn't care because it seemed like the best class. I don't mean to sound arrogant, but $500 is not a lot of money to me and doesn't seem like an excessive amount to spend on something important. Maybe I'm looking at this differently because the amounts of money are so small?

 

[Puffer Fish]

The price of the class included the student gear. I already owned mask, fins and snorkel because I was an avid snorklerer. The class was $500. It was the most expensive class in the area, but I really didn't care because it seemed like the best class. I don't mean to sound arrogant, but $500 is not a lot of money to me and doesn't seem like an excessive amount to spend on something important. Maybe I'm looking at this differently because the amounts of money are so small?

There are lots more expensive course, but you are right in looking at quality over cost. Some LDS's are jerks. It would make more sense to have new divers use store gear, because they then have the chance to sell new stuff after the class. if they charge enough to make money on the class, then this is not such an issue. If they loose on the class, with the expectation they will make money on sales, they tend to act wrong.

 

[Eagle-scuba]

The name of the game is $$$$$ for any LDS, it`s a survival thing ..if you feel your mistreated, then move on and get over it.... never let one shop, dictate you adventures in diving, there are always those willing and able to suit YOUR needs...See ya` under

 

[utdivermatt]

The price of the class included the student gear. I already owned mask, fins and snorkel because I was an avid snorklerer. The class was $500. It was the most expensive class in the area, but I really didn't care because it seemed like the best class. I don't mean to sound arrogant, but $500 is not a lot of money to me and doesn't seem like an excessive amount to spend on something important. Maybe I'm looking at this differently because the amounts of money are so small?

Just because a class is more expensive means nothing about its quality. I was in the Dive Shop today actually (interesting story how I ended up there while in Memphis for one day). I watched their class (appeared to be open water) for a few minutes, and while it was run fine, I still stand by my instructor as the best in the area. I know its just my opinion, and yours is yours, and I respect that, but thats how I see it. Back to the point though, throwing money at things doesnt make it better... unless you throw it at me.

 

[TheRedHead]

Matt, I really liked the pool. And I don't recall your instructor even being listed in the phone book when I took my class. There were only 3 options at that time. I'm not adverse to throwing money, just ask my hubby...:laughing:

 

[utdivermatt]

Toss some here then... I can catch!

On a side note, my overall experiance at the Dive Shop was good today (after my earlier post I felt I should give credit when deserved). About the time this thread started, my instructor called me and wanted to meet to work on my Nitrox class this weekend, and then decided it would be best to do it at the Dive Shop, because they have a nitrogen analyzer, which she wanted to demonstrate to us. I was there early, so looked around for a while. I still say they are way overpriced ($660 I think for a Seaquest Balance... arg!), but they were nice to talk to. I bought a couple of small things before I left, and even left my computer with them (needed some new batteries). The class however, seemed to spend a lot of time on the surface being taught. While it is a matter of instructors, Saralynn always seemed to do alot more of the basic teaching in a classroom, because I know I lose intrest in learning material when in the water (who doesnt want to play). They were also teaching an advanced Nitrox class beside us (if I was in Memphis for more than a few days, I might take some classes with them; I want to get into the tec aspect sooner or later), which I was really impressed to hear about. Anyways, like I said, not my favorite place, but I definatly feel a little better about them after going in today.

 

[TheRedHead]

Matt, I've got two Faber tanks in one shopping cart and a pair of Prada shoes in another. I'm not sure if I have any throwing money tonight.

Matt, they will spend a LOT OF TIME in the classroom for Advanced Nitrox. A lot of the class is about equipment, but the theory is at least 8 hours of class. It's a beetch. I spent more time near the water and/or in 15 feet of water than I did in a classroom. Of course, we really didn't have a classroom, but that's another story. You don't get to play in this kind of class. The instructor for Advanced Nitrox/Deco Procedures is very good. He was my Nitrox instructor and we spent all of that class in the classroom.