Naming Names?

[Backtanner]

So without throwing a pie in anyone's face why does it seem almost taboo to actually name a dive shop one might encounter problems at. Sure there are some that might blow one encounter out of proportion and try to drag a shop's name thru the mud, but I notice quite a few reports only mentioning "a shop" or "LDS". With diving being a seriously saftey oriented activity, I would be the first to mention the whole story including shop name, who, what, why, and where. If the shop owner (and many are on the boards) in question was to have a different version of the story, he could either rufute the story or explain his side of the story. At the least if another customer had a different opinion of the store or might even agree with what was said. Point being, if there is dive shop that you would stay away from for safety sake why in the world would you keep the info to yourself?

 

[mania]

Let's imagine such situation:

I'm an owner of LDS. I split with my boyfriend. Let's say I have a new guy but my ex can't stand it. So he writes on the Scubaboard bad things about my shop. Do you think I would write back that this is all crap because the motivation is jelousy....
I wouldn't because I don't want everybody knowing my life story especially the most private things.
So the bad opinion about my shop is public and I what can I do about it?

If you think such situation cannot happen then you don't know human beings.
Mania

 

[The Chairman]

There is nothing in the TOS that will stop you from "naming names" when it comes to any situation with an LDS, Charter or other industry service.

However, we do NOT tolerate flaming of any sort... IOW, facts are cool, disparaging the owners and their lineage is NOT. We don't allow anyone to continually harrass a user or a business either. Please keep those personal agendas off of our board. We will also question motives if the first post by a user seems to be a harangue of any sorts.

We have been known to contact the business entity in question and make sure they know that a particular thread exists and invite them in to respond (only fair). We have also asked parties to leave when it has become obvious that they have completely distorted the truth in an effort to extort concessions from a business.

As for the individual "reasons" for not naming the shops in question, you would need to ask the individuals. Some are reticent to make trouble for a business. Generally, they don't complain often and would rather use their feet to fully express their feelings. That they have posted about the incident at all indicates a certain level of anger that they are not acustomed to. Some want to hide those embarrassing details that might come out in a full discussion of the facts. They just want people to feel badly for them and so are content to vent about a situation. They do not expect any resolution out of this. Some are genuinely shy, and do this to avoid any further confrontation with the parties in question.

I am sure there are myriad other reasons shops don't get mentioned. But our Terms of Service (TOS) does not prohibit it at all.

 

[Backtanner]

Or this situation....
Now I'm an owner and want to make a quick buck. I give my students minimal instruction and supply them with outdated and sometimes faulty gear. I'm going to make that buck and a lot more because nobody will warn the next guy about how I do business. My students can't so much as read dive tables but I certify them anyway simply because their check cleared.

 

[Drew Sailbum]

Island Politics

 

[Kim]

Or this situation....
Now I'm an owner and want to make a quick buck. I give my students minimal instruction and supply them with outdated and sometimes faulty gear. I'm going to make that buck and a lot more because nobody will warn the next guy about how I do business. My students can't so much as read dive tables but I certify them anyway simply because their check cleared.

Well, if you read some of the posts around here - this happens all the time! LOL - there would just be too many to name.
What is also said a lot around here is that it's not the agency or the shop - it's the instructor. If you need to learn something - get a good one. What's a good one? I suggest someone who makes you feel confident in their ability to teach you what you need to know - someone who answers your questions fully - someone who has a proven, verifiable track record. If you don't like the feeling - equipment-wise - instructor-wise - whatever-wise, don't do it!! I realise that in many resort locations people who don't understand anything at all suddenly start doing certs because it's available and easy (actually I also did that in Venezuala for my OW) - however as it's your own life that your going to be risking here - it's also your own responsibility to satisfy yourself that your instructor is 'up to scratch' - it's not that hard to tell......

 

[Backtanner]

Seriously, I don't mean to start some kind of leisurepro vs dive shop controversy between dive shops. But if there is a shop that offers more than suspect methods I would feel it to be my responsibility to the next guy to clue him in on shady practices he may not know about. This more for new divers especially. I personally have had pretty good experiences and cannot say enough good about BB scuba in Maui or Pacific Scuba in P.V. I got alot out of both and consider myself a better diver due to them. However the same can't be said for Two Deep (now out of business) in H.B. unless your idea of a pool dive is in another students Jacuzzi hot tub and beach dive instructors (erin) that show up hungover and possibly still drunk from previous night.

Side note: Back in reality I am not really an shop owner nor have I ever have worked for or against any shop.

 

[fgray1]

As a business man. I know that bad business practices take care of themselves. They won't last long. If you feel that a shop is not doing a good job you need only contact the certifying agency he works with and report him.
As far as posting the name here it serves no purpose except to make you feel better. If you want to warn people in your area about the shop, place a post and have people Pm you. A bad dive shop in your area really doesn't interest people in other areas of the world. There are ways to let people know without flaming the shop in an open forum
Fred

 

[fgray1]

Seriously, I don't mean to start some kind of leisurepro vs dive shop controversy between dive shops. But if there is a shop that offers more than suspect methods I would feel it to be my responsibility to the next guy to clue him in on shady practices he may not know about. This more for new divers especially. I personally have had pretty good experiences and cannot say enough good about BB scuba in Maui or Pacific Scuba in P.V. I got alot out of both and consider myself a better diver due to them. However the same can't be said for Two Deep (now out of business) in H.B. unless your idea of a pool dive is in another students Jacuzzi hot tub and beach dive instructors (erin) that show up hungover and possibly still drunk from previous night.

Side note: Back in reality I am not really an shop owner nor have I ever have worked for or against any shop.

Like I know these guys and you've giving no info that helps anyone. You make allegations without saying anything. Useless but you feel better for it.
Now had you said that you have had trouble with a dive shop in this area and I feel that people should know Pm me and I'll pass the info to you if your interested. Along with what you see as the problem. If the people in the area of the dive shop are here on the board and are really concerned then they will contact you for more info. Now you haven't flamed anyone.
Fred

 

[Backtanner]

I got it now but was mostly curious why when one has a good experience names are dropped instantly at the drop of a dime, but when any bad experiences are talked about names are almost never mentioned and simply referred to as "LDS". For example, in a recent thead about someone's instructor telling them to equalize by "blowing harder" I would have loved to know simply what city this happened in simply to keep on my toes around that area. I really don't need the actual instructor's name as that might get into a ex gf/bf thing.