Wow - what started out as a request for some feedback on what owners would think of my request - because I didn't want to "offend" (for lack of a better word) the owner, has turned into a debate/treatise on how some people feel others should run their shops. NOT what I intended at all - and actually asked people to refrain from. I guess I know better now.
Private lessons - the main reason I first inquired about private lessons is my family's very busy schedule (my daughter's summer camp, my volunteer EMT duties, my wife's book group, my weekly sports game, etc.) The idea that a young student would benefit from them came later as a suggestion and I had also thought about it previously since I'm taking my first born into a hostile environment.
We did take the discover scuba class first and she did great. If your interested there is a thread on that event.
Anyway - to the original point. No special rates or discounts were had. Discounts are available on packages that include regs, bcd, etc. but not on basic personal gear. We had a good discussion and I'm sure we both left it without any negative feelings. Did I drop some cash - absolutely, I knew that before I even thought of taking classes, and I also didn't "have to" buy from them. They made that clear early on when I originally spoke to them. Could I have saved online - absolutely, but I chose to spend my money there today.
Thanks as usual to you all for taking the time to read my questions and provide some great responses. Sorry for any hornets nest I inadvertently kicked.
Private lessons - the main reason I first inquired about private lessons is my family's very busy schedule (my daughter's summer camp, my volunteer EMT duties, my wife's book group, my weekly sports game, etc.) The idea that a young student would benefit from them came later as a suggestion and I had also thought about it previously since I'm taking my first born into a hostile environment.
We did take the discover scuba class first and she did great. If your interested there is a thread on that event.
Anyway - to the original point. No special rates or discounts were had. Discounts are available on packages that include regs, bcd, etc. but not on basic personal gear. We had a good discussion and I'm sure we both left it without any negative feelings. Did I drop some cash - absolutely, I knew that before I even thought of taking classes, and I also didn't "have to" buy from them. They made that clear early on when I originally spoke to them. Could I have saved online - absolutely, but I chose to spend my money there today.
Thanks as usual to you all for taking the time to read my questions and provide some great responses. Sorry for any hornets nest I inadvertently kicked.