Picking a good LDS

[derwoodwithasherwood]

I posed this question in another thread a couple of weeks ago, but I think it got buried as the thread morphed.

What signs do you look for when picking an LDS? What differentiates a good shop offering quality workmanship from lesser competitors? Before plunking down the dollars, that is.

In my own case, there really isn't a "Local" LDS. Of the two that I have tried, one is a 6 hour round trip, the other a 2 hour journey. Both have staff that seem knowledgeable enough to talk to. Both have lots of agency and brand stickers on the windows.

The one shop is owned by a personable young man but is dimly lit, disorganized and chaotic. Which pretty much describes the owner too. He has a rather cavalier attitude towards store hours and may or may not actually be open during the posted hours. He has failed to follow through on commitments in the past. I fear that any gear left with him for service may never be seen again. Assuming the door was not locked on arrival and you could leave the gear there in the first place.

The second is well lit, neat and clean. They're open when they say they're open and maybe even open a little bit later than promised. However, regs left with them for annual service came back with a misassembled and misadjusted secondary (free-flowing at depth). Rather than drive all the way back and complain, I just took it apart and fixed it myself. It was easier, but not what I paid for.

So how about it -- any tips on how to separate the wheat from the chaff?

 

[CathyI8205]

We basically have one dive shop here in Columbia, MO. He's good with service but not prompt. We're going to visit one in St. Louis. Right now, for us, it's trial by error.

 

[jbisjim]

Hang around the shop, and get to know them and talk to the other divers that come in. You should know what they are like soon enough.

 

[RICHinNC]

Of the two you described, there is little doubt which I would use.

I like a shop that has as much choice in not only equipment, but in personal experience as well. I want to be able to talk all types of diving and they have done it.

I will immediately shy away from an lds that talks poorly of any other brand other than the one they sell. That to me is just poor salesmanship. I ....as do many others....understand how restrictive the manufacturers can be and I understand why the lds will sell one or maybe two different brands. But to say all other brands are poor or unsafe just turns me off.

On that path, I like a dive shop that realizes the hobby is just not for the rich. Every piece of gear I buy I have to comparison shop. And, if the internet can save me a good deal of money....then I MAY have to go that route. If the lds sells the same item and want to play hardline on price, then, they may end up keeping the item in their store. But, I will spend those extra dollars if I feel I am getting more than just an item from the store.....I am getting SERVICE.....and I dont mean just maintenance.

I will def walk out of a store that talks poorly of other divers. If they will do that of them, they will do that of me.

One of the biggest things I look for is customer service. That encompasses the store being open when it is suppose to be open,,,,,,,being polite and courteous,,,, allowing a diver who disagrees with their method the right to disagree,,,,going the extra step.

So many business today seem to forget that a customer can and WILL go somewhere else if they dont like something about a particular store. And, it really doesnt take much of an extra effort to be a good lds.

Just my 02
rich

 

[Quarrior]

For me there are several things that I looked for after firing my first LDS.

First, will the LDS talk to me about something I want, rather than something they want to sell me?

Second, are the staff knowledgeable on the subject we are talking about, or just trying to make it through the conversation?

Will the shop rent me something they sell, like a BC or reg?

Are they willing to negotiate on price since we all know the net is here to stay.

Will the staff admit when they don't know something?

Personally, I kind of like the disaray. It's like a mini treasure hunt and I find all kinds of goodies. Kind of fun actually. But that may just be me.

Are they willing to teach me to work on my own gear?

There's a lot more, but those are the basics.

 

[500 PSI]

Speaking of Dive Shops ...... ....I was in a dive shop in Sarasota Fla. booking a dive. I casually asked the owner if the store was for sale, just for kicks. She responded:

" do you want to make One Million Dollars in the dive shop business. I said YES!!!
She then replied then start with Two!!!! Ouch!!

 

[drkwing]

As stated above, Customer Service is what I look for in a dive shop. Hang out a little with the staff, take a class or just go on some dives with the shop. A great shop will direct you to the best equipment, not the most expensive. Luckily I live near a great dive shop, the mask I wanted was $40 more than the mask that fit, they could have just sold me the ill fiting spendy mask, but they spent the time to go through the options that fit me best. This holds true for the rest of my equipment as well. A great dive shop cares more about you than the bottom line, but they know that if you are happy, you will be a repeat customer and because diving is a large investment this is a win-win situation. You should feel welcome at your dive shop and they should almost make you want to spend your money there. I hope this helps, I really like my LDS, and luckily its only about 10 min away! Its the little things that make the difference, shaving a few bucks off the price is nice, but their knowledge and advice is worth alot too.

 

[Keysdrifter454]

So how about it -- any tips on how to separate the wheat from the chaff?

My LDS is the bomb. A full service shop with multiple gear lines, international and local trips (weekly local trips), a pool, helium and argon, and a refrigerator full of beer.

We used to have a private quarry, and may again (it re-opened for gravel, we asked them to take another 30 ft out of the bottom).

They don't whine when I show up with gear from the internet or other shops, in fact they question me pretty thoroughly about other area businesses.

It's one of five area shops.

You just need to hang out and get to know the LDS on a personal level.

 

[terrapinken]

Hi my name is Ken Elliott and I would love an opportunity to be your LDS. If you get an opportunity, check out Midwest Scuba in St. Charles Missouri. We feel we offer the best service and value. Don't take my word for it, ask around. We are very proud of our reputation and want to earn all of our business. Good luck and safe diving!!
www.midwestscuba.net






What signs do you look for when picking an LDS? What differentiates a good shop offering quality workmanship from lesser competitors? Before plunking down the dollars, that is.

In my own case, there really isn't a "Local" LDS. Of the two that I have tried, one is a 6 hour round trip, the other a 2 hour journey. Both have staff that seem knowledgeable enough to talk to. Both have lots of agency and brand stickers on the windows.

The one shop is owned by a personable young man but is dimly lit, disorganized and chaotic. Which pretty much describes the owner too. He has a rather cavalier attitude towards store hours and may or may not actually be open during the posted hours. He has failed to follow through on commitments in the past. I fear that any gear left with him for service may never be seen again. Assuming the door was not locked on arrival and you could leave the gear there in the first place.

The second is well lit, neat and clean. They're open when they say they're open and maybe even open a little bit later than promised. However, regs left with them for annual service came back with a misassembled and misadjusted secondary (free-flowing at depth). Rather than drive all the way back and complain, I just took it apart and fixed it myself. It was easier, but not what I paid for.

So how about it -- any tips on how to separate the wheat from the chaff?[/QUOTE]

 

[terrapinken]

One other thing.....Please let the LDS who did not fix your reg properly know. I would want to know if something came out of Midwest Scuba wrong. I would have payed for the shipping to me and back to you if this came out of my shop. How can a LDS know about or fix a problem if they are are not informed??? We are not perfect, but we strive for perfection. Ken Elliott

Hi my name is Ken Elliott and I would love an opportunity to be your LDS. If you get an opportunity, check out Midwest Scuba in St. Charles Missouri. We feel we offer the best service and value. Don't take my word for it, ask around. We are very proud of our reputation and want to earn all of our business. Good luck and safe diving!!
www.midwestscuba.net






What signs do you look for when picking an LDS? What differentiates a good shop offering quality workmanship from lesser competitors? Before plunking down the dollars, that is.

In my own case, there really isn't a "Local" LDS. Of the two that I have tried, one is a 6 hour round trip, the other a 2 hour journey. Both have staff that seem knowledgeable enough to talk to. Both have lots of agency and brand stickers on the windows.

The one shop is owned by a personable young man but is dimly lit, disorganized and chaotic. Which pretty much describes the owner too. He has a rather cavalier attitude towards store hours and may or may not actually be open during the posted hours. He has failed to follow through on commitments in the past. I fear that any gear left with him for service may never be seen again. Assuming the door was not locked on arrival and you could leave the gear there in the first place.

The second is well lit, neat and clean. They're open when they say they're open and maybe even open a little bit later than promised. However, regs left with them for annual service came back with a misassembled and misadjusted secondary (free-flowing at depth). Rather than drive all the way back and complain, I just took it apart and fixed it myself. It was easier, but not what I paid for.

So how about it -- any tips on how to separate the wheat from the chaff?

[/QUOTE]