This is the only response I plan to make on this issue, so it may be a bit long. Please bear with me as, in nearly 30 years in business, I am aware of the value of our good reputation and need to defend it.
Joey, of 'screwed' fame called Dan's Dive Shop on Feb. 19/03 to order a drysuit. He spoke with one of my employees that day during several phone calls, asking about the various prices of Bare stock suits, about Special edition (a modified stock suit, like his friend got) as well as Custom made. He received a LOT of useful information, much of which he ignored.
Joey gave us the necessary measurements for the SE suit (NOT CUSTOM MADE) by telephone. He claims to be 250lb., 5'10" tall, size 11 1/2 shoe, etc. The employee immediately suggested a custom fit as the best option but he decided to go for price and ordered an XXL Special Edition suit, but had to think about 'options' on the suit (ie gloves and pvalve).
I received the next series of calls (he works for the phone company and has a lot of free time) over the next week and personally handled the order. Joey had decided that he should get the XXXL size since he had been studying the size charts and the XXL might be a little small with underwear. Upon checking with Bare, I agreed he was borderline XXL, but that the XXXL was to fit up to 6'4" (which he knew) and also that Special Edition suits would only allow a 2" reduction in leg length. I reminded him that the suit would be AT LEAST 2-3" longer, but he "was used to that" and said he didn't need custom, even though I told him it would give the best fit and if there was a problem with the manufacture Bare would look after it, but if there was a problem with measurement it was his mistake. I then DOUBLE CHECKED the limited number of measurements needed, plus suit options, on the phone with him slowly and deliberately before accepting the order (like I say, I've been at this a long time). He INSISTED that I immediately take a deposit on the suit and order it. I told him it would take 3-4 weeks for us to receive from Bare. He ordered the suit he wanted, did not take our advice and got the suit he ordered. The suit was shipped out April 1 (bad choice). The price was $1250.Cdn/$850. US & included a FREE Tech Dry Hood w/zipper (which we did forget to include but was sent later).
The P-valve was supplied and installed for $150.C/$102.US
Dry gloves installed were $189.C/$128.US
I have used nearly every make and style of drysuit on the market over the years. The Bare XXL boot fits my size 10 foot well. Joey called to complain about the fit of theXXXL boot on his 11.5 foot & then called to say it was ok??! with socks. Go figure.
The glove concern is weird. When Joey asked about the gloves I did tell him that the gloves were from the same manufacturer that the Diving Concept gloves come from and that's why the price is good. DC gloves DO NOT come with any literature, nor are they imprinted - you are pointed to their web site for instructions. But, oddly, the instructions are EXACTLY THE SAME as the brochure included with ours. The main difference? - ours have the OEM's name on them while Diving Concepts' name is on the website copy. Now, Joey either spoke with someone who a) doesn't know, b) doesn't want to say where the gloves & rings come from, or c) he made up the story. The gloves are the same blue gloves every drysuit supplier has with a patented ring system that can only be made by the original company, i.e.ours & DCs.
Final note: from the day Joey first called, he made in excess of 100 PHONE CALLS and Emails about this order - there is NO WAY he was screwed other than by himself for not listening to our advice.
I have read many of your replies on this board and appreciate the insight many of you have shown.
We looked into altering the suit by both Bare and our Repair Technician but it wasn't good enough for Joey. We feel his decision to send the suit to a local repair centre is wise and know that once he gets using the suit he'll really enjoy it.
Dan, President,DDS inc.
