Thalassamania:
I predict that you'll have a chance to shop at their "going out of business" sale.
Unfortunately, I have to disagree, although in my heart I hope you're right.
In my business here in Phoenix, the biggest is also the worst, very similar to this situation. But, he's so big, and so aggressive, and so unethical, that he just keeps getting new victims. I suspect this will be the case here.
When a newbie sees a potentially dangerous sport, and hears nonsense like "we train you for 58 hours, and we do a lake snorkel, and a bathtub rescue, blah blah blah" they don't realize it isn't more safe. They think it's better, which it isn't.
When I've introduced new divers, they are always wanting to buy stuff, and they don't know what they're doing. Ergo, the perfect victim. Mask, fins, snorkel, yes, then wetsuit, ad infinitum. If you go into a certain store, they have no qualms setting up a non-certified diver with three grand worth of gear. thus, their gross per student goes through the roof, perpetuating their existence.
However, the experienced divers don't spend a lot of money, so they really aren't seriously interested in doing the right thing by us - we all have our own gear, don't spend near as much any more as a newbie, and thus aren't worth their time, except to recruit divemasters, instructors, etc. which they seem to have plenty of. Plus, we see through the "internet is bad" argument and are informed, price-conscious shoppers. The margin goes down. They just aren't as interested in experienced, informed divers as they are ignorant, innocent newbies.
Wade through all related posts and see how many people got certified somewhere else and then became a regular at that shop. It doesn't happen very often. The other way, quite often.
The one thing I appreciate about the industry is that the vast majority of people, even business owners, attempt to cultivate newbies, not take advantage of them. It's truly remarkable. While they're in busienss to make money, rarely do I see someone in the industry take advantage of new divers. Except for one, apparently, and while experienced divers have resources to check things out, unfortunately the new ones get there, then get taken. Add to the mix the apparent fanaticism of their employees, and you've got a situation I won't ever get involved with. I doubt many people with experience at more than one shop will, either.
In investigating a business, for anything, the first questions you should ask is, "where does the money come from?" In this case, it's new divers.
.....This is why the question about great LDS's comes up so often.....please just apologize and/or stop posting and making things worse:sos:
