Scuba Store Policy

[Barbara_K]

I don't know where to post this, didn't find a good place for it, so I put it here.
----------------------------------------------------------

Today I ask for some of your experience when buying scuba gear. The background: a friend of mine went to a dive store to buy some equipment for snorkeling. She has no clue about diving, just asked for advise what she needs. They were nice and spent some time with her, recommended mask, snorkel, and fins. When they had everything, the final price was - 257 $. She just wanted to go on a snorkel trip with some friends, no professional diving. She told me later, she was so shocked by the price, she just paid and left, unfortunately.

After thinking a bit more clearly at home, she went back to the store to return that, 3 days after she bought it (bought on Friday, tried to return on Tuesday), still everything wrapped and with price tags. They told her, she can get store credit, but not the money back. What do you do with store credit of a scuba store when you don't dive?

I went to the store together with her again today, asking why he recommended the basic stuff for 250$ to someone who just wants to play a bit in the water. He said, he sells only professional gear and all his snorkel students would buy that, and my friend would enjoy the stuff when snorkeling. I am sure it's good gear, no doubt, but I don't think it's necessary. Well, he confirmed again, it's the policy, no refunds, and we could be happy with the store credit, if we want to go for that.

By the way, it's a PADI related store. Usually, I expect good advise at a PADI store, and that doesn't necessarily mean "take the best and most expensive".

Maybe I am wrong, don't know. How do you think about this situation? I would be glad to get some comments. Thanks a lot,
Barbara

 

[MechDiver]

I think she should have asked what the price was before she bought something.
And she should have asked what the store policy was concerning returns.

Question. Would you bring this up on washingmachines R Us if she did the same thing in Sears?

I personally think the store owner is being a dip, but its still her problem for not asking beforehand.

I really can't figure why people think scuba is any different than buying anything else.

 

[Barbara_K]

I really can't figure why people think scuba is any different than buying anything else.

That's what I thought, and my experience is that you can return most things within some days and get your money back. Maybe it's just my exceptional good experience with many other stores, but it is my experience.
You are absolutely right that it is her fault, there is even a "no refunds" at the receipt. I was just surprised how they handled the whole situation, that's all.

 

[GrierHPharmD]

Of course, there's nothing wrong with going back to the store during a busy time, say mid-morning on a warm Saturday, and attempting to get the refund again. I've done that a time or two when I disagreed with a no refund policy. Funny how quick those policies change when that young couple pricing regulators and computers a couple of aisles over hears the owner being a jerk...

 

[Iruka]

An option I'm surprised they didn't consider was (assuming they HAD cheaper snorkel gear) was to exchange that with the expensive gear & refund the difference. That way at least they might have a potential future customer and/or recommendation.

 

[fgray1]

You can buy good stuff for snorkeling here in the Tampa area for alot less. You got took. The basic package for diving (snorkel mask boots and fins) cost around $150 in this area. If you upgrade it can get as high as $300. But thats if you buy the best of everything. You might want to tell your friend to take the offer and get a wet suit to snorkel in. That way she has something she can use, or here's an idea, take the store credit find someone that needs something and have your friend buy it with the credit and the person can buy it from your friend. IE a regulator or a computer console.
better than losing the money.
Fred

 

[ShakaZulu]

Vins, buy size 16 sandles and strap to your feet using duct type. One clear plastic back over your head to act as a mask, tie down with rip tie. Don't foget to make a hole for a pipe to act as a snorkel. There you go, less than $10.

 

[MechDiver]

That's what I thought, and my experience is that you can return most things within some days and get your money back. Maybe it's just my exceptional good experience with many other stores, but it is my experience.
You are absolutely right that it is her fault, there is even a "no refunds" at the receipt. I was just surprised how they handled the whole situation, that's all.

I agree. I see no reason why the store won't take the returns if they obviously haven't been used. I guess they assume she wouldn't be a return customer anyway, so why not just keep the money.

 

[SubMariner]

I don't know where to post this, didn't find a good place for it, so I put it here.
----------------------------------------------------------

Today I ask for some of your experience when buying scuba gear. The background: a friend of mine went to a dive store to buy some equipment for snorkeling. She has no clue about diving, just asked for advise what she needs. They were nice and spent some time with her, recommended mask, snorkel, and fins. When they had everything, the final price was - 257 $. She just wanted to go on a snorkel trip with some friends, no professional diving. She told me later, she was so shocked by the price, she just paid and left, unfortunately.

After thinking a bit more clearly at home, she went back to the store to return that, 3 days after she bought it (bought on Friday, tried to return on Tuesday), still everything wrapped and with price tags. They told her, she can get store credit, but not the money back. What do you do with store credit of a scuba store when you don't dive?

I went to the store together with her again today, asking why he recommended the basic stuff for 250$ to someone who just wants to play a bit in the water. He said, he sells only professional gear and all his snorkel students would buy that, and my friend would enjoy the stuff when snorkeling. I am sure it's good gear, no doubt, but I don't think it's necessary. Well, he confirmed again, it's the policy, no refunds, and we could be happy with the store credit, if we want to go for that.

By the way, it's a PADI related store. Usually, I expect good advise at a PADI store, and that doesn't necessarily mean "take the best and most expensive".

Maybe I am wrong, don't know. How do you think about this situation? I would be glad to get some comments. Thanks a lot,
Barbara

It's unfortunate that your friend learned the hard way that one should check on the store's return policy BEFORE making a purchase. Technically, once the trasaction has been completed, the store is under no obligation to take back merchandise unless it is defective.

Furthermore, their policy may well be that there are no refunds, only exchanges or credit notes. Which would seem to be the story in this case.

Caveat Emptor: let the buyer beware.

Bonne chance,

 

[Barbara_K]

Thanks a lot for your comments and hints.
MechDiver: She actually got interested in diving and mentioned that she might consider taking diving classes later, so she could have become a good customer.
Fred: the guy in store said "we only have quality stuff, and this is the price for good quality, and only that makes your snorkling enjoyable." BS. Unfortunately, I don't know anybody who buys there, but the idea with the suit is a good one (have to check the available "quality" and prices first...)
ShakaZulu: where do you get size 16 sandals for under 10$. And for 5$ more, you get already the Walmart snorkel kit.
Barbara