Sea Dwellers Hillsdale NJ

[blacksambellamy]

I stopped by Sea Dwellers in Hillsdale NJ to ask a simple question about a BC i bought and was treated me like garbage. The owner yelled at me telling me i had some nerve to ask a question about a BC that i didnt buy at his store. When i first got certified i bought all of my equipment at SeaDwellers and over they years have bought everything from wetsuits to scuba lights. Ive rented equipment from them and had my regulators serviced there.
I cant believe they can treat a loyal customer this way. All i was asking was if my BC vest was put together properly and if not could they offer me some help. Before i could even finish my question the owner went on a tirade about how hes being put out of business by people like me just stopping by to pick his brain. After i explained i was friends with one of his employees he apologized but im afraid its a little to late for that. The next time i visit Sea Dwellers in NJ it will be for the going out of business sale (and i know that will be soon). There is no possible way i will ever reccomend SeaDwellers to anybody in the scuba diving community.

If shopping for scuba stuff in NJ do not go to Sea Dwellers they are rude and you can find cheaper stuff on the Internet

 

[Sea Dwellers of NJ]

I am happy to hear that you have given me another chance to communicate with you from when you were in my store this morning. I must again apologize to you for not being able to give you any recommendation with your new OMS BC. Unfortunately, we did not get a chance to discuss this issue of internet sales and my Pro store because you were too determined to leave. While I know that you are Greg Hooper’s friend, I discussed with him the fact that your regulator was purchased on the internet also. I asked Greg why you wouldn’t give us a chance to compete with the purchase on the internet; the same goes for the BC. I have talked to you about BCs in the past and again you haven’t given me a chance to compete with internet pricing which you feel is automatically the best price.



As I am sure you well know, you cannot get instruction or buy air or Nitrox on the internet. But a dive store cannot exist only on little nickel and dime purchases when the economy is in such bad shape. I put personal money into this business monthly to keep the doors open. Not only is it from high prices at the gas pumps but internet sales as well. So I invite you to come back and visit me and I would be happy to discuss your OMS BC. If you choose not to, the best of luck to you.

 

[blacksambellamy]

My regulator and BC were not purchased on the internet. A matter of fact the only thing i ever purchased on the Internet was a mask. I came to your store for some basic assistance with my vest. I wasn't sure if i had put it together properly because i didn't see any tank straps. I have found out since i left your store that i need to purchase them separate. I would have been more that willing to buy them from you. I know this is an extremely small purchase and maybe not worth your time but there was nobody else in the store so why not assist me?.
I know you are in business to make money but as a past customer i thought i could stop by to ask a question and buy the items i needed if any at all. Instead you tell me (quote)"im sick of people like you stopping by and picking my brain." Sorry, i didn't realize i needed to pay you for some advice. Im sure you have a wealth of knowledge to offer the diving community but you will never be able to share it by chasing recreational divers like myself out of your store. Remember there was a time when you to had much to learn about diving but you never could have learned all you know if there was nobody there to teach you. As a store operator you should know that even small purchases can lead to larger purchases and when the customer is happy they send more business your way. I probably spend a few hunderd dollars on dive gear a year some of that in your store "But no more". I cant even reccomend your establishment because of the treatment i recieved from you and not only was i abused but the abuse came from the OWNER of the store "that's a disgrace" .
I am wise to you, your apology was only generated after you found out i am friends with one of your best employees not because you want my business. So therefor i will take it elsewhere and not bother you with any more petty questions.

Sincerely,

Steve

 

[blacksambellamy]

You have spent more time apologizing and responding to my emails and posts then it would have taken you to answer my one simple question in your store. What have you accomplished? Nothing but the loss of a customer and referrals.

 

[Flea Dog]

Unfortunately dive shops have suffered greatly by internet sales. One of the local dive shops would not let me purchase a plug I lost for a LP port. The owner wanted $25 for the plug and installation. I asked about getting some longer hoses for my reg. He said he would not sell them directly to me, but would charge $50 per hose and $15 each for installation.

I'm sorry, I tried to give him the business. He only sent me off to the dive shop down the road. I give this dive shop business when I can, but the owner is rude and angry I do not buy everything from him. I don't care for many of the brands he carries and he does not come down in price at all.

I have two dive shops I love to go to. Their prices on most items are good. I will give them the extra business any time over internet sales or the miserable shop.

Side Note:
Why do people buy tanks on the internet for $10 dollars less then the local shop, then pay shipping and handling and a reinspection fee when it arrives.

Flea Dog

 

[blacksambellamy]

I agree. I go to blue water divers in Rochelle Park NJ. They are friendly helpful and will sell you anything no matter how small. Most things can be found cheaper on the Internet but I prefer to buy through them because of their customer service. They also offer a layaway program that is unbeatable. The deal is this: If you purchase a large ticket item you can pay them monthly installments whatever you can afford no interest. You may use your purchased gear but it must be returned to the store after every use. Once its paid off you may take it home for good. I buy gear from them in the winter months and pay all winter long. Then come summer my gear is paid off and i can bring it home.
It looks as though Blue Water Divers found a way to compete with the internet

 

[blacksambellamy]

Funny, i went to Blue Water Divers today to ask about the BC i bought and they were great. They gave me a lot of time spent about 1 hr with me and before i left i dropped another $1,000 dollars on equipment. Sorry Sea Dwellers it could have been spent by you. They also gave me great prices on rentals and i will be spending another $1,000 on tanks in the next few weeks

 

[dl348]

Funny, i went to Blue Water Divers today to ask about the BC i bought and they were great. They gave me a lot of time spent about 1 hr with me and before i left i dropped another $1,000 dollars on equipment. Sorry Sea Dwellers it could have been spent by you. They also gave me great prices on rentals and i will be spending another $1,000 on tanks in the next few weeks

Great story. You should continue to bad mouth Sea Dwellers every chance you get. They'll learn their lesson eventually.

 

[Dectek]

Funny, i went to Blue Water Divers today to ask about the BC i bought and they were great. They gave me a lot of time spent about 1 hr with me and before i left i dropped another $1,000 dollars on equipment. Sorry Sea Dwellers it could have been spent by you. They also gave me great prices on rentals and i will be spending another $1,000 on tanks in the next few weeks

Holes are a little funny in a way....... The more your dig the deeper it gets.
Don't dig yourself into a hole that will be impossible to get out of.

 

[minnesota01r6]

OK, I'm going to call this one like I see it: what LDS would let a customer out the door who just bought a brand new BC without selling them (or offering to sell them) tank straps? My vote is he bought the BC online. I could be wrong, but my spidey sense was tingling.