Support my LDS? Really?

[insane04]

the reason to go to any particular lds is because they treat you like a valued customer, with helpful advice, reasonable, or even great pricing, and trust , in their instructors, and their classes/training ...

If you cant get that, then they are not worthy of your patronage

well put

 

[bj139]

I buy from 2 LDS's and the internet. I casually mention to the shops that I bought things elsewhere. I don't feel the need to hide this. One LDS does not sell used gear so I buy from the other or online. I bought all new stuff after getting certified at my initial LDS and got decent deals. Each shop knows I spend money at their shop so they treat me well. They also know I will buy elsewhere. This keeps them honest. I am actually helping each to be better business people and not scuba snobs. If I do have a falling out with a LDS I have the other to fall back on.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

If I do have a falling out with a LDS I have the other to fall back on.

This type of quote "have a falling out" with an LDS is again why I recommend to people to keep relations strickly business and avoid an emotional investment in a shop.
A falling out to me suggests some sort of hurt feelings as opposed to a simple impass meaning they don't want to deal.

 

[-hh]

The shop isn't giving the class away. He charges some $900 for it. But my workplace (I work for a union factory, so this is a union benefit) will pay the cost for the course if I wish to take it.

Even if they'll pay for the class, they'll probably not pay the annual costs. A few skills aside, the only good reason to get a DM is because you plan to become gainfully employed through doing so (including going on to Instructor)...or you're willing to do it for the love of diving and lose money to introduce the sport to others. Odds are that the advice will be "Stick with Your Day Job".

As such, the "...why?..." question applies. For example, is there some specific skill that you're looking for which is only taught to DM's & higher? IMO, probably not.

But I see where you are going with this. I am also in agreement that unplanned deco @150ft seems awful, well, dumb.

Given enough experience, there's going to be some interesting stories. The real question is if the guy's attitude is one of a reckless "Cowboy" or someone that you would want to aspire to being. Given the rest of the discussion, I don't see much here that anyone would consider to be particularly aspirational.


-hh

 

[Colliam7]

But my LDS is run by a complete arse. . . . He hit me for $125 for the mask, $85 for fins, and $30 for a snorkel. It took me all of 12 seconds after the purchase to realize that I had just gotten my head ripped off. . . . Anyway, price gouging keeps going on, . . . Tanks were sold about $50 OVER retail prices, but he justified it by saying "free air for 1 year" (which, to his credit, he has honored until this point).

An unfortunate tale of woe. Given your location, I suspect I may know the owner. And, while after you get to know him I don't think he really is an 'arse', I can't speak for his business tactics. But, I would have a hard time supporting the shop, given what you have described. I presume that the shop an hour away may be one of several to the south of you (across the border), and that the quarry you mention is also to the south.

You should do business where you feel most comfortable. If you change to shop B, and later run into the owner of shop A at the quarry, and he asks about it, be honest with him - 'I feel that I am a more valued customer at shop B, and the prices are simply much more competitive. I would love to do business locally, but I cannot justify the price differential.'

I wouldn't be concerned about the 147 foot incident - stories like that often get embellished a bit with frequent re-telling. And, the bragging part - if it is the individual I am thinking of - is just part of the personality, and is actually pretty harmless. But, as for taking DM with him, if he is the only instructor who teaches DM at shop A, I suspect you will not have a particularly good experience, just because of history - not so much an issue with the quality of training, simply the personality fit. If there is another instructor in that shop you could do DM with, and it is fully paid for as a union benefit (sounds like a good opportunity, actually), and it is something you want to do, I would not see a problem.

Ultimately, life is too short to do business where you don't feel comfortable. And, a LDS should be a place you enjoy visiting, if for no other reason than to just hang out and talk diving. I drive past a LDS about 20 minutes from my house, to go to one almost an hour away, on a regular (several times weekly) basis. It is just a better fit, for me. As several have said, an hour away is still local.

 

[pThrift]

He may not really be an arse. I he & I have our moments. He has taught me all my classes thus-far, and some days he is just fine.


yes, the quarry & the shop are both "south of the border". Trying really really hard to leave names out of this whole thing, but apparently I should have left out my location, lol.

Running into shop owner A is going to be the biggest issue down at the quarry. I hear what you're saying. That seems to be the most appropriate way to handle it. But I know from experience (I've bought a computer elsewhere, and another student bought a wetsuit elsewhere) that he doesn't typically let it go that easily. I suppose it's all just talk, but you get tired of hearing it. I'm at the quarry to enjoy myself, not put up with a bunch of BS.

Glad to know I'm not the only one that makes a long drive to head to the LDS.

An unfortunate tale of woe. Given your location, I suspect I may know the owner. And, while after you get to know him I don't think he really is an 'arse', I can't speak for his business tactics. But, I would have a hard time supporting the shop, given what you have described. I presume that the shop an hour away may be one of several to the south of you (across the border), and that the quarry you mention is also to the south.

You should do business where you feel most comfortable. If you change to shop B, and later run into the owner of shop A at the quarry, and he asks about it, be honest with him - 'I feel that I am a more valued customer at shop B, and the prices are simply much more competitive. I would love to do business locally, but I cannot justify the price differential.'

I wouldn't be concerned about the 147 foot incident - stories like that often get embellished a bit with frequent re-telling. And, the bragging part - if it is the individual I am thinking of - is just part of the personality, and is actually pretty harmless. But, as for taking DM with him, if he is the only instructor who teaches DM at shop A, I suspect you will not have a particularly good experience, just because of history - not so much an issue with the quality of training, simply the personality fit. If there is another instructor in that shop you could do DM with, and it is fully paid for as a union benefit (sounds like a good opportunity, actually), and it is something you want to do, I would not see a problem.

Ultimately, life is too short to do business where you don't feel comfortable. And, a LDS should be a place you enjoy visiting, if for no other reason than to just hang out and talk diving. I drive past a LDS about 20 minutes from my house, to go to one almost an hour away, on a regular (several times weekly) basis. It is just a better fit, for me. As several have said, an hour away is still local.

 

[muzikbiz22]

"The shop isn't giving the class away. He charges some $900 for it. But my workplace (I work for a union factory, so this is a union benefit"

I can't help but comment on this one. A "union "benefit" & "workplace will pay the cost". The only person paying for anything is the END USER/BUYER/CONSUMER of whatever product is manufactured at your workplace/union factory, via HIGHER PRICES. Just me, but I would be a lot more prouder of myself completing the DM course, and having paid for it myself too. Where's the value ?

 

[D_B]

well you are right as to the consumer ultimately pays the cost .. just the same as the cost of the employees pay, insurance, and any benefits
... it may be that this "cost" was part of getting workers to his business ... we don't know

I wouldn't feel less if I took advantage of any employee benefits that are offered to me .. it just may be why I chose to work here and not somewhere else

 

[toliver66]

Running into shop owner A is going to be the biggest issue down at the quarry. I hear what you're saying. That seems to be the most appropriate way to handle it. But I know from experience (I've bought a computer elsewhere, and another student bought a wetsuit elsewhere) that he doesn't typically let it go that easily. I suppose it's all just talk, but you get tired of hearing it. I'm at the quarry to enjoy myself, not put up with a bunch of BS. ​

DUDE! seriously?... are you kidding me?... Grow a set and tell this jack arse where to step off.

 

[Ben Prusinski]

Only support reputable LDS that provide good service and do not rip you off. Anytime I have a bad experience with a LDS, I dump them like a hot potato as long as it is not my fault and I did nothing wrong. I give them many chances to provide me with service and respect. Once a LDS blows it big they lose my faith and business.