What is the line you draw for patronage of a shop?

[BrotherBear]

Dishonesty, pushy sales tactics, inconsistent treatment, and downright shady dealings are on my list of things that will make me change shops. I pretty much agree with the overall list that could be generated from this thread. I think most people will with varying priorities for each transgression.

FWIW I have used 2 of the 4 shops within easy reach of my house and have settled on the one that I find very friendly, helpful, and honest. They treat everyone who walks through the door as if they were a long term customer and truly try to help them get what they need. My only complaint is that they need to learn to be a bit less enthusiastic about their delivery promises, better to under-promise and over-deliver than vice-versa. Not everyone has the patience to put up with missed dates on a regular basis, even when it's only by a day or two.

 

[Mark Derail]

On top of everything posted here...

When they "fire" my son because the rental division isn't making enough profit to warrant a salary all summer long, then retract, but it's too late my son is pissed at them. DM's and their unrecognized slave labors...

My new <3 LDS has a kickass team, can't wait for the summer dives to begin.

 

[IanBrit]

My only complaint is that they need to learn to be a bit less enthusiastic about their delivery promises, better to under-promise and over-deliver than vice-versa. Not everyone has the patience to put up with missed dates on a regular basis, even when it's only by a day or two.

Oh, Mr Brotherbear, what could you mean??? Something to do with 'we've got the tracking number but it will take a few months to arrive' sort of thing?

 

[BrotherBear]

Oh, Mr Brotherbear, what could you mean??? Something to do with 'we've got the tracking number but it will take a few months to arrive' sort of thing?

I have no idea what you're talking about. That's my story and I'm sticking to it :/

 

[drdaddy]

I'm fortunate to have good relationships with a number of shops ... one in particular that gets the majority of my business, but several that I try to give some business to just because it's in my best interest for them to be there for me or my students. My criteria would include ...

- Treat me with the same respect you expect from me in return.
- Don't lie to me.
- Don't treat me like a child or an incompetent.
- A smile goes a long way toward making me feel like you want me in your shop.
- If you don't know, or don't carry it, say so. I won't hold it against you.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

I would have written exactly the same thing as Bob. There are shops I avoid, but the three shops that I use regularly (because of their different expertise or locations) are all honest, professional, friendly, and treat me with respect. I try to use these dive shops, instead of on-line ones, because I want them around when I and others need them.

 

[AaronRiot]

I'm all about saving trees, however pricing the class such that you can get it cheaper without the book results in some students forgoing the book when they probably shouldn't.

Perhaps an electronic version at a small discount (the cost of the book itself, which I am guessing is probably no more than $10). Then you are only paying for the content, the agency has the same profit margin, and you save a tree.

Perhaps I was misunderstood. If I have a friend who has a book, I see no reason to buy my own. It's quite easy to photocopy the knowledge reviews etc. In fact, that is exactly what I did. Why should I pay $XX for a 40 page picture book that I can borrow of a friend and retain the knowledge with in it in one sitting. Getting told sorry but purchasing the book is a requirement of the class AFTER I mention that I have access to a copy is ridiculous. Sorry, it is.

Furthermore, if you and your wife/husband/child were to sign up for a class together, why buy two? You live under the same roof.

I NEED access to course material. I DO NOT NEED to pay a shop for that. I didn't buy a single brand new book in uni. The school got my tuition. Any other course should be the same.

And on a side note, I would not pay for an ebook from Padi. But that's just me...

 

[BabyDuck]

i hate when they make assumptions based on what i look like. yes, i'm a middle aged chubby woman. yes, i'm a full cave / an/dp / experienced diver. get over your assumptions, salespeople.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Sometimes I think I would have been better off to just go into shops and remain annonymous instead of trying to become buddies with all the owners and employees looking for some kind of "inside" or looking to become a favoured customer.
I've had problems on and off with various shops in my area but I still would try and give them the benefit of the doubt and give them another chance at my business because I figured underneath it all we were friends.
Then I come to find out the bottom line is all they really cared about is my money.
It would have been a lot easier not to get emotionally invested and just go in and get what I need. If they don't have it or I get an attitude I leave and go somewhere else and they would never even know my name.

One thing I've noticed is that owners and employees tend to want to be the ones 'in charge' and the knowledgable authority. They don't like people coming in knowing exactly what they want and telling them so. That is a threat to their ego's and to their business.

Sometimes I think owners of businesses should go and take acting classes and business classes. That way even if they are having a bad day they will be able to pretend they are friendy and happy and know how to treat customers.

 

[Amphigorey]

I draw the line at rudeness. I won't shop or rent at Glenn's Aquarius II, even though it's by far the most convenient dive shop in Monterey, because Glenn is an ass. I'd rented a reg from the shop and I had trouble getting sand out of it, so I brought it back to the shop. I rinsed it out in the barrel and asked Glenn if he could look at it. He asked if I'd cleaned it, I said "Yes, I tried rinsing it out in the barrel," and then he replied in a high-pitched voice, "Mnn, I tried rinsing it out, myeh mnn mnn!" He said it like a schoolyard bully. It was weird as well as insulting.

He fixed the reg, but wow, I do not need that kind of bull**** from a dive shop. I'm never going there again.

 

[BrotherBear]

He asked if I'd cleaned it, I said "Yes, I tried rinsing it out in the barrel," and then he replied in a high-pitched voice, "Mnn, I tried rinsing it out, myeh mnn mnn!" He said it like a schoolyard bully. It was weird as well as insulting.

He fixed the reg, but wow, I do not need that kind of bull**** from a dive shop. I'm never going there again.

Well, you ARE clearly a whiner...expecting help from a professional to whom you potentially give money for products and service! Who do you think you are anyway?:cool2:

I'm glad I have a whole continent between that shop and me.