84CJ7
Contributor
After being disappointed by the ignorance and/or incompetence and frequently less than helpful sales practices of basically every LDS I have ever been in, this was going to be a "do all dive shops suck?" thread, but instead I decided to focus on the positive.
SO, what's your best local dive shop like and why is it good?
For those that must know here is the original negative post, (more of a frustration rant):
I haven't been impressed by any of several shops in 2 different states that I have been in or talked to, but today's prize went to the shop owner/instructor and major staff member who explained to me that:
1. All steel tanks are junk because all they do is rust out, and their only advantage over aluminum is taking off a bit of weight (which he only grudgingly agreed with after I mentioned that as one reason I got them).
2. I wasted my money ("why would you ever want these things" were the exact words) when I recently bought 2 used OMS/Faber LP85's for $275 with stainless highlander doubles bands, a thermo din doubles manifold and valves, and the original OMS single tank valves with screw in yoke inserts (currently what I am using). I did have to pay $80 total to have them both internally shot blasted (minor speckles of rust), hydroed (passed +rating with wide margin) and VIP with sticker on top of that though so its technically $355 total. I went to the hydro place itself and not a shop for that btw.
He actually specifically told me that steel tanks can be had all over for $50 each. He did not have any to sell for that price when I asked however.
3. I asked him about the Mares CWD dry kit since I saw he had an MR12 that he used with the silicone kit on it and he didn't know what the dry kit was or that the kit on his favorite MR12 also fits my MR22. but helpfully commented to me that the MR12 is the best reg they ever made (I would agree it is a good one at least), he is a Mares dealer who does ice dives btw.
Instead of correcting him or being difficult I just smiled and nodded a lot and on top of my air fills I even bought a new mask I needed for $50 (acceptable price and I wanted to try them on before buying) to help establish a relationship with him since I will likely be using him for local fun dives and great lakes charters (one area he did seem experienced and competent in).
I only hope I don't have damp air in my tanks now after that rust comment. As he is the only close by (within an hour one way) place for an air fill I will use him exclusively till the next VIP and then decide if I will ever use him again for that based on the inside of the tank.
You can stick to my positive question up top and just ignore the rant.
SO, what's your best local dive shop like and why is it good?
For those that must know here is the original negative post, (more of a frustration rant):
I haven't been impressed by any of several shops in 2 different states that I have been in or talked to, but today's prize went to the shop owner/instructor and major staff member who explained to me that:
1. All steel tanks are junk because all they do is rust out, and their only advantage over aluminum is taking off a bit of weight (which he only grudgingly agreed with after I mentioned that as one reason I got them).
2. I wasted my money ("why would you ever want these things" were the exact words) when I recently bought 2 used OMS/Faber LP85's for $275 with stainless highlander doubles bands, a thermo din doubles manifold and valves, and the original OMS single tank valves with screw in yoke inserts (currently what I am using). I did have to pay $80 total to have them both internally shot blasted (minor speckles of rust), hydroed (passed +rating with wide margin) and VIP with sticker on top of that though so its technically $355 total. I went to the hydro place itself and not a shop for that btw.
He actually specifically told me that steel tanks can be had all over for $50 each. He did not have any to sell for that price when I asked however.
3. I asked him about the Mares CWD dry kit since I saw he had an MR12 that he used with the silicone kit on it and he didn't know what the dry kit was or that the kit on his favorite MR12 also fits my MR22. but helpfully commented to me that the MR12 is the best reg they ever made (I would agree it is a good one at least), he is a Mares dealer who does ice dives btw.
Instead of correcting him or being difficult I just smiled and nodded a lot and on top of my air fills I even bought a new mask I needed for $50 (acceptable price and I wanted to try them on before buying) to help establish a relationship with him since I will likely be using him for local fun dives and great lakes charters (one area he did seem experienced and competent in).
I only hope I don't have damp air in my tanks now after that rust comment. As he is the only close by (within an hour one way) place for an air fill I will use him exclusively till the next VIP and then decide if I will ever use him again for that based on the inside of the tank.
You can stick to my positive question up top and just ignore the rant.
