How to assemble DSS backplate and bolt-on weights?

[stuartv]

Let's run a poll of those who have contacted me for advice about backplates.

Let's see how often the conversation lasts 5-6 minutes.

It doesn't for simple reason I can't explain what *I* think the diver needs to understand about BP&W's in 5 minutes, just does not happen.

I'm pretty damn adamant that my customers understand why I made the recommendation I did, under what conditions the gear I recommended is appropriate, and more importantly under what conditions it may no longer be appropriate.

I remember your calls, you had all sorts of questions about warm water and described your intentions to pursue a "wreck" diving course using a single tank and (shudder) pony bottle.

There is simply no way I'd spend 5 minutes on such a broad range of applications.

Tobin

So now I was using you and I'm a liar. Here's the snippet of my phone log from my Verizon account.

1, 5, and 6 are the Minutes. followed by "Rate" and "Airtime Charge" (the "--"). There were no other calls to or from my phone to/from the 626 area code between 10/19/14 and the call I made on 1/19/15.

We did talk about warm water, as I was soon to leave for Playa del Carmen.

The rest of the conversation you are remembering must have happened during that additional 34+ minutes that you spent on the phone after I said "thank you. Goodbye" and hung up.

I am a lot of things. I'm sure a lot of people would list a-hole among them. But, I am not a liar. And I do not think that taking up 6 minutes of the OEM's time to ask questions about used gear that they made qualifies, by any stretch, as "using" them.

I haven't been around SB very long, but I have been here long enough to see you be wrong, in more than one thread, about more than one thing. But, I have yet to see you post even the remotest acknowledgement of ever being wrong, even after it's been pointed out clearly. I don't expect it to start now. I give credit when and where credit is due. I do not engage in sycophancy. I take my lumps when I deserve them. And I apologize when one is due. So, I am done responding to this subplot.

 

[Kmart4321]

On a side note, what is your favourite flavouring to put on your popcorn? I just put some Salt and Vinegar on mine and settled in to see the conclusion of this

 

[stuartv]

Ha ha! I just realized. I'm the OP on this thread! Maybe I should just close it and end the drama. The information on how to assemble the BP and weights is now well-documented....

---------- Post added April 2nd, 2015 at 04:11 PM ----------

Oh, and I'm a straight up salt and butter guy.

 

[rhwestfall]

On a side note, what is your favourite flavouring to put on your popcorn? I just put some Salt and Vinegar on mine and settled in to see the conclusion of this

thought you guys up there only did poutine.....

 

[Kmart4321]

thought you guys up there only did poutine.....

Anf maple syrup... tres bonne

 

[Lorenzoid]

I'd rather buy gear from a small company whose owner takes a few minutes to speak or email personally with me, even if the answers are imperfect, abrupt, etc., than from a large, faceless manufacturer whose only channel of communication with customers is through their dealers.

Butter and salt, definitely.

 

[stuartv]

I'd rather buy gear from a small company whose owner takes a few minutes to speak or email personally with me

Me, too! Notice that my fantasy list of examples that *might* treat me as if they're happy to have me using their gear, even though I bought it used, included HOG.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Me, too! Notice that my fantasy list of examples that *might* treat me as if they're happy to have me using their gear, even though I bought it used, included HOG.

I love my HOG regs and DSS BP/W.

 

[Drin]

I suspect if I buy a used HOG reg or wing or a ScubaPro reg or an Oceanic computer, and I call any of those companies to ask about the gear I bought, I would not be treated as if I have irritated the person I'm talking to and get accused of using them. I even have this little fantasy...

That's pretty much what it is - a fantasy. Call any one of those companies and give them the serial # of the product you've bought uses. Once they see you're not the original owner you'll be on your own. "Bringing a new user into the fold" doesn't pay their rent, their phone bills or their salaries. They genuinely don't care that you're using their gear, because they didn't make anything off the sale. Nor should they care, since you're now in effect looking for free customer support on a product you didn't buy from them.

-Adrian

 

[cool_hardware52]

That's pretty much what it is - a fantasy. Call any one of those companies and give them the serial # of the product you've bought uses. Once they see you're not the original owner you'll be on your own. "Bringing a new user into the fold" doesn't pay their rent, their phone bills or their salaries. They genuinely don't care that you're using their gear, because they didn't make anything off the sale. Nor should they care, since you're now in effect looking for free customer support on a product you didn't buy from them.

-Adrian

While this may be quite true with some products I have never made it a policy to limit my support to only original equipment owners. I had no idea, nor did I car that Stuartv purchased his BP&W used. I only learned that here on Scuba Board when he stated that he had already purchased his used goods when he contacted me for advise on selecting a BP&W.

Over all people having success with our gear benefits us. It's routine for people to seek my advise on a broad range of goods we don't even sell, tanks, regs, scooters, air compressors, boosters. If I can help them I do, and if my experience is limited I'll tell that too.

It's not infrequent for me to suggest somebody source small items locally as it is often faster and cheaper. Fasteners, bungee etc. Small, low value parts are typically sent via the US mail to save cost, but the USPS first class service is without tracking and can be unpredictable. This makes $2 orders impractical for us and for the customer. While I occasionally fail I will try to leave the customer with some solution, or point them in a direction that leads to a solution if it is not possible or impractical for DSS to provide one.

I don't however expect to have to spar with those looking for advice.

Feel free to disregard what I have to say, I'll be the first to admit I have strong opinions about what is and is not good practice WRT diving, and I will not hesitate to refuse a sale when I think it prudent. I find it unethical to sell gear when I have genuine concerns about how it may be used.

Tobin