And yet, there are shops making money and paying employees.... That's a horrible economic idea?[?QUOTE]
Yes there are and some better than others, What do they do differently? Are they Diversified in what they sell? Do they have owners who hold other jobs????
CoolTech:
Which is what I would expect if for "Independant Instructors"
You didn't clarify what it is that you expect of an independant Instructor
CoolTech:
If the comsumer is willing to pay
Driven by supply and demand and DEAD WRONG! The cost for classes are set by what the largest number of consumers are willing to pay for a given service
Again, set by what the consumer is willing to pay for your service
(I assume this paragraph relates to the instructor)
You make it sound like they have a choice. Oh, but they do. Adapt, instruct or find another way to make income.
Consumer sets the price
Absolutely!!!!
Course fees are set by competition to get the consumer and yes what the local market will bear. A $99 class down in Tampa Florida would be a $400 class in upper state NY. The average consumer, who is unknowing of what to expect in quality (of instruction) pays based on this competition, Course fees are set by the LDS's. That is why there is such a difference in one LDS to another. . What all is included in that $99 class and what is paid for extra? By the time it is over the amounts from one LDS to another may not vary to much. OK I'll give it to you the consumer sets the fees.A classic example of where LDS take a loss with the intent to make it up else where is in air fills. The $4-6.00 air fill gets them in the store, now they can sell them something, hopefully. The cost for an airfill if sold as a retail item should be about $15.00 but comptetition doesn't allow this. The LDS sets the cost consumers expect this now and it is standard
The instructors want to teach because they love diving and the LDS take advantage of this. Did you not say you were an Instructor once? And you fell into this right?. At one time I did as well and I broke away from it. The LDS's want me to teach they pay me my fee. I have adapted.
CoolTech:
You are right. I chose to support my family in a different way...
Admirable nothing wrong with that, I did the same thing and now I can do this
CoolTech:
but, it WAS a nice attempt at insulting me that failed horribly
My intent was not to insult you, it was to look at this $99 class from a different perspective of which I did and apparently I did not fail. I have experienced and have seen others go through this $99 class thing. It is a common thread in the diving industry. Just like when the equipment sales fall off, the instructors' take the hit and have to pull teeth to get even the little pay that is owed to them
CoolTech:
I should have paid for this and the entertainment expenses. It was my mini vacation!
I am sure the LDS made money on the trip and I would expect it. But, they could have made more if they hadn't offered me that perk.
Wow, If I could have done this on my own, it wouldn't be a perk.
One man's administration fee is another man's vacation
You still paid for it but Ok it was a nice incentive to offer you the discounted seat and yes they did make money. Not all LDS's will do this
CoolTech:
Bingo!!!
As an independant instructor, you SHOULD be paying for your diving.
If there is only one student, most shops cancel the class unless that student wants to pay for individual instruction (You did say you are currently an instructor)
Utopia
Yes I am currently an instructor and I DON'T pay for "MY" diving its in the course fee. If I can make a dollar free and clear after all instruction from just one student then I priced right in this competitive market. Many a LDS say I can't do it, there is no way, But I do
CoolTech:
Look at that! An example of the very thing you are attempting to discredit. You have given a perfect example of the free market system. I couldn't have given a better example, thank you!
LDS's ask me to teach for them, sort of like out sourcing In so doing they pay me MY fee. Why would I turn that away? I don't depend on them for teaching
CoolTech:
I feel like you should take $0.01 back
See how cheap it was to get you!