Your Favorite Toronto Dive shop [Archive]

HappyDiversDen

January 7th, 2003, 10:14 AM

Without a doubt, Happy Divers Den (http://www.happydivers.ca) is MY fav ... 'course, I'm sorta biased, having been the Lead Instructor there for the last 7 years or so, and my partner and I finally bought the facility, lock stock and barrel in December. 02.

We're an SSI Instructor Training Facility, and all of us have PADI and TDI Instructor ratings.

Feel free to surf on over ... our renewed website will be live by the end of Jan ... try us, you'll love us!!

Tim Jones
SSI Master Instructor 5774
PADI IDCS 204,021

Butch103

January 7th, 2003, 10:51 AM

On your purchase...I hope it is a very successful venture for you and your partner....BTW I will PM you a private question....

GTADiver

January 7th, 2003, 11:49 AM

HappyDiversDen once bubbled...
all of us have PADI and TDI Instructor ratings.
Tim Jones
SSI Master Instructor 5774
PADI IDCS 204,021

You might want to notify TDI that you are not on their web site as an instructor. The facility is though. Might be an admin error.

eagleray2003

January 7th, 2003, 12:08 PM

Heard thru the grapevine last fall that Tam Dive was very near bankruptcy obviously not correct.

KEV49

January 7th, 2003, 02:47 PM

Should also list Colt Creek Diving on the poll, they are in New Market close enough to Toronto.

GTADiver

January 7th, 2003, 02:55 PM

ya, Brads a nice guy

HIDBOY

January 8th, 2003, 08:35 AM

Thanks for adding your opinions to the pole. Colt Creek Diving is not in the surounding Toronto area thats why they were not added to the pole, but I did hear that Brad is now in some kind of teaching deal with Wendy at Water Line on avenue road.

HIDBoy

Groundhog246

January 13th, 2003, 09:45 AM

HappyDiversDen once bubbled...
Without a doubt, Happy Divers Den (http://www.happydivers.ca) is MY fav ...Feel free to surf on over ... our renewed website will be live by the end of Jan ... try us, you'll love us!!
Not much on the site just now. :) But, can I mention, I HATE POPUPS. :boom: :boom: :boom: Yours at least promote your own site instead of some product I'd have absolutely no interest in. I had to reload and bypass my popup killer to see what is was, first round all I got was the noise to indicate it had killed the popup. Normally my cue to exit the site.

Haven't shopped in Toronto (yes I know it's the center of the universe) for dive gear, so no opinion on the poll.

HappyDiversDen

January 13th, 2003, 10:07 AM

Sorry about the pop-up ... the size of the ad. depends on your browzer, and we only put it up for the Christmas sale 'till we finish our cross-browzer testing.

I agree though, pop-up's are a pain!! We'll kill it today.

chloro

January 13th, 2003, 03:55 PM

Newmarket isn't in the GTA but don't buy at "the Dive Shop" on Davis Drive. He is a crook.

eramosakarst

January 13th, 2003, 04:03 PM

As dealing with Fred Brown and his level of expertise is a enriching experience ,as well a lot of people I know are dealing with Happy divers den and their feedback has been very positive.

Desco

January 13th, 2003, 06:04 PM

Tam Dive was a great dive shop in the ealy eighties to 2000, but after that it's been sliding and I wonder who's bringing it down.

Desco

taz22

January 13th, 2003, 06:40 PM

chloro once bubbled...
Newmarket isn't in the GTA but don't buy at "the Dive Shop" on Davis Drive. He is a crook.

It isn't very nice to call anyone a crook.

It can be very harmful to someone's business when you say something like that. I suggest that you can make you point more diplomatically.

Coyote

January 13th, 2003, 09:12 PM

Where's Toronto :bonk:

Coyote
:stupid:

Groundhog246

January 13th, 2003, 10:29 PM

chloro once bubbled...
Newmarket isn't in the GTA but don't buy at "the Dive Shop" on Davis Drive. He is a crook.
I was only there once, so can't comment on the "crook" part of it. Sloppy & not particularly friendly perhaps. I walked in with 4 cylinders for fills, they took em in back and filled em, completely ignored me as I browsed and finally paid attention long enough to answer some of my questions and sell me a retractor and take payment for the fills. Never asked for a C-card. Tried to get some info on diving at Jackson's Point but wasn't helpful at all. I don't plan to return.

chloro

January 14th, 2003, 08:51 PM

[QUOTE]taz22 once bubbled...
[B]

It isn't very nice to call anyone a crook.

I suggest that you go there for a few months and you'll get my point. God knows I am very diplomatic usually. Sorry if I offended some of you guys.

Marvintpa

January 15th, 2003, 01:31 AM

Yes, calling someone a crook is not nice, it is also slanderous. Saying things like that, especially about a business where comments of that nature can cost someone money, can easily lead to litigation.
Jim may be alot of things, but a crook is not one of them.
And if you had the kind of life threatening health condition he has, you'd have the occaisional bad day too.

Groundhog246

January 15th, 2003, 09:57 AM

HappyDiversDen once bubbled...
Sorry about the pop-up ... the size of the ad. depends on your browzer, and we only put it up for the Christmas sale 'till we finish our cross-browzer testing.
I agree though, pop-up's are a pain!! We'll kill it today.
Will keep checking back on your site. One thing I like to see on a site for a retail location is a map. A link to Mapquest or other is OK, but a simpler map, showing one or two major roads for a point of reference and then more detail if you're not on a main route and designed to "print".
How far North (distance/time) are you be from the 401?

Groundhog246

January 15th, 2003, 10:03 AM

Marvintpa once bubbled...
And if you had the kind of life threatening health condition he has, you'd have the occaisional bad day too.
I have no idea what type of condition you refer to. I suffer from occasional severe migraines. I'm no fun to be around and I know better than to try and deal with my customers at those times. I realize a small business person, owner/manager doesn't have a lot of choices sometimes. On this occasion there were 2 guys in the store, neither was very forthcoming or friendly and neither asked for a c-card (perhaps each thought the other did).
I got the impression that because they new I wasn't a local, I wasn't likely to spend any serious coin, so why bother. A dive buddy of mine almost his complete kit there and spoke highly of them, but I won't be back.

Desco

January 15th, 2003, 10:04 AM

Hay! Marvintpa

Whats wrong, did you get kicked off the scuba2000 board?. Hay! did you ever get over your deco procedure problems and do you still need to be baby sat at every deco stop.

Desco

Marvintpa

January 15th, 2003, 11:32 AM

Desco, I see no need to inaccurately attack someone.
Why do you? (which is contrary to the rules you agreed to when you joined this board)
Do you know me? Have we dived together? I don't believe so, and with your attitude, I hope my good fortune in that area continues.

Desco

January 15th, 2003, 01:13 PM

Yes! I do know you and all about your diving capabilities and history.

Desco

Marvintpa

January 15th, 2003, 01:31 PM

Then who are you?
I don't believe you have the guts to say.

chloro

January 15th, 2003, 02:53 PM

[QUOTE]Desco once bubbled...
[B]Yes! I do know you and all about your diving capabilities and history.

Guys... please stop this kiddish little game. I don't think we're here to discredit anyone unless we have good reasons to do...

Assumptions and personal attacks are useless and aren't of any help or interest for a majority of readers.

I suggest that you take it to a personal messaging level.

Marvintpa

January 15th, 2003, 04:39 PM

If he wants to slander me in public, he'd better be able to defend himself there. His inaccurate information, and downright lies, should not be tolerated by ANY memeber of this forum.
It's that simple.
This forum is a great place to exchange information and should be protected from morons who clearly don't have two brain cells to rub together.

chloro

January 15th, 2003, 05:21 PM

That comes back to what I just said ...

GTADiver

January 15th, 2003, 05:45 PM

Coyote once bubbled...
Where's Toronto :bonk:

Coyote
:stupid:

Love it!

o2diver

January 15th, 2003, 05:53 PM

You Forgot Dive Source in Whitby.
Great place, great bunch of people.
http://www.divesource.com

TTFN

chloro

January 15th, 2003, 05:57 PM

Great store, great staff. Very friendly and great prices...

I Agree but it is a little far but worth the detour. However, Brian must do some renovations eventually !

Coyote

January 15th, 2003, 08:39 PM

GTADiver once bubbled...

Love it!
Love what?:bonk: :moon: :arrow:

Coyote
:stupid:

Marvintpa

January 16th, 2003, 09:52 AM

I don't believe Brian is looking at renovating. He knows his operation is small, but that appears to be what he's looking for. His low overhead is what allows him to offer the pricing he does, and renovations would likely remove that competitive advantage. While the store and it's location are not the world's most attractive he does not appear to be suffering for it.

Ontario Diver

January 17th, 2003, 07:37 PM

Brian is also associated with Durham Divers which is the most funnest (apologies to English majors) Dive Club I have ever gotten wet with.

He is also very supportive to new divers and extremely easy to deal with.

seahunter

January 21st, 2003, 11:05 AM

This poll is interesting but in my opinion not very definitive. It has less responses on it than we had in our last Ice Diver class.

May I respectfully suggest that if you've not visited Scuba 2000 at the DVP/404 and Highway 7 (scuba2000.com) then you've not seen the 'Future of Diving'. S2K has been featured in more than one diving publication and is the first and only of the new age of scuba centers with tropical training pool, classrooms (3), 5000 square foot Pro Shop, service, air, travel, 7 day service and so much more.
Yes, I'm very biased but it's all true. Stop in and then get back on this thread and tell me if I'm wrong!

BTW, you'll NEVER see or hear me talking negatively about another dive store. My job is to make S2K the best and that is NOT accomplished not even enhanced by knocking other people. Besides most are my friends and colleagues.

Bubble Boy

January 22nd, 2003, 04:03 PM

seahunter once bubbled...

BTW, you'll NEVER see or hear me talking negatively about another dive store. My job is to make S2K the best and that is NOT accomplished not even enhanced by knocking other people. Besides most are my friends and colleagues.

Dive and Dive Safely

frogxman

January 22nd, 2003, 05:25 PM

Seahunter,

I respect you and your dive club, but I think its advertising at any occasion is a little bit too much. Especially in this thread. Let the others talk about it. I consider you post a spam.
Please take the critics constructively.

seahunter

January 22nd, 2003, 07:00 PM

I've visited every dive store in the GTA. Very few divers can say that and almost no store owners. I love to go and chat with the owners (I know many of them personally and trained more than a few!) so they can see I'm just a harmless old scuba diver who wants to get along with everyone. The advantage that gives me is that I can honestly compare Scuba 2000 to all the others and there is no comparison. They all have features and ideas that are good (I often try the good ideas I see at S2K) but no other dive center even comes close to offering the facility and services available at Scuba 2000. This is not an advertisement - simply my opinion based on my experince (substantial) and my observations. Have you visited S2K? If not, please do so before you criticise my comments about it and other stores. If you have, please tell me what we're lacking at S2K (except modesty).

Constructive criticism I can take. In fact, I welcome it. Slander and misinformation I've no time for and I believe any owner and all the members of this forum should collectively refuse to accept it! This business is hard enough without some ignorant malcontents poisoning the minds of the new divers.

This origional post was intended I'm sure to find out what other divers felt about the dive shops in Toronto. The question was 'What dive shop is your favorite and why?' The replies have surely strayed from that intent and some are spouting about which dive store is the worst and why.
I answered the question honestly and forthrightly! Scuba 2000 and I gave you all the reasons which I won't repeat here for fear of being criticised for advertising. If you are sceptical the only recourse is to visit. Ask for me when you're in and I'll show you around plus show you a few things you have certainly not seen before. My pleasure.

taz22

January 22nd, 2003, 07:20 PM

seahunter once bubbled...

Constructive criticism I can take. In fact, I welcome it. Slander and misinformation I've no time for and I believe any owner and all the members of this forum should collectively refuse to accept it! This business is hard enough without some ignorant malcontents poisoning the minds of the new divers.

I don't think anyone in their right mind would call seahunter's posts spam. Spam is actually a term for unwanted emails.

I wouldn't say it was advertising either since he has not paid to post his posts in this form. You may consider it publicity, but I don't really think that is seahunter's intent either. I believe he was just trying to share information, as most of us on this board do. Consider that fellow poster "Jimmy B" always says he uses Northern Tech Diver and he proceeds to post the website in almost every post that he places on this board.

I too think we can do without all the slander and crap that seems to be carried out on this board by a few "Master Chief" type people.

I suggest to you, if your life really is that boring and you have nothing better to do, maybe consider donating your time and volunteer for a charity or something. You might as well doing something better than just sitting back and *****ing and complaining!

SneakyB'tard

January 26th, 2003, 11:13 AM

First of all I would like to say that I am glad I was told about this site. I have been doing alot of post reading and enjoy the comments and info.
In regards to the comments about slander and crap...If the person writing this has ever been involved with diving business or training they would know that the dive industry is riddled with this type of communication. It seems that we or they are always having cat fights or miscommunications. This industry has a great amount of professionals. I respect a great deal of them and have workind with them as well. But....it has been and always will be this way.
The scuba industry is like a beauty pagent...when the curtains are up they all smile and love each other, when the curtain falls the claws come out!

GTADiver

January 26th, 2003, 11:15 AM

SneakyB'tard once bubbled...

The scuba industry is like a beauty pagent...when the curtains are up they all smile and love each other, when the curtain falls the claws come out!
That is just too deep..... let me check my tables

Groundhog246

January 26th, 2003, 12:11 PM

SneakyB'tard once bubbled...
The scuba industry is like a beauty pagent...when the curtains are up they all smile and love each other, when the curtain falls the claws come out!
Too true. Statements are usually preceeded by "Now normally I would never say anything bad about another shop, but" Sometimes it's a legitimate concern, more often a cheap shot at a competitor. Locally we have 3 LDS, who all seem content to live and let live. I've never heard a negative comment about any from any other, at worst a "won't comment" or "don't know". One is more tech oriented and until recently had the only nitrox fill and the other 2 will refer there when appropriate.
I read a quote a few years ago that could apply here.
Small minds discuss people.
Average minds discuss issues and
Large minds discuss ideas.

So let's see the larger minds in all of us.
:Peace:

Goldminer

January 30th, 2003, 04:47 PM

o2diver once bubbled...
You Forgot Dive Source in Whitby.
Great place, great bunch of people.
http://www.divesource.com

TTFN

I bought all my gear there. Very helpful staff and, I felt, fair pricing on a package. I live in downtown TO and I drove there to shop.

Also, this was one of the few shops I've been to that didn't slag lines of equipment which they don't carry. When I did my shopping for regs I looked around a lot. After a lot of salesman I was eventually told by at least one person that every line of reg on the market was unreliable and shouldn't be bought. God I hate that. I bought here because I received what appeared to be an objective evaluation of pros and cons without the petty insults.

Butch103

February 1st, 2003, 10:34 AM

But I have found that better establishments, be it dive shops our any other service industry that the better shops don't slag their competition, in fact many of the better ones will suggest a another shop to find the product the customer is looking for if they don't carry that brand etc......

I find the ones that slag their competition, I don't really go back, and if I have to I spend very little time there. I get what I need and leave ASAP.........

scubatoronto

February 2nd, 2003, 03:54 PM

:(
Well, I have to say that I stumbled upon this site accidentaly and am surprised at all the slander that is being put up on here. People need not trash other dive stores and focus more on what is working well at other shops. I find that if you have a complaint about a particular training facility, it is helpful for you to go to the owner/manager and tell them about it. That way you give them the opportunity to rectify the problem. All this slander does no one any good and is bad for the industry as a whole.
Anyway, we should all get along and try and make scuba diving the number one sport out there. We will only be able to attain this goal if we all unite and help all the shops around us prosper. If you want to see a product or service offered at your local dive facility, rather than trash it for not having it, ask the owner why they don't and see if they can help you out. You will be surprised how many store owners will point you in the right direction if only you make the effort to ask.
My only other question is how is Upper Canada Scuba recieving votes if they are no longer open? LOL. :) Oh well. Happy diving everyone!!!!!!!!!

ratherbediving

February 7th, 2003, 02:36 PM

I choose Scuba 2000. It's the shop I've been dealing with since I started diving. I haven't actually been to Tam Dive's store, but I have seen them and other stores represented at Underwater Canada and other shows. No matter where you go, you're going to find great people to deal with. It seems to me that no matter where you go you should look for these qualities:
-knowledgeable of the product lines of all the manufacturers
-good range of training available
-good facilities to do the training in
-organize local diving activities
-organize tropical trips

Scuba 2000 fits all of these attributes for me. I've gotten to know most of the staff there over the years. They make me feel like family when I walk in the door.

normoxic

February 11th, 2003, 02:59 PM

Hello

I've just about been to all the Toronto dive shops and found that they all have there ups and downs. Some suck and some are pretty decent. What makes the dive shop is customer service and a shop owner who has passion for diving. I find there are to many people who think they can open and reinvent the dive shop business only to become hate full, ignorant and hating it.

Normoxic

amphibian

February 12th, 2003, 12:20 PM

My vote goes to SCUBA 2000. I may have not visited every dive store in the GTA but I have made purchases from most of them. Alec, who has probably forgotten more about scuba than most of us will ever know, has put together a world class facility. The Scuba 2000 pro shop is bright and well stocked with equipment. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly. The satisfaction guarantee is unparallelled. Their on-site tropical pool is a treat to train in and they have programs running every weekend. If you are thinking about learning to dive, check out the other operations but definitely see what Scuba 2000 has to offer before making your final decision. If you are a diver who lives in the GTA and have not yet visited Scuba 2000 to see what the future of diving is all about, you are doing yourself a disservice and you are probably still paying for air fills. Believe me, it is worth the drive to Richmond Hill.