Lloyd De Jongh
Registered
- Messages
- 39
- Reaction score
- 0
- # of dives
- 50 - 99
Hi
FYI - This has been posted on ST forum, same name and content, however I am interested in your views as members of the Force Fin sub forum.
As far as fins go, they seem to work - I mean, we're all using a pair. For me, Force Fins work better, much better, so I switched. But dealing with the weird stares and odd questions can get a bit much.
So there I was at my preferred LDS yesterday, getting the inflator hose of my new BCD attached to my reg. Already I've been through a little bit of the awkwardness involved with them servicing equipment that wasn't bought there - and being able to beat their prices by going online.
The shop manager asked to see my gear next time I came in, to see what it was I managed to get online, probably looking for evidence of cheap fakes or something. Next thing, I pull out my fins - and the shop manager starts laughing and asks me if I intend to actually dive with those, or do I have other fins for diving, since I have an upcoming dive with their DM.
I tell him no, these retail for $200, which is almost 800 in the local currency, a heck of a lot of money for any fin here. And these are my fins.
The guy can barely contain himself, thinking I must be the world's dumbest diver. Now considering they've been the best of a generally mediocre bunch I didn't take offense, but I could have decided to. They didn't score any points in any way.
So yeah, as long as you enjoy yourself and know how to come back alive I figure it's your business who you trained with and what you dive with. I just did expect more professionalism from my LDS.
Anyone else get out-of-line reactions from their fellow divers and LDS staff when it came to gear decisions, maybe not just force fins? How did you deal with it?
FYI - This has been posted on ST forum, same name and content, however I am interested in your views as members of the Force Fin sub forum.
As far as fins go, they seem to work - I mean, we're all using a pair. For me, Force Fins work better, much better, so I switched. But dealing with the weird stares and odd questions can get a bit much.
So there I was at my preferred LDS yesterday, getting the inflator hose of my new BCD attached to my reg. Already I've been through a little bit of the awkwardness involved with them servicing equipment that wasn't bought there - and being able to beat their prices by going online.
The shop manager asked to see my gear next time I came in, to see what it was I managed to get online, probably looking for evidence of cheap fakes or something. Next thing, I pull out my fins - and the shop manager starts laughing and asks me if I intend to actually dive with those, or do I have other fins for diving, since I have an upcoming dive with their DM.
I tell him no, these retail for $200, which is almost 800 in the local currency, a heck of a lot of money for any fin here. And these are my fins.
The guy can barely contain himself, thinking I must be the world's dumbest diver. Now considering they've been the best of a generally mediocre bunch I didn't take offense, but I could have decided to. They didn't score any points in any way.
So yeah, as long as you enjoy yourself and know how to come back alive I figure it's your business who you trained with and what you dive with. I just did expect more professionalism from my LDS.
Anyone else get out-of-line reactions from their fellow divers and LDS staff when it came to gear decisions, maybe not just force fins? How did you deal with it?