PRICE IS EVERTHING (to me)!!! Of course I don't want dangerous rental gear or other hazards, but I don't care if there are fish guts in the bottom of the boat, if rental gear is not the latest and fanciest color coordinated fashion statement, if the floors of the shop are freshly waxed and employees have spiffy uniforms. I don't want to pay extra for someone to carry my gear or take my photo. If one shop is high service-high price, and another is low service-low price, I am going with the low price, even if it means an ugly boat and an ugly captain with an ugly dog. We all have a budget, and I prefer to devote my money to MORE diving, rather than fewer, but more luxurious dives. For the same cost, for example, two weeks on Utila beats the hell out of one week on Roatan. In Cozumel, a two-tank charter for $30 beats the one tank trip for $25. I look at accomodations the same way. I don't want lice-infested sheets, but I will not spend extra money on a hotel room with satellite TV and shuttle service if it means my budget lasts one week. Instead, I prefer two weeks in a youth hostel using the public bus. I want a bed, a hot shower, trips to good diving sites accompanied by nice people, and I want the lowest price that allows the shop owner to stay in business, make a profit, pay a decent wage, and maintain safe equipment. If Costco had boats, I would sign up.
To be honest, my consumer decisions have also been influenced by the "scenery" in some places. All else being similar, if one shop has nice women with exotic accents lounging around in bikinis and the other shop has a load of sailors on shore leave, my business is going to the first one. I have always wondered why this is not exploited more.
