A new shop owner who has not realized yet that your business lives off of the annuity built by good service rather than the quick hit. While this was a single instructor and so it is clearer, I am amused at how different LDSs have different personalities that way. I am fortunate to live in an area with a number of them and I do my training at probably the least convenient one because they have the right attitude for me. I go back over and over again because of that and every time I have to go to the shop very close to my house because I just can't bear the drive, I am reminded why I do it. It makes all the difference.
Instructors and shops - How to NOT impress me...
- Thread starter Crush
- Start date
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OP
Crush
Contributor
Me too, but I am surprised by how not surprised I was.
We are on different coasts but seem to have the same LDS.
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Years back this new dive shop opened up near me. I stopped by about a week after they opened ... just to say hello and welcome them to the neighborhood. The guy behind the counter was a bit impressed with himself ... immediately told me how he was planning to put the guy down the street out of business in six months. I wished him luck and left ... never quite getting around to telling him I was working for the guy down the street.
His shop lasted less than a year ... the guy down the street stayed in business for quite a bit longer than that ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
His shop lasted less than a year ... the guy down the street stayed in business for quite a bit longer than that ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
Reminds me of a bumper sticker I saw.
I lied on my resume, you lied about the job. Were even.
I lied on my resume, you lied about the job. Were even.
As reported by the op, the comments from the instructor behind the counter would keep me from doing work with him, and I would not refer others. However, it is a good idea when engaging in conversation with a scuba retailer or an instructor to state what you are looking for, and truthfully represent yourself ( and others about whom you are talking ). I am not excusing an overbearing sales person/newbie instructor here, I just wanted to add my point to the conversation. Honesty on each side of the counter makes for better relationships.
DivemasterDennis
DivemasterDennis
soltari675
Contributor
Wow, you guys have some awful shops near you! My LDS here will often match online pricing. He explains the differences in products but never pushes any one product at me. (The shop owner) He sometimes makes suggestions based on what I say I want to use it for or how I dive. But if I say I want something specific, no questions asked. He will get it for me. Servicing has been painless. My equipment always comes out great. Repairs are fast. As instructors, there are 3 there, all of them are very patient and go beyond the required curriculum of the courses, making sure I fully understand and can perform every skill in the water. They take time to explain even the smallest details. I feel very safe and like I have learned more than my money's worth during classes there.
Maybe my LDS is a rare one. But reading some of these posts makes me very happy I found them. I wouldn't trade this shop for any other. I would travel cross country just to visit this shop. I can't imagine going to some of the ones people talk about here.
My LDS here will often match online pricing. He explains the differences in products but never pushes any one product at me. (The shop owner) He sometimes makes suggestions based on what I say I want to use it for or how I dive. But if I say I want something specific, no questions asked. He will get it for me. Servicing has been painless. My equipment always comes out great. Repairs are fast. As instructors, there are 3 there, all of them are very patient and go beyond the required curriculum of the courses, making sure I fully understand and can perform every skill in the water. They take time to explain even the smallest details. I feel very safe and like I have learned more than my money's worth during classes there. Maybe my LDS is a rare one. But reading some of these posts makes me very happy I found them. I wouldn't trade this shop for any other. I would travel cross country just to visit this shop. I can't imagine going to some of the ones people talk about here.
As an APUSH teacher I don't find this unbelievable. Some of these parents think their crap doesn't stink, and their precious babies can do no wrong.
---------- Post added May 4th, 2012 at 11:37 AM ----------
Also consider the demographics of the parents getting their "babies" certified. Doctors, lawyers, etc.
OP
Crush
Contributor
Early on in the conversation I got the feeling that the owner/instructor would tell me anything that I wanted to hear, just so as to get my money. My dishonest portrayal of my intentions and his response led me to believe that either he would say anything just to get my money (making him untrustworthy) or that he was willing to subject my child to what I feel is an unreasonable level of risk.
Tfast78
Contributor
I'm soooo glad my LDS of choice (I have a few to pick from) rocks! They try to sell you on the best but also don't mind you telling them that you want middle of the road or cheaper gear. The service and grateful thanks for shopping here attitude is the same either way you go.
So, prior to this zero to hero transformation did you catch what his prior line of work was?
I have on numerous occasions run into individuals that though skill, luck, family money, etc have amased the cash to have a change of carear and dive into a whole new specialty. It's scary when someone armed with superficial knowledge lands in a position where real experience is expected. People like this should be silent partners or stay in the background while skilled people build the business.
I have on numerous occasions run into individuals that though skill, luck, family money, etc have amased the cash to have a change of carear and dive into a whole new specialty. It's scary when someone armed with superficial knowledge lands in a position where real experience is expected. People like this should be silent partners or stay in the background while skilled people build the business.
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