Hostage
Contributor
I have been diving since 2011 and there are three stores in my area. One store has me a little concerned about their approach to scuba diving. While they have the nicest looking store in town and their training is very good, they are very pushy and a little rude to some people, when it comes to selling scuba gear. The store is owned by a couple, one of them is very nice and very knowledgeable, though he might give the store away. The other focus on more of running the business and the sales. While I like small businesses and having owned one, I do have a good understanding of it. I am trying to figure out how to approach the owner I like about the high pressure sales, it is not helping the diving community. It seems like every new diver goes to their shop for their open water and their gear. There store is in the middle of town and looks very nice. After that people tend to be less of a return customer and go with one of the other shops as the are more laid back, a little cheaper, and a lot less pushy. My biggest concern is they scare people away from the sport as you need a $90 knife, "or you will die" mentality, when a $3 surgical shears would be better in most cases. Some people I know spent about $1k-$2k only to give up the sport as they think it is to expensive. They even refrain from telling any divers about the local scuba club as they are worried it might reduce people that go on their trips, which are a lot more expensive than the club trips. They only do a few dive trips and they have limited spots. There are also a lot more opportunities to dive with the club. Which in turn can mean more sales, air, and training for the shops. I like having 3 shops, I have spent money at all of them, it is nice for people not to have to drive far for air.
