Dive shop reviews a.k.a...why I wont visit again...

In a previous post I stated how I felt and why I felt that way, basically promoting why I felt safe to suggest two dive shops that I have visited. I recieved a comment about being curious on why I did not like other shops Ive visited.

First off, a dive shop is not just a place to get gear or sign up for classes, its a place that helps maintain the adventure of SCUBA , and therefore it is my opinion that a LDS is also a life line, a life line to technology, dive locations, safety, ect ... and because of this I feel that I should recieve more then just mediocre information.

Because choosing a shop is a personal experience and deciding to continue using them is a personal decsion I will refrain from naming the shop / shops I decided were not right for me because that is just it, they werent right for me. However anothers experience may be different and I would be wrong to out a shop based on my perceptions, however I will go into what I do expect and reasons why other shops did not compare.

Dive Organizations ...yes we all know that there are different organizations that one can be certified through and we all have our little ribs about such, however I do not think it is right to insult one group only to build up the group they either promote or are. I am PADI, but in a shop I talked about my daughter becoming NAUI, that was the very first thing I said (I was looking to compare prices for snorkel gear) the next thing I heard was a group of 5 men start laughing and insulting NAUI to a degree that I was embarrassed for the shop. Not only that, but during the course of the insult I heard the fuck word 3 times. I had my 12 year old daughter with me, I understand I can not control how others behave around my children nor the words that they speak, but I should expect that if I am in a place of business people will refrain from such excessive rude language. I am a very strict parent who appreciates being able to expose my children to good experiences such as SCUBA but that does not mean I should also expose them to vulgar conversations at a store. The only small saving grace and why I did not walk out right then and there was a different employee apologized for the behaviours of them and was more professional.

Gear knowledge... I expect a store to have a vast knowledge of all the gear they carry. Not only that but I expect them to help guide me based upon my needs that I express and maybe since Im new the needs I may not be aware of. At one shop, although they carried a variety of brands continued to steer me to one perticular brand, even though I stated many times I did not want that brand. I didnt state such though until after asking several times why they promoted that brand so much the only answer was "The warranty" which is not the most important part in my opinion when buying gear. Yes its a part of it, but its not the end all be all. However the shop felt it was enough to where I had a hard time being exposed to the other stuff they had. I felt uncomfortable asking about anything because they seemed more about the sale then what the gear can do for me. If I am to spend sometimes hundreds on a piece of gear I expect to walk out feeling comfortable with the gear.

I think the biggest aspect in why I dont choose to continue with a shop would be my feelings on why they have that shop. Do they really care about the divers? Do they really care about my needs? One of the biggest no nos for me is insulting anything or anyone else to beef yourself or your service up, if that happens I think of two men in the locker room with a ruler, either way , if you have to do that , to me no matter what , you will never measure up to my expectations.

Hence the biggest reasons I love Oak Hill Scuba http://www.oakhillscuba.com/ and Royal Scuba http://shop.royalscuba.com/main.sc . Both shops know I go to the other, and at first I was nervous to hurt eithers feelings because I hear so much about loyality to one shop but I soon learned that I have loyality to diving, I visit and spend money at the shops I feel bring something to this sport and its those shops I care continue doing so. It would be bad in my opinion for either Oak Hill or Royal Scuba to go out of business because they have brought so much to my life by way of scuba that I know they have what it takes to make better divers in the today, tomorrow and for a long time to come and I want more to experience this sport and feel how I do and I know that if they go to some shops over the others they have a better chance at such.

Dive Shop Reviews...Royal Scuba and Oak Hill Scuba

Oak Hill Scuba - To review this shop I must go way back, back to a time I was not a scuba diver. I for almost 2 years would call dive shops to inquire about getting certified, however I was so scared of such sport that somehow I always let them talk me out of signing up. Then one day Nathan says "If you arent going to get certified Im just going to sell my gear". Oh great a guilt trip. So I hatched a plan and called 2 places (not named since I did not take them up on the class) and on the third (oak hill) Nik P answered... I started the convo the same way as always and he said, "well come in and we can talk about that"...Im a sales woman , I know this aspect of getting a sale so I continued to talk, and next thing I know I am paying for the class over the phone ...Anyone knows a man with an accent is better at selling then a non-accent man. So the next day I head to the shop to pick out the snorkel gear I will need to complete the class. While talking about what to look for in gear I meet Melissa (who has turned out to be my favorite dive buddy of all time) and get an intro to gear for chicks. Within 3 hours I have all my gear and being a student I get an amazing price and the Nik although very hyper is probably the best salesman Ive ever dealt with (thank goodness he wasnt selling cars) . The instructors were great, I had Nick (PADI) and his babysitter was ChrisPete (NAUI) and I must admit had it not been for the combination of those two Id have never been comfortable enough to get through my check out dives. Nick is accurate, funny, and full of experience. I enjoyed learning from someone who could "handle" my smartass ways. Then within a few weeks I realized that I ate and breathe scuba and needed to put my gear on rent to own but once again Nik the salesman and me the live in the moment person ended up buying it all out right. Granted that helped me get a better deal and Mac even threw in the air , wetsuit and weight rental for the day as a little bonus. Now my daughter is in ChrisPetes class and I see and know that she is being completely taking care of and safe. Ive only visited 3 dive shops but this one and the one I review next have the feel of home, they make you comfortable with your purchases and thats important...

Royal Scuba ... within a few miles to me is this new little great shop called Royal Scuba. So far Ive been there three times. Each and everytime I have spent more time then needed due to the staff. The staff is ready willing and able to bend over backwards to get you the best price while also sharing thier experiences in the sport in relation to where I am at and where I am heading. With them being so close getting tanks from them is the easiest for me, not only is the air coming in at 3100 psi but every time I come out with more knowledge in this sport. Yesterday I went in just to get a tank and try on some fins (on a side note I cant seem to find fins, the ones I wanted dont fit, and the ones I can settle for are to expensive, Im mad at the makers of Jets, I cant fit into the mediums) I notice they have short top booties and they are 20 bucks so I call Leia in from the car to try some on. Next thing I know I have all her snorkel gear. I saved almost 100 bucks , and she got exactly what she wanted. Nico didnt just push the pricey stuff, as a matter a fact some things were the cheapest ones yet they were better for Leias needs. I was ubber impressed with the experience and Leia is now sporting fins, booties, a mask and snorkel which is something I didnt think would be affordable for another month.

Either way anyone would be happy visiting either of these shops, hell visit them both and let me know how much Im the shit for referring them to you...