Road Guy
Well-known member
Well as most of you know I am a big diving enthusiast, and last month I signed up for the Divemaster Program at my local dive shop, one day I want to be an instructor and teach part time when my kids are older and not needing dear old dad anymore and to get your instructor certification you first have to get your "divemaster" certification.. its geared towards basically being an aprentice (slave labor) for a dive shop or resort while you work toward your instructor rating..
my main motivation for starting is my kids scout troop is getting into diving and the Boy Scout Laywers require a high diver to divemaster ratio for scouts diving so I though I would get mine and then the troop wouldnt have to pay as much when we go diving (& maybe I can deduct a portion of divemaster insurance on taxes or something- but thats not my main motivation)
getting to the oh fudge part...
We have been pretty loyal to our dive shop, ive sent lots of business there way when people asked me where to get certified and we became very good friends with one of their isntructors who was doing my divemaster certification (this is about a 6 month course part time), This week I got to help out in my first class in the pool and was really enjoying it.. well I found out today thay my good friend was fired from the dive shop, they underwent an ownership change about a year ago and her side of the story is the new managers wanted to get rid of the old people who had worked there, she has worked there for 8 years... I know alot of times when I went there I would brush aside the new folks to seek out my "friend" who was familair with me, my gear, what I needed, etc. I didnt seem to excited to get to meet the new staff. I am sure lots of other customers did the same...
I just feel like in good concsious I can continue on with this dive shop after they have screwed her over, I also had 28 scouts set to go to their dive shop in August for a discover scuba experience, which isnt big money for them, but it should lead to some business, certification classes etc.. the discover scuba experience is $20/scout..
I had lunch with my friend (the dive instructor) today and she told me not to worry about it, but I just feel like I am f**king over a good friend by continuing to do business with them? its also going to be a huge Pain in MY ass to cancel the scouts discover scuba night cause I have these kids so excited about getting into the underwater world....
My investment in the dive class is only $100 at this point, the divemaster certification is $500 + trips and books + online tests which i already have but they were letting me pay $100 a month instead of all at once..The books and online test I have already done and can use at another dive shop, but the only other similar agency dive shop is much smaller and doesnt have the steady business to have what I consider a decent schedule....
And I cant just pay her to finish my Divemaster because part of it is you have to participate / help in different scuba classes and she wouldnt be able to set that up on her own..
I really dont know what to do...........and will gladly listen to any advice / thoughts?
my main motivation for starting is my kids scout troop is getting into diving and the Boy Scout Laywers require a high diver to divemaster ratio for scouts diving so I though I would get mine and then the troop wouldnt have to pay as much when we go diving (& maybe I can deduct a portion of divemaster insurance on taxes or something- but thats not my main motivation)
getting to the oh fudge part...
We have been pretty loyal to our dive shop, ive sent lots of business there way when people asked me where to get certified and we became very good friends with one of their isntructors who was doing my divemaster certification (this is about a 6 month course part time), This week I got to help out in my first class in the pool and was really enjoying it.. well I found out today thay my good friend was fired from the dive shop, they underwent an ownership change about a year ago and her side of the story is the new managers wanted to get rid of the old people who had worked there, she has worked there for 8 years... I know alot of times when I went there I would brush aside the new folks to seek out my "friend" who was familair with me, my gear, what I needed, etc. I didnt seem to excited to get to meet the new staff. I am sure lots of other customers did the same...
I just feel like in good concsious I can continue on with this dive shop after they have screwed her over, I also had 28 scouts set to go to their dive shop in August for a discover scuba experience, which isnt big money for them, but it should lead to some business, certification classes etc.. the discover scuba experience is $20/scout..
I had lunch with my friend (the dive instructor) today and she told me not to worry about it, but I just feel like I am f**king over a good friend by continuing to do business with them? its also going to be a huge Pain in MY ass to cancel the scouts discover scuba night cause I have these kids so excited about getting into the underwater world....
My investment in the dive class is only $100 at this point, the divemaster certification is $500 + trips and books + online tests which i already have but they were letting me pay $100 a month instead of all at once..The books and online test I have already done and can use at another dive shop, but the only other similar agency dive shop is much smaller and doesnt have the steady business to have what I consider a decent schedule....
And I cant just pay her to finish my Divemaster because part of it is you have to participate / help in different scuba classes and she wouldnt be able to set that up on her own..
I really dont know what to do...........and will gladly listen to any advice / thoughts?