Which is your favourite/least favourite dive shop and why?

[Mark Chase]

Worst is Scubydoos in Croydon.

They seem to be always shut when I want to get somthing, the people behind the counter always seem to have to ask someone else. They are not cheep and often stock levels of bits and bobs are low.

Best is Divers Wherehouse who set me streight when I first started getting my own kit and have been helpfll ever since.

ATB

Mark Chase

[Simon TW]

Denny Diving and also had a good service from Kent Diving. Wittering divers won't give discount on anything no matter what or how many or how much you spend.

[And]

Hi

My favourite dive shop is SDS. Always friendly, and excellent pricing.

Least favourite has to be Stoney Cove, inflated prices and poor choice.

Andy

[daz]

Popped into Dive Monkeys in Bristol yesterday (New shop - opened at old current state premises).

Offered me a cup of Coffee and had a very nice chat. They seemed very keen to explain how they believed customer service was paramount to their future and while I was there a lady popped in for some glue to repair a wetsuit.

As they are still putting the shop together (Not actually officially open yet) they explained they did not have any in but if the lady popped back the following day the owner said he would bring some in that he had at home and repair it FOC.

Other than that I do rate Runnymede diving in Egham, not my local but they have been fantastic.

Daz

[tiewrapdiver]

Go Dive are the worst dive shop in the world, see various other threads as to why!!!!

[The Dougie Paddler]

Tend to buy small things EDC in Edinburgh, good service, happy to give advice but a bit pricey for bigger purchases.

I've tended to shop online for standard things, but wouldn't buy some things (anything fitted) without seeing it. Liked Divers Warehouse, bought regs from them at shop, luckily haven't bought anything from them online as I hadn't notice their site wasn't secure.

Only ever had one problem buying online, a computer from a London dive shop, from sight of delivery note I believe their courier delivered to wrong address and let someone sign for it. As I had paid by credit card they refunded my cash as I hadn't received goods leaving the shop and delivery company to fight it out.

If your buying online always use a credit card, that way you don't loose out if anything goes wrong.

Dougie

[Scuba1]

Quote: I have a few that I visit, distance is no problem I would much rather go and pick stuff up than get kit on line. Un Quote

Well fiona as far as Mares , Cressi . Free shark and scuba pro goes .... me thinks that I can stay under all the prices you can get your hands on in the UK ...... and as disdance is no prob for you just come down and pick the stuff up. And do a dive or ten

Regards

Michael

[Sandman]

In the past I have used Go-Dive, Divers Warehouse, Denney's and Deep Blue without any problems. One of the staff at Denney's could do with a bit more product knowledge as could some at Deep Blue who on the odd occasion have been next to useless. I think if you are working in a dive shop selling kit you should at least know what you are selling.

Worst shop has to be one based just outside of Oban.

[Narked@50]

Roho are rubbish.

I ordered £350 worth of Suunto Vytec and download manager from them about two months ago, this is what went wrong:

1. Ordered on line, 3 day delivery. A week later I phoned and asked politely where my goods were. "We are just unpacking them, you'll have them tomorrow." Four days later they arrived. TWO WEEKS not 3 DAYS as stated.

2. They sent an empty box for the download manager.

3. They replaced this within 3 days - BY SENDING THE WRONG ONE!

4. They then sent the right one and asked me to pay for the postage back of the wrong one!

5. Told them to credit the postage to my card and I would send them it back - I still have it a month later.

6. Regardless of this string of CRAP SERVICE I have yet to feel anyone gives a dam or recieve a genuin appology.

As far as good service is concerned I have had nothing to make me sing and dance, but Deep Blue in Newcastle have done what they said they would several times, and that's all I ask.

James

[RobEllis]

To be honest, I'm pretty much a newbie and I've had nothing but fair service from GoDive in Derby. Pretty much the best prices in the Midlands and decent turn around times. However, if you are new to the sport I would suggest getting to know your stuff before visiting them - they're friendly enough but definately are box shifters!

Warranty on any product from any shop is dealt with from the manufacturer unless it is obviously faulty. Just check the stuff before you buy it.

Scube Pursuits are pretty awsome when it comes to advice for new people. One of the chaps their spent over an hour and a half with my missues explaining drysuits and as a result we bought from them.