Problems with Drysuit Manufacturers Repairs Anyone?

[nickb]

O3 are very busy right now.
Last week, I was given a date of 10th Jan for some alterations, but I was asked if I was in a hurry, so I assume that there was some scope for expediting it. Being an honest sort of chap, I said no.
I'm impressed that they're as organised as this, they obviously don't want people to just send their suits in only to wait for a month when they might be able to use them.

[NotDeadYet]

Northern Diver's service I thought was disgraceful. They promised me a suit in three weeks, came two months later done wrong. I had the neck seal go while in Florida, the local drysuit fixer there couldn't get the old seal off because they used the wrong kind of glue on it. I got some work done on it at ND's shop, went to pick it up and it wasn't done because the leccy board had cut them off. I wouldn't buy an o-ring never mind anything else from them.

Otter have been brilliant. They made it on time, they threw in an extra undersuit, 2 pairs of socks, 2 hoses, 2 hoods & 2 bags. I got a new zip and neck seal a few weeks ago, couldn't fault them, they did it in just over a week. Dead good staff too.

[edward]

northern diver = 'new neck seal, that'll be 2-3 weeks'

Hammond dry suits = 'leave it here, go to kent diving, and come back in an hour' Job done.

Guess where I'll be taking my ND suit in the future.

The suit is fine, the service isn't. Quoted four weeks for MTM for the missus. Took longer, and had to go and collect it (400 mile round trip) in order to have it before the dry suit course.

cheers

[NotDeadYet]

I thought the suit was rubbish too. Supposedly 2mm crushed neoprene, more like 4mm and very stiff. It's stiffened by so much now that my old Robin Hood 8mm neoprene is more comfy.

In fact, my old RoHo was a great suit.

[edward]

I must admit if I had my time again, I would have gone to O3. But cash dictated otherwise, as we were buying two suits (myself and the missus), and had just bought all our other gear as well. And after that we still had to be able to afford to go diving ;-)

As to the flexibility thing, our suits are cortexs (membrane) hence no problems so far, although I must admit my mate has a divemaster which does seem a bit 'stiff'.

[Mark Davies]

I've never understood the rants about Nortern Diver service.

I've always been happy with my suit. In the five years that I've had it I've had two routine leaks repaired and both were done on time and one was done as an emergency on a three day turn around. I've just had the neck and wrist seals replaced for the first time and had a neoprene neck warmer attached and the suit came back two weeks early. I've not dived it to test it yet, but it looks like they've done a cracking good job.

So why is the service that I get perfect while everyone else's seems to be pants? I do live nearby and deal with them directly; going to the shop and speaking with them face-to-face. Perhaps that is the difference.

[NotDeadYet]

I suppose it's like the rants people do about Go Dive too. I thought Go Dive were fine when I used them but they seem to be well hated.

I had a bad experience with ND so went elsewhere. I know at that time they were facing, er, difficulties so maybe they are better now. But to me a suit is a big investment and one that if gotten wrong will seriously f*** up your enjoyment of diving. Otter had a good rep and I spoke to them before I made the purchase. They even showed me the workshops (I guess it was a slow day!).

[parahandy]

To Quote Mark
So why is the service that I get perfect while everyone else's seems to be pants? I do live nearby and deal with them directly; going to the shop and speaking with them face-to-face. Perhaps that is the difference.

I'm local and have visited many times.
I understand the point youre making Mark, and maybe "so far" you've no cause for complaint long may it continue.The firm made several transitions since Mike started it in the 1980's and having known it from those early days and being able to make a comparison i'm saddened that in my opinion to use a phrase "Things ain't what they used to be"

[gobfish1]

The service that I get from my LDS is perfect, I drop my suit off.
They call me when its ready, I go and pick it up ,
some times its a 1 week some times its 6 weeks,

i just go with the flow ,

But then again, I do have 4 suits to go at,
Its a hard life, So like to have some back up.

Steve G