I haven’t seen this point brought up yet,...the quality of instructor and their integrity is what counts. I was NAUI OW Certified and now PADI Through Divemaster, have dove with several SSI to PADI converts, and dove with an SSI shop...it has been the Staff/Instructors who matter, if they are more concerned about dollar signs they will certify anyone at any level to make a buck. The certifying agency doesn’t matter in those cases. If you find a shop you enjoy, they practice safe diving, and you want to dive with them, go with it. Good luck.