I disagree with malibu. The dive shop that’s closest to me, the guy behind the counter has such a forceful sales pitch, you can’t get out of the shop without buying something, even if you don’t want it or need it. I NEVER go to that shop anymore.
The dive shop that’s 1/2 hour drive away, they’re not such hard sellers and they’re really good. They know diving and they’re good instructors. But every time I go in there, they don’t acknowledge my presence. Maybe they’re real busy with what they’re doing, but as far as I know they could be playing solitaire on the computer. I’ve taken several classes with them, all good, but they still don’t know my name. I still go to them every once in a while - they’re more convenient for classes and they open earlier than other dive shops.
The dive shop that’s an hour’s drive away. I went in once for something or other. Six months later I went back for something else. The owner was on the phone, or with a customer I can’t remember, but as soon as I walked in the door, he greets me by name and tells me he’ll be with me as soon as he’s finished. The friendly, outgoing, personal touch is what people like, and why I keep going back to the shop that’s an hour’s drive away, instead of the one that’s 1/2 hr or even 10 min. away.
The owner of that shop also says you have to dive with your customers or you’ll go out of business. He arranges local dive opportunities as well as exotic vacations. Btw, that dive shop owner doesn’t push the merchandise. He’s knowledgable about it and will discuss it. He’ll even point you to a comparable and more economic brand of product and discuss it’s merits. He’ll leave the buying decision up to his customers and won’t push for a decision either way. If anything, if a customer is indecisive, he’ll encourage them to take some time to think about it. That’s why I tell everyone I meet about his shop. He’s worth the drive, even from 2 or 4 hours away.