The fact that Doug and Andrew both took a lot of their valuable time to discuss things with me in great detail when I stopped at EE a couple of weeks back, without ever having the expectatoins of selling me a full rig or anything over $100 total was well worth the additional costs in and of it's own.
I completely agree. It's refreshing to see that at a shop, and at a shop where the gear offerings (while not cheap) are undoubtedly industry-leading. Walking in to EE is a shock for most people who've never been in a DIR-friendly shop.
Their training is that way, too... Wait until you get to have one of these guys for a Fundies weekend! By Saturday night, your head will swim with the new "tools" in your mental toolbox.
Doug even went so far as to make sure that I had his personal cell # and email addy in the event that I ever felt the need to contact him after hours or while he's away. I was told that if I ever had any questions about anything diving related, that he wanted me to feel free to always be able to reach out to him. This is precisely the same thing that you (
SeaJay) did for me from day-1, and we've both seen huge growth in my abilities because of it.
Thanks, man.
I'm flattered to be compared to the likes of a GUE instructor... Doug Maudry, even.
I can buy whatever I want from anyone, but I greatly prefer to pay for exceptional service, rather than simply being viewed as a "line item sale".
-Tim
Agreed! Especially when it comes to life support equipment. I get so tired of being sold "beach toy" style gear by the 16 year-old who's got 15 dives to his name and is a PADI Instructor Trainer with 5 Gold Stars and a Tenderfoot merit badge.
The only problem with doing business with EE is that it spoils you for doing business with other shops.
That said, I've also found good luck with Dennis at Austin's Diving Center in Miami, FL. I use them to supply me with all of my O'Neill wetsuits (notoriously difficult to find, yet my favorite wetsuit by far).
Others worth mentioning are Dive Gear Express (good, quality gear with special attention to valves, regulators, compressors, bottles, whips, etc., with a great website) and Leisurepro (a good place when I WANT to purchase things via "line item sale" methods). I've also had good luck purchasing from Diver's Direct and Diver's Supply when I can't find what I'm looking for at Leisurepro.
Interestingly, each store has it's own very distinct personality... But EE is by far and away the best when it comes to service, real sales help, personal interaction, and warranty. Conversely, their prices I've found to be the highest in initial investment... Although probably the lowest when you consider the longevity of the gear sold there. After all, doesn't it make more sense to purchase something twice the price if you'll get five times the number of dives out of it before needing to replace it?
Not enough can be said about EE and it's people.
