http://precisiondiving.net/blog/the-economy-and-the-scuba-industry-loss-leaders-are-killing-the-scuba-industry/ Building the Next Generation of Thinking Scuba Divers Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:36:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 http://precisiondiving.net/blog/the-economy-and-the-scuba-industry-loss-leaders-are-killing-the-scuba-industry/comment-page-1/#comment-1574 Rick Kruzel Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:38:04 +0000 http://precisiondiving.net/blog/?p=954#comment-1574 So many dive shops and instructors undervalue instruction that divers don't think courses have any value. I had a prospective student decide not to take Adv. Nitrox/Deco from me because he can get the course in Florida for $150! Of course, if price is all a diver asks me about and doesn't seem interested in quality, I don't really want them in anyway. I base my course prices on my overhead (cost of charters, gas fills, insurance costs, motel bills etc) plus a few bucks for my time. Even at my break even point, there are instructors out there charging substantially less than break even. It's driving off quality instruction and as you say, slowly killing the industry. So many dive shops and instructors undervalue instruction that divers don’t think courses have any value. I had a prospective student decide not to take Adv. Nitrox/Deco from me because he can get the course in Florida for $150! Of course, if price is all a diver asks me about and doesn’t seem interested in quality, I don’t really want them in anyway. I base my course prices on my overhead (cost of charters, gas fills, insurance costs, motel bills etc) plus a few bucks for my time. Even at my break even point, there are instructors out there charging substantially less than break even. It’s driving off quality instruction and as you say, slowly killing the industry.

]]> http://precisiondiving.net/blog/the-economy-and-the-scuba-industry-loss-leaders-are-killing-the-scuba-industry/comment-page-1/#comment-1573 Todd Baldi Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:34:20 +0000 http://precisiondiving.net/blog/?p=954#comment-1573 Most dive shops run out the most inexperienced instructors they have (typically they have just graduated from the ITC) to run these courses. Most experienced instructors typically get more dollars for their courses. I charge about 4-5 times what dive stores get for a basic course (when I have time to teach them) and I have no problem getting it. Most dive shops run out the most inexperienced instructors they have (typically they have just graduated from the ITC) to run these courses. Most experienced instructors typically get more dollars for their courses. I charge about 4-5 times what dive stores get for a basic course (when I have time to teach them) and I have no problem getting it.

]]> http://precisiondiving.net/blog/the-economy-and-the-scuba-industry-loss-leaders-are-killing-the-scuba-industry/comment-page-1/#comment-1572 Dan Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:59:51 +0000 http://precisiondiving.net/blog/?p=954#comment-1572 I think it makes sense for a brick and mortar store to have these incentives to attempt to bring in customers. I’m pretty sure the profit on their merchandise is greatly offset by their operating costs. As for value of education goes, I assume the for-profit agency determines what the minimums are, and that’s what’s taught. It’s then up to the instructor (part-time employed) to decide what acceptable and is probably disgruntled at the fact they’re making less than minimum wage to pass a student thru the program. This might lead to a separate line of discussion about wages and would ultimately raise the price of instruction. I think it makes sense for a brick and mortar store to have these incentives to attempt to bring in customers. I’m pretty sure the profit on their merchandise is greatly offset by their operating costs. As for value of education goes, I assume the for-profit agency determines what the minimums are, and that’s what’s taught. It’s then up to the instructor (part-time employed) to decide what acceptable and is probably disgruntled at the fact they’re making less than minimum wage to pass a student thru the program. This might lead to a separate line of discussion about wages and would ultimately raise the price of instruction.

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