what's the deal with Cave Excursions?

[amphipod06]

IMHO Cave East rocks (best in cave country IMHO)... not so with the original Cave Excursion. I rarely go there and the few times I have been so so. Way too much attitude there. Not from Bill though.

Once they made bad comments about a buddy of mine wearing a Dive Outpost shirt. Maybe the shop guy was trying to make it like "friendly competition" but that's not the way it came out. Great way to alienate potentially new customer by telling them the shop they normally go to sucks...

My van has the Cave Outpost sticker on the bumper, no one has made any unfriendly comments there. Not defending anyone, just saying...

Everytime I have been there I have been treated very well. Linda (Bill's daughter), is store manager now and is getting familiar with the customers and the shop itself. Bill has always been very good and shares his knowledge with everyone.

Dive safe,

Celia

PS If the guy that was not so friendly was a big tall blonde kid, that would be Bill's grandson (I think) and no he was not so friendly, maybe shy perhaps?

[LiteHedded]

No, it's not Mike, he only works there PRN now, and he is always friendly...

Dive safe,

Celia

always friendly?
must be a different mike

[whodunit68]

yeah Wayne is always always friendly...I'm not sure how he does it all the time. I was in east and it was eh...sort of like why am I bothering him...young guy.
I've not been in west.
Cathy and Wayne always offer a friendly greeting, day or night. It's worth it to me.

[timle]

I've probably been to CE more than any shop CEE is second. Bill is a great guy and everyone is friendly. Mike is just a different kind of friendly. I've seen him rub people the wrong way but I don't think it was meant as unfriendly.

Bill's daughter is very nice and the tall blond is shy but hey so I am for the most part. I've got nothing against the outpost or any other place but I haven't gotten a fill anywhere else besides CE or CEE in quite some time. Both places feel like home to me.

[aainslie]

To be honest, I've never had a problem with ANY store. But it pays to remember that being a tank jockey pays REALLY badly. So every now and then these stores end up with someone that is difficult to deal with.

Just let the owner know!

All the OWNERS are really cool people. Cathy, Bill, Wayne, Rich (OK manager not owner but you get the point) - all cool.

[wingman]

To be honest, I've never had a problem with ANY store. But it pays to remember that being a tank jockey pays REALLY badly.

Andrew, One of may favorite books is "how to write really badly" but that's one you may not need to read.

Also depending on how much you dive and your sac rate the "all you can breathe" deal can be sweet. I tried to get a job in cave country when i was on sabbatical just because of that feature. Bill

[Rustykfd]

My experiences over the last 8 years echo your description of Bill's place. I don't go there unless I lack another option. I always feel like I am not in their club.

Cave East is a completely different experience. I like it there.

I get a much better welcome down the road from Bill's...........and that has kept me coming back.

[LiteHedded]

yea mike just has a personality that rubs people the wrong way.
I personally like the guy. and bill's grandson is funny. not a diver but is really helpful. I like him too

[MORGAN]

Dive Outpost - friendly helpful people and Cathy's "deco cookies"!

Mike

[Sludge]

I think the best thing to do when encountering a rude employee is to speak to the owner privately, or if this isn't possible, e-mail him later. I'm sure he/she would want to know.

Andrew, One of may favorite books is "how to write really badly" but that's one you may not need to read.

Anything like William Safire's "How to Write Good?"

http://www.justriddlesandmore.com/writegood.html