LDS's (in Cave Country)

[Rich]

LOL, Mat would be correct, I'm not "officially" at CEE right now. I took the summer off to teach, incorporated my business, things sort of took off from there and frankly I'm too busy to return. Kaley just started kindergarten a week ago and the freedom of not being tied down to a shop and writing my own schedule enables me to spend a lot more time with her. Gotta have priorities ya know....
That being said, I'm still at CEE more often than not, doing classroom work, filling tanks, getting gear etc. Linda's been doing a fantastic job running things in my absence and I'm sure I'll still see many of you over there...

Safe diving,

Rich

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Big timin it! I hear ya brotha

[deepdiverbob]

I like CE. I usually stay in one of their trailers, Linda and Bill have always been first class with me. I have popped in the Dive Outpost a few times, just to spread the money around. I will say CE came through for me when I was doing my class, and I needed a new primary light. Me and my buddy both got one, and we got an excellent deal on them. I have been in CEE a few times, and have always been treated quite well. Ginnie, well, I try not to buy there, unless I am already there, and I need to replace something. But CE is my main stay down there. Keep all my expenses on one tab, plus I like only taking my tanks out when its dive time. To be honest, when I was first getting into the cave diving, I LOVED sitting around listening to Bill tell stories of days gone by. That was nearly as much fun as the diving itself.

[Squirrel Girl]

I think it's all very swell, that everyone is bragging up their favs. But I started thread on a more philosophical notion. How should one/has one chosen which LDS to choose? There's price, and there's service, and selection. Several of the folks here all have those features.

For instance, Wayne's my man. But now Jim, my scooter instructor, is opening a shop. Jim's great, but I like Wayne who has treated me mighty fine. Though Edd has a nice online store which is good for those of us far from cave country. I find this quite a dilemma. I guess I'll buy some stuff here, buy some stuff there, and spread the love around. Though fortunately I am pretty well kitted out right now.

[skip]

I go for proximity. When diving ginnie, it's CEE, when at peacock, it's CE and/or DO. A drive through fort white and a stop at wayne's is in order. Now there will be place for me to go at day's end when I'm staying at High Springs...other than Ext Exp that is.

skip

[JE]

"I think it's all very swell, that everyone is bragging up their favs. But I started thread on a more philosophical notion. How should one/has one chosen which LDS to choose?"

It has always been -location- & -in need of- with me. Depending on where you are & what you are in need of will probably determine what shop you go to. In Gainesville or another town, you may only need gas/air, in Tampa you may need something bigger {ie: tanks etc} If you need regulators, lights or expensive tech stuff {computers, ccr equipment/accesories etc} then by all means shop at your favorite dive shop where you know the owners personally. They will never put you off & often will give you fair market prices. Some things you may find on line & can save a lot of money by shopping there. It is all revelant to where you are & what you are in need of. By all means spend some money in our local dive shops & tipping is a great way of showing your gratitude to the help ! They will show reverence to their employers as a result of this as well.

Smile more ^)^ it speaks volumns !
Jack

[deepdiverbob]

"I think it's all very swell, that everyone is bragging up their favs. But I started thread on a more philosophical notion. How should one/has one chosen which LDS to choose?"

It has always been -location- & -in need of- with me. Depending on where you are & what you are in need of will probably determine what shop you go to. In Gainesville or another town, you may only need gas/air, in Tampa you may need something bigger {ie: tanks etc} If you need regulators, lights or expensive tech stuff {computers, ccr equipment/accesories etc} then by all means shop at your favorite dive shop where you know the owners personally. They will never put you off & often will give you fair market prices. Some things you may find on line & can save a lot of money by shopping there. It is all revelant to where you are & what you are in need of. By all means spend some money in our local dive shops & tipping is a great way of showing your gratitude to the help ! They will show reverence to their employers as a result of this as well.

Smile more ^)^ it speaks volumns !
Jack

You know, I have no idea why, but I have never even thought about tipping when I am done at CE for the week. I think I may have to start doing that.

As for why I go to CE, besides what I said earlier, and hopefully this addresses the original question, but when I signed up for class, thats where I called, and Bill hooked me up with John Orlowski, and thats where I did my class through. I was treated great, and so I keep going back. Now if I have to stop off at DO fto sign in for Cow, I will drop a few bucks on something there just because. I have never stopped at Waynes. I will have to add that to my list of things to do next time I am down there.

[KarsticGator]

I thought you guys were talking about Mormons.

[tomhauburn]

Dave thanks for the offer to Tip. I have found it rare in this Biz. Most tank monkeys are not paid much....Although I've got to say the many different groups of Brazilians at the spring have kept me full of the wonderful steaks they cook.