I hear the preaching all the time and true many divers should not try to repair there dive equipment. but there is incompetence and dishonesty at dive shops too. They do not all practice what they preach! My recent experience regulator service told by the owner of the local shop my equipment was serviced and all completed. When I inspected my regs the top cover was missing including the environmental seal and cold water cover. 2nd stage was missing the front cover, both that when I brought into the shop it was requested to order replacements due to they fell apart due to cheap plastics from the manufacturer. He tried to tell me the parts were not needed for proper function in Florida warm weather even though it was obvious trash could build up behind the piston and regulator spring and cause a failure. I was charged 2-3 times retail for parts because he was not an Oceanic dealer and which he neglected to share with me when I first went to the shop. And 2 tanks just needing new vip’s. He charged me for tumbling which were inspected by an employee he hires to help which I know well and trust. That is a cave instructor former shop owner that the owner consulted due to his greater knowledge who told me the tanks were fine to me privately and did not need tumbling in his opinion.
I believe in supporting my local dive shop also. But it is my life if I am competent and want to service my equipment the scuba Nazi’s should not prevent me from buying the needed parts and or not allow me to get training or manuals to do it properly. It just causes people not to service there reg until its broke or try to fix it without the needed parts and or knowledge!
Honest shops that give you good service and value for dollars spent should not have a problem staying open.