I don’t like the high cost of equipment. I think it prohibits some from getting into the sport or participating more often. Sure, everything costs money, but do they need to charge so much for items?
The first time I went into a dive shop was after I was certified. I didn’t have extra money to spend on the things I needed, but wanted to check out the shop and talk about diving. Right away the salesman began an aggressive sales approach so I explained I was just wanting to look around. The guy still followed me around the store pointing out this and that. I had read a little about PADI Seal Team and asked him what programs they had for kids. He didn’t have a clue about the Seal Team program and they were a PADI shop. I don’t like high pressure sales and wasn’t comfortable walking around the store.