This has been an enlightening thread to say the least. although I am appalled at the aforementioned sales tactics mentioned about SSi Shops, and I see how this could be true. It’s no secret that gear sales are the lifeblood of a dive shop and with everyone buying off of the internet these days it does put a dent in the profit for a shop. I’m not justifying those practices by any means but can definitely see why a shop would do that. Fortunately, I have never felt this way with any of the shops I’ve dealt with here in NC and SC so hopefully that is an isolated incident with a bad shop owner.