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Review 11/9/2010
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This shop is a rip-off, and the owner, Rusty Berry, is a crook and a scam artist. I met him at a travel event, and he told me that the total cost to get certified to scuba dive would be only a few hundred dollars. Once I got down to his shop, he tried to serve me wine, which should have been my first clue. Why would someone try to give you alcohol when you are making decisions about expensive equipment that you need to keep you alive underwater?
He told me over and over that if I didn't like it, I could return it for a FULL REFUND. This is a total lie. He told me to ignore the sign, he personally guaranteed that if I don't like diving, he will take it all back for the full price. The truth is, he won't take any of it back after you start the class and get it wet. Then, once I’d started the class and already spent hundreds, he tacked on over $1000 more in required stuff! I felt like I had no choice since I was already into it for so much.
Don't believe any of these brand new positive reviews. These are his friends, and they suddenly started posting these because of all the new reports from angry customers that got scammed. I just found out that there are several other people writing about this on a scuba message board, and they are describing the exact same thing that happened to me! And it turns out that people have been talking about him, and his unscrupulous business practices, for years! He's well known in the local scuba industry as a shyster. I asked around, and that's what I found out. I could kick myself for not doing that first.
You can go to any dive shop, or sporting-goods store that has a dive center, and get certified to dive for a few hundred total. They will give you all the costs upfront, not give you a ridiculous low-ball price then tack on all the extras after you're already started. Other shops will tell you to rent your gear for the duration of your training, and even for a few dives afterward, until you know what you want. Rusty will try to push you into buying your own equipment before the class, which is crazy. Almost every diver I've talked to since this experience, told me they took the class on rental gear then decided what they wanted for their own. It's very easy to switch gear, especially when you're new and are just learning the basics. Rusty will tell you that you'll be way more comfortable in your own gear for the class, and that you can buy it now and return it if you don't like it. That's a lie.
Rusty tries to sell you super-expensive rebreathers right away, which is foolish and dangerous. Talk to other local divers. They'll tell you that new divers shouldn't even think about rebreather technology. Other shops won't even talk to you about rebreathers when you're new, as they are highly technical and dangerous and should only be used by very experienced divers. If you talk to other dive shops and even mention rebreathers, they'll tell you to wait until you have way more experience.
You don't need expensive dive "systems" that all have to be bought at his shop only. There are many brands of high-quality dive equipment, and most dive shops sell all the same brands. You can even buy great stuff on the internet. You don't need custom gear. That's just a way for him to jack up the price. Unless you are planning on taking months of training to become a professional diver in caves or shipwrecks, most basic scuba gear is perfectly safe and fine for regular diving.
You don't need an expensive dry suit as a beginner. Once you've gotten it wet, it's yours and you'd better like it. Learn in a wet suit, get your basics down, then decide if you want to buy a dry suit. Not everyone does.
Do your homework. Go to scubaboard.com forums and do a search on the shop name, or on Rusty Berry, and read all the horror stories. Google it.
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Business's response - by Rusty Berryon 11/9/2010
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Hey Hessie D....or whatever your real name is. If you had an issue make a complaint with the BBB, unless you already have and have had it dismissed. We told you to become a certified diver you can expect to spend between $400 to $800 as a minimum. You made the choices in the equipment you purchased on your own. We have low quality low priced equipment to the very best in the industry. If it was after hours or closing, sure we have a fully stocked wine bar. We apologize for our hospitality in forcing you to drink some really great wine???!! We, nor I, have ever told anyone that we would refund your personal scuba gear. In fact there's a huge sign in front of the register that tell's you this...and on the receipts that you signed...maybe you were blind to both. Once you have your personal gear there are no more "required purchases" regarding your own equipment. You can use rental free in our pool whenever you wanted to. However, if you choose to go on a boat....that is an extra cost and you will need to pay for rental. Maybe you choose to purchase all of your own equipment, which most of our divers do. We have never tacked on any extra costs. Maybe you can be more specific by giving your real name and I can tell you exactly what your situation is. But you won't because you hide behind your computer and can't handle confrontation. Regarding rebreathers...you said we won't even talk to you about them...on the contrary...we have dozens in the store and talk about them all the time. You can purchase your equipment from anyone and anyplace....but you need someone to show you how to use it and you need someone to keep you diving. We still have over 500 active club member just out of our Montclair store. Seams to reason why our club meetings are full...our boats are full....people are happy. So instead of hiding behind some alias.....tell the world who you are .....or shut up.
Oh....and yes there will be many many more happy reports from all of our cool divers.
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