Diving with whom and where is always a personal choice. Apart from price which is a big issue with divers, service, equipment (boat and DC amenities) and DM's are why Ketam choose a DC over another. Ketam is a lazy diver. Any pampering such as all prepared, equipment carried and assembled by DC where Ketam only suits up and dive, gets higher score points and if the price different is RM5 - 10 but one gives better service the you know who Ketam will choose.

There have also been cases where Ketam looked for certain DM. Either because of familiarity or because the way they guided Ketam over the years. DC creates the facilities and DM's and instructors the personal touch. Some DM/instructor spent time with you, having drinks and have fun topside. Once the personal relationship gets stronger, these are the DM/Instructor which becomes your preferred dive buddy. There are also people who b***h about their previous DC or boss. This is common not only in the dive industry but it is the divers choice.

It is a service industry and as such the personalities are very important. Anything wrong with pinching 'customers'? Nope. It is sales and marketing. Why do Ketam choose a DC for all Ketam's certification and return to the DC at least once a year? Because there is nothing to complain and the buddies there. Do Ketam dive with other DC in the island, yes all the time. Because sometimes the other buddies would like to dive with other DC. Anything wrong with it? Ketam have no qualms. Sometimes meet the DMs at dive sites, a wave of hand, a promise to meet later for drinks and the dive continues.

PS: Nanda does a mean moonwalk in his booties hehehehe.

YES! agreed!

Divers have all the rights and free (like a bird) to go and dive anywhere insisted as long as we got the $$$$$ and time. Divers supposedly can dive anywhere and with anybody as we wish, divers are not owned by one body once they dive with the respective DC/operator/instructor.

Its always personal choice - suka or tak suka up to individual. We are the sole judge, furthermore.. its our money oso.

Back to square one, divers dont have to cucuk² belakang *backstab* and spreading bad things about other DC, operator, 'teachers' and divers too. If divers like the service and being loyal to them, they have the rights to own that from their own effort. BRAVO!

We dive for leisure, to have fun, to be safe and make friends not enemy..

 

BabyFin, not sure about that cucuk cucuk belakng thing....would there be any DC/Instructor/DM who does this? It will only jeopardise their image and eventually their business. Diving industry here is too small to be doing that. However, if they maybe such DC/Instructor?DM then i think the individual diver him/herself will be able to judge.

sometimes not the professionals doing the cucuk-ing but the divers.. like to make things big and sometimes just heard rumors or misunderstanding; without checking and knowing the truth.. and the story oso start speading.

this is not healthy for the newbies, got wrog picture of diving industry tho.. 

 

Guys and gal, I agree very much with you all. The industry is not like the feudal Japan where the Samurais (DM/Instructors) have followers, and all of them serve under the Feudal Lords (Dive centres/Dive shops). Anyone steals or renegades are likely to be prosecuted or relieved of their heads.

Divers are consumers, and consumers have the right to shop where they like, take lessons from whomever they fancy. The choice is often made out of the convenience, ease and financial capabilities of the diver. Very often, we see special bonds forged between Instructor and students, or DMs and divers because of some reason or the other, but that doesn't mean the diver is not free to make his/her choice the next time they take lessons..

Its is all about MARKETING and customer/client retention. Take the effort to do something extra, make special effort, or some plus extra for your customer to show you care, and you like them to be your customer again. Do marketing programs, special loyalty programs for the customer to return back to you eg. if they take DSD with you, knock off RM50 when they do OWD with you. Or if they did OWD with you, knock off RM100 when they return to do AOWD with you. Or do special trip for your OWD group alumni, etc..

It is, however, not ethical if a dive centre/dive shop retain your services to teach their customers, but after that, you get them to sign up advance courses with you. Bear in mind that when they retain your services, you are their agent, and any deals between you and their customer, remain as so, as long as you remain or choose to remain as an agent to the dive centres. If you decided to renegade and become a "ronin" you should advise the customer of your status, and refer them back to the dive centres. I know it is a tricky situation, but I believe it is the ethical thing to do.

Dive centres/shops should realise that having a database doesn't mean the bond is exclusive. Database should be described as mailer database, not customer database. If you can't retain the customer by means of a contract or an agreement to make them a paying member of a special group, then your "customers" aren't really yours. They are just divers, free to make their own choices. Your premises is your territory to capture the customers, and if the ronins recruit in your premises then you can jump on them and ask for their heads.

Instructors/DMs/Dive Centres/Operators should be aware of contracts and agreements, and what actions constitute of a contract and what are agreements, signed or not. They should be aware of recruitment ethics as well. Respect for your fellow samurai makes all the difference. If you are in their territory, make courtesy calls, and tell them the intention of being there. If you are just there to enjoy yourself, don't tell anyone you're a samurai, just act normal. If your help is needed, then please have the courtesy to tell their customers that you are there just to help out.

I really think the industry is big enough for many to earn their living, just as long as they can work together, respect each other and above all, don't let greed take over. Mahatma Gandhi said " the world is enough for everyone's need, but not enough for everyone's greed"

IB, very well said la.. i so agree!

I've seen it before, as if when they stamp our log book like they're stamping on the diver's butt tho. 
and divers too, have to play their role well. Comparing is ok, but not to bring your big mouth here and there just to make a big fuss to the industry.

Choose wisely and happily!..

 

If I'm on the island and my students and I are having a blast after diving. (Just chilling and having a laugh) Another group joins us and ends up having a really good time and ask to join us on our next trip rather that the group that they are currently with.

Is this stealing? Does the organiser of the other trip have a right to get pissed?

Absolutely NOT! make more friends.. and more..
 

Hi! all...
 
good topic!

Nanda, your 'example' is classic. To me, as a customer, i'd like to hang around divers who cn accept other divers (there are closed community, i observed). So, when u're feeling comfortable with some new-foud dive buddies, it's only natural that u'd like to go on dive trip(s) with them. All independent traveling divers are above 18 that are free to choose to dive wherever and with whomever they want.
For my former student, i do ask them to get to know othr Inst n Dm and learn things fro other perspective. Let's face it, after some trips, a lot of divers can arrange their dive trips on their own anyway.

So, happy diving