Recently I was at a Happy Hour with my wife when we realized that it made a great metaphor. Everybody knows that Happy Hour portions cost less but you also get less - portions are half-sized and half-priced. That's acceptable if you just want to eat light or save money and are willing to make trade-offs between price and quality.I saw a TV ad the same day from Wendy's which asked "Since when does Value mean getting Less?" Same concept. It's not a value simply because you're paying less to get less.
Sometimes low course tuition is explainable. Consumers are offered a bundled price of education plus equipment. One subsidizes the other. But what about courses that are simply offered for free or next to free? Not a special promotion, but a regular price designed to attract high volumes of students? These "Scuba Factories" often create students who are certified but not qualified since students aren't receiving full, proper training. The ol' adage "You Get What You Pay For" holds true even in the Scuba industry.
There is a difference in where you get your Scuba education. How do you find an Instructor who is committed to providing value and is more interested in training competent divers than amassing certifications for themselves? Ask your friends for recommendations or research reputations for yourself. Your safety is much too important to go with the lowest price. Choose best value instead.
BTW - we were at the Happy Hour by chance. It's always great to get a discount but we didn't choose the establishment because they were the cheapest. We chose them because of their tasty menu and great reputation. Similarly, most Scuba Instructors will give you a multi-course discount or other incentives if you continue your training with them.
