The Scuba Shack - Florence, Kentucky

Kylie S.

I'm writing this review as a last resort because I have failed to resolve my issue quietly. I feel it is only fair to give other potential customers of the scuba shack the information I wish I had access to before entering into a business agreement with them. I'm not going to extrapolate on data- I'm just going to give you my side of the story and let you do with that what you will. Last August (2024) I purchased scuba lessons ($459) and gear ($350) totaling at $860. The lady I spoke to who I believe is the owner, Cathy Barrie, was kind, informative, and helpful in person. I had questions at the beginning of the process and it took a few phone calls and emails but she eventually got back to me and I bought lessons and gear through the scuba shack. Lessons were set to begin on Sept 7th, 2024 but she informed me it might be a few weeks later if the pool wasn't done with construction yet. The week before class was set to begin I emailed her twice before receiving a reply that said, "The pool construction/repairs are still going on so we will be postponing classes for the next couple weeks. I will be in touch as soon as I have an exact date on when the pool will be completely back up and running and we can get things moving forward. I apologize as I have no control over the contractors doing the repairs. Have no fear though... We will get your classes going as soon as we can!". This is a direct quote. Note- next couple weeks. In October I reached out again. And received no reply. At this time I was also calling and leaving voicemails for the shop and tried to visit the shop during listed business hours but it was closed. Radio silence. I didn't even know if my gear had been ordered let alone arrived. In December, I finally realized this was a moot point and emailed Cathy to say I want a refund for classes and to come pick up my gear (if it was there) and threatened a bad google review if I didn't hear back from her. Her response was the next day: "I am so sorry I have not gotten back to you. I truly did think I had responded to your last email. I sincerely apologize. The repairs and renovations have taken much longer than anticipated due to getting permits and approvals but luckily everything is now completely underway and is scheduled to be finished in January. Due to the construction and everything the store has been shut down. Again, my apologies for the lack of communication. I truly hope you will reconsider as I know you would do so well with the lessons with us. My sincerest apologies," Which is a nice email but still has no mention of gear and no respect to the fact that I asked for a refund. I repeated my request in January after the holidays twice with no responses. I talked with a different Scuba Certification place and the man I talked to said he had a very similar experience several years ago. You can read his review down below on this page. I read it before booking lessons but since there were so few other bad reviews I assumed it was a one time thing. I have filed a BBB report and they also failed to make contact with the business. I filed a dispute report with my credit card company which is still in limbo. I have tried to be polite and understanding through this process to my detriment. I just wanted honest communication. I now just want my money back and feel this is the only way to get the Scuba Shack's attention. Do with this information what you will. I wish I had had it 6 months ago instead of learning it the hard way myself.

Jeffrey N.

If your looking for a place with professionalism you got the wrong place. This review has nothing to do with the fact the pool got a leak after our first class and there is no info on when that might be fixed. This review is based on the absolutely rude and unpleasant conduct of this shop.

How can anyone run a business where they don’t answer phone calls, messages, or emails. They just never answer. It makes it nearly improve so anything really and not sure why they even bother.

Second I ordered well over $1000 worth of gear over four months ago and have repeatedly requested to try it on so at least I could send it back change etc. No response forever and then finally a response but not willing to meet and do that.

Now I’m leaving for vacation in two days and would like to utilize my equipment but despite many requests over several weeks still can’t get it and will be forced to pay for rental equipment.

This place is absolutely rude and inconsiderate. I would leave and get my money back but am be held hostage to this hassle.

Marjean M.

Place a lot of money going to a trip during covert still today six years later I’m still trying to get my money back for some equipment. Seems like the poor shut down now and equipment is very lean to what you want. Doesn’t look good for the company.

Sean M.

My first diving instruction and education started here and I had a BLAST... instructor was very very fun and knowledgeable about just about anything you could ask as a beginner in the huge new world that is now open to you (welcome to the other 70%!)

Brandon V.

Scuba Shack made getting Open Water certified very straightforward and fun. Because I knew I wanted all of my own equipment, the most stressful part for me was the buying decisions. Matt could not have been a bigger help in this department. He was extremely patient, knowledgeable and answered all of my questions (sometimes more than once). Scuba gear can be pricey (buying it all is NOT required) but I found Scuba Shack's prices to be comparable to online prices. Not only that but they add extra value if you pay for all of your gear right away. My dad and I were both able to get wetsuits, hoods, gloves and flashlights for FREE. That's a $500 value! Another thing they offer is pool time for life, let me assure you this is no small feature. My dad and I practiced many times before certification and thus, felt very prepared and comfortable. We continue to go back to practice before dive trips. I know it probably sounds like I work for them or something but I just feel good service is so rare these days that when I experience it I should share the love. Scuba Shack did a great job preparing me for my open water exam and I am excited to continue with my scuba certifications.

Benjamin K.

Incredibly friendly and knowledgeable staff. Really worked with us to find a regulator set up that would be best for the type of diving my wife and I do. Didn't try up sell us and kept us to our budget. Over all great group and look forward to working with them again as we need other stuff to pursue the sport of scuba diving.

David L.

Does it smell kinda funny? Yes. Does it take a while to schedule courses? also yes. Do they have a ton of inventory? no.

But if you are looking for somewhere to get Open Water certified this is the place to be. Lets all be honest with ourselves, SCUBA costs a lot of money. Don't expect it to only cost a couple hundred bucks, that's just not realistic. And don't expect to be an amazing diver after you get your open water certification. I would be absolutely astonished if there was even one dive shop in the world that was churning out great divers after only four dives in open water.

You will have to call them back a couple of times and you're going to have to practice and do research on your own, but the Scuba Shack will teach you the basics, they will take you down, they will hook you up with the stuff that you need. They aren't pushy. They're actually too busy to be pushy.

If you have trouble clearing or doing any of the basic skills, that's on you. go to a public pool and practice clearing, getting water out of your mask, etc. Ignore all of the reviews of people complaining that they had trouble going down or doing the basics. Every dive shop is guilty of certifying people who may not be ready to go down on their own. If you want to be a good diver, this is a good place to start, but your progress and skills are your responsibility.

The Scuba Shack has some shortcomings but it's amazing that we have a place like it in Northern Kentucky and I owe them a lot for doing my open water certification. If I didn't drive by it every day, I probably never would have been certified and wouldn't have been able to participate in all the awesome dives I've been on since. So please, support the Scuba Shack, get certified through them, get some gear, have a good time. This isn't a mecca, it's a dive shop in Northern Kentucky of all places, so just roll with it and you'll have a blast.

Shelly S.

I was just certified last year. My instructor made class fun and the dive cons were very nice. I really enjoyed my certification weekend at Gilboa Quarry, everyone was helpful and caring. I had to call my last dive due to the fact I couldn't get equalized. The instructors were understanding and supportive.
In fact, the following weekend an instructor and dive con met me at a different quarry to get me certified. The Scuba Shack is truly a place to learn to dive.