Their business model is training newbies and selli...

Their business model is training newbies and selling them their first set of gear. But that cultivates an attidue like they know it all and the customers are clueless and only going to hurt themselves....

They lost me as a customer, when I mentioned that I'd swapped a few hoses on my first stage and they acted like I was playing russion roullette. The guy said "well I hope you torqued them down correctly". I said "no, but I own a torque wrench, if you give me the spec, I can redo it." He mumbled somthing about me having to get it from the manufacturer...

Truth is, the captive O-rings provide the seal so torque has nothing to do with whether it leaks or not. There is no torque spec, because it's just not that critical. Any torque between "can't loosen it with your bare hands" and "about to strip the brass" will work, but I aim for the middle fo that range... :-)

The do a big volume in classes and have a nice pool, so it's good for basic training, but don't let them bully you into buying more stuff than you need.

A new diver should accumulate gear slowly, acting on the advice of more experienced dive buddies (without a financial interest in the sale) to select the right gear.

Don't buy anything unless you know you need it and have a clear picture of how you are going to use it...