Sporasub Ignores a Subscriber, but Undercurrent Gets Their Attention

To Bruce Drucker a pair of Sporasub Variant Comp Fins seemed like the perfect Christmas gift. Made with a detachable blade, they were lightweight and easy to pack for dive trips. After his wife purchased them in 2002, from Divers Direct, Drucker, from South Wellfleet, MA, logged about 140 dives with them. But then the problems began.

Drucker told Undercurrent that a year ago February, while he was diving, “the right side of the foot cracked through where it abuts the blade.” When he returned home, Drucker purchased a new boot from Divers Direct for $63, making his investment in the fins $212. Then last March, after only 180 dives, the boot on the other fin cracked.

Drucker sent both snail mails and e-mails to Sporasub, stating, “The conclusion is now inescapable that there is a design and manufacturing defect in these Variant fins,” and requested “a reasonable adjustment” or a credit toward the purchase of other fins. When he received no response, he contacted Undercurrent and we thought he had a valid claim.

Sporasub is a French manufacturer with a decidedly low profile in the States. The U.S. operation, along with Mares and Dacor, forms the diving division of Head USA, best known for ski equipment. It’s headquartered in Norwalk, CT. But there’s no information about Sporasub on the group’s website (www.mares.com).

We tracked down Phil Mintz, Director of Sales and Marketing for the diving division, and explained Drucker’s dilemma. Mintz said he had no record of Drucker’s letters or e-mail and said that the Variant Comp Fins are being revamped, but Drucker’s model had been discontinued. Mintz wasn’t aware of the defect Drucker described, but said, “We’d be happy to replace the fins if they are defective, though they’re no longer under warranty.” He invited Drucker to send them in so his staff could assess their condition.

We put Drucker in touch with Mintz, and in January Drucker wrote to say, “Phil Mintz said he’s sending me a new set of fins when the updated model arrives. This is a satisfactory resolution . . . thanks for your help.”

You’re welcome, Bruce. Sometimes persistence really does pay off and our thanks to Mintz for doing the right thing.