Just like most of the replies here, it is not the agency as much as it is with the instructor and dive shop. All the agencies can be quirky with the way they want you to advance your dive ratings. Go with an instructor, future dive buddies, and the dive shop that gives you the most for your buck. I`m a DiveCon through SSI, and my dive shop stands behind everything I`ve gotten there. Although the owner himself is a little flaky.