Watch out for a Swindle

[Crowley]

My stock response to this sort of thing is: you spent 3000 euros and didn't know what you were getting?

On the other hand - I am aware this sort of thing happens - information is hidden in small print and terms and conditions. My stock response to that is - what - you didn't read them!?

I don't know Easy Divers so can't comment on them specifically - but if you have it in writing that they promised you x, y and z but you didn't even get a, b and c, then I think yes, you have been shortchanged and have a complaint to make.

The problem is: to whom do you complain? PADI/NAUI/SDI/SSI/PPP/Insert Agency Name Here? How individual shops market their courses is down to the individual shop. If they have violated standards in some way then a QA is worth looking at. But if you just feel you got ripped off by a dive centre in a foreign country, then that's a trading standards issue, in which case you need to file your complaint with the local version of "government".

I'm sorry the OP feels hard done by - and this may be the case - there are still, sadly, plenty of "cowboy" operators out there. Potential dive instructor interns: Research what you are doing, what you are getting yourself into, where you are going and what you are getting for your money.

Thanks for sharing the info - I have popcorn waiting for the follow ups!

C.

 

[saffa33]

My stock response to this sort of thing is: you spent 3000 euros and didn't know what you were getting?

On the other hand - I am aware this sort of thing happens - information is hidden in small print and terms and conditions. My stock response to that is - what - you didn't read them!?

I don't know Easy Divers so can't comment on them specifically - but if you have it in writing that they promised you x, y and z but you didn't even get a, b and c, then I think yes, you have been shortchanged and have a complaint to make.

The problem is: to whom do you complain? PADI/NAUI/SDI/SSI/PPP/Insert Agency Name Here? How individual shops market their courses is down to the individual shop. If they have violated standards in some way then a QA is worth looking at. But if you just feel you got ripped off by a dive centre in a foreign country, then that's a trading standards issue, in which case you need to file your complaint with the local version of "government".

I'm sorry the OP feels hard done by - and this may be the case - there are still, sadly, plenty of "cowboy" operators out there. Potential dive instructor interns: Research what you are doing, what you are getting yourself into, where you are going and what you are getting for your money.

Thanks for sharing the info - I have popcorn waiting for the follow ups!

C.

No small print to talk about. I was in direct conversation with the dive centre CD.
I have record of all of this but I have been told by a good few people now that doing a QA is not going to get anything done.

There was also no Foreign Language to confuse issues..... He is a Brit Expat working in Cyprus.

Standards/Requirements broken...... There are a few. Proof is there too.

What PADI will do about it..... Sadly, I don't think anything.
I have been on about 20 Forums with only bad results. They (Course Directors) pay a lot bigger money in every year than we do.... How could they fall fowl.