I think we'd need to see the agreed/contract 'provision of service', between Groupon and the instructor/center... in order to know exactly how reasonable the course provision was. Groupon must (?) establish a specific schedule of training (x hours theory/x hours confined/x dives open water).
Is there a small-print in the customer's contract/sale that stipulates anything about qualification guarantee, or just that they'd receive 'x' training? Or if there is a clause covering failure/extensions?
I wonder if group size is mentioned in those?
With all due respect to your opinion Devon, it sounds to me as if the owner/instructor is saying, "I didn't make enough money so I'll charge you $50 to get back in the pool to get back up to speed."
That'd be a cynical
assumption to make.
Personally, as an instructor, I wouldn't touch Groupon with a barge-pole. Too many issues with course provision and quality - too much stress with profitability from a 'volume' market.
I tend to be unapologetic about being '
not the least expensive' instructor - and I also tend to reserve my cynicism for students who only look for the cheapest option - and then, in most cases, complain vociferously about the lack of quality in the cheapo course they took...
I will be willing to bet you a dinner, that once it is paid, they get back in the water, then the miracles will begin.
I wouldn't take that bet. More training will make better divers. The issue unresolved is exactly at what standard they are now... and whether they are being withheld from progression due to an
objective agency standard.... or a
subject instructor standard.
To me, the one biggest thing is that has been common throughout this thread is that no one has ever seen 7 fail in the same class.
The thought that enters my mind is whether the instructor is paid by Groupon on the basis of blocks of 'full class' (8 pax?) or as individuals? That could create some issues whereby the instructor was pressured to treat the class as a whole, rather than individual students - meaning if a significant portion of the class weren't ready, then ALL would be withheld?
Also.. there may be economies of scale... that the Groupon payment system/rate doesn't anticipate... where splitting the class (some to remediate/some to progress) could actually make the course a loss-maker for the instructor?
Either of those hypothesis might explain why 7/7 were withheld from progressing. Not exactly fair on the individual student... but that's what you get when you shop for the cheapest.
At the least... they get another confined session to refine and improve... all for $50.... which is cheap.
Don't most of the posts here on Scubaboard echo a sentiment that OW training is
too short? How can an extended course be a bad thing?