Mike Ball Spoil Sport 'rip-off' exceeded $1600

[detroit diver]

Taken from "the other scuba board":

CDNN - CYBER DIVER News Network

USA, Nov. 23 -- An ongoing investigation by the world's leading scuba consumer advocate, IN-DEPTH Magazine, reveals that Australia-based live-aboard operator, Mike Ball, is charging Americans and Japanese over $800 more per diver than other nationalities.

Ball's multiple rates discriminate against customers on the basis of nationality. US and Japan-based divers are victimized by rates that often exceed 40% over the amount divers from Europe and other parts of the world pay.

Americans, James and Kandace Heimer, reported to IN-DEPTH that Ball ripped them off for more than $1600, enough to cover another dive trip for two on some live-aboard vessels operating around the world.

"My wife and I recently completed a dive trip on Mike Ball's Spoil Sport to the Coral Sea from Townsville," Heimer said. "We discovered we had been ripped off when we got back to Townsville and picked up a Mike Ball brochure at a local travel agent."

"The same exact Spoil Sport trip we had just come back from (premium cabin) was listed for US$1860 at the current exchange rate. We had to pay US$2684 each."

IN-DEPTH travel editor, Sylvia Eckstein, advises divers to avoid the scam by booking online and being 'flexible' about personal questions.

"Generally, Aussie travel agents are in cahoots with Mike Ball, especially around Cairns, Port Douglas and Townsville where, sad to say, it's always open season on ripping off "the Japs" and "the Yanks," Eckstein explained. "They refuse to give quotes until you reveal your location. Tell them you are from America or Japan and you will be quoted prices up to $700-$800 above what divers in Europe, Australia and most other parts of the world pay."

IN-DEPTH editor, Cameron Montgomery, advises divers to shop around and always check with local travel agents before booking.

"We closely monitor live-aboard and dive resort pricing around the world and advise IN-DEPTH readers every month how to get the best rates on live-aboards and land-based facilities," explained IN-DEPTH editor, Cameron Montgomery. "What we are doing is not rocket science, but it is time-consuming, and you have to know your way around the industry."

"While it is relatively easy to beat these scams," Montgomery added, "our advice is to book with dive operators who play it straight with the customer. You will find that Mike Ball and companies that are involved in price scams do not publish rates in their web sites."

 

[Bob3]

I've heard the same story about the Mike Ball "disparity in pricing" from other sources, or I wouldn't have bothered paying ANY attention to ANYTHING Cyber Diver has to say.
It seems the outfit [cyberdiver] got a little scrutiny after harvesting e-mail addresses, spammed countless people, and then used those numbers of "subscribers" to misrepresent their base to potential advertisers.
The company uses a little mail drop in Seattle, has no office, and was listing a phone number of a nearby auto repair joint rather than any "real" phone number or physical address.
The place is populated with ficticious persons, apparently hauling $$ in by scamming advertisers.
Their mode of business may qualify as mail fraud.

 

[detroit diver]

I was just passing along some info, but may have to double check my sources before doing so, especially with this source.

I didn't realize what a scam operation they were.

I hope I didn't pass along something that wasn't true. You say you've heard about Mike Ball elsewhere? Same story?

 

[socaldiver]

on a different board.

I am not privvy (and actually never heard of them) to info on Cyber Diver, and if I did I would be very cautious about my comments unless I had first hand knowledge (this is just a comment and not meant to be a slam Bob so please don't take offense).

What I read is pretty much what you posted DD, and if you go to their website you will notice where they are one of the few liveaboards that do not publish their prices on the net. I am thinking about giving them a call just to feel them out and see if what I read is true. I read awhile back a post on another board that recommended Americans wanting to book a trip should use a Canadian travel agent to do the booking, that way they would receive the "cheaper" fare.

My thoughts and question is WHY? If there is a disparity in the pricing for the 2 countries mentioned what is the reasoning? Is it because of the difference in currencies? I am just curious.

 

[detroit diver]

Socal-

Your question of "WHY" is the one that I couldn't figure out. They can't be that stupid to think that no one would find out about this. And with this type of publicity, it could kill their business from the States.

I saw some discussion that they were doing this because the actual cost of their trip was the higher price, and got the locals to fill their boats with the lower prices. But that doesn't explain the divers coming from Europe and elsewhere. It also doesn't explain why anyone would price their trips in their home country to lose money. Last minute specials, maybe. But that's not what is supposedly happening.

Kind of a weird business plan.

 

[socaldiver]

In the one post I was reading just this morning, evidently the couple that "spilled" the beans had gone into a travel agent office or LDS (can't remember which) and saw an advertisement of some sort that showed the lower fare for locals and that is what has caused the ruckus.

I met people from their operation at the Scuba Show here in socal last June. I threw their material away unfortunately so I cannot tell you what the cost was that they were advertising, I do recollect though that the price was higher than most.

Personally, it doesn't matter to me because I don't expect to make it over to that part of the world. There is so much to see and do "closer to home"; Blackbeard, Nekton and yes even Peter Hughes for liveaboards not to mention all the Carib resorts and Hawaiian destinations, that unless I won the lottery I will not have the necessary funds.

 

[Natasha]

Oh My Goodness! Please be very sure of something, before you repeat, or post something like this, on the board.
I personally have met the people from Australia, and Mike Ball's dive operation. They had a booth at DEMA in January and were here in Chicago in May at our local dive show. I will fully investigate this matter. And have them post a reply.
But until then, let's keep an open mind. OK?
:sunny:

 

[detroit diver]

Natasha,

I'll hold my thoughts until you can get a response from them.

 

[Natasha]

Thanks.
I've already placed one call, to an instructor friend of mine that owns a dive shop here. She has worked with Mike Ball, and together 'we' have a group going next November that she is escorting on their boat.
She is a member on this board and will post soon. In the mean time, I'll get a hold of Ron, the top million dollar salesman for Mike Ball. I have met him, and I call him the " Movie Star". This is because he always has a large group around him at every trade show, waiting to meet with him.
Hopefully, Ron will post soon also.
:sunny:

 

[socaldiver]

I hope you didn't misconstrue my posts. I was not pointing any fingers or accusing. I only stated that I had read the same thing on another board, and that I was curious if this is true, then why. Nothing more, nothing less.

Like I mentioned earlier it doesn't matter to me because chances are I will not make it over there because I have too many other things to see here closer to home.