American Pro Divers? GRRR!

[Jupiter31]

Buddy.....Buddy Spell Check please

 

[ScubaSteve]

Buddy.....Buddy Spell Check please

What word are you having trouble spelling?

On a more serious note, hearing a group of people lambaste this shop kaes have to wonder just how bad they really are. I have been in some pretty terrible "places" and one can usually write rudeness off to an environmental effect (someone else was just rude to them or something like that). It is not often that you have several genuinely rude people all in the same company (unless it is the phone company or cable company ). I am almost to the point of going to the expense of flying to Florida, buying an excursion with these guys and intentionally showing up late just to see how bad they really are. Typically people add a little topping on the internet stories......it is called EMBELISH.....but this many people....maybe not.

My curiosity is piqued.....UH OH

 

[tubtoy]

Spent $1000 at American Pro before meeting and running into Ron's attitude. He degraded me, PADI and himself loudly in the store unlike anything I have ever seen. It's sad when all of his employees had been so nice. I was not late for anything and was only trying to pay for a copy of my license that was stolen with my wallet a few months back. Somehow after 30+ years of diving, my license from 1975 was not as good as his and worth nothing even though PADI was on the phone telling him otherwise. He proclaimed that he, not PADI decides who gets air or rents equipment. Of course an owner can decide who he wants to do business with and who not, but I have never been in a situation where a business person was degrading and challenging me with every breath but offering to take my money and print my license a anyhow. After politely asking for my paperwork back 3 times Ron finally asked ME to leave and the aggression continued as I walked to the parking lot. I asked PADI to record a complaint with no result. There is no Better Business Bureau in the city or county according to city hall. I have never written a complaint and normally just stop doing business with rude people, but I felt the need to let other people share my experience after reading this forum and talking to people around town. In my opinion the words used to describe Ron in these articles are dead on. I have never been treated with such disrespect and aggression. Most of the time these problems take care of themselves or maybe he only follows older men, women and children to the parking lot. Oh by the way, Bird's is the way to go. Owner had license just like mine and we shared old stories.

 

[deepstops]

Ah, another satisfied American Pro customer :sarcasm:

Bird's is the Word for Guided Mantee Dives​

 

[netmage]

I was not late for anything and was only trying to pay for a copy of my license that was stolen with my wallet a few months back.

License....? Do you mean C-Card....?

Do you mean to say, he would not order you a replacement card? Or fill your tanks, despite PADI confirming you ARE indeed a certified diver...?

Sounds like someone's head has its own weather system.....

 

[I Dive]

This sounds nearly comical. Any chance you have it on video to post on YouTube?

 

[aardvark200304]

I'd like to bring this back to the original thread on manatee harassment for a minute. I don't mean to defend the bashee, but they are not they are not the only problem shop.

There has been a lot of video documentation on the harassment and the shops don't like it, often threatening the videographers. I just receive this this morning even though I don't even own a video camera. I've just posted internet links to the videos on my website. My thought is if you don't want to be taped violating the law, then don't violate the law. Curious if Decopixel received the same e-mail.


Video of Divers at Crystal River
Thursday, January 15, 2009 9:41 PM
From:
This sender is DomainKeys verified
"John L. Russell 3, Investigato" <russellpi@earthlink.net>
Add sender to Contacts
To:
"John L. Russell 3, Investigato" <russellpi@earthlink.net>
Be advised that it is unlawful to videotape dive students and clients without our consent. Please review the Florida Laws below.

Fla. Statue 934

Illegal Videotaping is a violation of the right of privacy and it is a criminal violation. Any videotaping without consent can not be used as evidence for any court hearing or trial. Since it is a crime we can prefer charges and sue in civil court for the destruction of the videotape.

Anyone whose communications have been illegally intercepted may recover actual damages or $100 for each day of violation or $1,000, whichever is greater, along with punitive damages, attorney fees and litigation costs. Fla. Stat. ch. 934.10.

Fla. Statue 493.6101

(17) "Private investigation" means the investigation by a person or persons for the purpose of obtaining information with reference to any of the following matters:

(b) The identity, habits, conduct, movements, whereabouts, affiliations, associations, transactions, reputation, or character of any society, person, or group of persons.

(g) The business of securing evidence to be used before investigating committees or boards of award or arbitration or in the trial of civil or criminal cases and the preparation therefore.

493.6120 Violations; penalty.--

(1) Any person who violates any provision of this chapter except s. 493.6405 commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.


We will pursue any violation of criminal and civil law to protect our clients.

Please govern yourself accordingly.

John L. Russell 3

Dive Instructor/Licensed Private Investigator

Russell and Associates, Private Investigators, Tampa, Florida
Sunsation Dive Charters, Tampa, (FL) Florida
Captain John L. Russell 3's Scuba Dive Tampa Fl, Florida Dive Site

Aardvark

 

[deeper thoughts]

That would be interesting. They go after you for videotaping them and the the Feds go after them for violating Federal law. I dont think the dive op will like that.hmmm

 

[Dive Right In Scuba]

WOW.....I thought only wiretaps had to have a warrant or notification? So I was out diving, and recording my friends diving, when I saw this illegal action. What about this whole cop shooting thing that just happened? Does this mean that the guy who recorded it on his cellphone can get sued and the video the media is blasting all over the place cant be used in court? I think not! Im no lawyer, but like someone above said....Dont do the illegal things if your worried about getting into trouble!

 

[netmage]

Fla. Statue 934

Illegal Videotaping is a violation of the right of privacy and it is a criminal violation. Any videotaping without consent can not be used as evidence for any court hearing or trial. Since it is a crime we can prefer charges and sue in civil court for the destruction of the videotape.

Anyone whose communications have been illegally intercepted may recover actual damages or $100 for each day of violation or $1,000, whichever is greater, along with punitive damages, attorney fees and litigation costs. Fla. Stat. ch. 934.10.

I'm not a lawyer... so bear with me....
Fl Statue 934 is entitled "SECURITY OF COMMUNICATIONS", and within that statue, the topic of 'video' is brought up ONLY with regards to the interception of video communications, 934.03 Interception and disclosure of wire, oral, or electronic communications prohibited.

Also, an individuals conduct on public lands, in public view has no expectation of privacy...

This isn't conduct in a residence or place of business...

Seems like someone a> can't make an argument... and b> fire and brimstone...

Furthermore: 493 is regards to the regulation of professional investigation, i.e. paying someone to perfom investigative services on behalf of a client... The profession is licensed, and the person has a duty to their client, not to publicly disclose their findings. (493.6119 Divulging investigative information; false reports prohibited.)