Scuba Tony - Cash Only

[ronkoplus]

My reservation says the balance must be paid Cash Only, no credit cards or checks. That's a chunk to carry around for a week's diving. Do I use the ATM in Cozumel to settle up or other suggestions from Scuba Tony past divers?

 

[Wookie]

The ATM fees are outrageous, which is why he is cash only, because the clearing costs to accept credit cards are outrageous, so he's passing the fees on to you. I'd pick an op that allows you to pay in credit card like Aldora or Blue X-T-Sea. Or almost any one else.

Edit. After seeing judydivescoz's post below, I realized that it might sound like I was dissing ScubaTony. I've never even heard of ScubaTony, so I'm not dissing him is the least. I too like to pay with cc, although I tip in cash each day.

 

[judydivescoz]

ATM fees can be free depending on your US bank. With Bank of America, there are no fees with the Santander ATMs. We visit Cozumel often and bring little USD and use pesos. Check with your bank to see what they might charge if anything. It is expensive to get USD from an ATM in Cozumel it's silly to try and do that! I would pay the balance in pesos from the ATM and leave the dollars home. I hear great things about ScubaTony, enjoy your visit.

 

[cvchief]

I think alot of ops have BOA account. I pay my dive bill online with an instant BOA to BOA transfer.

 

[Ray and Pam]

We pay in cash and don't have to pay taxes so save about 10 %. We'll drop about $600 off at the dive op and get a receipt as soon as we get there.

 

[scubamarketing]

It's been several years since I've been diving with him, so this may be outdated, but he used to take PayPal also. You'd be reasonably responsible for the fee PayPal charges, but that's the price for convenience

 

[kmurray719]

The ATM fees are outrageous, which is why he is cash only, because the clearing costs are outrageous, so he's passing the fees on to you. I'd pick an op that allows you to pay in credit card like Aldora or Blue X-T-Sea. Or almost any one else.

Edit. After seeing judydivescoz's post below, I realized that it might sound like I was dissing ScubaTony. I've never even heard of ScubaTony, so I'm not dissing him is the least. I too like to pay with cc, although I tip in cash each day.

It's the credit card/paypal fees for businesses that are pretty high--I believe paypal charges 4-5% on business account transactions, and credit card fees are probably similar. Not all businesses can afford to absorb those fees. I'd also imagine that cashing a check from a foreign bank would not be easy.

My reservation says the balance must be paid Cash Only, no credit cards or checks. That's a chunk to carry around for a week's diving. Do I use the ATM in Cozumel to settle up or other suggestions from Scuba Tony past divers?

I've always paid in cash, never been an issue for me. I bring enough USD to cover it. I keep the $ on me while I travel (in my carry on) then put it in the room safe for the week. Your bill from Tony will also have the peso amount on it, so you could go to the ATM and withdraw pesos if you prefer. I have a BOA account, so withdrawals are free at Santander ATM's. DON"T use the cash machines that dispense US dollars...the fees are completely outrageous.

 

[MMM]

My ATM fees are $3.25 Canadian when I withdraw from an ATM, regardless of the amount. So I always WD the maximum amt allowable which is 6000 pesos. I figure that is a small amount for all the hassle I save. I expect that Tony, like others, is trying to avoid the costs to a business of credit card companies. Margins are slim and every little bit helps.

 

[DandyDon]

We pay in cash and don't have to pay taxes so save about 10 %. We'll drop about $600 off at the dive op and get a receipt as soon as we get there.

I've done it that way, or just keep it in the room safe. I like negotiating cash discounts on diving.

 

[Christi]

We pay in cash and don't have to pay taxes so save about 10 %. We'll drop about $600 off at the dive op and get a receipt as soon as we get there.

What does that tell you?????