Heatheroe
Contributor
I really do appreciate all of the responses. I had no idea I would feel such a community spirit from divers all over the place. I hope I can find that here locally as well. Subaboard and you all ROCK!
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Four out of five people quit..... the program is poorly run, unorganized, owner is condescending .... He has pissed off everyone in our class with his attitude.... [but] I think he is inherently a nice guy
Ok, the shop owner said he would really try and work with us to get certified before our trip. . . .
While it's great that he's going to "try," trying won't ensure you are satisfied with the result.
I would go see the guy in person. I would ask that he make a commitment to you, in writing, that he will get your certification completed. I would ask that he commit to providing a full refund if he can't get your certification completed. I would make sure you have a referral in hand for your currently completed work, and that he would update the referral you hold as each additional component is completed (some less reputable shops withhold referrals as an extortion tactic).
Heatheroe:Thanks Jax and doctormike. I really do not want to bash anyone and I haven't mentioned the shop's name or owner and won't unless it's in a private message. I am trying to be open-minded and see things from both perspectives.
We started our class session on September 7th. We had our third (and what we thought to be our last) class last night. When we tried to schedule the pool and 2 days of OW check out dives, there was only 1 pool session available for the rest of Sept and no OW sessions for October. We leave for our vacation to Andros (slated to have the 3rd largest barrier reef in the world) on October 20th. Needless to say, we will not be able to dive now. The intructor knew we had a time limit as do most other people in our class so I'm quite upset that he didn't try and get us in the pool or quarry before now. I asked several times if we would have time for it all and he said "we'll do what we can".
We don't get to go on vacation more than once a year so I'm very disappointed about this. Of course we don't want to rush it but I think he could have been more acommodating for $600. If we do a referral in Andros we'll be paying $750 more for the cert dives.
Am I over-reacting? Or should I look on the bright side, maybe we'll try and plan another dive vacation sooner rather than later?
Three comments, generally cosistent with the responses you have received: 1. There are always two sides to every issue, I appreciate your efforts to be balanced. Unless you have painted a very inaccurate picture (which I doubt), you did pick the wrong shop to meet your needs. If you booked in August for an October trip, you did so far enough ahead. If you made your travel schedule and needs clear to the owner, he had the initial option of saying - 'Yes, I can work with that.', or 'No, I cannot meet your needs, and I suggest you pursue training elsewhere.' As stated, there is no guarantee on certification, but your description outlines a situation where there is simply not any reasomable attempt to provide adequate training. 2. Although your specific location in NC is not noted in your profile, I presume you are somewhere in the Charlotte area. I would be surprised if there was not a shop with a) an instructional staff adequate in size, and b) access to indoor pool facilities, appropriate to accomodate your needs. 3. At this point, THERE IS STILL TIME to accomplish you goals, and do it in a safe, competent manner. But, it is very unlikely that you can do it through the current shop, based on your descripotion of the operation. You need a private class - yes, more expensive, but also more flexible and tailored. Although you have already invested in the course through the current shop and are affiliated with a particular agency, I would suggest you not let that limit you, and find a shop, irrespective of agency affiliation, that can accomodate a private class, with pool time available. IF you really want to get certified before the trip, then spend the money, and meanwhile negotiate with the shop owner for some level of refund.Ok, the shop owner said he would really try and work with us to get certified before our trip. . . . small, OUTDOOR hotel pool, extremely cloudy, 5 feet deep . . . By this time 3 of us were shaking uncontrollably. Four out of five people quit. We went back to the shop. Owner said the next pool session was also outdoors and that he wouldn't be indoors until November. . . . The check out dives are in local quarries or lakes yet he doesn't rent booties, gloves or hoods. , , , We're debating quitting the whole thing and losing $600 because we think the program is poorly run, unorganized, owner is condescending and puts down any equipment that is not top of the line. . . . Classes were unorganized with much unnecessary personal stories, videos, interruptions. We definitely picked the wrong shop.