Dive Shops Beware

[wolf eel]

AquaLogic
From what I heard last you do need a lawyer if it's over $10k, that's what the courthouse told me.

Thats too bad here they same the same thing but that is just not so. They like to tell you that so you hire a lawyer or at least thats what they do here. Sorry to hear of your greif I am surprised they responded to me.

 

[Mako Mark]

AquaLogic, I have forwarded this thread to someone I know in Belize that is experiencing the same problem you are and I hope she can join the thread and contribute. If you want an email addy for her, PM me..

 

[AquaLogic]

I say tell as many people as you can about this until you get what you paid for. If you cant afford to nail this guy in court, nail his reputaion. What he is doing is not professional behaviour, it stinks. Get on every forum you can find, TDS, TSS, skoobatork, every yahoo club dedicated to scuba. Get the word out to stop this piece of **** doing this to anyone else.

Thanks, that's a great idea I wasn't aware of those forums.

 

[Goose75]

Ah, the Better Business Bureau. Thanks for reminding me. Yesterday is the ONE YEAR anniversary of a complaint I filed and they still haven't done anything about it. Aside from writing the offending company some letters which have been ignored. Maybe I'll send them yet another followup email. Should be fun.

By the way, if you do decide to go thru them, ask them what power they REALLY have when the company simply fails to respond to them.

Good luck.

The BBB doesn't have much power but registering complaints from multiple companies establishes a pattern that can be used as evidence. It's like a restraining order. It's not worth the paper it's printed on except as supporting evidence in court. The AG office gives the best criminal action against the supplier. A lawyer provides the best financial recompence, except with scams there usually isn't any money left to collect. As for the comment I made about damaging his character, it was merely a warning. In personal experience, I have found bad suppliers will either run when exposed or go into attack mode. Best to back yourself up with legal consul before making public statements.

Did he invoice you? Did it have delivery date? Do you have a carbon of your check with the date? Obviously he cashed it.

 

[jbd]

Thanks, that's a great idea I wasn't aware of those forums.

It can be effective, however a word of caution; what you say must be the absolute truth and must be able to hold up under close scrutiny otherwise you may face charges of libel or slander(whichever applies, I know there is a distinction between the two)

 

[AquaLogic]

The BBB doesn't have much power but registering complaints from multiple companies establishes a pattern that can be used as evidence. It's like a restraining order. It's not worth the paper it's printed on except as supporting evidence in court. The AG office gives the best criminal action against the supplier. A lawyer provides the best financial recompence, except with scams there usually isn't any money left to collect. As for the comment I made about damaging his character, it was merely a warning. In personal experience, I have found bad suppliers will either run when exposed or go into attack mode. Best to back yourself up with legal consul before making public statements.

Did he invoice you? Did it have delivery date? Do you have a carbon of your check with the date? Obviously he cashed it.

Yes I received the invoice, yes he gave me a delivery date and yes I have the check. I have no problem backing my statements up, I'm not going to just sit here and do nothing. Legal counsel is very expensive, more then I paid for the Nitrox machine. I know dive shops that have spent thousands of dollars trying to get there equipment. We just don't have that kind of money, we are small time, but have a big voice

 

[Stivo]

It can be effective, however a word of caution; what you say must be the absolute truth and must be able to hold up under close scrutiny otherwise you may face charges of libel or slander(whichever applies, I know there is a distinction between the two)

libel is defamation in print and slander is verbal defamation, just for those keeping score...

 

[Goose75]

Yes I received the invoice, yes he gave me a delivery date and yes I have the check. I have no problem backing my statements up, I'm not going to just sit here and do nothing. Legal counsel is very expensive, more then I paid for the Nitrox machine. I know dive shops that have spent thousands of dollars trying to get there equipment. We just don't have that kind of money, we are small time, but have a big voice

I wonder if we have a lawyer on the board? I don't think legal consul is as expensive as you fear. It all depends on how far you want to take things and what your goal is. You have the paperwork and a list of others shops scammed. You should be able to get a free consultation to determine your options and the costs associated. Spread between the shops, you may not have to spend too much. At the least, you can report him and the list of those scammed to the AG.

 

[bluewatertoy]

Ah, the Better Business Bureau. Thanks for reminding me. Yesterday is the ONE YEAR anniversary of a complaint I filed and they still haven't done anything about it. Aside from writing the offending company some letters which have been ignored. Maybe I'll send them yet another followup email. Should be fun.

By the way, if you do decide to go thru them, ask them what power they REALLY have when the company simply fails to respond to them.

Good luck.

The BBB is full of a bunch of morons. they would'nt know the difference between a real complaint and a whiny customer if it bit them in the *****. just my experience

 

[Whitelightnin]

Did you happen to send the check by mail? If so, you can file mail fraud with the postmaster. They do not take mail fraud lightly. If there is a pattern of abuse, THEY will haul the individual to court. Check out their website.

http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/