Nekton (Bad News)

[chinacat46]

So is the Pilot down for the count? I see on their website they still show trips on it starting in August. Are they taking reservations and deposits for those trips? Anyone know?

 

[mike_s]

So is the Pilot down for the count? I see on their website they still show trips on it starting in August. Are they taking reservations and deposits for those trips? Anyone know?

There is a post somewhere here on one of the recent Nekton threads that says it's sitting in the boatyard not complete from retrofit due to lack of funds.

It clearly wasn't ready to go to SEA, otherwise they would have put it in the water instead of canceling 3+ weeks of trips when the Rorqual went out of service.

There are at least two advertisements on the internet for the Pilot. one where she is for sale, and the other where she's for lease as an "offshore oil field worker hotel".


so given those factors, doesn't seem like they are that interested in putting her back in operation as a dive boat at the moment. Maybe August is their "if it doesn't sell date". but seeing how hot is is in the Caribbean in August and how bookings are SO DOWN that they can rebook 12 people on upcoming weeks in June with just one boat.... I just don't see them putting her back in service if she's not going to make any money. (You have to assume that they'd have to re-staff the boat as they don't have enough staff left to run two boats).

 

[chinacat46]

There is a post somewhere here on one of the recent Nekton threads that says it's sitting in the boatyard not complete from retrofit due to lack of funds.

It clearly wasn't ready to go to SEA, otherwise they would have put it in the water instead of canceling 3+ weeks of trips when the Rorqual went out of service.

There are at least two advertisements on the internet for the Pilot. one where she is for sale, and the other where she's for lease as an "offshore oil field worker hotel".


so given those factors, doesn't seem like they are that interested in putting her back in operation as a dive boat at the moment. Maybe August is their "if it doesn't sell date". but seeing how hot is is in the Caribbean in August and how bookings are SO DOWN that they can rebook 12 people on upcoming weeks in June with just one boat.... I just don't see them putting her back in service if she's not going to make any money. (You have to assume that they'd have to re-staff the boat as they don't have enough staff left to run two boats).

Yeah I saw all those other posts but will they accept deposits for trips they know they aren't gonna run? i.e. trying to raise money and then canceling at a later day. Just wondering how desperate they are.

 

[mike_s]

Yeah I saw all those other posts but will they accept deposits for trips they know they aren't gonna run? i.e. trying to raise money and then canceling at a later day. Just wondering how desperate they are.

well... You really think they are going to turn down a paying customer who calls up and wants to put down money for a deposit?

especially when their "standard mode of operation" is just to defer to them to another week?


the answer is no... because that paying customer would just go and put the money down on a competing boat such as the Caribbean Explorer or Aquacat, etc.

 

[PhilC]

We had an appliance store with multiple locations that closed for good a few months ago. They were taking people's money up until the afternoon they closed their doors. When people showed up the next day or after to get their appliances they were shocked and really mad. The only possible recourse was disputing it with their credit card company. I heard towards the end they were telling people they would only accept cash and I'm sure those consumers haven't gotten a dime of it back. They were robbing Peter to pay Paul. They couldn't afford to pay the vendor to get the appliance you already paid for because they just paid a different vendor with your money to get the guy's stuff who came in before you.

Lost $1200+ to the local Best Floors company doing almost the same thing. We were idiots, it was on our credit card but by the time the "back-ordered" tile never showed up after a couple of months and they closed their doors with no notice it was too late to contest it. At the end the floor company was offering 5% discounts for cash payments, we didn't know that until after, it's not a good sign though.

 

[DiveMaven]

The long term damage that Nekton is doing to itself will likely be difficult to recover from. Not only are they hurting people with current bookings, but they're clearly showing previously loyal customers that they can no longer be trusted.

I would love nothing more than to get on a Nekton boat and go to Cay Sal or Medio, but there's no way I can feel confident or comfortable doing business with them. I've been fortunate to have gone on 3 fantastic trips on the Nekton Pilot and I have recommended them to many people because of it (in the past). However, I have not recommended them or considered returning since Ephey, Pam, and Ryan left.....

 

[underwater life]

Ryan??? Ryan did nothing positive for Nekton. Ephey and Pam yes, I can agree with you there. Ryan, no way.

 

[Ed Jackson1]

I called and asked about our deposit. The person answering the phone was nasty and said someone would call me back. They never did. I sent an email last week but nobody replied. I feel intimidated to even call and ask if the trip is going or not.

 

[DaveScuba]

I called and asked about our deposit. The person answering the phone was nasty and said someone would call me back. They never did. I sent an email last week but nobody replied. I feel intimidated to even call and ask if the trip is going or not.

From my time in customer service, I feel bad for the person answering the phone. I'm sure he/she has had nothing but people yelling at them. Just be nice when you call, try to get the name of the person you should contact about this, then only deal with that person. I'm just waiting to hear the boat is working for my 7/3 trip.

 

[wendyisaac]

H20,

When my 5/15 trip was canceled the earliest we could rebook for was 6/12. Maybe all of us should call everyday and ask something like "boat work yet? no? How about a refund?" Just to annoy the crap out of them.

Great idea, except I have been calling now for 2 days and all I get is an ansering machine.