Boat left 1 hour before advertised time.

[MaxPayne]

I'm livid. Debating filing with bbb.org. Want the opinion of cooler heads.
Early this week, I found an advertisement for a SCUBA boat trip. I called the phone number, and booked for Friday the 28th. I was directed to a website for details. The details included the address and boat time, 8 a.m. on the website.

Thursday I purchased some equipment specifically for this trip.

Friday Morning, I arrived at the Marina at 7:30. After being unable to find the boat , I attempted the call the contact number a few times, with no answer :naughty . I was at the location given on the website. The business there was closed :vangry . I asked about the boat at the sport fishing business next to it. The person working there told me the [ boat name ] left around 7 a.m :vangry :vangry . I drove home frustrated in rush hour traffic :vangry :vangry :vangry .

I’ve lost a day of work / vacation day,the boat price of $94.00 for a 1/2 day dive, my time, fuel costs, etc. Most dive boats are booked well ahead of time for weekends. These are planned trips, not a spur of the moment decision, which requires preparation and planning.

I think these guys owe me more then just reimbursing me for the ticket. Thoughts?

 

[welshmikey]

id be pissed if that happened, personally id give them hell.

 

[knoodelhed]

I believe you are due a refund. I assume the person who took your booking order told you to meet the boat at that location no later than 0800. If it proceeds to where you do decide to go to small claims court, the person at the sport fishing business can testify that he had a conversation with a diver where he told him that the boat in question left around 0700. If you paid by credit card, you could enter a claim for refund through your bank for failure to deliver. [ame]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IANAL[/ame]

 

[efattah]

Maybe you should take the law in your own hands and deliver appropriate punishment where punishment is due. Perhaps you should smile and pretend all is well. Sign up for the next boat trip with the same operator. Show up extra early. Except bring a speargun this time.

[joke]

 

[MaxPayne]

Well, now it is the end of the day (5:45) and the boat was supposed to be back around 1pm. Dude has made no attempt to respond to numerous phone calls. I feel like burning him. If I don't hear by tomorrow, I'll post the name of this "reliable" dive boat on here. Hint, hint .... Orange County / LA, CA area.

 

[BatRay]

That sucks. I would be absolutely furious if I was in your shoes. Let us know how things progress.

 

[land shark]

Hell consider yourself lucky it could have been the other way around and you could be swimming back yet.

 

[MaxPayne]

Well no response from this F___ P___. His Name I believe is Rich. He runs the "Island Time" out of Long beach california. Some digging into him brought up other bad stories of his character.

Credit where credit is due. The "Bottom Scratcher" is very crowded but has an awesome crew that more then makes up for it. My first time Spear fishing, they lent me a fish stringer, a fillet knife, and gave me a ton of instruction.

"The Ceeray" is an all aroudn awesome boat with lots of space, hot showers, and good food.

If you have a choice in the LA / OC area, I leave this feedback.

Martin

 

[MaxPayne]

This issue has been resolved. The owner? of the Island Time finally called me back. And apologized. Aparently they called every one, but didn't have my number??? And everyone agreed to go 1 hour earlier. Not sure what the point of the change was. But....

I wasn't comfortable with this, and as a happy medium, I was given a free trip on the boat. In my opinions this show of good faith is sufficient. But yeah... I'm still kinda pissed, and the explanation didn't help!!!

 

[Huw]

Sounds like you had every right to be angry!

At least all is solved now though. I have had past experiences with dodgy tradesmen, and i wouldnt wish the hassle that you have to go through on anyone. I can only imagine how much worse it would have been for you since this bad experience was also coupled with the dissapointment of missing a days diving.

Hope that everythingis all sorted,

Huw.

 

[all4scuba]

not for nothing but unless you received 2 "free" trips, it's not good enough. You already payed for one that THEY failed to take you on. Unless they already reimbursed you for that missed trip.

 

[river rat]

Unreal!!!!! Jerks like that are ruining the industry!!!!!!! Come to St. Thomas we'll take care of you there!