Instant Reader Report
on Aquatic Obsessions/Dive Clearwater / [same] in
USA (Continental) / West Florida on
2003/04
by
Mel , VA, USA
Report Number 030502151505749

 [Unspecified] 

Dive Conditions

[Unspecified]  

[None]  

Overall Rating

This is a report on a dive trip that did not happen, because of inept
customer service by Aquatic Obsessions dive center. I live in Virginia,
and during a business trip to Florida had only a Wednesday morning to dive
in the Tampa - St. Petersburg area. I called the dive center several weeks
in advance to arrange the trip. I called 5 times, and each time was told
I'd be called right back with the info on when I should report to what
dock. My credit card info was taken, I was told I was on the manifest, but
I still could not find out when and where I was diving. At the airport in
Virginia I made a last call to see if I should even bring my dive gear on
the trip; again I was assured all was OK and I'd be called back in 3
minutes with the information.  One hour later I made another call and was
finally told with what charter operator (Dive Clearwater) I was diving,
and when and where to report. I did so, arising early the next morning to
drive 45 minutes to the dock. There was the boat, but no one else. I
called the charter operator, and he said he was not going out and had
never heard of me. I went to the dive center mid-day (when they opened) to
make sure I had not been charged for the non-trip. They said they had
already refunded my credit card; this was another untruth as I had checked
with my credit card company earlier that morning and I had never been
charged for the trip. In discussion it turned out that Aquatic Obsessions
was moving their center from one site to another during this period so was
quite confused and certainly not focused on me, the customer. But this
customer lost his only chance to dive on that business trip. All they had
to do was tell me when I first contacted them that they were moving and
maybe I should work through some other diver center; that would have been
good customer service.  I've since learned, from some local St. Petersburg
divers, that my experience with Aquatic Obsessons was not that unusual. Too
bad; in a competitive business, you don't treat your customers this way,
and then lie to them. The good news is the charter operation -- Dive
Clearwater -- was very nice to me when they found out I had been
mistreated, and I'd consider working directly with them to dive in the St.
Petersburg area on my next opportunity there. 

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