Don't let this happen to you! [Archive]

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Papa Bear

01-07-2009, 03:48 AM

Dear Wananvu Beach Resort Ben and Rachael,
Tony Wiley and Reed Nescher,

Kai Viti divers is trying to charge another $2503.85 USA dollors today Jan 6 tuesday. My credit card called me thinking it was fradulant. I had to put a block on my card and they are sending me another card.

I am sorry that all of us are having trouble with this individual who is running Kai Viti divers to corruption.

Ben and Rachael of Wananavu, I did tell Wells fargo that the charges .
$1767.38 Kaiviti is acceptable
$1598.79 Wananavu was signed and authorized by me
$357.09 Wananavu was signed and approved by me

$337.24 was not approved by me and it was dropped.

Wells Fargo might contact Ben and Rachael at Wananvu because of all the confusion.
however Wells fargo wrote me about $357.09 because it was 1 day apart from the $337.24. The $357.09 is correct and was approved by me Cynthia Bower.

Bless you all ,

Cynthia Bower

This is an Email I just received a few minutes ago! I have been holding out writing about this, but the thing seems to be coming to a head! So here I go:

For our second week in Fiji I wanted to do more Bligh Water diving and try something different to photograph and write about and it looks like I have it! I was at DEMA and went to thee Fiji section of the show and stopped at the Wananavu Booth and talked to a woman named Julie who talked about her 12 years building the "Operation" and we (Our fault?) assumed she was talking about the Resort and Dive operation since she was telling use "She" had space at the resort and on the boat!

I came home and went on the web site at Wananavu.com and went to the Dive and Stay package offered and it was cited as:

Kai Viti Divers
ROOM TYPE
5 NIGHT 6 TANK
7 NIGHT 10 TANK
Per Person

Per Person
Garden view Bure
F$1395
F$2060
Oceanview Bure
F$1495
F$2160
Beachfront Bure
F$1595
F$2260
Deluxe Honeymoon
F$1945
F$2510
Rates are exclusive of Fiji 12.5% VAT and 5% Hotel Turnover Tax
All rates valid to 31 March 2009.
Web site:Snorkeling trips, Scuba Diving, Live Corals, Fijian Massage - Wananavu

So I contacted my friend Tony Wiley and told him to look and contact her to make arrangements so we could be picked up at Pacific Harbor and taken to Wananavu Beach Resort on December 6th. Some of us were going for different times and under different packages and Julie told Tony "We would work out the diving arrangement once we arrived. She had her Office manager contact us at Beqa Lagoon to get our Card numbers and settle the outstanding issues

We were picked up by, what we found out later was the resort (Wananavu Beach Resort) and delivered in great style by a friendly driver. The resort was top notch, friendly, clean, great food, and well appointed! We started the diving the next morning by setting my cameras out for the Dive Boys to pick up and take to the boat!

The diving was top notch and the Dive Masters were some of the best! We learned that one of their boats was down and under major repair! Tony would dive one day and the Bowers were thinking about one week while I was there for one week. I knew I was going to do an extra day of diving and two or more three tank days! One of the reason the diving was "To be determined" as Julie stated.

Things started to go bad when the Bowers decided to stay an extra 5 days and emailed Julie for rates! The rates were as posted on the web, but I was asked to go to the Dive Shop to settle my bill! I assumed it was for the extra day of diving and the two three tanks days! Well I was told that my card was charged 2562 fijian and that did not include DIVING!!!! They wanted another 1300.00 fijian for the diving!!! And "Tell the rest of my group, they owe as well"!!! I asked why mine was so much more and was told the package didn't included diving and I had to pay for a single room"!!! I never asked for one and the Resort was only 1/3 full!

I told her she got all she was going to get from me or the others! We went to Ben the manager of the resort who told us not to worry and didn't know what she was doing! The Web price was good and gave free upgrades to us for the hassle!

When I got back Julie is now demanding 4200 us dollars from us! And as you can read from the email above is willing to commit a crime to get money she feels she is owed! I have been patient, but I won't stand for this kind of treatment for me or anyone else! The resort is some place I will return to, but I hope Julie will have sold her interest in the dive operation! She has handled this very badly, but I want to see if anyone else here has had similar experiences?

And the Moral of the story is pay for the package through the resort and don't deal with KaiViti Divers! Know before you go and that is why I am posting this story here!

Julie I hope it is worth it to you! You're taking on Papa Bear!

The Publisher

01-07-2009, 07:12 AM

Hopefully they will respond here and the issue can be cleared up fairly and to everyone's satisfaction.

Papa Bear

01-07-2009, 03:14 PM

Next chapter:

Bula Cynthia,
So Sorry to hear about this on-going saga but thank you for keeping us informed.
Yes I did receive both emails and I will pass them onto to anyone pertinent.
Just fyi the Dive shop is closed this week so I am presuming the transaction was attempted in the States.
Is there anything we can do at this end to assist?
Take care,
Ben & Rachel
Ben Plummer
General Manager
wananavu beach resort
PO Box 305, Rakiraki, Fiji Islands
T: +679 6694 433
F: +679 6694 499
E: wananavuben@connect.com.fj
W: Wananavu Beach Resort Accommodation Fiji

This confirms to me that Julie, now living in California is behind this plot to fraudulently take money from us, it seems to me that maybe we are expected to pay for her boat repairs! This is no way to do business here or in Fiji! Really Julie do you think this is the way to treat your customers? Is this the way to get the word out about KaiViti Divers? In many cases I don't even pay let alone get charged extra to review and photograph resorts and dive operations! Maybe I should send you a bill for all my work and posting my photos on our web site? Remember this in no way reflects on the great job the Dive Boys did! They deserve a better boss!

Papa Bear

01-07-2009, 03:15 PM

This was the email I found sent CC to me when I got home!

It is apparent that Mr. Reed is confused. I never quoted him in FJD at the show and in fact the rates quoted for this trip is less than the show rates. He is confused in FJD with USD. Please provide him with an invoice. If he refuses to pay then we have no other recourse than to call the police

Julie Trussell
Kai Viti Divers
PO Box 953
Raki Raki
Fiji Islands
+679 669-3600 phone
+679 669-3547 fax

BTW, the show rates were supposed to give me an hour message and one free three tank dive day! None of which we received! I am sorry now that the Police weren't called, but the Manager knew better! In the US I would expect rates to be quoted in US dollars! I have a conversion function on my web site and was not confused what so ever! Come on Julie, you can do better than this!

Papa Bear

01-07-2009, 03:16 PM

Also received this at the same time:

OK Anu,

The nightly rate for a GVB is $270 FJD x 7 nts = $1,890
Meals Package: $71/nt = $497
Round Trip Transfers: $144
$2,531

The difference would just be the exchange rate and whatever bank charges he may have had.\

He has not been charged for diving.

The rates he is showing from the WBR web site is for Ra Divers not KVD.

I had provided a full disclosure of the cost and provided it to the group leader. If there were any issues it should have been discussed prior.

Julie Trussell
Kai Viti Divers
PO Box 953
Raki Raki
Fiji Islands
+679 669-3600 phone
+679 669-3547 fax

First I don't care what there Rate is! We booked a package and expected to receive one like she quoted at DEMA or at least as good as the one on the Web site! Why would we pay the daily rate after booking a package? Please the turnip truck already left! Next the transfer rate is not per person, but as the web site says, the first person plus an additional charge per person! This is not my first Rodeo Julie, but are you sure you have been involved in this industry for 12 years? What about the 50% sure charge you had your manager quote me as a single? You pulled that one from somewhere I don't want to go! You sound desperate and confused and maybe you owe all of us an explanation and an apology! If anyone here is an "Ugly American" it is you doing a poor job representing the Dive industry!

If anyone else has had similar problems please post or PM me!

h2odragon1

01-07-2009, 03:37 PM

Kaiviti Divers ;
A dive operation to avoid!
If they are going to be represented at a dive show, they should honor any contract entered into at that show, even if the prices have gone up.
The contract was entered into in the US, and is enforceable only in the US.
If the dive operation has any beef, they can take it to a US court through their representative. The courts can only enforce prices in US legal tender not Fijian dollars.
It would be better to avoid them altogether.

Thanks for the warning!

Papa Bear

01-07-2009, 04:15 PM

Remember it is Kaiviti Divers and not Wananavu Beach Resort! I think very highky of them and they have tried to help with this mess! The sad thing is the dive operation is top notch just not the ownership! Please don't confuse WBR with the Dive operation!

Papa Bear

01-09-2009, 10:00 PM

As of yesterday I emailed Julie that this posting was here and to come on and defend herself, but no response here or by email! Her silence speaks volumes! Julie I am still waiting to hear from you why we should pay double for booking with you?!!!

The Publisher

01-16-2009, 08:30 PM

Remember viewers, just because someone does not respond here, you should not draw conclusions on the basis of that anymore than if you exercise your right to remain silent, it does not confirm guilt. Also understand you are only hearing from one half.

Kai Viti has signed up here now and now as a member, we expect that any discussions by all parties shall now adhere to our requirements of a civil discourse between members.

We have found that most dive related businesses will bend over backwards to reasonably accommodate reasonable requests, and if they do over an issue here, we will in return do what we can so everyone sees that knows that they went out of their way to make a dive traveler satisfied and we'll give them credit for it.

Other times I have visited resorts and have heard horror stories from resort owners about demanding dive journalists and dive tour organzers, not that this has anything to do with this particular issue, but the moral is, keep an open mind and don't jump to conclusions.

Kai Viti Divers

01-16-2009, 11:11 PM

Papa Bear

01-17-2009, 01:47 AM

This is in response to Papa Bear. First please note that his e-mail had been deposited into the spam blocker on our server as did Scuba Magazines email regarding Papa's posting. Upon finding these emails I am responding accordingly.

Below please find what I have sent Papa today regarding his confirmation and charges

Dear Mr. Nescher,
Below please find for your review what is posted on WBR web site. I think you may want to re-read what the packages include and do not include. All rates quoted below are in FJD
Below please find the published rates on Wananavu Beach Resort Web site.
Note: the rate are based on TWIN SHARE and DO NOT include tax @ 17.5%

ROOM TYPE 5 7 NIGHT 10 TANK Per Person
Garden View Bure F$2060

Total: $2,420 FJD pp based on twin share

Below please find the published rates on Wananavu Beach Resorts Web site which are used for room rates that are not packages (singles)
Note: the rate DOES NOT include tax @ 17.5%

1-2 Adults
Garden View Bure F$230

Rate for room for 7 nights with tax = $1,892
Rate for meals for 7 nights with tax = $490
Transfers for 1-4 people one way WBR to Nadi pp = $93
Total $2,475
Paid $2557 - $2475 = $82 diff due to exchange rate variant
This does not include diving

Below please find what I had sent to Tony with regards to your confirmation

From: Julie Trussell [mailto:julie@kaivitidivers.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2008 4:55 PM
To: 'dive@scubalocker.com'
Cc: 'Anu'
Subject: Wiley confirmation

Hi Tony,

I am glad this all worked out….as I mentioned to ensure the rooms are confirm please call the Kai Viti Divers office and talk to Anu 669-3600 so she can process the Bowers and Mescher credit cards. They can pay for diving once they are with us and finish diving.

I am not sure how much more clearer this can be.

Regards
Julie

You sight the 10 tank package, but want then ignore it! Julie, you are demonstrating what a poor business person you are! Why would I pay for what I am offered in the sighting on the web? Regardless of what you put in an email to "Tony" who you know he was talking to you about unsettled dive plans! We were, and you knew it, about additional dives as your own "Welcome letter" says that they additional dives are weather dependent!

It is this simple: Go to the WBR web site and look at the rate for ten tanks and seven nights, as you posted and then tell me why 2 extra tanks and one extra day of diving should be 1300 Fijian dollars? You are making a complete moron out of yourself quoting the site and telling us it doesn't apply to us! Next there is no penalty for single as the site says 1/2 and does not mention a "Sure charge" for singles! In addition Ben the Manager told me himself that there was non, unless I requested a "Private Room" and I didn't! It is pretty simple! 7 days all inclusive including 10 tanks 2060 not including taxes and EXTRA TANKS AND EXTRA DAYS OF DIVING!

It also does not address you fraudulently charging the Bowers after we left on their Credit Card! Keep it up and I will complain to the Licensing Board against your professional license! You are wrong admit it and take your normal cut! I hope you see what it takes to make an experience a good one from going off the deep end! Right is right and this isn't!! So put another nail in the coffin or admit you mad a big mistake and make it right so I can post about the great diving and wonderful staff instead a poor owner! Shake off the greed and wake up! As stated before you got the last dollar, US or Fijian, from me!

Papa Bear

01-17-2009, 07:04 PM

Maybe the reply got stuck in her "Spam filter"???!!! Silence is golden and speaks volumes as to your defense, NON! If anyone here can see it her way please speak up and explain to me how all of us and the Manager and his Wife at Wananavu Beach Resort can be so wrong? Please check the web site as I did from the beginning and also check Kaiviti divers web site where when you need a price it takes you back to WBR's web site! She can't even post her own prices on her web site! But then again if you publish a price you might have to stick by it!

Still waiting! :mad:

Papa Bear

01-22-2009, 03:37 AM

The saga continues! I ask you is this any way to treat the traveling public? So here is her last attempt to explain why she charged our friends after they left! It is so poor!:

Dear Mr. Reed,

Some things need to be clarified. When your trip was quoted to Mr. Wiley it was in USD. We published our rates as being valid for travel for anywhere from 18-24 months. These rates include consideration for currency exchange rate fluctuations. The rates that have been published, not just by KVD but by the many wholesalers who use our product, have been valid when the exchange rate was .699. When your trip was being organized the rate dramatically dropped but not stable. We do not run out and franticly change our published rates until the exchange rates are stable for many months.

What we did for your trip was recalculate the rates. At the time your credit cards were processed the rate had change again. When someone compares the rates you were charged in USD to WBR web site it will never exactly match due to exchange rate fluctuations. Then it depends on the web site you use to get the current exchange rate which is not even what the bank charges.

The above is standard in the travel industry and no impropriety has occurred.

KVD had also raised dive rates last fall to reflect fuel increases and the rates on WBR web site does not reflect this.

Below please find the breakdown for the Bowers account. At the time that transactions occurred we were exchanging USD into FJD. For simplicity I will keep it all in FJD based on WBR web site in an attempt to remedy this issue.

7 night all inclusive without diving $1,381 pp x 2 = $2,762

They paid $3,175.43 on their credit card

A diffidence of $413 due to exchange rate variance at the time the credit card was processed by the bank.

Below is the diving that was provided to the Bowers:

2 x 5 days of 2tank dive @ $197pp/day = $1,970.00

Cynthia- 2Extra 3rd tanks @ $75.00 pp/day = $150.00

Doug 3extra 3rd tank @$75pp/day =$225.00

Total Bill for them $2,345.00 based on our current shop and published rates

After reviewing this account it appears as though the Fiji office had taken the total, thinking it was for 1 diver and doubled it. The actual balance that is owed by the Bowers is $2,345 FJD. I do apologize for this error.

To review then:

WBR rates on their web site for 7/5 dive package is $2,421 pp based on dbl occupancy x 2 = $4,842

$4,842 - $3,175 pd = $1,667 owing.

There is a difference of $678 FJD that takes into consideration the $413 variance from the exchange rate, leaving $265 that remains for the difference in dive rate on WBR web site for packages.

You have yet to address the issue of you being a single and what is clearly stated on both our published rates as well as Wananavu’s web site that all package rates are based on double occupancy.

Both parties had been provided confirmation that clearly stated that the rates presented were for the land portion.

I would also like clarify that I never stated that I have been in Fiji 12 years. I stated that I moved to Fiji in 1998.

Regards

Julie

Julie Trussell
Kai Viti Divers
PO Box 953
Raki Raki
Fiji Islands
+679 669-3600 phone
+679 669-3547 fax

BTW I have been Emailing her that I am posting all these on the Boards and to come here and defend herself! I will post my response to this garbage! Please someone please help me try to understand if I am not getting ripped off?

Papa Bear

01-22-2009, 04:03 AM

It is so funny to me that she keeps saying "I don't address the single in a double room" and how many times do I have to say that the manager of WBR told me there wasn't unless I ask for a private room! Which I did not ask for and the resort was only 1/3 full! I have shard or double racked many times before on Boats and resorts! For an all inclusive does that mean I pay for two meals as well? All just BS, Smoke, and Mirrors! She just can't rip us like she thought and might be doing to others!

Your Feed back on this would be nice since you're the ultimate judge in this! The Diving public!

downline77

01-22-2009, 05:43 AM

Julie..........you picked the wrong bear to hassle.

Thanks for the heads up, PB.

shinek

01-22-2009, 09:56 PM

Papa and Julie,

In the interests of harmony for all and as a neutral observer, I have read the previous posts with interest and also been to the relevant web sites to see what is posted there and here's what I see. This may just be a miscommunication regarding the difference between a "room and dive package" and a room package + diving. Hopefully my observations will help you coem to some mutually agreeable solution.

7 night/10 dive package quoted on the site at F$2060 (excl. taxes)
Includes room, breakfast, lunch, dinner, dive guide, tanks, weights and weight belt. Prices based on the Garden View Bure and on twin share basis.
I could not find specific pricing on the web site for additional dives or days and so I assume the figures given previously are correct.
2 extra tanks at F$75 each = F$150
1 extra day's diving = F$197

Adding those elements, total cost = F$2407
Taxes total 17.5% = F$421.23

Grand Total = F$2828.23

Today's exchange rate means US$ 1538.08

I realise that exchange rates may vary significantly and have done so over the last few months, but you get the picture. If the charges were taken locally in Fiji, in FJD then I would expect any exchange rate to be applied by the banks and finance people and not by the local entity. However, if they quoted charges in US$ then they may have some argument, provided that they made that clear at the time.

Finally, the twin share basis. Difficult to separate the room and board from the diving as part of a package, but here goes.

Room package for 7 nights was quoted at $1175 per person, so the dive package was $885. ($2060 - $1175) Based on daily rates of $197, full price for one individual for 5 days (10 tanks) would have been $985. I.E. F$100 difference, + tax F$117.50 which equals US$ 63.90.

Papa, if you paid the F$2060 (+ taxes etc.) for the package and that's all so far, then I think there is the additional to pay for the extra diving and, potentially, a small bump for the "single" charge. Single surcharge was waived by the resort, but that's at their discretion.

Julie, if this makes sense to you then you have the choice of charging or waiving the additional F$117.50 for the single charge as that is purely my number based on the logic.

As for the others involved, it sounds like the same question, was it charged as a dive package or was it charged as a room package + diving. I believe the intent was the full dive package, in which case the split between Kai Viti Divers and the Wananavu Resort is between them.

Hope this makes sense, I will forward my invoice for arbitration, usual rates apply! ;)

Papa Bear

01-23-2009, 12:11 AM

To you and I, it does, but she keeps telling us the Diving is extra and wants me to pay 1300 FD for the Diving! BTW the 12.5% Hotel tax is only on the Hotel Portion! And the Web site does not indicate a single premium at all and the manager told us it only applies if you request a private room! I admit that I didn't pay what she wanted before I left! I paid 2452.00 FD for the package and 2 extra tanks and one extra dive day! She wants 197.00 FD for a two tank boat dive 20 minutes from the dock! I think it is pretty clear, but she called Tony today asking for payment of the balance for all the Diving! It is not going to happen! The exchange rate is meaningless, when in Rome!