That iota is a bit smaller today. Already disgusted with the two dive shops in the New Orleans area for horrible service among other things, I decided to go to Baton Rouge today to sign up for a Rescue class.
I talked to the shop owner via telephone on Monday and was quoted $175 for the class and $25 for the Naui book. The course was to consist of 5 night classroom sessions and two pool sessions.
Suddenly when I arrived today to complete the course application and pay my fees, the book was $50 and the course was 3 classroom sessions, 2 pool sessions and one Gulf open water session. A trip to Panama City, FL costs about $300 and includes a two tank boat dive.
Now this may not be a big deal but the Naui Rescue book is smaller than the PADI rescue book and I think I only paid around $25 for the PADI book. $50 for a book that I was originally quoted $25 for is ridiculous.
Throw in the added expense of the Panama City trip and I may as well have just gone to a resort for a week to take the course.
Yes, the resort would cost more but in addition to the course, I would get lots of fun diving.
This misinformation sort of ate into me as I rode back home from Baton Rouge. That is just plain bad service and the dealer didnt even see it as a big deal. 25 bucks, 50 bucks, same thing right? 5 class sessions, 3 class sessions, same thing right?
I am so close to only doing business online that at any moment I may snap. I now deeply regret paying the fees and wish I would have just said forget it, I am going do my original plan - train at a resort in paradise.