Add my wife and I to the list of people done in by Bill Digney. we took classes 2-03. Come to find out he was not current. BBB was unable to get anything done. I am going to Maui this February and plan to track old Bill down. Not only are we not ceritified, he double billed us and never handled the credit as promised.

Hello, I was told I would be PADI certified for my course this past Dec 2003. When I got there, I found it was not a PADI course. I was never notified -- ok fine.

Bill said PADI basically sucks because they don't even require a swimming test. Anyway, Bill said, you don't need to be a strong swimmer.

Well guess what? He never administered a swim test anyway. Naively I go along with him -- I get an hour lecture then we immediately go into the open water (shore dive).

I was being splashed around by waves, had 1 hour of instruction, BILL disappeared underwater, I almost drowned -- I headed back to shore on my own and sat there stupified.

Bill told me to contact his office manager when the rest of the class got back to shore. Boy did I feel like a loser who could not keep up with the rest of the class.

This was completely not what I had expected from the class -- the class was supposed to be in "pool-like" conditions -- not open water.

I've tried leaving messages for Maui Dive School and have sent two email messages now. One indicating that I would be contacting the Better Business Bureau next.

No response so far -- and unfortunately, I paid via Paypal online using my credit card in April 2003!!! (Yes, I plan ahead -- but did not plan on this!)

Any tips most welcome.

Tina

Here is my latest email message sent to Bill Digney demanding a refund of the fees I paid for his "PADI" scuba diving class. As a recap, Bill emailed me on April 4, 2003, with details about his class and how I would receive PADI certification after its completion. I pre-pay for the class (for the Internet discount which Bill repeatedly mentions is going away so I have to sign up NOW). I take the class in Dec 2003 -- it was a poorly instructed class -- no pool-like conditions, I almost drown, etc -- but nevermind that, I just want a refund. Bill Digney has not even answered one phone call or email message which totals 8 to date. Here is my recent email message to him:

===============================

Bill Digney,

As further evidence, I am submitting this copy of the email message (with complete email header information) that I received from you to RICO (the Regulated Industries Complaints Office, which I'm sure you're familiar with) and the Office of Consumer Protection (OCP). This is evidence that you sold me a PADI certification on April 4, 2003. As existing complaints show, you have not been a qualified PADI instructor since at least January 2003. This is false advertising and I will let the Office of Consumer Protection proceed further.

I have received no responses to my numerous requests for a refund of the scuba diving course fees to which I am justly due. Your business is a fraud and I will also do what I can to inform further potential customers of this fraud. The complain history against you and your company, South Pacific Dive School speaks for itself. Add me to the list of another consumer who was defrauded by Bill Digney.

Tina xxxxxx


On April 4, 2003, SOUTH PACIFIC DIVE SCHOOL wrote:

> Aloha Tina,
>
> Thank you for considering South Pacific Dive School as your gateway to the underwater world. We have stopped sending discount cards to customers due to the high demand and to save cost but we are honoring the same promotion discount prices for pre-bookings through the internet until the end of the month.
>
> I have enclosed info on both our certification courses and Intro dives. We provide several services. An Introductory dive is our cheapest class and is basically a one-time deal with a certified instructor. For a limit time it is ($39.95) normally ($59.95) It does include a full tank and all equipment. A short lesson followed by a 40-50 minute dive on one of our favorite reefs is the basis of this class.
>
> Here on Maui we do both 2 & 3-day Open Water Certification courses. The 2-day class is a what we call the accelerated class for those who have dived before or have done some academics ahead of time and are sure that they need limited time to become comfortable in the water. (We can send you the academic kit.)
>
> The normal class of three days is for those who may not have even seen salt water before. Our classes are small - (2/3 per class) so the time frame (About 3 hours per day) needed to complete all the skills is much less than say a normal size class of 8-10 students. (About 7-8 hours per day)
>
> Academics involve watching a video at your own leisure at your hotel/condo or home and filling in some multi-choice quizzes. This student kit, video etc can be mail to you in advance so that you can complete the academics at home before you arrive here.
>
> You will be diving at different spots so that you can get to see the different types of marine life, turtles etc. "Most other places dive at the same old spot for convenience to them."
>
> Regardless of which course you take or which school you chose, all training modules and theory as laid down by PADI or other agency & have to be covered by the book.
>
> Cost for our class is ($249.95) but we do have a promotion running till the end of this month that if pre-book through the internet you receive a $100 discount bringing the price to only $149.95, this includes use of all equipment, tanks, fins, mask and books/materials for the class.
>
> You do not need to buy any equipment for the class.
>
> The promotion is ending but our webmaster tech has as of yet not change the price on the website so if you would like to take advantage of the promotion we will honor bookings up until he changes the prices online which is this weekend.
>
> On completion of all training requirements for the Open Water Certification course you then you are issued a PADI diver license that will entail a one-time payment for lifetime membership of $25 for them to process your photo I.D etc. - That's it.
>
> Classes are conducted island wide (Kihei + Lahaina) & we try to accommodate the start times around your needs allowing you to start at different times and days.
>
> We also offer many other courses along with shore and boat dives. Students from the school receive 20-30% discount on most other services. Boat dives are $89 for two dives at two locations & shore dives are $39.
>
> Internet discount prices are shown and given for pre-booking only. Please see our booking page for cancellation polices.
>
> To receive our promotional price just book online, email or call us with your preferred date or dates that you wish to do the dive or class, place that you will be staying.We accept all forms of payment including E.check. (check by phone.)
>
> NOTE:
>
> Promotion ends this weekend but we are honoring the discount price until the webmaster changes the price on our website within the next couple of days. If you miss the promotion, our regular price of $249 is still one of the best deals on Maui. The average price being $350-$450 per person, even higher at the hotels.
>
> Any further questions drop us a line or call us at (800)-477-6942 or (80 875-REEF on Maui.
>
> Aloha!.......... We look forward to serving you.
>
>
>
> Bill Digney
>
> Capt Bill Digney Dive manager/Master Instructor
>
> SOUTH PACIFIC DIVE SCHOOL
>
> 1(800) 477-6942 (80 875-REEF
>
> Bill@divingmaui.com WWW.DIVINGMAUI.COM
>