what can i do if i am being overcharged for course material

[duncan1958]

i am in a dificult position here what can i do if i am being over charged for course material,by quite a bit .i am doing a divemaster intern and whilst holding fort so to speak in the dive centre i was looking in the padi price list in my quest for knowledge,and found that i have was charged well over the odds for the divemaster deluxe package by my intructor/mentor.there is only one price for this kit in the price list.
also i did not get any slates with my nitrox course should i have got these with the manual?
this is a sensative subject cause i have not finished my divmaster course yet and dont want to jepordise the monies already paid for the course not to mention the past 4 months of working .i am part way through the exams do i keep quiet till i have them and then bring it up.
can any one offer advise please?????

[sch]

Well I'd have to say that depends on the original package you agreed - did the instructor agree to supply the materials at cost?

If not, then at the end of the day this is a business transaction and the instructor is entitled to make a profit and as long as you were happy with the original price agreed then I don't see you can complain.

However, if the original agreement was that you would get the materials at cost, then yes you have a valid complaint. Whether you want to raise that complaint now or when you've completed the course is something you need to decide. In theory, instructors should not withold certification other than for not completing the course to the required standards. If you do decide to raise it now and the instructor decides to play it funny they are required to provide you with documentation on the parts of the course you have completed so you could at least do the rest of the course with another centre.

Simon

[PADI-Paddy]

I know how you feel mate, there is nothing worse then agreeing something (if you did) and then finding out you could have done it cheaper.........

I agree with the previous post though;

Always do a little ground work before agreeing to anything.......


PS..... hope you get thru the DM course dont let this get to you, it will drive you nuts, it does me when it happens !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JamesW]

So how much did he charge you for the manuals I've just looked at the nitrox prices
Manual £18.20 (nil Vat)
32% slate £6.55 (+ Vat)
36% Slate £6.55 (+ Vat)

Nitrox Crew Pack £ 31.20 (+ Vat)
Thats RRP.
There is more than one price on the price list that I have down loaded from the Padi Pro site
Thanks

[duncan1958]

as best i can recall i was told i was getting the deluxe divemaster kit for what it cost him.i am well aware there is a buisness to run and profit to be made,however as i am serving an internship and working for six months unpaid and have paid for the course which incidently i am not sure is right i cant help but feel i am having my backside thrashed over this whole internship deal.

[duncan1958]

Originally Posted by winker88

So how much did he charge you for the manuals I've just looked at the nitrox prices
Manual £18.20 (nil Vat)
32% slate £6.55 (+ Vat)
36% Slate £6.55 (+ Vat)

Nitrox Crew Pack £ 31.20 (+ Vat)
Thats RRP.
There is more than one price on the price list that I have down loaded from the Padi Pro site
Thanks

I am unsure what exactly i paid for the nitrox manual but it did not come with any slates.i was told this kept the price down .but is not much good with out the slates.in the padi price list and catalog the picture shows manual with slates so was under impression it came with slates.

[PADI-Paddy]

I would have a chat with the instructor, get it out in the open clear the decks so to speak, Your Divemaster course is supposed to be 'FUN'

This is obviously eating away at you, Talk to your instructor he will understand where ur coming from we have all been in the same position at one time or the other. if you dont the rest of your DM course will be clouded by this issue.

Hope it works out to your satisfaction mate

Safe Diving

[parahandy]

Duncan I can understand youre indignation what you consider to be overcharged.


Some courses initially seem cheaper as the price quoted is without some of the course materials,some sell the manuals , slates etc etc to be sold with a extra profit margin as an add on, nothing wrong with that its business.

If I recall correctly the prices for materials are different for each instructor grade. ie depending what proffesional level youre at you pay less for purchasing course materials off padi ie Divemasters if purchasing directly from padi pay more than the instructor.

It's long been a source of some lament from the long suffering instructors the price of course materials from padi. In short its an uphill struggle for instructors after purchasing these plus pool time etc to make a buck.

I would "bite the bullet" complete the course and based on your experience if not happy go elsewhere for your next course.

[sch]

Originally Posted by duncan1958

as best i can recall i was told i was getting the deluxe divemaster kit for what it cost him.i am well aware there is a buisness to run and profit to be made,however as i am serving an internship and working for six months unpaid and have paid for the course which incidently i am not sure is right i cant help but feel i am having my backside thrashed over this whole internship deal.

Then yes, I'd have a word with him. However, there isn't one price for things - the price paid by the centre/instructor will depend upon the amount of materials they order and also (IIRC) their member level. Also make sure you've checked its the current price list (or at least 2005).

As for the internship, I obviously don't know the details of what you've paid for the course but we recommend that people who come to us to do the course, do the internships - yes, they pay for the course and we also expect them to help out but as a DM you'll get a lot more experience out of it than any other method. However, some places will use it as an excuse to turn their DM candidates into slave labour and as PADI-Paddy said 'its supposed to be fun' - I'd add that it can be hard work, but at the end of the day you're supposed to come out having enjoyed the course as a whole.

At the end of the day, if you're not happy with the way things are going, you need to sit down with the people running the course and put forward your concerns - one of the main things we teach our DM candidates is that one of the prime factors in being a DM is acting professionally - and they should expect that from us in return!!!

Simon

[Paul Sharman]

I can quite understand how you feel! Nobody likes to think they might be / are being riped off.

The things that SCH and Parahandy have said above are basically right.

The Internship option is exactly that, One way of conducting the DM course. Any Instructor and or center is entitled to charge for an internship.

The practice of working in Lu of course fee is fairly common abroad,its not in the UK. [my own internship cost me in round fig £400 in 98]

Whats important, if you are doing the course with a view to becoming an Instructor :

IF you are getting a quality DM education through your internship, thats PRICES LESS!

Sit down and talk it through with your Instructor / Center.

Cheers,

Paul.