Bjorn Tackmann, Dive Asia |
The second company' Diving Lore received for the N & S section is minor in a financial sense but important in that it suggests mismanagement, lazy work ethic and possibly deliberate theft. A plea for help was made on a popular forum for expats and first time visitors alike to Thailand. One of our roving number of contributors saw this and passed on the details.
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Just want to give everybody a small warning if you are considering using Dive Asia. At the beginning of this year I was planning to do my IDC (Instructor course) and looked around the internet for different Centre's around Thailand. I liked the way Dive Asia presented themselves and the facilities offered.
So I wrote an e-mail to the course director (Bjorn Tackman) asking him a few questions that I had. The reply was almost instantanious, very warm and welcoming an filled with info. So far so good!
I paid the deposit of 345 US Dollars and was rearing to go. The something came up and I wasn't able to do the course, which started on the 19th of February. Luckily, as stated on the page I could get a full refund of the deposit if I let them now more than 30 days in advance. Since this was early January, I called Bjorn letting now and saying that I would need the money back. "No problem! Just send me the bank accound number and we'll transfer the money straight away.". So after hanging up I sent him the number straight away.
After about a week of not hearing anything I called him up again, "oh, I'll check with the office". I asked him to get back to me when he had, but over a week went and nothing.
I called him up again and he let me know that the transfer had been done. Checked my account, no money. A bit annoyed called back, no answer. Sent e-mail, no answer.
Finally I got a hold of him a few days later, he let me know the money hadn't gone through because they needed a swift code. If I sent him that then he would transfer the money again. Put the phone down, got a hold of my bank and got the code. Sent e-mail straight away.
Now we'll into march I am still waiting, I have recieved one e-mail from him during this time letting me know that he needed the swift code. I replied saying that I have already sent it but sent it again. Quiet since then even though I have sent e-mails inquiring what's happening.
Luckily I have copies of the e-mails, dated and witnessed. The tourist police might be interested to hear my story too.
Even so, it's a shame when you present yourself so professionally in the beginning.
But then again 1 tells 10 tells 100... do the math.
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Having done this we investigated, no reply was made from Bjorn when we repeatedly attempted to contact him. Then out of the blue, a man claiming to Bjorn made a declaration on the same popular forum claiming to of already refunded 'Chris' his deposit. Many seemed convinced this was the end of the matter...
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Dear fellow divers
Thank you for your comments and input, highly appreciated J
FYI, the deposit in question has already been transferred to
[Name removed. Revealing other posters' personal information in the public forum is in breach of the Forum Rules.]’s bank account in Sweden.
Best wishes and happy diving
Bjorn
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However, having still heard nothing from Bjorns official email address something felt largely amiss. Having quizzed Chris again the 'Bjornphuket' poster on the forum was proven to be a liar. Whether it was Bjorn or an agent in his employ is irrelevant, but by this point.
Having already named and shamed Bjorn it is only fair that ever changing events are reported. The deposit has now been returned to Chris (As at 17 March 2007).
It has taken over two months for the deposit to be returned to him, far longer than is acceptable, but at least its better late than never. It is tantilising to suggest that the negative PR generated here and at the forum had an influence on events. As it stands Bjorn Tackmann is no longer named and shamed as the matter has been resolved.
Intro | Working for a dive resort | Things to know | Naming and Shaming
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