CEO attempts to leverage money owed to us to bend us to his will

We booked 4 nights accommodation and scuba diving with Dive The Big 5. They not only have extremely harassing business practices, but they will also try to leverage money they owe you to bend you to their will.

It started with paying for our tour. They requested our FULL credit card details including the security codes on the back. We let them know that we are not comfortable with this as what is to stop them from using the card to buy a new TV as they have all the details of the card. They harassed us for days, sometimes up to 7 emails with a response from us. Eventually they asked to whatsapp the card information as if that would be a more secure way to give them our FULL card details.

When we reached the second hotel that they booked for us our troubles escalated. The hotel booked us into St Michaels in Shelly Beach. The conditions were awful and they gave us a room in front of a construction zone which was very noisy and dusty. Dive the Big 5 also added an R100 premium on the posted rates in the lobby which I feel is unethical without disclosure.

Long story short, our dives were cancelled and had no further dives planned. We spoke to the hotel and they agreed that we should be refunded for the additional night stay which is no longer needed, but we would have to talk to Dive The Big 5. This was reiterated by a representative from Aqua Planet Dive Center in Shelly Beach. When I requested the R3990 for the night of accommodation and diving from Timothy Ray at Dive The Big 5, he refused. He did state that we are due to a refund for all the diving which amounted to R2840, but no more. I disputed this fact as he is the one doing the bookings and our money was paid to him, that my arrangement is with him. We did not sign, nor were we served, any agreement or t’s & c’s.

Mr. Ray then refused to refund any of my money, even the amount he agrees we are due unless we put it in writing that we do not hold him liable for the accommodation. There is a word for when one tries to leverage undisputed money owed to force someone to comply with their terms. I consulted with my lawyer who contacted Mr. Ray, and he promptly refunded the money for the diving, but not the accommodation that even the hotel said we should receive.

The conduct of this CEO was absolutely smug and in contrast of what is ethical and legal. I would tread very lightly with this company.