On Saturday, December 08, 2001 10:06 AM, Steven Catron wrote:

> I could understand differences to account for currency fluctuation, but
> according to http://www.cyberdiver.net/cdnn/industry/i011123/i011123.html,
> the amount was USD 700.00 - 800.00.  I'd hardly call that a minor
> difference!

Neither would I! <BWG>  But then again I always expect to be a "loser" when
travelling to other countries.  The reason that I stop making currency
comparisons and bemoaning the fact that locals get seemingly more
advantageous rates in terms of meals, accommodations, products, goods and
services.  I certainly don't get upset when - having forked out for a trip
that appears to represent good monetary value  for the pleasure and
enjoyment that I hope to gain - I subsequently learn that somebody else has
got a cheaper rate!  (And it certainly doesn't concern me or prompt me to
take up the battle on behalf of strangers when I'm not even on the trip in
question and my pocket hasn't been affected! ) :-)

(And before going any further, let me stress that I'm not defending Mike
Ball Dive Expeditions.  And although I suppose I could easily call them and
ask for a comment, I don't consider it that necessary. How they choose to
conduct their business is their concern.  And if their practices don't
measure up in a competetive market place then I'm sure that potential
customers will choose other options!) :-)

> Nor does it appear that Europeans are charged rates equivalent to the
> Japanese and Americans.

As major partners in Mike Ball Dive Expeditions, the Japanese have, for
many, many, many years, exercised enormous control in terms of pricing
policies.  Marketing internationally - with any product or service - has
always resulted in vast pricing differences between countries.  Using
airlines as an example, buying a return airline ticket between, say, Sydney
and Singapore, (or Singapore - Sydney), has always been cheaper in one or
other of the countries than in the other! :-)

> In fact, they receive a 40% discount relative to
> the J/A rates, if the article is accurate.

And therein lies, to my way of thinking, the problem.  The article in
question is hardly objective reporting!
<"Generally, Aussie travel agents are in cahoots with Mike Ball, especially
around Cairns, Port Douglas and Townsville where, sad to say, it's always
open season on ripping off "the Japs" and "the Yanks," Eckstein explained.
"They refuse to give quotes until you reveal your location.  Tell them you
are from America or Japan and you will be quoted prices up to $700-$800
above what divers in Europe, Australia and most other parts of the world
pay.">

I certainly don't know of any dive operators, "around Cairns, Port Douglas
and Townsville" who regard, "the Japs" or "the Yanks" as fair game to be
ripped off - or, at least, no more so than any other potential customer.
Including Australians!  (In point of fact, most of them go out of their way
to be hospitable.  Regrettably - and it's not restricted to any one
nationality - there will always be a small number of dis-satisfied
customers. ) :-)

On the other hand, I do know of operators and organisations within the
region who've declined to support CyberDiver.  It would be interesting to
find out whether Mike Ball Dive Expeditions is yet another operator that's
declined to 'sponsor' or promote their operation through 'CyberDiver'????
:-)))

Strike