My son Brian contacted Antares Dive Academy in Manzanillo Mexico with the intention of attending one of their advertised Dive Internships. My son would write to this company and would receive replys many days later. After a period of time I became very concerned as the company wanted a deposit but would not answer some simple and straight forward questions.
We inquired as to the location of the school and of the training facilities and of pictures of each of these. The "administrator" Jeronimo would delay and after much pressure sent us some stock photos of a pool training session and two pictures of some gentleman in front of a cruise ship. These pictures in response to our repeatedly having to ask for Pictures of their TRAINING FACILITIES AND SCHOOL and after days of delays.
My son and I traveled to Manzanillo, Mexico and attempted to get directions to the school so we could visit it at our convenience and were then contacted by "Jeremy" the owner with a rather rude email. I wrote him back and asked once again asked for an address to which he responded with the rudest, profane laced email I have received. We were about to invest 3000 dollars in Brians training. We of course are glad we did not spend on nickle with AntaresDiveAcademy.
Since then I have done my research and found out that Antares Dive Academy is not a school in any manner, it is not PADI certified and they rely on its instructor (yes there is only one) to certify any student.
The "School" is actually a hotel concession in the Barcelo Karmina Palace, and offers dive classes as part of its services but it has no school facilities, no classrooms, no nothing that any legitimate school would have. I contacted PADI and they confirmed that Antares Dive Academy does not hold a PADI certification and can not advertise PADI training or even display the PADI Logo. Furthermore, on gomanzanillo.com you will find information that PADI expelled the dive center from the Barcelo Karmina, but that it is still doing business there. Albeit with a name change of course.
The manner by which we were treated before they even had our money is an indicator of the type of service you will receive should anyone be foolish enough to give them one plum nickel. My son is happy now in Cancun completing his dream of becoming a dive instructor. Stay far away from Antares Dive Academy in Manzanillo.!!
Emails to antares dive academy:
Hey Brian,
My apologies if I didn't explain my self correctly.
In the Barcelo Karmina palace we have the primary operation, here is where we have the school.
Jeremy's phone number is 3141203878
He will be here around 12:30 pm and I'm sure he will be happy to show you everything. Our boat fleet, Equipment and training facilities.
Best regards Jeronimo Enviado desde mi oficina mvil BlackBerry de TelcelFrom: Ronnie Jeremy Date: Sun, 27 Nov 10:47: 18 -0600To: Subject: RE: IN MANZANILLO
Hello Jeronimo.
Hi. We seem to have a problem. I have asked for the address to the school so we can visit it. For well over a week. My mom came with me to see the school and we are here still waiting to visit the school. We are well familiar with the Karmina but wanted to see where I will be training. I asked for pictures and you send me stock fotos and some of a guy in front of a cruise ship. My mom is very unnerved by the whole thing and I have been constantly trying to convince her that you are a legitamate operation and that Susan Dearing is just being envious.
And now I find that I too am beginning to have doubts. I have 2,400 dollars that I am to spend for training, but you seem either too busy or simply dont want my buisness. I dont understand Mr. Jeronimo.
Yes we would very much like to visit with you and the owner, but would like to do it at the school facilities. So my mom can see its a real school and not something shady. If you didnt have a school facility that would have been fine had you told me sooner as I did ask. But you led me to beleive that you did in fact have a school and a hotel and a fleet. Etc. I convinced my mom in that respect and now I would find it very hard to convince her eitherwise.
My mom has delayed her travels until monday afternoon in the hopes of visiting the school facilities. And we would like to speak directly with the owner. Can you give us his phone to contact him. If you are unable to dont want our buisness, Please simply let me know and I will find other options.
Thank you
Br
Date: Sat, 26 Nov 20:32: 07 -0500 Subject: Re: IN MANZANILLO From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Hey Brian, Good to know you are here, i will be diving on the am but will be back at noon, our facilities are in the Barcelo Karmina Palace. And Las Brisas, please drop by after noon to the water sport centre, i will be happy to show you around and to introduce you to Jeremy (the owner). M phone number is 314 105 1771, call me or send me your number and we can get in touch. Looking forward to meet you. Jeronimo hello Jeronimo. We are in manzanillo and would like to visit the school. Could you let me know the address. My mom would like to pay today if possible because she plans on leaving on Sunday evening. Please get back to me as soon a possible... BR Date: Fri, 25 Nov 14:27: 55 -0500 Subject: RE: DM Internship Application! From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Hola Brian, Sorry for the delay on my answer, is been a few days with lots of work due to the holiday, Im attaching a few pictures for you and your acceptance letter. Please let me know if you need anything else. Jeronimo resending my last two emails. Could you let me know please
From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: RE: DM Internship Application! Date: Wed, 23 Nov 18:58: 46 -0600 hello Jeronimo. Checked my email and still no pics, my mom is getting a bit anxious. Could you let me know what is going please... From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: RE: DM Internship Application! Date: Tue, 22 Nov 16:25: 33 -0600 Hello Jeronimo. Just wanted to touch base with you. I havent received the pictures and my mom was asking me for them. Our plans have changed a bit and we will be going to tequila and Barra de navidad before we actually get to manzanillo, but we still expect to be there by the 26th. Please let me know how things are going.
Date: Mon, 21 Nov 13:48: 23 -0500 Subject: RE: DM Internship Application! From: admin@antaresdiveacademy. ComTo: [email protected] Brian, I think you can do your training in that time, but it will depend on how much effort you put in to it. About the Deposit you can do it in Mexico at any Banamex or as a wire transfer from your bank, here is the account details. Bank: BANAMEX Account Name: Jeronimo Eduardo Herrejon Delgadillo Addres: M Madrid Km 11 5 S/N 5. Col. Salahua. Manzanillo Col Wire transfer SWIFT: 0020 9570 0324 4920 21 Cashier deposit #: 5204 1645 0816 1897 The ammount is 480usd (20% of 2400usd) Im attaching some pictures for you on this e-mail, currently im at the barcelo working, i will send some more latter today. Best Regards Jeronimo
Hello Jeronimo. Thank you very much, Im sure susan is just envious. I have known of her from my mom and dad for a long time and she has always talked bad about the competition. I dove with them a few years ago and the operation was junk. Anyhow I am in Mexico City and will be traveling to Manzanillo the 26th, I have my parents here with me these few days and want to tie them into paying for the training. Who much is the deposit and where can I deposit it. I dont want them to go back on their word and not pay. Its happened before so I find that if I get them to pay first it goes much easier. Ok. I will be staying in club santiago and have my moms house until january 22, do you think I can do my training by them or at least most of it. I would like to but im ok if i cant. Can i begin and then come back to finish. Ok. Thanks for the links. Do you have any pictures of where I will be training, classrooms etc and of students in training. I know my mom is going to ask so just want to be ahead of the game or a brochure and my acceptance letter. Ok. Sorry just know my mom is very special. Take care B. R
Date: Sat, 19 Nov 20:09: 09 -0500 Subject: RE: DM Internship Application! From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Brian, I will finish your application process to attend the 1st of December, If you dont stay at our housing the discount for housing is 700usd, susan might be confused with Neptunes wich was a school that had many problems, but the school is gone and we have no relation what so ever with them. Our school Antares been on busines for over 18 yrs, we have the biggest boat fleet in the area and the most profitable hotel consession in town. Most of our training take place at the Hotel Barcelo Karmina Palace, playa la Audiencia and more than 20 dive sites in the area. Find attached some pictures, you can also go in to http://www.barcelo.com/BarceloHotels/es-ES/DD/Hoteles-Manzanillo.htm and look directly on it. Let me give you a different option, if you send me copy of your plane ticket, i will go ahead and reserve your spot, and you can pay us with a transfer or with a credit card once you are here, a few days after starting your training. Im attaching for you the medical form you need to take to your Physician to clear you for this activity. Best Regards Jeronimo Herrejon
Hi Jeronimo. I would like to attend the sooner the better I will be in Manzanillo and will stay at my parents house, so is there a discount for not using the housing. My mom is good friends with Susan Dearing and she mentioned that the school had many problems and you did not even have a school or any students. But I know who the competition is and she is probably telling stories. Could you send me pictures of where I will training and of the school. As the website is just copies of other pictures and I would just like to be ok with sending my money down.
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