The negative ratings you see below from angry consumers are based completely on fact not exaggeration. When I first read the reviews, I didn't believe them and now I feel like a sucker as a result. Here is my story:
My wife and I were getting ready to go on a honeymoon in Fiji and we contacted Rusty Berry about getting scuba certified. He explained the costs (leaving out key fees that would later come into the picture) and it was within our budget so we signed up. We showed up to his shop on Holt St. And sat down with Rusty. He explained what "additional" costs are involved about half way through his presentation. When I told him I had to think about it he remarked "what do I get for the time I spent with you"... His wife Nicki gave him a look and he rephrased his question. I should have know right then and there that I was about to get taken.
Rusty is a salesman with no ethics. He promises the world and delivers nothing. It's all about the money with him. Rusty pushed us into using GE finance to pay for our classes and equipment and then charged up our account with things like additional certifications and boat trips that he plans 2 months out but never delivers on. He preaches that "Safe Air Certificaiton" is the only air to dive on so you MUST get certified to use it. When I refused, he told me that since he already "taught" sections of the class it was going to appear on my GE statement. He then informs me that the additional Safe Air certification costs and additional $200 plus $100 for a book that comes with the course.
His gear is way over priced but if you buy your gear from somewhere else, Rusty will give you a real hard time about it and try to increase your class fees. Trust me, there are some calculated pressure sales tactics being applied here.
The worst part is that Rusty gives you so many guarentees that it actually makes you feel like you are getting into this risk free. He promises 100% refunds and bribes you with wine... He befriends you to sell you stuff.
Rusty never gives refunds. It took him months to refund the fees he charged for a boat trip that never took place. Since GE finance pays out Rusty immediately, Rusty charges things like boat trips months in advance to GE. GE pays him. Trip never happens and Rusty waits until someone else uses GE finance so he can use those proceeds to refund you the original charges... Its called a ponzi scheme.
My wife and I ended up paying a lot of money to Rusty but it was a dive master in Fiji that actually got us certified because Rusty was too busy. The funny thing is that Rusty recommended this dive master in Fiji but the dive master had nothing positive to say about Rusty. The rest of the Fijian staff also remembered Rusty and said he was a crock. We are now fighting with Rusty to get a refund on the Safe Air classes he charged us for since we never took the classes or got the certification.
I learned my lesson and hope nobody else has to learn it the hard way like me. Don't do business with Rusty. If you have a similar story to share and would like ban together to expose this crock, please email me at philip. Checinski@yahoocom and I will give us all a forum to take to the better business bureau and GE finance.
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