Wicked Campers slammed for safety standards on A Current Affair
Wicked Campers is back in the news for all the wrong reasons after Channel Nine’s A Current Affair ran an expose slamming the company’s safety record.
Road safety experts and customers interviewed on the program described the vans as “catastrophes waiting to happen” and claimed they threatened the lives not only of their occupants “but everyone on our roads”.
A Current Affair reporters hired three vehicles from Wicked’s Brisbane office and took them for an inspection at a local RACQ office, which uncovered a range of problems including a rear brake covered in oil, a leaking axle seal, bald tyres, a faulty steering wheel, leaking shock absorbers and defective seat belts. All three failed a basic roadworthiness inspection.
The Queensland Transport Department has ordered Wicked to present a large part of its fleet for investigation to make sure the vehicles are safe.
In a statement, Wicked director John Webb told the program he “welcomed any inspection of the vans and the safety of both the public and our customers driving the Wicked vans is our first priority at all times”.
Earlier this year, a series of ads by Wicked – including one urging customers to “snog an aboriginal” – fell foul of Australia’s Advertising Standards Board.
By Martin Lane · October 21st, 2009 at 11:07 am
Comments
21 Oct 09
1:57 pm
The entire industry has been fully aware of the standard of these campervans, yet many agents, hostels and tour desks, even Lonley Planets thorn tree are on record as having referred business their way.
Stop the Japanese killing ocean mamals! Go green, turn off the light! it’s so easy to sound principled and ethical but when it comes to cash, it’s easier to take the money than do the right thing
“We have a responsibility to support those who act responsibly and to isolate those who don’t.” – Barry Obama http://www.smh.com.au/world/ob.....-dhfk.html
I read the whole article in the link above and couldn’t find the bit where he excluded travel agents from the concept.
Don’t get me wrong, I think Wicked’s marketing is world class….Brilliant! But it’s not like we are talking about a dirty hostel. No-one’s going to die from a head on collision with a sheet with a pube on it. We all take Hostel Fire Standards very seriously, seems we’re not quite there yet when it comes to motor vehicles. Suppose we are lucky we don’t have the same consmer protection that exists in the EU where the booking agent could be also be held responsible in the event of an incident.
I have been reluctant over the years to push this point for fear of being branded ‘unsporting’ but it’s out in the open now and needs to be discussed openly by Industry.
No doubt I’ll draw heat on myself for this, perhaps the entire campervan rental sector will now be under greater scrutiny because of one rogue operator…that’s fair enough.
Peter Burke
Travellers Auto Barn
21 Oct 09
10:41 pm
Hey Peter… well said mate.
Just wondering how on Earth travel agents got blamed for this one too. On another post by someone else, travel agents got compared to pigs (or something) for selling products that paid higher commissions (figure that!)
Mate, we are not Qld roads and transport. I’ve always known wicked are a crappy product (no air con, no fridge, ugly campers) but I never knew they were unsafe.
To even insinuate otherwise is plain wrong
22 Oct 09
9:28 am
Dear Agent,
Sound like you work in the NSW Minister for Planning’s department, “don’t ask, don’t tell”. If you are in any way professional you should have known, you have a professional responsibility. Pleading ignorance is a cop out. There was / is enough smoke for you to invesitgate if there was a fire, and if there’s enough doubt just don’t sell it, after all you are a professional and protective of both your clientele and your reputation….aren’t you?
At this juncture I should also point out that not one of our major agents sells wicked. That I am in NO WAY smearing travel agents generally. I love our Agents and the good work they do promoting our business. If your agency sells product that is below par, then why?
22 Oct 09
11:11 am
Peter,
I found it amusing that you wrote your comment as though you were not a budget campervan rental company. I have seen your vans on the road and have even rented one myself. I am sure that if your vans were put under the same scrutiny that Wicked vans have been that you would not come out smelling like roses.
I find it appalling that you were so quick to comment and slag off Wicked, you are clearly relishing in their misfortune, Granted some of the vans look ready for retirement, but clearly A Current Affair is a show that likes to make a mountain out of a molehill, and segments of the piece were probably exaggerated.
There was a picture of a girl being put in an ambulance giving the camera two thumbs up, and it was dark. They obviously had been driving at night and were not taking the crash all that seriously.
Perhaps instead of just targeting Wicked, all campervan companies should be put under scrutiny to make sure all vehicles pass the roadworthy test. If you come out well then you can get on your high horse and slag off everyone else.
22 Oct 09
11:46 am
Cassie,
I signed my original post with the name of my Company. Perhaps you should do the same.
And in my original post
“No doubt I’ll draw heat on myself for this, perhaps the entire campervan rental sector will now be under greater scrutiny because of one rogue operator…that’s fair enough”
No doubt an inspection of our fleet would reveal items that require attention, that is the nature of older vehicles. But there are limits, and we work hard, very hard to stay within limits.
Peter Burke
Travellers Auto Barn
& Chair Backpacker Tourism Advisory Panel
22 Oct 09
3:22 pm
I wouldn’t give A Current Affair even 1% credibility. I may give even less to people who post anonymously thus hiding their true motives. I think Travellers Auto Barns good track record in the industry allows Peter to get on his high horse about unsafe operators. And if things do go wrong at TAB it seems they certainly stand by their customers.
I certainly think the campervan industry needs regulation. As I understand it – except for Tassie -anyone can start a campervan company without any sort of accreditation. But then again all the laws in the world won’t stop people from being unethical.
22 Oct 09
4:46 pm
Hi again Peter.
It may come as a surprise to you but I actually would’ve never thought the Wicked vans wouldn’t have passed inspection. I always thought that due to the fact they were on the road, was evidence they are usually checked. I know how much I had to spend on my car to get it registered, and how they looked at every corner of it before it passed the check. That’s as far as my automotive experience goes.
Peter, you’re in the industry, you know about campers. Why didn’t YOU raise the issue? Why don’t you take some responsibility? How many times did you knock on a govt dept door asking them to check Wicked campers? Don’t blame agents who couldn’t tell a bus from a bike
You wrote:
‘If you are in any way professional you should have known, you have a professional responsibility. Pleading ignorance is a cop out. There was / is enough smoke for you to invesitgate if there was a fire, and if there’s enough doubt just don’t sell it, after all you are a professional and protective of both your clientele and your reputation….aren’t you?’
Harsh words Peter, you sound very bitter towards agents, are we not selling your product enough?
22 Oct 09
4:49 pm
By the way, I have no affiliation with any camper companies. I have no beef with TAB. I’m just sticking up for us agents cause somehow we got blamed for this happening
23 Oct 09
9:11 am
Dear Agent,
Are you spokesperson for all agents? I was unaware of that.
Not my job to salve your conscience that’s a matter for yourself.
As I said
“At this juncture I should also point out that not one of our major agents sells wicked. That I am in NO WAY smearing travel agents generally. I love our Agents and the good work they do promoting our business. If your agency sells product that is below par, then why?”
Further, as I said already;
“I have been reluctant over the years to push this point for fear of being branded ‘unsporting’ but it’s out in the open now and needs to be discussed openly by Industry.”
Knowing that I am “dammed if I do and dammed if I don’t” I took the step of raising this topic, which is not a general swipe at agents, but a swipe at unscrupulous agents. As Chair of BTAP and MD of TAB the conflict of interest was obvious so I did my best to exclude myself from the debate as a matter of principle. And yes, the heat I have drawn on myself was predictable, and therefore acceptable.
So only one question really remains…..
Will you continue to support products that may be detrimental to your clients, your reputation and the entire industry for a quick buck?
We are lucky enough to work with some wonderful agents and over the years have been fortunate enough not to have to work with others.
It’s not a debate about agents but a debate between agents
In any case, it’s a debate worth having.
Thanks for your input.
Peter Burke
Travellers Auto Barn
23 Oct 09
9:51 am
Fair point Peter. I’m not a spokesperson for agents, just tired of agents being bullied just because we’re at the bottom of the food chain. I don’t need to be a spokesperson, just like you, who didn’t need to be a spokesperson for all camper companies when you aired your views on Wicked.
In answer to your question, while Wicked is under investigation, and until the vans are deemed safe again by whatever govt dept takes care of that, I will not recommend or sell Wicked. I think that is a given. And my guess is that that will be an fairly universal stand, well, who knows? Just a guess.
If Wicked has broken any laws, this has nothing to do with agents. End of story. When a plane crashes agents are not to blame either. Perhaps go after the Roads dept for not acting sooner (but I guess you wouldn’t dare – easier to go on a website and post an attack on agents).
Regardless of all this, and I do understand your points Peter, just believe they’re misguided and half baked, Wicked may get a few grand fine, agree to pay a few grand to fix the vans, and that will be the end of that. Everything will be back to square one after that.
You didn’t act sooner because you may be branded ‘unsporting’ well poor you! If I took a stand against a company it will cost me my job, simple. I sell what I’m told to sell, which is decided behind the scenes by owners and tour operators. I just collect my $500 a week and count myself lucky I have a job. All this without any knowledge of any mechanical problems in any vans.
Anyways, best of luck in all your endeavours
23 Oct 09
2:29 pm
Wicked Campers Director John Webb would like to thank everyone who has commented, we are grateful to those who show support but we also appreciate all comments. We continually strive to be better and take on board all constructive criticism as it helps us improve so that we can provide a better service to tourism.
Wicked would like to reassure Customers and Agents that all vans being hired meet the required safety standards of Queensland Transport.
It is important to serve our Agents and Customers with 100% confidence that our vehicles are safe. In order to do this no vehicles will be hired out until they have passed a safety check that meets the Queensland Transport safety standard. All checks will be carried out by our qualified mechanics.
Safety of both the public and of our customers driving Wicked vans is our first priority at all times. Wicked has always cared about the safety of its customers, with a page on our website devoted to ensuring travellers have a safe trip.
Agents will be able to book Wicked Campers will full confidence that they are selling a product of an excellent standard.
Customers will be able to enjoy their roadtrip will full confidence that their camper has been prodded and poked and being given a good once over and is worthy of a second date.
25 Oct 09
2:06 pm
You only get what you pay for. If it looks like a lemon, then it must be a lemon !!
26 Oct 09
4:44 pm
I think its pretty unfair paying out on the agents.
you only have to chat to people who have hired wicked campervans to get a mixed bag of either good or bad reports.
Any good agent should advise the clients of the risks of taking a campervan anywhere irrespective of which company they choose.
But at the end of the day money talks and bullshit walks, if the client is aware of the risks and are willing to take the risks to save a couple of dollars , then its thier choice.
They have been warned
“Its not so wicked breaking down in the middle of the desert .”
26 Oct 09
5:11 pm
As a hostel owner, I can see many valid points in the posts above. I can understand Peter Burke`s reluctance to “dob in” his opposition for possible breaches of the law/ethics/regulations.
I also prefer not to raise such issues about my competitors in areas where they are clearly crossing lines. It`s a code of ethics that both Peter and I shouldn`t really need to explain.
With the incredible proliferation of camper van companies and their vehicles on the roads, and a commensurate increase in demand for this mode of travel, standards are going to scrape the bottom on occasion: anyone running a business knows the pressure of meeting bookings with possibly less than optimal accommodation/buses/vans/boats/rafts.
However, safety should never be compromised and ,once revealed to be an issue, measures to put this situation right are key to the reputation of our industry. Rather than excoriating Wicked ( or any other operator walking too fine a line on operational issues) we should encourage the sort of response John Webb has chosen to make.
We have a diverse range of vans for visitors to choose from, as suits their budgets and personal wants, and as long as standards of safety are met, vive le difference. On a similar note, I expressed my opinion on some of Wicked`s new signage (and one sticker doing the rounds last November in Sydney) to John last year and he would seem to have taken that on board, to his credit.
As to the anonymous agent: you should`t really stand behind the excuses you`ve made above. We also act as agents for various tours and always A. match the tour to the guest and B. only recommend what we would do ourselves. We refuse to book anything that may give the traveller an “ok” time, it`s bad karma. (Maybe you need to explain “karma trumps higher commissions” to your bosses.)
As noted above, we have had such exposes before and will again in the future. If it leads to better conditions all round for the backpackers, and fairer commissions,then it can only be a good thing.
27 Oct 09
8:44 am
As a competitor I watched with interested the ACA feature on Wicked Campervans. I have to be honest and say I was really concerned to witness the condition of the vehicles tested by the ACA reporter. I appreciate that there are always two side to the story and agree it was very heavily weighted in favour of the disgruntled customers.
I would have loved to have seen Wicked take the opportunity to front the cameras to put forward their side of the story. Perhaps they were not give the chance.
In saying that if even half of the issues raised were correct then there is major cause for concern. Someone said to me after the show aired that the negative press for Wicked would be a positive for the likes of JUCY, Backpacker and TAB.
That may be the case but personally I feel there is nothing positive for any Campervan operator in what was reported on national TV.
This sort of negative press impacts all operators as it calls into question the safety practices of the entire industry. If a well known operator is prepared to hire out vehicles in this condition they perhaps others will as well!
As far as Wicked are concerned I take my hat of to John for creating what is without doubt the most recognised campervan brand in Australia. There are not many people who have not seen or heard of Wicked campers. They have done this by using a unique type of marketing centred around questionable imagery and inappropriate slogans such as “save the Whales, harpoon a Jap”. I disagree with Peter from TAB when he refers to their marketing as “worldclass”. Virgin & Apple are worldclass, Wicked use shock marketing that is designed to grab your attention and upset a large number of people. Whilst it is unique and works well for them, it is by no means world class or world leading. Unfortunately for Wicked this type of marketing is a double edge sword as on one hand it has created a massive brand awareness, on the other it draws attention to themselves and made them targets for government agencies and the press. As someone who understands the importance of branding, I know how imperative it is to ensure that if you are a leading brand in your industry you must be prepared to be scrutinised by both competitors and the public.
As far as agents selling any campervan opertator goes, it is totally your call. At the end of the day you have to be confident in the products that you are recommending to your customers. It is your reputation that will be called into account should the customer not be happy with the product sold to them. I actually feel for the agents as once the customer leaves their shop they are in the hands of the operator and outside the influence of you. I suppose that is why it is imperative that you have total faith in who you recommend and sell to your customers. At the end of the day they come to you as the experts in the industry and expect you to recommend the best company for their requirements and budget.
Tim Alpe
CEO
JUCY Rentals (Australia and New Zealand)
27 Oct 09
10:43 am
Tim has a point in that a leap of faith is always required once customers leave an agents shop, but that’s not to say you cannot easily narrow the distance of that leap. And the total faith that Tim mentions is not an easily winnable argument in compensation claims anywhere on the planet. We can’t rely too much on awards or star ratings to rubber stamp the quality of our companies. The award-givers don’t report to higher powers or have any liabilities. So what can we rely on to assure the public, and to assure agents that campervan companies are doing their best to be safe?
The bus and coach industry in NSW, QLD, VIC, SA, and the NT does report to higher government powers. We make declarations on our equipment that if proven false could land us in jail. We’re on display and can be audited at any time. We’re stopped on highways by the police. We must have documented maintenance systems and records of repairs and defects going back 5-years. We must have pages of safety management systems on file and we all must sign-off on these every year. The campervan industry has none of this. They have A Current Affair. A dubious sensation-seeking tabloid 30-minutes of nonsense TV show that somehow has gained traction as judge, jury, and executioner.
This attack on Wicked (and it is an attack as it’s based merely on observations of its competitors, and those of A Current Affair with no form of defense) should be seen as highlighting a flaw that the entire campervan-for-hire business needs to address themselves. And that is the lack of regulation or accreditation that we in the bus and coach industry are subject to. Accreditation tests the managers and the mechanics and the entire company. The bigger you are the harder it is to hide Until some sort of accreditation or licensing is imposed on ALL campervan companies then ones claim to be better than the other is baseless, or purely in the eyes of the beholder in the competitors camp.
It should be you guys putting the agents at ease. Agents should never have been dragged into this discussion on the negative side. How on earth are agents supposed to have the time or wherewithal to go out and check the safety records of a campervan company? They don’t. They’re our sales and marketing reps by proxy. We must give them guarantees.
So if you guys could stand being in the same room for a few hours then maybe you could take a giant step for your burgeoning industry and impose some controls. Cos whether you like it or not, they’re going to come.
28 Oct 09
8:31 am
Guys,
Couple of further points
World class does not necessarily mean classy. If you can build a brand where people will go out of their way to buy your product over a competitors then that is brand nirvana, and in the case of Wicked, the brand marketing is so good, so strong, that the target market (and that’s not you, if you find the marketing offensive) is willing to overlook an issue as important as safety / quality. Don’t kid yourself that the price claims are the reason wicked is so popular, it’s the marketing, pure and simple. Price is part of their marketing sure and it’s a convenient excuse for anyone who rented one of their vehicles when some older (usually offended) person asks them why they rented that vehicle.
While we are talking about marketing and while everyone is applauding the Wicked response above on the issue of safety, I would suggest that the response from wicked is another pretty good example of marketing, that is marketing rhetoric, as it really says very little.
We need to seperate the marketing from the operational.
Should not all their van be having those safety checks before every rental, even prior to this issue?
How does having their vans inpsected by their own mechanics, alleviate any safety concerns? Aren’t they the same mechanics responsible for the current issue? Shouldn’t wicked be volunteering the vehicles to be assessed by independant assesors to ease everyone’s concerns? and finally where’s the transparency in the process? If I was an agent, customer, these are the kind of questions I’d be asking.
I am a Licensed Motor Dealer in NSW, QLD, NT, WA and VIC, the issue of safety and roadworthiness crosses state borders, the issue is not a Brisbane issue for Wicked, it’s across their entire fleet. Also, I am fully aware that as a competitor, I have a conflict of intrest, but my time in the game, skin in the game also means that I can not plead ignorance, like many of you. It also means that my experience is based on expert observation not just ‘mere observation of competitors’. As a Motor Dealer, I would be in trouble for selling some of the vehicles that wicked rents, fact.
If you want to call it an attack that’s fine but I would prefer to call it an open and honest discussion about an issue that has previuosly been ignored, an ACA is just a catalyst.
Correct me if I am wrong Tim but rental vehicles require an inspection every 6 months in NZ? As I’ve said earlier, if this issue results in greater scrutiny of our business or the entire campervan rental industry then so be it, It can only be for the better. However, the issue of the different states in Australia is going to make a process similar to NZ’s virtually impossible unless a national standard is reached and a national number plate. Due to the mainly one-way rentals, I can’t see how a NSW reg’d vehicle could be assessed by the NT Motor Registry, for example. So, it’s not as simple as the campervan operators getting together, it’s the state and federal authorities that need to act. Also in the eyes of goverment, it’s not the campervan rental industry, it’s the motor vehicle rental industry and encompasses, everyone from Avis, Hertz, Europcar to Rent-a-bomb’s
I would happily sit in a room with any competitor, even Mr Webb……so long as he didn’t try and stick anything on my back….again.
Cheers,
Peter Burke
Travellers Auto Barn
28 Oct 09
8:56 am
Pete, all the points you make vis-a-vis inspections and mechanics are valid concerns that the bus an coach industry, in NSW and QLD, addressed (and still are) many years ago. Good regulatory frameworks are in place that apply to the thousands of buses and coaches currently on our roads. However, this isn’t the forum for the detail of that framework, but I’d happily share info off-forum. I’m fairly convinced though that the bus and coach framework could be applied in your industry without adding too much of our invisible enemy – ADMIN COSTS – to your bottom line. The upside is of course visible industry benchmarks of quality. And cross-border standards can be applied and indeed are.
My reference to “attacks” was aimed squarly at “A Current Affair” and not this forum. Perhaps not articulated very well by me.
Another side issue is the EU travel directives that hold the travel agent responsible for the acts and omissions of the supplier (whoa back, I know, a subject better addressed by a lawyer). We all rely on the EU so must refer to their standards if we’re to do business in their territory. Any thoughts on that?
Greg Cole
GM Oz Experience
28 Oct 09
9:45 am
Peter, you are correct . In New Zealand we are required to get a 6 monthly COF (Cert. of Fitness) for all rental vehicles. While it is expensive (especially when you have 2000 vehicles!) and time consuming it is definitely worthwhile and ensures vehicles are roadworthy. We would support a similar structure in Australia. I am also more than happy to sit down with any of our competitors and discuss this subject. We all have a vested interest in ensuring only safe vehicles are being rented to customers. As I said yesterday this sort of thing is not good for any camper operator.
Tim
JUCY
29 Oct 09
3:06 pm
On the agent/supplier relationship; I don`t think we want to go following the EU example per se. That is probably expecting too much.
However, if all travel/tour booking agents held to the principal of holding their clients best interests as their priority, as a matter of course, they would be taking more tours themselves and familiarizing themselves more with the products before committing their clients to potentially bad/dangerous experiences.
Unfortunately, there are wheels within wheels: preferred supplier deals: nepotism and kickbacks: ego : changes in product ownership and plain old greed. These unfortunately can stand in the way of the optimal traveler`s experience.
No-one can truly guarantee 100% customer satisfaction (apart from a lady I met in Bangkok who`s name escapes me…and he was probably lying..) …No one can take everything that happens to a client once they leave on a tour/holiday into account, it`s impossible. However, booking quality products that the agent regularly checks up on lessens the likelihood of customer dis-satisfaction.
We are luckier than travel agents in that we have a constant source of up to the minute reports of product/accommodation standards; they come from our guests, who have either just left the Cairns region heading South or have just been to Airlie Beach and Maggie Island and are heading North. Either way, we get the good oil and pass it on. It is often very helpful.
On self-regulating: I hate the mounting pile of regulations operators across all sectors and types of tourism product face! It takes a lot of time, money and love out of what is supposed to be a fun industry. As mentioned above, the idea of all van operators getting together to sort out some type of code of practice is a good one and should be embraced asap. There are offers of help from bus operators: take them. Despite the difficulties presented by different State regulations (also mentioned above) progress could be made. It`s better than having it foisted upon you by an uncaring bureaucracy.
An independent vehicle tester could be made mandatory and also vehicle insurance reduced by collectively approaching Insurance agents: the yin and the yang of the process could only be a good thing for the industry. As a potential agent, it would reassure me! Good luck.
Boyd Scott
Scotty`s Beach House
1 Nov 09
9:57 am
Having until recently, been very involved within this market segment, I am actually relieved that this expose’ has come to light, in fact, it is long overdue.
Yes. The program that bought this to our (and the world’s) attention can be deemed as sensationalist and heavily weighted toward the consumer, however that is not to say that what it has uncovered was a beat up, set up etc. As we are all aware, it is nigh on impossible to ensure that EVERY vehicle you possess in your fleet is without a doubt, fully compliant or roadworthy all of the time. However, it is easy to reduce your exposure by incorporating safety into your company policy, preventative measures and putting them into action. And i’m more than aware that many operators already give this the attention it deserves.
It needs to be said that it is ignorant and condescending to use examples of trivial faults in responses, such as blown bulbs, inoperable windscreen washers or a broken exhaust rubber to justify your problem of having unroadworthy vehicles with major defects as shown in this program. Doing so just makes you (and everyone else) look bad.
I completely agree with Boyd’s statement, in that self-regulating could be the answer that helps create a better market and it makes sense that you could all start working together on this now, rather than have it imposed by a government agency-along with the red tape that would be associated with it. Seriously, do you owners want the cost of that? Some of you are probably well aware of the record keeping required of motor dealers, and the fines/penalties that go along with failure to keep such in good standing, you don’t want that to happen.
And it’s not just the vehicles that are the problem here. Deeper issues exist with driver training and education (think Fraser Island) and how to get that message across to those who do undertake a self-drive adventure…i’ve seen many a hirer come a cropper from sheer stupidity and ignorance on their part, no matter what you say to them before they take possession.
Looking forward, should you all begin to work together toward building an even better industry, will leave those with safety foremost still around to enjoy the success of their businesses in the coming years, rather than cowboys simply in it for a quick buck and a bit of fame.
30 Nov 09
2:56 pm
“Wicked Campers” just the name makes me cringe.
If anyone was really listening to the story ACA gave the manager of Wicked a chance to comment on their story, he was overseas! my son was involved in an accident with a wicked van, on a straight strech of highway. the accident was horrific, his car is unrepairable, yet wicked have refused to pay. no one from Wicked has ever returned our calls, nor have they returned our emails, they contacted us through a soliicitor to tell us they were not paying for anything! so Mr Manager talk to me, let me know how that works? This happened on the 14th Feb 2009. You owe us and everyone else alot of answers, by the way how do you sleep at night? Mr manager?
10 Jan 10
11:54 am
Wicked …………………
Reading the news on ninemsn.com this morning (Sunday), I was shocked to see what was happening in Queensland with only 4 vehicles been tested as road worthy in the wicked fleet in this State. I think Wicked Director John Webb needs to have a serious look at his product and operational system’s.
This is the wake up calls that other prominent members of our industry have been discussing in this forum. How has wicked managed to have so many vehicles on the roads in Queensland with so many defects? is pressure going to be placed on them nation wide to go through the same audit with all their vehicles? If the vehicles are un roadworthy are the insurance claims worth the paper they are written on? So many questions so little answers
I know I will be instigating two things immediately
NOT selling their product until we can get answers
DISCUSSIONS with local tourism bodies and government departments to find out if they are doing full audits on EVERY wicked vehicle that enters our State
10 Jan 10
3:08 pm
Looks like Jucy and Travellers Auto are setting up Wicked for a fall. Hope they are looked into.
Jealosy is a terrible thing.
11 Jan 10
2:39 pm
John Webb:
>> All checks will be carried out by our qualified mechanics.<<
Yeah, the same guys who did it last week and the week before !!
(The rest of this post has been edited for legal reasons)
18 Jan 10
10:36 pm
Hi Rose, On the Wicked website it does say the driver is responsible for ALL accidents…Did your son get the details of the driver? Maybe reimbursement can be collected through that means
19 Jan 10
7:41 am
Thanks for your comment Kelly, Why would it be the drivers responibility if the van is faulty? Why do hirers pay wicked insurance money in case of accidents? alot more to this story that needs to be aired.
19 Jan 10
9:57 pm
Lets summarise some basic facts and get to the core of all of this:
1. Some companies in the backpacking(tourism industry) DO NOT HAVE ANY STANDARDS!!
2. MOST TRAVEL AGENTS in the backpacking industry have poorly trained employees recommending products they know nothing about.
3. MOST TRAVEL AGENTS just book the cheapest and easiest product to sell as they believe this is the only way to make a sale and believe that most backpackers do not have the required finances to pay for higher quality products.
4. Our industry is going through a massive change and some of you will not be here in a year or two…
5. …and some of us actually joined this industry for the right reasons NOT JUST TO SCREW EVERY CENT OUT OF A BACKPACKER!!!
6. SEE POINT 5. to appreciate why the industry is not the same as it was ten years ago!!
7. When was the last time that any of you actually talked to a Backpacker anyway!!!
8. Leave the govrnement out of all arguments because it is hard enough to make a dollar without including them in discussions so they can come up with more ways to make business impossible in this country…
9. Why don’t you all admit that your standards are below par and try and improve your products, ideas, staff morale and for gods sake come up with some new ideas and stop copying each other like little school children…
Backpacking GOD!!!
19 Jan 10
11:06 pm
Why shouldnt the govt have a say in what goes on in this dodgy industry? people are getting screwed, backpackers are getting conned. Someone needs to step in and not stop business, but make it honest and right.
20 Jan 10
9:09 am
Dear Who Ever posted under my name
Was it your intention to try and get me off side with my fellow industry members?
Or were you trying to use my name to discredit the industry that I am proud of.
I suggest if you want to say something have the balls to put your name to it.
Rick Schindler
20 Jan 10
9:50 am
Rick Schindler has told us the comment posted under his name (28) was not him.
Please refrain from posting comments under other people’s names.
Thanks
Martin – Thumbrella
21 Jan 10
9:31 am
Rick, the Real Rick,
Don’t worry. Some clear facts here
1. Its clear to all of us its not you.
2. Its clear the person who wrote this is out of happy pills
3. It clear their comments are as much use as a cock flavoured lollypop
4. Its clear they may have dyslexia because they misspelt DOG as GOD
4. Its clear that they aren’t clear about much at all
Yes, that’s what we think about anonymous vitriol.
21 Jan 10
5:44 pm
I think that apart from signing with a fake name, the fake rick has made some good, valid points. At least he’s acknowledging there’s a problem and is identifying what those problems may be (in his opinion). No need to be so harsh
22 Jan 10
10:19 am
He’s or she is full of manure. They make totally nonsensical statements. And very broad statements that if true would see our industry in tatters.
There is no major problem, but there’s a few major idiots. Credibility might be restored to both of you if you were willing to stamp your credentials om your posts. Otherwise – zip-it.
Yes I know. A bit harsh.
23 Jan 10
2:05 pm
“I`m Rick James, bitch!” If only Dave Chappelle was in on this thread….
I agree that many of the points Fake Rick Schindler raised are valid(I`ve said something along the same lines before….) but can`t understand the use of the Real Ricks` name and the reference to God…..why?
If it`s any comfort, they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Rick.(Please, allow me to put my own foot in my mouth, you would-be identity thieves!)
Nevermind the delivery, I reckon I know why I`m in the industry and am happy to keep my ideals alive. For some, however, the first step to solving a problem is admitting you have one. Some could definitely do with a reality check.
If you`re not striving to give our sensational backpackers the best possible Aussie adventure, with all that entails, then you shouldn`t be interested in this forum. Debate on these pages should avoid insults and personal enmity and concentrate on finding solutions to the,really, quite minor quibbles and conundrums that face our industry and, by extension, our guests.
Let common sense rule and permit our Aussie sense of fair play to conquer all.
Have your say