Super Duck Tours - Boston is a scam!
Jul 24th, 2007, 10:12 AM
#1
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Super Duck Tours - Boston is a scam!
For all those who are heading to Boston, The Duck Tours are an established business that has worked hard to bring a new tour and market it in the best possible way.
Beware the "Super Duck Tour" This company has jumped on the bandwagon of an established company to pick up the crumbs of soldout vessells and has been accussed of misleading its patrons. DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR MONEY!!!
Thankfully, the courts have told them to stand down, change names and the same cartoon ad of a duck. This company shows a complete lack of integrity and will hopefully crash and burn, as it so deserves.
Just my humble opinion LOL~~~~~~~
Beware the "Super Duck Tour" This company has jumped on the bandwagon of an established company to pick up the crumbs of soldout vessells and has been accussed of misleading its patrons. DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR MONEY!!!
Thankfully, the courts have told them to stand down, change names and the same cartoon ad of a duck. This company shows a complete lack of integrity and will hopefully crash and burn, as it so deserves.
Just my humble opinion LOL~~~~~~~
Jul 24th, 2007, 10:37 AM
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Interesting. We did a regular Duck Tour last fall & really enjoyed it. I guess when you have a good thing going someone is bound to try and copy you, but they could at least come up with a more original name!!
Jul 24th, 2007, 12:49 PM
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There was a court decision last week forcing Super Duck Tours to change their name and logo - I believe they are called something like Super Duck Excursions now. According to news stories, the "Excursions" use a different type of less authentic amphibious vehicle.
Jul 24th, 2007, 12:49 PM
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Yes Itt, the Duck Tour is a fabulous tour that gives a great and fun overview about Boston and parts of Cambridge. "The Super Duck Tour" is cashing in on their success. So my thread is to warn others about the "Duck Decoy"
Glad you enjoyed your ducktour!
Glad you enjoyed your ducktour!
Jul 24th, 2007, 12:53 PM
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Gail, the case is beyond reason to me. How easy to come up with some fun names.
Black Swan Harbour Tours for one. Not willing to post the dozen other great names they could have called their company.
They show a complete disregard for the company who's marketing success they are ripping off as well as the courts. It's disgraceful.
Black Swan Harbour Tours for one. Not willing to post the dozen other great names they could have called their company.
They show a complete disregard for the company who's marketing success they are ripping off as well as the courts. It's disgraceful.
Jul 24th, 2007, 01:33 PM
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As I reported today in my Weekend in Boston trip report, we took this tour when the regular Duck tour was sold out. We figured it would be about the same, but I was wrong. Maybe it was start-up jitters, but it seemed disorganized and the people "on board" certainly didn't seem to be having as much fun as the people on the original Duck tour busses. Their route was severely abbreviated as well. It seemed like we were going in circles. Kind of boring, actually and I don't I came away knowing that much more about Boston than I did before.
Jul 24th, 2007, 01:39 PM
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Maggi, it must have been you that inspired me to start this thread. Thanks for your report!
The false company has also been accused of giving false information regarding the original company being sold out when it was not. Of course, I'm sure during your time period, they were in fact sold out.
The company certainly lacks professional and general integrity. Sorry you had a less than Duck tour, but appreciate your sharing.
The false company has also been accused of giving false information regarding the original company being sold out when it was not. Of course, I'm sure during your time period, they were in fact sold out.
The company certainly lacks professional and general integrity. Sorry you had a less than Duck tour, but appreciate your sharing.
Jul 24th, 2007, 01:53 PM
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Kealalani, it was a weird experience. The website sells tickets online, but once there you have to truck over to their office, which is hard to find, in order to trade the online voucher for tickets. The ticket agent told me how to find the line for the tour bus, down this street, turn right and look for the yellow stairs, which turned out to be a yellow ladder they use to get on the bus. They had oversold and didn't have room for everyone so they offered a "bump" to four people. There was a lot of talking amongst the owners/operators and once underway the tension was still noticeable. Not a fun way to start a tour. The woman tourguide seemed knowledgeable, but got wrapped up in telling stories, while I was waiting for her to point out what we were driving by. Her jokes were predictable ("Why are there only 239 beans in the can? Cause one more would be two-farty".)
Funny, judging from your screen name, I would guess you lived in Hawaii, not Boston.
Funny, judging from your screen name, I would guess you lived in Hawaii, not Boston.
Aug 4th, 2007, 10:39 AM
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kealalani, you've made some extremely libelous statements about Super Duck Tours, and I don't see ay valid support for your position.
First off, just one quick quote from the Boston Magazine article you referenced in your last post: "Back on the Super Duck boat, First Mate Joe, despite the bad jokes, is treating us to a pretty enjoyable ride along a stretch of city never trolled by Boston Duck Tours. As we float past the USS Constitution, and rumble through the Financial District, I find the trip a worthy counterpoint to its predecessor, like a new chapter from a great book. Brown’s tour, I realize, had felt all-inclusive because it was the only one I’d taken—and I bet if visitors take only Kraez’s, they’ll feel the same way. Tourists won’t judge these trips by what they lack, but rather by what they show. It’s a testament to Boston that both can show so much."
It seems to me, kealalani, that you have no personal experience whatsoever with the Super Duck Tours, other than perhaps the heavily biased news articles reporting the details of the recent court case.
I would like to point out that the judge dismissed all parts of the lawsuit accusing Super Duck Tours employees of misleading potential Boston Duck Tours customers. It seems that there were some 3rd-party ticket agents that had used some questionable business practices, but these were not employees of Super Duck Tours, which was why the judge dimissed the charges.
As for name confusion, it seems funny to me that no one seems to know the proper name for the Boston Duck Tours. It seems that you don't either: not once have you correctly stated the company name that you so proudly support. It seems to me that any confusion between these companies is more a result of BDT's monopoly of the Boston market since 1994, and people's conviction that there must be only one amphibious tour company here. How can you be confused by the name if you don't even know the name of Boston Duck Tours?
I don't want to take anything away from the Boston Duck Tours. They provide an excellent service, and have done so for many years. Their conDUCKtors deliver an extremely polished and popular performance.
I find it extremely alarming, though, that so many people seem to have no qualms about spreading mis-information about Super Duck Excursions (previously Super Duck Tours). You say that you always root for the underdog; how on earth could you possibly consider Boston Duck Tours to be an underdog in this case? BDT has dozens of Boston tour vehicle licenses (an extremely rare commodity), while Super Duck has two, and little chance of getting many more anytime soon. BDT seems to have the unquestioned support of just about every media outlet, while Super Ducks has the likes of you bashing it repeatedly, over and over (you've made six extremely negative posts in just this one thread).
I'd like to also point out that Super Duck Excursions has gone to great lengths to distinguish themselves from Boston Duck Tours. For starters, from the day they started operations in May, the home page of their website had the highlighted text "Not to be confused with Boston Duck Tours". It now is on every single page of their website.
I should also point out that Super Duck Excursion has many attractive selling points:
- splashes into Boston Harbor (not the Charles River)
- different tour route (not better or worse, but different)
- uses more modern, safer vehicles, with more comfortable seating
- driver is not the tour guide, and can concentrate on just driving
- large groups (like school buses) can fit on one tour
I would like to 2nd your recommendation of the Boston Magazine article on this issue. It seems to me that it was the first news article to fairly present both sides of this issue (with the exception of failing to point out the 3rd-party ticket agent bit).
First off, just one quick quote from the Boston Magazine article you referenced in your last post: "Back on the Super Duck boat, First Mate Joe, despite the bad jokes, is treating us to a pretty enjoyable ride along a stretch of city never trolled by Boston Duck Tours. As we float past the USS Constitution, and rumble through the Financial District, I find the trip a worthy counterpoint to its predecessor, like a new chapter from a great book. Brown’s tour, I realize, had felt all-inclusive because it was the only one I’d taken—and I bet if visitors take only Kraez’s, they’ll feel the same way. Tourists won’t judge these trips by what they lack, but rather by what they show. It’s a testament to Boston that both can show so much."
It seems to me, kealalani, that you have no personal experience whatsoever with the Super Duck Tours, other than perhaps the heavily biased news articles reporting the details of the recent court case.
I would like to point out that the judge dismissed all parts of the lawsuit accusing Super Duck Tours employees of misleading potential Boston Duck Tours customers. It seems that there were some 3rd-party ticket agents that had used some questionable business practices, but these were not employees of Super Duck Tours, which was why the judge dimissed the charges.
As for name confusion, it seems funny to me that no one seems to know the proper name for the Boston Duck Tours. It seems that you don't either: not once have you correctly stated the company name that you so proudly support. It seems to me that any confusion between these companies is more a result of BDT's monopoly of the Boston market since 1994, and people's conviction that there must be only one amphibious tour company here. How can you be confused by the name if you don't even know the name of Boston Duck Tours?
I don't want to take anything away from the Boston Duck Tours. They provide an excellent service, and have done so for many years. Their conDUCKtors deliver an extremely polished and popular performance.
I find it extremely alarming, though, that so many people seem to have no qualms about spreading mis-information about Super Duck Excursions (previously Super Duck Tours). You say that you always root for the underdog; how on earth could you possibly consider Boston Duck Tours to be an underdog in this case? BDT has dozens of Boston tour vehicle licenses (an extremely rare commodity), while Super Duck has two, and little chance of getting many more anytime soon. BDT seems to have the unquestioned support of just about every media outlet, while Super Ducks has the likes of you bashing it repeatedly, over and over (you've made six extremely negative posts in just this one thread).
I'd like to also point out that Super Duck Excursions has gone to great lengths to distinguish themselves from Boston Duck Tours. For starters, from the day they started operations in May, the home page of their website had the highlighted text "Not to be confused with Boston Duck Tours". It now is on every single page of their website.
I should also point out that Super Duck Excursion has many attractive selling points:
- splashes into Boston Harbor (not the Charles River)
- different tour route (not better or worse, but different)
- uses more modern, safer vehicles, with more comfortable seating
- driver is not the tour guide, and can concentrate on just driving
- large groups (like school buses) can fit on one tour
I would like to 2nd your recommendation of the Boston Magazine article on this issue. It seems to me that it was the first news article to fairly present both sides of this issue (with the exception of failing to point out the 3rd-party ticket agent bit).
Aug 4th, 2007, 11:36 AM
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Smelling something fishy (either from Boston Harbor or Charles River) I checked on one of the responders to this post, jephillips34, who gives as glowing an account of Super Duck Tours as OP gives a negative one. I think there is a real possibility that the 2 principals are engaging in a fight using Fodors as their forum.
First, jephillips - this is your first post. And upon "googling" your name, I found you have been posting similar endorsements on any message board that you can. Additionally, much is paraphrased from a boston.com (Boston Globe) website.
I believe John is entitled to his opinion, but wish all posters here would reveal any special arrangements they may have with the subject of their posts.
On the other hand, kealalani has posted on a number of subjects here before. I still wonder, though, if s/he also has some agenda.
First, jephillips - this is your first post. And upon "googling" your name, I found you have been posting similar endorsements on any message board that you can. Additionally, much is paraphrased from a boston.com (Boston Globe) website.
I believe John is entitled to his opinion, but wish all posters here would reveal any special arrangements they may have with the subject of their posts.
On the other hand, kealalani has posted on a number of subjects here before. I still wonder, though, if s/he also has some agenda.
Aug 4th, 2007, 11:51 AM
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Wow! What a treat to return home from a long day at work to this wonderful post by the newest member of fodors forums - jephillips34
Welcome to Fodors je, and what a fantastic first post, accusing a member of being libelous!?! Well done! Editors, please take note, as me thinks thiis new member may have ulterior motives regarding their company.
Call me names, call me out, knock your socks off. And yes je, I have actually spoken with your salespeople on the street. Trust me that it's in your, or their best interest that I don't comment further on those experiences.
How dare you address me in this nature! A person that shares and participates in travel talk, as if you were my personal agenda.
You chose your quotes well, just a hint of propaganda in your message. So may I too quote the one source I chose as completely open to both sides, and yet you call me out on that too???
other posters, please forgive any typos as I am copying this freehand. It is really a very poignant last paragraph to a wonderful article by Jason Feifer
"Amd that's what makes Kreaz's decisions all the more confusing. or lazy, really: He demonstrated he has the wherewithal to build a decent tour --the route is solid, the Hydra-Terres are exciting, the views from the harbor beat those from the Charles --but chooses instead to squabble over naming rights, practically insistent on not building an identity of his own........
......But for now, the new "excurssion" has taken the posture of the cheap knockoff, something designed to feed from the bottom. And so long as his big new boats ard ducks, Kraez will have a hard time proving otherwise."
So my new bottom feeder fodorite friend, welcome and good bye. So many fantastic names to call that company rather than ride on the coat tails of others. I have a dozen great ideas. Alas you have been too rude to share them with.
Malama Pono
'lani
Welcome to Fodors je, and what a fantastic first post, accusing a member of being libelous!?! Well done! Editors, please take note, as me thinks thiis new member may have ulterior motives regarding their company.
Call me names, call me out, knock your socks off. And yes je, I have actually spoken with your salespeople on the street. Trust me that it's in your, or their best interest that I don't comment further on those experiences.
How dare you address me in this nature! A person that shares and participates in travel talk, as if you were my personal agenda.
You chose your quotes well, just a hint of propaganda in your message. So may I too quote the one source I chose as completely open to both sides, and yet you call me out on that too???
other posters, please forgive any typos as I am copying this freehand. It is really a very poignant last paragraph to a wonderful article by Jason Feifer
"Amd that's what makes Kreaz's decisions all the more confusing. or lazy, really: He demonstrated he has the wherewithal to build a decent tour --the route is solid, the Hydra-Terres are exciting, the views from the harbor beat those from the Charles --but chooses instead to squabble over naming rights, practically insistent on not building an identity of his own........
......But for now, the new "excurssion" has taken the posture of the cheap knockoff, something designed to feed from the bottom. And so long as his big new boats ard ducks, Kraez will have a hard time proving otherwise."
So my new bottom feeder fodorite friend, welcome and good bye. So many fantastic names to call that company rather than ride on the coat tails of others. I have a dozen great ideas. Alas you have been too rude to share them with.
Malama Pono
'lani
Aug 4th, 2007, 11:55 AM
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Gail, I have no personal agenda whatsoever.
When I see something that stinks, I speak up. For quite a few years, I have recommended the original company and take offense to any company that tries to ride the marketing wave of another, in such a blatent way.
So many wonderful names and marketing approaches. Why pretend to be something your not. Why change your name to Kennedy to run for office in MA? It's just wrong.
When I see something that stinks, I speak up. For quite a few years, I have recommended the original company and take offense to any company that tries to ride the marketing wave of another, in such a blatent way.
So many wonderful names and marketing approaches. Why pretend to be something your not. Why change your name to Kennedy to run for office in MA? It's just wrong.
Aug 4th, 2007, 12:19 PM
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kealalani:
i think the main purpose of fodor's site is to hear from other traveler's and find out about their personal travel experiences such as the one your brought up.
fodorites' responses provide the balance of pros & cons and others can make up their minds based on true experiences and information like you & others have provided.
it seems anything other than a perfect experience is often seen as suspect and I don't understand why.
i think the main purpose of fodor's site is to hear from other traveler's and find out about their personal travel experiences such as the one your brought up.
fodorites' responses provide the balance of pros & cons and others can make up their minds based on true experiences and information like you & others have provided.
it seems anything other than a perfect experience is often seen as suspect and I don't understand why.
Aug 4th, 2007, 03:27 PM
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Sorry, accidental mouse click on the reply button....
I'm a independant computer consultant, and I worked on a part of the ticketing system for Super Duck. This is relevant only in that I know the owners of Super Duck Tours, and have some knowledge of the process they went through starting up their operation in Boston. I am not an employee, and I have no ongoing financial interest in the company.
These are good local honest people for me, not just some name on news story. Reading incendiary comments about this company, like those posted here, makes me feel compelled to respond. And, yes, I have responded in multiple forums, probably with much the same language. It didn't really seem necessary for a complete biography just to reply to a post, but apparently it is.
I'm a independant computer consultant, and I worked on a part of the ticketing system for Super Duck. This is relevant only in that I know the owners of Super Duck Tours, and have some knowledge of the process they went through starting up their operation in Boston. I am not an employee, and I have no ongoing financial interest in the company.
These are good local honest people for me, not just some name on news story. Reading incendiary comments about this company, like those posted here, makes me feel compelled to respond. And, yes, I have responded in multiple forums, probably with much the same language. It didn't really seem necessary for a complete biography just to reply to a post, but apparently it is.
