Koedoeberg Hunting Special 2012

[vgruan]

Nathan,

I completely agree with you and would never want to hear that anybody had a bad experience in South Africa as we have a very sensitive reputation. Only aspect I am concerned about is the aspect is that it is already difficult to book enough clients at reasonable prices to make a living, now they see deals like this and expect all the outfitters to match it which is simply impossible. And what concerns me further is that if you acted as a agent you have to be paid another 15% out of the total of the package sold.

How do you explain to a client why you cannot do $3800 hunt for a $1000? Everybody believes their service and qaulity of game is the best but be real, every industry has a standard rate to operate in.

I am not critising I am just raising my concerns about deals that in overall is hurting the industry and a lot of outfitters. I will welcome any client into our country no matter what he pays for his hunt and what he can afford. I would never want to keep anybody from hunting our great country and spreading the word of a good healthy industry in South Africa.

I hope all that books a hunt like this have a great time and dont get me wrong, I want every outfitter to be succesfull and believe that competition is a very good thing for any business and industry. Just be fair, reasonable and look at the bigger picture.

Hope you understand my point and my concerns.

Best regards,

Jacques

 

[nkjonas]

Jacques,
Thank you for your input. I certainly appreciate your concerns. This hunting special is a limited time offer, only available to AfricaHunting members, and is only available for the 2012 hunting season. Koedoeberg is a relatively young company and has offered this special in order to build an international client and reference base. Regular daily rates and trophy fees can be viewed at the Koedoeberg website. Koedoeberg | Home Hope you and your team are having a succesfull hunting season.
Regards,
Nathan Jonas
North American Representative
Koedoeberg Safaris South Africa

 

[Stretch]

Nathan,

I completely agree with you and would never want to hear that anybody had a bad experience in South Africa as we have a very sensitive reputation. Only aspect I am concerned about is the aspect is that it is already difficult to book enough clients at reasonable prices to make a living, now they see deals like this and expect all the outfitters to match it which is simply impossible. And what concerns me further is that if you acted as a agent you have to be paid another 15% out of the total of the package sold.

How do you explain to a client why you cannot do $3800 hunt for a $1000? Everybody believes their service and qaulity of game is the best but be real, every industry has a standard rate to operate in.

I am not critising I am just raising my concerns about deals that in overall is hurting the industry and a lot of outfitters. I will welcome any client into our country no matter what he pays for his hunt and what he can afford. I would never want to keep anybody from hunting our great country and spreading the word of a good healthy industry in South Africa.

I hope all that books a hunt like this have a great time and dont get me wrong, I want every outfitter to be succesfull and believe that competition is a very good thing for any business and industry. Just be fair, reasonable and look at the bigger picture.

Hope you understand my point and my concerns.

Best regards,

Jacques

Jacques - As a client I respectfully disagree with you. You may want to read the thread Koedoeberg Game Lodge. Here you have a report from a client that took advantage of this $1000 offer. In the end he added two days and shot 10 extra animals. (13 total) I would speculate that most hunters will shoot more animals or add days, allowing the outfitter to make up for the initial lower price. What about return business? The greatest asset a business can have is a satisfied customer base. It is much more likely that a satisfied client will return for subsequent hunts. There is nothing wrong with a creative special offer as long as an outfitters is honest and up-front about any additional cost. Innovation is the heart of today's business economy. Kudos to Willem for offering this special to AH members.

 

[pigslayer]

Jacques - As a client I respectfully disagree with you. You may want to read the thread Koedoeberg Game Lodge. Here you have a report from a client that took advantage of this $1000 offer. In the end he added two days and shot 10 extra animals. (13 total) I would speculate that most hunters will shoot more animals or add days, allowing the outfitter to make up for the initial lower price. What about return business? The greatest asset a business can have is a satisfied customer base. It is much more likely that a satisfied client will return for subsequent hunts. There is nothing wrong with a creative special offer as long as an outfitters is honest and up-front about any additional cost. Innovation is the heart of today's business economy. Kudos to Willem for offering this special to AH members.

just joined to respond to this thread.

way to go koedoeberg ! am jealous , been looking for just such a deal. hours ago made a post on another forum looking for info and contacts for a similar hunt. i'm a 1x1 hunter. shot quite a few trophys and am now looking for the experience and fun.

this is a great way to entice a hunter. with a package like this i would add 5 days and like the aforementioned client, shoot lots more. if i'm not shooting 2 animals a day i wonder whats wrong unless i'm hunting buffalo.

offering an affordable rate to bring in new clients is a no brainer. view the end results and realize that extra trophy fees,extra days, tips etc. prolly make up more than the difference. building a reputation is priceless.

sometimes it's better to take a piece of the pie rather than hold out for the whole thing. i'd rather have 6 quarters than 1 whole. in this global economy and not much hope for an immediate fix........

good luck koedoeberg ! good luck to you also hartzview ! make hay (or trophy fees ) when the sun shines ! :rockon:

 

[get015]

Nathan,

I completely agree with you and would never want to hear that anybody had a bad experience in South Africa as we have a very sensitive reputation. Only aspect I am concerned about is the aspect is that it is already difficult to book enough clients at reasonable prices to make a living, now they see deals like this and expect all the outfitters to match it which is simply impossible. And what concerns me further is that if you acted as a agent you have to be paid another 15% out of the total of the package sold.

How do you explain to a client why you cannot do $3800 hunt for a $1000? Everybody believes their service and qaulity of game is the best but be real, every industry has a standard rate to operate in.

I am not critising I am just raising my concerns about deals that in overall is hurting the industry and a lot of outfitters. I will welcome any client into our country no matter what he pays for his hunt and what he can afford. I would never want to keep anybody from hunting our great country and spreading the word of a good healthy industry in South Africa.

I hope all that books a hunt like this have a great time and dont get me wrong, I want every outfitter to be succesfull and believe that competition is a very good thing for any business and industry. Just be fair, reasonable and look at the bigger picture.

Hope you understand my point and my concerns.

Best regards,

Jacques

Jacques.... Agreed, All also please understand that I am by no means shape or form saying that this is a bad deal, as I am sure that the company does excellent buisiness and provide their clients with an amazing experience.

But in principal Jacques has made an excellent point, to be honest Jacques our margins (mine and yours) are very different from other operators this we also need to keep in mind, as smaller properties have much lower running costs and over heads, we have the advantage of hunting a big base area but we pay for it dearly in the end of the day.
While many might agree there are just as many that won't,........... like you I have stopped trying to explain why my hunts are more than others, remember I am not selling top spectrum prices and neither are you but rather solid mid range if this is to much for the average hunter to take so be it boet, we can't book them all, I just refuse to be nickled on price, I will give a discount as many other will but going back and forth arguing and being shoved in a tin and almost having to end up paying so that a foreign hunter can have a safari of a life time at my expense....... NO WAY Charity begins at home.
Additional days and trophies should compliment and already profitable safari not cut down on your loses......

i understand your concerns and agree completely, for one I am not a walmart!

Kepp hunting my friend will see you sometime during the season for a good BBQ.

My best always.

 

[vgruan]

Guys please understand that I am not critising the deal or Willem's business. Everybody has good deals going and you have to put some special packages out there to attract new clients and future business I tottally agree with you all in that manner. The only problem is that we personally as a business has done these deals before and even with shooting 10 extra animals you will maybe break even. Yes you may have a good reference and a future client but there has been cases where advantages has been taken on deals like this and the outfitter is the one that carries the losses.

My point is just that some of the deals out there is hurting the business in a whole more than people would think. Again I am not trying to take business away from anybody, this is not why I am in the hunting business. I do it because it's my passion and also my life. Everybody deserves a fair chance in booking clients and making a succes out of their business.

As Jaco said we cannot book them all and there is more than enough clients for all the outfitters in Africa. I just wanted to raise my concern on packages getting cheaper by the day.

Hope it is cleared out now and that the correct points have been cleared. Hope everybody has a great season and get some great trophies.

Jaco I am looking forward to our BBQ! We must hunt lion together again soon boet!

Best regards,

Jacques

 

[get015]

Guys please understand that I am not critising the deal or Willem's business. Everybody has good deals going and you have to put some special packages out there to attract new clients and future business I tottally agree with you all in that manner. The only problem is that we personally as a business has done these deals before and even with shooting 10 extra animals you will maybe break even. Yes you may have a good reference and a future client but there has been cases where advantages has been taken on deals like this and the outfitter is the one that carries the losses.

My point is just that some of the deals out there is hurting the business in a whole more than people would think. Again I am not trying to take business away from anybody, this is not why I am in the hunting business. I do it because it's my passion and also my life. Everybody deserves a fair chance in booking clients and making a succes out of their business.

As Jaco said we cannot book them all and there is more than enough clients for all the outfitters in Africa. I just wanted to raise my concern on packages getting cheaper by the day.

Hope it is cleared out now and that the correct points have been cleared. Hope everybody has a great season and get some great trophies.

Jaco I am looking forward to our BBQ! We must hunt lion together again soon boet!

Best regards,

Jacques

Jacques, once again spot on....and agreed! I believe that anyone reading your post know that no harm is intended towards any outfitter... valid concerns and good points.

My best always.

 

[Stretch]

Jacques, once again spot on....and agreed! I believe that anyone reading your post know that no harm is intended towards any outfitter... valid concerns and good points.

I have great respect for all of you outfitters. The healthiest competition occurs when average businesses win by putting in an above average effort.

 

[Diamondhitch]

Am I wrong in saying that most successful outfits run prmarily on repeat clientel? 80% or more of clients of the outfitters I worked for were either repeat clients or those reccomended by repeat clients. IMO booking what you can at regular prices and then fill in the gaps in your schedule at a price where you at least break even on the average of the cheap hunts saves you advertising cost and plants the seed for next years client crop. Some will shoot more and you will turn a small profit, others who stick to the package will cost money but it seems like a worthy gamble instead of sitting around wishing you were working.

 

[TOM]

Well said.

 

[get015]

Diamond to a degree, I do agree with you however, repeat clientele (at least from my point of view) do not opt in my set up for severely discounted give away packages, I know that new companies do this to establish a client base.

Once you have established this(a good solid loyal client base) word of mouth and the odd good package gives you new blood in your company that everyone needs, no doubts....

Having been selling and marketing hunts for tilting over towards two decades, cheap packages in the market creates more uncertainty than comfort amongst consumers, especially when compared to 60% of the market and being substantially below what the norm is.
These are some of the concerns and facts that one needs to consider when sharing face time and show floors with fellow outfitters and potential clients.

With that being said the net is a completely different story, fron shows and one that I am very new in.... From a marketing perspective.

For one I never want to be known as the guy with the cheapest hunting package in the market or web, and many outfitters will agree,

Key is to find your target group and focus on them, who do you as an outfitter want to sell hunts too, this to a large extent pivots around your resources and what you as a outfit have to offer.

Breaking even is not an option in my book, I love what I do, but putting in all the effort to play a game of averages and hoping to turn an income is not the way to run any buisiness, we all have margins those who have been around for a few years know this too well, and pricing can be compared.

IMO I would much rather run on exclusivity and less hunters at a higher profit margins than push volumes of clients through my camp and or property and running around like a headless chicken.

Classic old saying what you lose on the swings you make up on the round abouts.....

 

[billc]

Well there is alot of us in the same boat.In my business of home remodeling there are guys always giving work away.Not that I believe in giving anything away but if in the end.You take care of all cost pay yourself for the work you have done and proven yourself to that costumer good things will come.I may have not made any profit over my hourly rate to myself but that happens sometimes.In the end though i can not blame anyone for taking a good deal if they find one and get good service plus end up happpy.We all have what we think is the right way to get business.This offer seems like a good one and the money comes from adding on animals and time to the hunt.Some outfits may plan on making money by taking alot of hunters shooting alot of animals.Then others less hunters that in there mind equals better quality in the end.Neither is wrong and no client is wrong for picking what makes them happy.

 

[willemf]

Thanks to everyone that has read the thread by Nathan of the special we are offering .

I few things I would like to mention :
Alot of outfitters spend money to go to the USA and elsewhere to market their outfits . This costs Money and time . There are alot of different business models . I prefer booking hunts at a small loss than taking the risk of spending alot and maybe booking no hunts .

I would like to state that our aim is no to push volumes of clients through day after day . We don't book more the 2 overseas trips per month.

I have had other outfitters use my farm . I saw what they were offering to the clients. I think I am offering better catering and better prices on the whole .

It would be a compliment to me for being known as a outfitter that offers the best value for money . That's our logo !
I would not like to refer to our farm as the cheapest ever . Sounds cheap .

I don't apologize for offering a great deal, I think sometimes that I should help the clients pay . I think I enjoyed hunting with Steve and Jeremy more than I realized at the time . We had great night drives and good hunting experiences .

I intend to offer big 5 at great prices shortly .

I do agree that clients might think there is a catch to such a cheap offer . The references might set their minds at ease .

I do wish all the outfitters the best with their operations . Everyone deserves their share of sunshine

Hunting is also a business like apple selling iPads , other companies are selling the same thing cheaper .

 

[Stretch]

Well there is alot of us in the same boat. In my business of home remodeling there are guys always giving work away.

Isn't this the truth! I have been a salesman in the HVAC business for 30+ years. Highly competitive. Our market has companies that offer much, much lower cost. That's OK. Not everyone can afford what we offer. It is human nature to seek out the best deal. This deal may be real or perceived. I have learned to accept this and concentrate on what our business can offer and what I do best. (our niche) I have and am trying things I have not done before to put together some creative offers. There is no such a thing as "norm" when it comes to cost of what businesses charges. Above average effort will set any business apart. Business owners are always seeking out lower cost from the people they purchase from. Clients are no different. Not only does a client compare and attempt to get the lowest price, they do this out of necessity. The economy affects clients as well. Less paid hours, lower paying jobs, higher insurance cost, swelled education tuitions, increased energy cost, amplified cost of living has left less expendable income available for the fun stuff like an African Safari.

I am glad there is competition for without it only the wealthy would be able to afford a dream hunt in Africa.
Thanks again Koedoeberg for the wonderful offer for AH members.

Just some ideas. How about offer free Jackals or Baboons with a package? Or maybe a night around the campfire where the trackers share some tips on how read sign. Or maybe the local bushman and their family's display how they make bow and arrows or share their customs. These are all things that would add great value to my African experience.

 

[Diamondhitch]

Diamond to a degree, I do agree with you however, repeat clientele (at least from my point of view) do not opt in my set up for severely discounted give away packages, I know that new companies do this to establish a client base.

Once you have established this(a good solid loyal client base) word of mouth and the odd good package gives you new blood in your company that everyone needs, no doubts....

Having been selling and marketing hunts for tilting over towards two decades, cheap packages in the market creates more uncertainty than comfort amongst consumers, especially when compared to 60% of the market and being substantially below what the norm is.
These are some of the concerns and facts that one needs to consider when sharing face time and show floors with fellow outfitters and potential clients.

With that being said the net is a completely different story, fron shows and one that I am very new in.... From a marketing perspective.

For one I never want to be known as the guy with the cheapest hunting package in the market or web, and many outfitters will agree,

Key is to find your target group and focus on them, who do you as an outfitter want to sell hunts too, this to a large extent pivots around your resources and what you as a outfit have to offer.

Breaking even is not an option in my book, I love what I do, but putting in all the effort to play a game of averages and hoping to turn an income is not the way to run any buisiness, we all have margins those who have been around for a few years know this too well, and pricing can be compared.

IMO I would much rather run on exclusivity and less hunters at a higher profit margins than push volumes of clients through my camp and or property and running around like a headless chicken.

Classic old saying what you lose on the swings you make up on the round abouts.....

Jaco, I didnt meant to imply that you should break even on all your hunts. None of us could afford to do that.

What I am saying is if say by Jan 1 you have 60% of your season filled with hunters paying regular price (80% of these guys will be repeat or their freinds/aquaintances) Why not fill the other 40% of your season even if you only break even on these last minute deals. You have already made your profit on the regular hunts (60% of your season in this case) and the rest bring new customers (read - future repeat clientel) to your door. If that fills your following season to at least the 60% that it was this year and you didnt have to do the expensive outdoor show circuit you are well ahead.

 

[BRICKBURN]

..............

Hunting is also a business like apple selling iPads , other companies are selling the same thing cheaper .

Ok Willem, those are fighting words! Slamming my MAC.

 

[35bore]

Well done Willem...

 

[willemf]

Buffalo cow

We got over 4000 hits on this thread !
Thanks for the support

Hunting my first buffalo with client this weekend .
The farm owner has about 200 buffalo .

Buffalo cows $2500
Bulls 34-36 are $7000
Bulls 36-40 are $8000

Near Malelane near the Kruger park

Think my friend will shoot a cow .

 

[Wolverine67]

Thats nice prices on buffalo Willem!

 

[BRICKBURN]

We got over 4000 hits on this thread !
Thanks for the support

Hunting my first buffalo with client this weekend .
The farm owner has about 200 buffalo .

Buffalo cows $2500
Bulls 34-36 are $7000
Bulls 36-40 are $8000

Near Malelane near the Kruger park

Think my friend will shoot a cow .

Good luck on your Buffalo hunt.
Watch out for the "pointy bits" as my Swazi buddy says.