A funny on FB, about this site, kinda sorta...

[Tundra Tiger]

First of all I will admit to a bias: I love this site and the folks who are on it. I am firmly convinced my first trip to Africa would not have been nearly as successful without the input of the friendly and experienced people here. Also, I found who I hunted with on this site, so there is that.

There is a FB group - Hunt South Africa. A guy asked about a particular outfitter (one who is on here). I said that the outfitter has a good reputation on this site, and encouraged the person who asked about that outfitter to join this site. Another fellow left a comment, in contradiction to my advice. He apparently doesn't think much of Africa Hunting. Here is what he wrote:

"I’m not sure the Africa Hunting website is real reputable. I posted a bad review on one of the big places in the Eastern Cape a few years back. It turned into quite a fiasco and ended with the owner calling and threatening me. Where I call their reliability into question is I had SEVERAL messages from people on there and they told me that a lot of people knew this place I gave the bad review was crap…even though I was the only negative post on there about them. Haven’t been on there since!!!"

I wrote a rebuttal to what he said, and emphasized just how incredibly valuable I think Africa Hunting is to someone looking to go to Africa for a first time.

Anyway... thought I would share. Have a terrific Sunday everyone.

 

[R.M.C.]

Weird lol different strokes for different folks I suppose. I'm not on Facebook.

 

[Captain Munro]

I have had nothing but positive experiences here and mostly good advice...except in the allocation of my finances...bought two rifles off forum members and am constantly tempted for more.

 

[BRICKBURN]

First of all I will admit to a bias: I love this site and the folks who are on it. I am firmly convinced my first trip to Africa would not have been nearly as successful without the input of the friendly and experienced people here. Also, I found who I hunted with on this site, so there is that.

There is a FB group - Hunt South Africa. A guy asked about a particular outfitter (one who is on here). I said that the outfitter has a good reputation on this site, and encouraged the person who asked about that outfitter to join this site. Another fellow left a comment, in contradiction to my advice. He apparently doesn't think much of Africa Hunting. Here is what he wrote:

"I’m not sure the Africa Hunting website is real reputable. I posted a bad review on one of the big places in the Eastern Cape a few years back. It turned into quite a fiasco and ended with the owner calling and threatening me. Where I call their reliability into question is I had SEVERAL messages from people on there and they told me that a lot of people knew this place I gave the bad review was crap…even though I was the only negative post on there about them. Haven’t been on there since!!!"

I wrote a rebuttal to what he said, and emphasized just how incredibly valuable I think Africa Hunting is to someone looking to go to Africa for a first time.

Anyway... thought I would share. Have a terrific Sundaye the everyone.

I assume the complainer was talking about the Outfitter calling him. I know J would not be calling anyone about a hunt report on AH. Nothing to do with AH.

I'm pretty sure I know the author of a report that was not glowing..
Glad he wrote his report. I want to read all of them, good, bad, great and ugly.

 

[mikecatt13]

I can definitely say that transiting Ethiopia on my first safari wouldve been a terrifying nightmare without this site, among other things.

Not to mention so many topics that have been covered here with healthy and respectful debate 100% wouldve (and have) turned into a total drama disaster on FB.

Sounds like the takeaway is the outfitter they referred to conducts poor business and confirmed it with their reaction to his review

 

[Bullthrower338]

Nobody can please everyone all of the time, hell, I’ve given up trying to pease most of them! Some people have expectations that exceed reality and will never be happy.

 

[R.M.C.]

I can definitely say that transiting Ethiopia on my first safari wouldve been a terrifying nightmare without this site, among other things.

Not to mention so many topics that have been covered here with healthy and respectful debate 100% wouldve (and have) turned into a total drama disaster on FB.

Sounds like the takeaway is the outfitter they referred to conducts poor business and confirmed it with their reaction to his review

I agree 100%, planning a first safari without the help of the people on this forum would have been a shit show at best for me. Definitely couldn't openly discuss the same topics on Facebook without having 200 trolls losing their minds.

 

[WAB]

TT you are a brave man, venturing into the wilds of FB!

 

[375Fox]

I’m not sure I understand his reasoning? Sounds like he didn’t do his research prior to a hunt. The direct advice and feedback from members here is very valuable, however I would not immediately consider a sponsor for a hunt just because they are a sponsor.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

@WAB ... I fought venturing into the FB for a long time. However, I am THE outreach/education guy for my office/agency, and when it was decided we'd have a FB page, it became my duty, and I needed a personal one to sign in to administrate the work page. I will say this: it has be a delightful way to keep in touch with former students (I was a classroom teacher for almost two decades) and to see what they are doing with their lives.

 

[Ryan]

I'm on Facebook to keep in contact with some friends. I recall seeing that group and decided this one won for my interests so I never connected with it.

What's the old saying? You can please all of the people some of the time. Some of the people all the time. But you can't please all of the people all of the time.

I suspect I too know the report. It was interesting. It spiralled. There were a lot of words said from both sides and I pretty much viewed the whole thing as my very wise mother explained, that there were two sides to a story and the truth was in the middle.

 

[mark-hunter]

I've seen two types of negative reports (all of them I read with great interest).
In some, it turns out better to client, if outfitter goes along and tries to rectify situation ,offer cheaper hunt, next discount to client, sort out the problem, etc... and outfitter saves the day and his reputation. And everybody is happy. (client, forum members, and maybe the outfitter)

In some, reports, it turns out better to outfitter, and client gets off offended (and discredited). Often moves away from forum. Those reports get forgotten, and active outfitters - sponsors, continue their participation on forum, and in business successfully. (in that case client is not happy, forum members, could be divided, and outfitter held his ground)

In both cases, this is very interesting to read. There could be a lot of things to learn from negative reports.


Should I say we need more negative reports? No, I will not say this. But they are really interesting sometimes.

Oh, there is third type of negative report.
Client complains. And outfitters doesnt react at all. (Even if he is member of forum) - that one is of the worst type of advertising, I immediately put him on my unwanted list for future hunts consideration. He shows, he doesnt care.

 

[flatwater bill]

Whenever there is a negative report on a hunt operator, it is potentially useful information. But there are always two sides to the issue. And we have seen rebuttals by the operator that showed there was another explanation or ulterior motive for the negativity. I try to reserve judgement until the operator in question has had a chance to respond with his side of it. Some members here take the complaint at face value, and rise to the defense of the complainer. But we have seen times when that put them in a very difficult position when the operator supplied correspondence showing the hunter was at fault. Collect and collate info before you rally for a cause...................FWB

 

[PerH]

A lot of ara and poacher assets on fb so one can never be quite certain on who one is behind the names there.

Fb has a lot to answer for in their policy turning and altering peoples life and rude behavior from a few against quite the many.

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

I understand his point of view. My introduction to the site was by a potential client asking a question about myself/kwalata.

My client/ friend received a long string of replies with regards to the illegal activity he would be exposing himself to by hunting with us. With that said those who commented did so out of complete lack of knowledge with regards to who I am/was/were, so I guess if he was level headed enough he would have called them in their opinions.

So needless to say my scepticisme with regards to AH after an old client and member here notified me of the posts were justified to say the least.
It was only upon further investigation and research that I realized the greater role/value of this site as well as the general camaraderie that reigns within this realm.
I have read what the plaintiff had said and to me it seems that the safari was misrepresented it clearly was not what he had expected and I would by the sound of it also produced a less than glowing report.
He has obviously felt that there should be or had been a screening process as far as operators are concerned and felt hard done by.
Fair enough.
The only reply from my side to him would have been that you always get what you pay for.

A Bentley does not sell for the price of a Kia and all vehicles are not created equal this is true for safaris as well.

As for this site, I’m glad I stuck around since 2010 (with a 2 year absence in the middle) it has been a good resource to send clients to for information and I believe Jerome and all involved have done a sterling job of keeping it in tip top shape.

My very best always.
Jaco.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

It took me awhile just to find out what a "FB" was.

 

[BourbonTrail]

It took me awhile just to find out what a "FB" was.

You were probably better off not knowing

 

[KAROO WILD Safaris]

First of all I will admit to a bias: I love this site and the folks who are on it. I am firmly convinced my first trip to Africa would not have been nearly as successful without the input of the friendly and experienced people here. Also, I found who I hunted with on this site, so there is that.

There is a FB group - Hunt South Africa. A guy asked about a particular outfitter (one who is on here). I said that the outfitter has a good reputation on this site, and encouraged the person who asked about that outfitter to join this site. Another fellow left a comment, in contradiction to my advice. He apparently doesn't think much of Africa Hunting. Here is what he wrote:

"I’m not sure the Africa Hunting website is real reputable. I posted a bad review on one of the big places in the Eastern Cape a few years back. It turned into quite a fiasco and ended with the owner calling and threatening me. Where I call their reliability into question is I had SEVERAL messages from people on there and they told me that a lot of people knew this place I gave the bad review was crap…even though I was the only negative post on there about them. Haven’t been on there since!!!"

I wrote a rebuttal to what he said, and emphasized just how incredibly valuable I think Africa Hunting is to someone looking to go to Africa for a first time.

Anyway... thought I would share. Have a terrific Sunday everyone.

Is the negative report about the outfit still showing on the forum?

 

[mark-hunter]

It took me awhile just to find out what a "FB" was.

For me it is short for "forget about"...

 

[thi9elsp]

I'm on FB but as others only to stay connected with family and friends. As to negative thoughts on AH and / or negative reports. I traveled for 25 years and had the attitude with airlines, hotels, rental cars and restaurants: "I expected a problem might arise. I also expected the vendor to address it. When they did, I was fine. When they didn't I attempted to resolve it with them or I moved on and shared my experience with my circle of associates and I didn't do business with them again."

I had a couple hiccups on my safaris which were addressed appropriately and to both the operators and my satisfaction. Those are people I would hunt with again.

Lastly, although I highly appreciate the experience and insights that the sponsors provide to our site, I don't assume anything about their operations and always perform my own due diligence. As SCI and DSC disclose on their auction hunts, vendors are not vetted and one bids at their own risk.