Is this common... lose 100 % of your deposit

[Britt Beck]

Glad you got satisfaction. Maybe they were reading this thread?

Might have buddy. Lol

 

[JimP]

Glad that everything got taken care of and you will be over there next spring. This will help that back get healed up quicker than anything else.

On the outfitters we all know that there are good ones and then there are the bad ones. It is a good thing that the good ones far outnumber the bad ones but it only takes one bad one to spoil it for all the others.

On my safari I sent a deposit with no contract. I met the operator 6 months later at a sportsman's show and asked him if we needed to sign a contract, he told me that he didn't need one if I didn't need one. But he also mentioned that while the deposit was refundable and that he would work with me if anything happened and I couldn't make the trip. If I do go back it will likely be with the same outfitter, we have become good friends and stay in contact.

 

[Dinsdale]

Good this is working out.

I don't think this makes this person a "bad" outfitter; but from the few outfits that responded here, it makes themselves less than accommodating in a business that is 100% based on discretionary income. And frankly a market that is highly competitive and that has a staggering amount of choices.

Maybe they will take something away if they read this thread too.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Good this is working out.

I don't think this makes this person a "bad" outfitter; but from the few outfits that responded here, it makes themselves less than accommodating in a business that is 100% based on discretionary income. And frankly a market that is highly competitive and that has a staggering amount of choices.

Maybe they will take something away if they read this thread too.

Yeah, and when the looming shakeout comes, those that aren't flexible will be looking for alternative means of income.

 

[Dinsdale]

Yeah, and when the looming shakeout comes, those that aren't flexible will be looking for alternative means of income.

Yep.....

16,000 overseas hunters through SAPS in 2008

About 6,500 in 2017 according to Peter Flack's articles.

I notice a few names no longer around; competition is stiff I would think and getting more competitive.

 

[CAustin]

They have finally responded and are working with me. I'm super stoked because I did want to hunt with these guys. They will make an exception to move it to this spring due to everything without any additional charge. So I'm happy with that. I appreciate everyone's input and advice.

I am glad things worked out as it should have. Now get your surgery and recover quickly so you can enjoy your hunt!

 

[BWH]

I would be interested in knowing the PH/Outfit. Sounds like a real douchebag to me

 

[BWH]

Glad it worked out.... just now getting to read the rest of the thread.

 

[Philip Glass]

Yes.

Fantastic!

 

[enysse]

Congrats on not losing your deposit!

 

[Spooksar]

Just talking to a friend, 2 days before he was to fly out after lion in the Kalahari he broke 2 vertebrae, and he has the same outfit for his honeymoon in July. The outfitter has told him no refund on either trip. Yet Air Canada refunded him 85% on his non refundable flights. I told him to join here and to out the outfitter if he doesn’t come across with at least a partial refund. He says he understands about the cost to set up the Loin hunt, but can’t understand about a Kudu hunt in the East Cape

 

[VonJager]

Yep.....

16,000 overseas hunters through SAPS in 2008

About 6,500 in 2017 according to Peter Flack's articles.

I notice a few names no longer around; competition is stiff I would think and getting more competitive.

Less hunters bringing their own rifles would account for some of this?

 

[Dinsdale]

Less hunters bringing their own rifles would account for some of this?

The way I read it, thats a total number.

But there are lots of articles and numbers on his web site and he's pretty thorough, so I think they're good. I have a photocopy someone gave me, but you can look it up; I do notice its for 2016 not 17.

I know in the same time period Namibia has increased numbers.

 

[Hogpatrol]

It would be extremely helpful and save others from the same fate if these outfitters were named.

 

[kevin masters]

glad it worked out, get better and go hunt!!

 

[gordon kings langley]

When I was unable to travel to sa due to the Icelandic Valcano the outfitter refused to refund my deposit. I claimed on my travel insurances, however they wanted an invoice, again the outfitter refused to send me the invoice.
So I produced my own invoice, and the insurance company paid out.
I never went back to the shister outfitter

 

[PeteG]

When I was unable to travel to sa due to the Icelandic Valcano the outfitter refused to refund my deposit. I claimed on my travel insurances, however they wanted an invoice, again the outfitter refused to send me the invoice.
So I produced my own invoice, and the insurance company paid out.
I never went back to the shister outfitter

So no refund and no invoice... I wonder if SARS would like to know those details...

 

[BRICKBURN]

This might help adjust the Outfitters attitude.

https://secure.sarsefiling.co.za/AdHocCaseSourcing

http://www.sars.gov.za/AllDocs/OpsDocs/Guides/GEN-GEN-10-G01 - How to report suspected non compliance to SARS - External Guide.pdf

 

[DWB]

I haven't read the entire thread, but something I have picked up over the years doing business is that somehow the client never has a problem when it costs the business money on a cancellation as long as it doesn't cost him money. Some cases I understand and take the knock for the sake of good business principles... but other times it leaves a bad taste!

In RSA times are tough. No one wants to loose business but we also cannot afford taking knocks...

 

[Hogpatrol]

I haven't read the entire thread, but something I have picked up over the years doing business is that somehow the client never has a problem when it costs the business money on a cancellation as long as it doesn't cost him money. Some cases I understand and take the knock for the sake of good business principles... but other times it leaves a bad taste!

In RSA times are tough. No one wants to loose business but we also cannot afford taking knocks...

Communication is the issue. If the outfitter isn't inclined to refund a deposit or switch dates, he should inform the client of this policy BEFORE any money changes hands and strongly advise procuring trip insurance.