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

[Britt Beck]

Have been dreaming of my first safari for a long time. Had it all booked etc for this sept. Well this morning I got some really bad news. I have to have my back fused and some cages built. Surgery is scheduled for 10 days from now. I have no option to avoid permanent nerve damage. As soon as I got home from my dr I called the place I was to hunt with. I asked if I could reschedule for the first opening of next year. (When my dr told me I would be 100 %) The response was sure but you will loose 100 % of your deposit. Is this common. I own my my own business and I could understand loosing a portion or whatever but to loose it all. Fills like a sucker punch. Just curious if this is common.

 

[billc]

That is not common at all. Most will roll it over to the follow year and work with the client.

 

[LivingTheDream]

@Britt Beck seems pretty uncommon. Did your outfitter have to get special permits or arrange anytype of special travel. I could see it maybe if he had to paid for those services already. September seems like a ways off though.

Btw hope you have a speedy recovery.

 

[cagkt3]

Sucks to hear, about both the back and the hunt. Hope you get it all worked out

 

[dobber]

I would suggest he reconsider prior to making his name known on the largest Africa Hunting forum out there, he might reconsider, unless of course the permits required as noted above had already been put in place. And if i was you i would pick a different outfitter for the trip next year if he doesn't reconsider

I found this from my hunting contracts
One outfitter
A 50% deposit of the day fees is required to book this hunt. Deposits are fully refundable if the hunt is cancelled at least 6 weeks prior to the commencement of the hunt
another outfitter
In the event of a client cancelling a safari less than 6 months prior to the commencement date the safari, the deposit will be forfeited if the dates cannot be rescheduled to alternate dates within the same season, or the following season. Safaris cancelled more than 6 months prior to the commencement date of the hunt will be refunded the deposit less 50%. This 50% will not be refunded, but can be applied to a future safari with alternate dates within the same season, or the following

 

[BRICKBURN]

Five examples from Sponsors:

1. A safari may be rolled over to a future season once only and then only under exceptional circumstances, such as the death of a direct family member, hospitalization of the client, etc.

2. Cancellation fees are as follows:
• Up to 60 days before the Commencement Date - 10% of the deposit.

3. In the event of a cancellation or postponement by the client, the deposit is liable for forfeiture at the discretion of the company.

4. All cancellations must be submitted in writing. Refunds, due to cancellation, will only be given on the amount in excess of the non-refundable deposit, which has not been previously paid to third parties, before the refund deadline, ninety (90) days prior to the commencement of the safari, after which time no refund will be made on any part of the amount received.

5. Deposits will be non refundable as a deposit is seen as a guarantee that the hunt will take place, however dates can be moved subject to availability up to one year.

 

[Royal27]

What's your contract say?

But no, it isn't common. And even if the contract says they can keep the deposit, most won't.

If the attitude of the outfitter doesn't change quickly I wouldn't want to rebook with him regardless. I don't have much interest in hunting with someone with zero flexibility.

And, I would immediately put any outfitter that has such a policy on my "never hunt with them list."

 

[Red Leg]

I am guessing he is correct by the letter of whatever your contract is, BUT it is a really bad business practice - particularly if this is a plains game hunt. One sees strict constructionism more often on rarer game species, such as Brown Bear in North America. Outfitter has very limited tags and the loss of one hunt can financially ruin a season. Usually not the case with respect to plains game. I can not imagine any of the outfits with whom I have hunted not allowing me to simply roll the hunt over to the following year - assuming adequate notification (have done it once with black bear). You are providing plenty of that. If you can't reach an accommodation, I would certainly let us know who he is - it will cost him a lot more than 50% of one hunt. I know I would never book with him.

 

[accipiter]

Horrible practice!

I had to reschedule a safari due to an illness and the outfitter had no problem with allowing me to delay the safari a few months.

Please name the outfitter so I can put them on my “no go” list.

 

[CAustin]

I would suggest that you respectfully go back to this outfitter and explain to him that you asked around on AH about the no refund issue and almost everyone indicated that this was not common practice. Let him know that as of this juncture you have not identified the company and that you hope reasonable accommodations can be agreed upon.
If this is a good outfitter i suspect that something can be done. The only catch is as others mentioned something special was purchased for your hunt.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Trip insurance is your friend, Travel Guard, Ripcord, etc.

 

[Britt Beck]

That is not common at all. Most will roll it over to the follow year and work with the client.

That's what I thought they would do.

 

[Britt Beck]

Trip insurance is your friend, Travel Guard, Ripcord, etc.

Yes I'm learning the hard way.

 

[Britt Beck]

@Britt Beck seems pretty uncommon. Did your outfitter have to get special permits or arrange anytype of special travel. I could see it maybe if he had to paid for those services already. September seems like a ways off though.

Btw hope you have a speedy recovery.

No all plains game. No special permits etc.

 

[Britt Beck]

I would suggest that you respectfully go back to this outfitter and explain to him that you asked around on AH about the no refund issue and almost everyone indicated that this was not common practice. Let him know that as of this juncture you have not identified the company and that you hope reasonable accommodations can be agreed upon.
If this is a good outfitter i suspect that something can be done. The only catch is as others mentioned something special was purchased for your hunt.

I will give it a try. No this was just a plain old plains game hunt

 

[MAdcox]

My recent experience with an outfitter on this site ( @Kowas Hunting Safaris ) was quite different. I had booked with Kowas for next June. I had an unbelievable turn of luck and won the Wintershoek free hunt on this site. The only time my wife could go was next spring. I was nervous about how Kowas would feel about postponing my hunt so I could hunt with someone else. Granted I’m a year out, but they were extremely helpful and very gracious in moving my Namibia hunt to 2020. They were excited I had won and had the opportunity to take my wife to South Africa and rescheduled my hunt with the the deposit I had already paid.

Hope your outfit can do something for you like this and really hope your surgery goes well. My saddle partner had a similar surgery and had a tremendous amount of relief almost immediately. I pray for the same for you.

 

[mark-hunter]

@Britt Beck,
In which country you were planning this hunt?

 

[Britt Beck]

@Britt Beck,
In which country you were planning this hunt?

Limpopo SA

 

[Britt Beck]

I just read all the paperwork and there is nothing quoting anything regarding cancelation etc. I am sending them one last text to try and work this out or I guess I will lick my wounds and go on and find someone else. As always you guys are so helpful. Thanks so much.

 

[mark-hunter]

@Britt Beck:
Check the web site of the outfitter if they have any information on cancellation of hunt, and any terms of business.
That would not be uncommon.
Sometimes outfitters provide this information on their web site, but sometimes is also in a "small print"...