Is this normal behavior by a Safari outfitter?

[franzfmdavis]

I believe it would be underhanded to “punish” anyone through tips or other passive/aggressive behavior. I believe a direct, open and honest discussion is best.

 

[Siennacoyote]

If they will not honor the original price, I would tell them forget it and with that extra day I would head to JNB and get me a room at the Intercontinental, relax, sightsee and have a nice dinner at Quills.

This is what should be done.

 

[Brian]

"Punish anyone through tips..." That is exactly what tips are about, poor service, no tips. Tips are for good service. Brian

 

[Tbitty]

"Punish anyone through tips..." That is exactly what tips are about, poor service, no tips. Tips are for good service. Brian

Only if you're actually affecting the right person. It is NEVER ok to withhold tips from the workers who do their job well to try and make a point to the bosses who will be completely unaffected.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Knowing who the outfitter is, knowing they list the $180/day per hunter in their contract as a special “reduced rate” and it’s not an oversight or mistake. That they offer reductions on using their taxidermy, and “discounts” on printed trophy fees, etc my advice would be to forego the extra day and take advantage of the extra day to do a little sightseeing.

Afton House is a great place to relax. They can secure your firearms for you while you sightsee. Have Elize coordinate a driver, you can do one one the tours (mines, lions, parks, etc), go visit a few restaurants, a good cigar shop, Safari Outdoors, etc.

Enjoy your hunt with your family and friends, make the most of it and your first trip to Africa but don’t let this dissuade you or taint Africa for you. You’re going to have the time of your life.

 

[ChasingHemingway]

I just wanna post an update on the disagreements that seem to have risen between @Scott CWO and I. He reached out to me and we just spoke on the phone and he could not have been more understanding or helpful. There were a couple critical pieces of information that I had not disclosed publicly which helped him to understand my position as well, and I certainly understand his as an outfitter!

Well done gentleman!! Love that and nothing beats a live 1:1 Huge benefit of this site.

 

[Brian]

Only if you're actually affecting the right person. It is NEVER ok to withhold tips from the workers who do their job well to try and make a point to the bosses who will be completely unaffected.

Yes, that's a good point. Brian

 

[Philip Glass]

Yeah this whole mess is over $240!! What a joke.

Yea we all have things that come up similar to this. When it does I just go along with it but hold them accountable on The other end! (Tips)

 

[trperk1]

$120 a day sounds like an observer price. $420 is really high unless its for dangerous came. For plains game I'd expect $250 for 1 on 1 and $190 for 1 on 2

 

[Hunt anything]

$120 a day sounds like an observer price. $420 is really high unless its for dangerous came. For plains game I'd expect $250 for 1 on 1 and $190 for 1 on 2

I haven’t seen 1x1 rates lower than $325 a day. I must be looking in the wrong places. Most observer rates run between $150 and $180.

 

[trperk1]

I haven’t seen 1x1 rates lower than $325 a day. I must be looking in the wrong places. Most observer rates run between $150 and $180.

The rates I quoted are the rates I've paid. With that said, I didn't buy on price but on quality and references

 

[Ridge Runner]

I'm still confused after all the reading and rereading and rereading and more rereading to figure out exactly what the complaint is.

Is this $420.00 per person or for the group?

Per person it seems ridiculously high.
For the group that's not bad. Considering it is an added on extra hunting day.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I'm still confused after all the reading and rereading and rereading and more rereading to figure out exactly what the complaint is.

Is this $420.00 per person or for the group?

Per person it seems ridiculously high.
For the group that's not bad. Considering it is an added on extra hunting day.

The issue is this is the OP's first Safari. He was given information about extra days in a flyer, confirmed in an email with the outfitters admin, and arranged flights accordingly. The outfitters admin "forgot the extra days", and responded with they went up on price. The OP wasn't notified about the increase and was also told "all prices are subject to change without notice". Since it's his first safari he's worried about there being additional last minute price increases or changes.

This hunt isn't with a site sponsor, but is with an outfitter that elicits a lot of comments on threads posted about them.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

"Punish anyone through tips..." That is exactly what tips are about, poor service, no tips. Tips are for good service. Brian

Only if the tips are going to the person that was responsible for the screw up. If the PH and camp staff had nothing to do with quoting the price or raising it later, the should still receive tips according to their level of service. No individual should be punished for the bad behavior because f another.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Is it extra day or days?

The way the Op described the situation is:

He has already paid for the safari and is under contract. I have never heard of an outfitter raising prices once a client is under contract.

He already paid for his flight and miscounted the days and has an extra day before his flight back home and asked for an extra at the lodge. He wants to include hunting on that extra day. Since this extra day is not part of his contract the outfitter raised the daily rate from $180.00 to $420.00.

The way I understand it is the $180.00 daily rate is per hunter. Question is: Is this new rate increase $420.00 per hunter or for the group to stay 1 extra night? If $420.00 per hunter; in RSA?, this is above most outfitters DG daily rate.

The inclusion: Prices Subject to Change Without Notice, generally means daily fees and trophy fees may increase after the potential client receives the outfitters packet and before the client goes under contract, or once under contract should the client want to add animal(s) and/or day(s) prior to or after the specified contract dates the client is obligated to pay the new prices IF the client so chooses to add days and/or animals. The contracted day rates and trophy fees don't increase.

There seems to be some sort of lack of communications on the clarification between the OP/client and the outfitter/outfitter's admin person.

Understandable that the OP is a first timer and wanting some clarity from AH forum members on his concerns, but IMO he needs to be communicating in concern to the outfitter for clarity.

Or am I missing something?