Won a Safari

[Ty Howard]

You won an excuse to book a trip and that’s it

 

[fourfive8]

Yep, most are just an advertising gimmick at best or bait and switch at worst. Kind of like winning a kitten at a cat drawing.

 

[IvW]

You actually lost.....US$20....unless you take this up it will be a lot more...

 

[Frederik]

For the price of 3 x baboons on these ridiculous rates you can bowhunt a bufallo cow.

 

[PeteG]

You didn’t win anything unfortunately.
You will be charged more than a normal safari based on the little you have mentioned about the rates.
It’s more of a scam than an offer/auction.
If I was you I would name the operator as that is not the kind of thing that should be happening.
If an operator is willing to auction a hunt, he/she MUST be willing to take a financial hit on it. To try make that up on the ridiculous fees is daylight robbery.

Drop the $20 winning ticket in the bin, advise the outfit of the same and book a hunt with one of the reputable companies on here that will give you a fair deal.

 

[rookhawk]

So sad to read this all too common scenario.

Facts to remember: valuable things are rarely given away. Safaris are low-margin business. Meaning, if any of the reputable PHs on here “gave” you a $14,000 hunt, they’d need to work for at least 6-8 weeks with fully booked clients to make enough profit just to give it to someone for a free hunt.

Legit raffle hunts are an ultra rare minority, likely 5% or less of the hunts “won”.

Good need? Many reputable outfits on this forum. Many reviews and references readily available. You’ll have a great hunt, just throw the $20 ticket in the trash.

P.s- I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone that entered the drawing “won” that same deal.

 

[wesheltonj]

Below is DSC auction rebate policy for donated items, hunts, etc. This is based on the actual sales price and not the "value" price.

PURCHASE PRICE REBATE TO DONOR
$0 - $4,999 0%
$5,000 - $9,999 30%
$10,000 – UP 50%

Something to remember when bidding on donated hunts.

 

[JKO HUNTING SAFARIS]

Good day sir,

That is how many people are caught in our industry.... The nickel and diming with extremely high trophy fees to make up for the costs of having people in camp etc. It is a pity that most only realize that when they are in Africa when it is too late. Look for a outfit that can give you a all inclusive package with no hidden costs or nickel and diming. One more piece of advise from me is that when the price is too good to be true... Watch out!

Enjoy planning the safari and if there is anything I can help with, do not hesitate to push on my button. I have exclusive bow hunting only areas that will work perfectly for your group.

Best regards,

Jacques

 

[rookhawk]

Below is DSC auction rebate policy for donated items, hunts, etc. This is based on the actual sales price and not the "value" price.

PURCHASE PRICE REBATE TO DONOR
$0 - $4,999 0%
$5,000 - $9,999 30%
$10,000 – UP 50%

Something to remember when bidding on donated hunts.

This should be a sticky for all time. Many readers will not understand it. Donors donate crap, often times they get a 50% kickback on donations.

 

[Cam Moon]

Ok, so I'm curious.... Obviously this isn't the deal of a lifetime, BUT can't the best be made of it? How would this sound? (and hear me out until the end) Get your buddies together and go! Spend a week with this outfit. Each one of you could shoot your Impala or Blesbok, and nothing else. Tell them you won't shoot anything at those ridiculous trophy fees. They may even reduce them to something reasonable. It sounds to me like you have a handle on what is a fair trophy fee price and what isn't. If they won't budge, then enjoy your time at the pool, the bar, sleeping in, viewing wildlife, and just being away. Then you've just had one week vacation for you and your friends for $20!
*Then go for another week with someone from here who gave you a great deal!!
Here are some things to consider.
Renting a car and driving in South Africa is really not that big of a deal. I'm sure that one of your friends will gladly use Google maps to help navigate. Getting out of Johannesburg is super easy. Driving on the left side of the road takes a bit of getting used to especially in intersections, but just be aware and careful. That way you are not paying $800 to get picked up. Take your time getting there. See some sights along the way. It's not like you're in any hurry to get there, as you're only planning on hunting one animal anyway! LOL
If you happen to choose an outfitter who is nearby then you could just drive to their area as well. Then, at this second place is where you will do your hunting. Fair price, fair people. But you still had a week to relax and enjoy yourself before going on your hunting trip for $20.
There won't be much difference in airfare, and you would have had to pay for that anyway.
The only downside is it's an extra week off of work. Wait.... Is that a downside?

 

[rookhawk]

If I’m willing to sell you services at any price, even 20x their FMV, and I’m willing to advertise and misrepresent the value of a good or service to entice you, would you want to do business with me at any price?

I’ve already shown you my ethics. I’m behaving in a way that is clearly single-transaction focused. What makes you think you’ll get your trophies from me later, or that I’ll follow through on any promises?

By going on this hunt you’re acknowledging the unethical situation, assuming this is the extent of it, and then giving benefit of the doubt that in all future dealings it will be more ethical than present dealings.

Sounds illogical to me.

 

[Cam Moon]

@rookhawk
I wonder though..... If everyone just went and spent their time there, took only the included animals, and made it clear of their reasons why (some of the things you mentioned) How long before that kind of crap wasn't as prevalent?

 

[rookhawk]

Under your strategy, they still make an absolute fortune. $750 baboons is a solid business model. I've never been quoted more than $50 for example.

I would never want to be in a position where I'm negotiating when the other party holds all the cards. "Take it or leave it...and by leave it, I mean leave the property in remote Africa if you don't like our rates".

 

[johnnyblues]

Clear scam and shame on this outfit who must clearly believe in one time clients. Why bother to put yourself thru all these hoops of renting a car shooting only the auction animals etc etc . Your out $20! Big deal. Book a hunt with one of our sponsors like KMG safaris who I hunted with several years ago. Great place great people, and excellent game.

 

[Cam Moon]

I just offered another suggestion. It's probably what I'd do, but I'm not afraid of being alone in "remote Africa". If they aren't comfortable with that (very unlikely) possibility, then don't do the first ($20) week. I don't understand roohawk about how they make a fortune if you do what I suggested. How are they making anything that way? Price of baboons could be $1000,000.00..... it doesn't matter if you're not hunting them anyway. How likely is it that they are going to kick someone out of camp because they don't hunt enough animals?? I can't see that happening.
I DO agree that this outfit seems to be interested in one time clients. That's why I say to book your "real hunt" with someone reputable for the next week like Johnnyblues said. If you just look at the first week as a getaway, how can you lose?

 

[rookhawk]

I just offered another suggestion. It's probably what I'd do, but I'm not afraid of being alone in "remote Africa". If they aren't comfortable with that (very unlikely) possibility, then don't do the first ($20) week. I don't understand roohawk about how they make a fortune if you do what I suggested. How are they making anything that way? Price of baboons could be $1000,000.00..... it doesn't matter if you're not hunting them anyway. How likely is it that they are going to kick someone out of camp because they don't hunt enough animals?? I can't see that happening.
I DO agree that this outfit seems to be interested in one time clients. That's why I say to book your "real hunt" with someone reputable for the next week like Johnnyblues said. If you just look at the first week as a getaway, how can you lose?

He owes: $800 for transportation. The cheapest thing to hunt is a baboon for $700. He has $500 in credit towards trophy fees. $1200 in tip is requested.

So for 7 days, he can sit there doing nothing. On one day he can get out a rifle and try to kill a baboon, his friends can watch. Then he and his friends can leave with a bill of $200 for the baboon outstanding balance, $800 transport bill, and $1200 tip expected.

$2200 to have four guys go watch one guy kill a baboon.

If the OP was my friend and he dragged me into this, me and the other two guys would dig a shallow grave. What value was give for my $$$? I owe $500 for the pleasure of being there having hunted nothing but watching him try to kill a baboon (which is hard to do with a bow).

That’s ridiculous. There isn’t an outfitter in Africa that wouldn’t take this deal. Why would anyone even think of following through on this? He is dollars ahead burning the winning ticket and finding ANY other venue to do a hunt.

 

[Cam Moon]

He owes: $800 for transportation. The cheapest thing to hunt is a baboon for $700. He has $500 in credit towards trophy fees. $1200 in tip is requested.

So for 7 days, he can sit there doing nothing. On one day he can get out a rifle and try to kill a baboon, his friends can watch. Then he and his friends can leave with a bill of $200 for the baboon outstanding balance, $800 transport bill, and $1200 tip expected.

$2200 to have four guys go watch one guy kill a baboon.

If the OP was my friend and he dragged me into this, me and the other two guys would dig a shallow grave. What value was give for my $$$? I owe $500 for the pleasure of being there having hunted nothing but watching him try to kill a baboon (which is hard to do with a bow).

That’s ridiculous. There isn’t an outfitter in Africa that wouldn’t take this deal. Why would anyone even think of following through on this? He is dollars ahead burning the winning ticket and finding ANY other venue to do a hunt.

I don't think you get what I'm saying.
He will not have to pay $800 for transportation. Rent a car. It's cheap. (Especially split four ways)
He will not have to pay anything to shoot a baboon (or anything else. He gets a free Impala or Blesbok)
I DID make the assumption that all four hunters got the same deal. Either an Impala, a Blesbok, or $500 toward something else. If he's the only one that gets that, then that's another story.
Don't tip. Tell him why. Say you feel it was under-handed, so you did something underhanded back.
Now, he's pays $0.00 tip.
He also pays $0.00 trophy fees.
He pays to rent a car (split four ways) that allowed him to tour around and see some sights. South Africa offers more than just hunting. It has some very amazing sights!
Also depending on what area he is in of course. Check out nearby activities and attractions ahead of time. It makes a cheap holiday.
The food, booze, and accomodations are free.
Hunt either an Impala or Blesbok for free.
Enjoy the sun, the lodge, the pool, etc for free.
And go see some things that you won't see anywhere else in the world, for the cost of vehicle rental split four ways. So, less than $100.
Then the following week, go on your South African Safari. (With someone deserving of your business)

So (assuming all four hunters get the same deal) it's not "$2200 to have four guys to go watch one guy kill a baboon."
It would be four friends going on a one week all inclusive vacation in which they all get to shoot an African animal for less than $100 each.

 

[CEO]

This sounds like a well know hog hunt scam ran by a ranch here in Texas. Everyone who enters the drawing "wins". Then they add booking fees, mandatory gratuities, a ton of people on the place shooting at each other, etc. At least in that scenario you can just drive home once you figure it out.

 

[Cam Moon]

If they automatically add shit and tips are mandatory, then I'd tell them to pound sand. My advice would be to get a copy of the contract including all the "small print" and go over it before making any decisions. Or if you're worried about it then just forget you ever "won"!

 

[rookhawk]

If they automatically add shit and tips are mandatory, then I'd tell them to pound sand. My advice would be to get a copy of the contract including all the "small print" and go over it before making any decisions. Or if you're worried about it then just forget you ever "won"!

You’ve not been to Africa before I take it?