Let me start by saying that I am posting this to show others that there are good, honest agents who are men of integrity out there. In light of the Blair Worldwide allegations, let me tell you a GOOD story.

I booked two hunts for 2008 with Jeff Neal, Inc., working directly with Jeff. He covered every detail of the offer, the deal and the contract for the hunt. In the deal was a cancellation clause that we agreed to. I canceled the hunts in the midst of the economic down turn, as did many people. I did so within the terms of the agreement we had.

Jeff was caught in the middle of many canceled hunts, paid deposits and a variety of guarantees to refund monies.

One outfitter, Johan Calitz, honored his refund policy and all monies were returned per terms of the agreement. The second outfitter, from Zambia, did not. In fact, he said "tough luck" to Jeff and me. This left Jeff honor bound to refund the deposit that his outfitter should have refunded. Now, I was not the only one that had this situation with Jeff. I was one of several. Jeff had no "legal" obligation to refund my money as it was the outfitter that made the guarantee. Jeff stood behind that guarantee.

It took time to work the amount down, but Jeff continued to pay me when he could and when he couldn't. Today, I received the last of the money.

Needless to say, I book my hunts with Jeff most of the time because of his character and his honesty. I have been "skinned" once by another outfitter in Zambia when I did not use Jeff or one of the other reputable outfitters out there.

There is a lot of griping and harping on agents on AR and other places. In most cases, agents are honest and men of integrity. When you hear complaints it is rarely from someone with a good reputation. Jeff went above and beyond on working with me on this.

I would encourage anyone out there looking for an agent to ask that agent how he would handle a customer and his money if the outfitter did not honor his agreement. If you get treated like Jeff treated me, you have no worries.

Thanks Jeff.

PS - I have three hunts booked with Jeff now and am planning a fourth.

Be interested to know who the outfitter was in Zambia?

Thanks for posting Dogcat.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
Be interested to know who the outfitter was in Zambia?

+1

Good to know Ross, thanks for sharing. Too many times we just hear about the bad apples which colors our view of the industry as a whole. Nice to hear about the good guys!

nice job on that report. The old saying "You can shear a sheep every year- but only skin him once"
is a pretty good definition that really hit's home in my business. Thanks for a report with a positive agent spin.

Nice to hear a positive story and learn who the good guys are.

Great story! I have never even heard of Jeff Neal prior to this post, but I'll certainly keep his name in mind.

OTOH I think you are and have done a disservice to all African hunters by not naming the outfitter who didn't return your deposit.

If more people would speak up about how they got screwed, or, for that matter how they were treated better than they should have been, then I am quite certain fewer hunters would get screwed by the same person in the future. The Blair/Heathington threads are one example.

Another forum, Bladeforums.com, that I frequent has a Good, Bad, and Ugly area for such reports. I think we should have something similar on AR. Not a hunt report area, we have that, but a specific forum for negative and positive comments about booking agents, outfitters, and PHs who went above and beyond or the opposite.

quote:

I have never even heard of Jeff Neal prior to this post, but I'll certainly keep his name in mind.

Greg Brownlee, who posts on here, also works for Jeff C. Neal, Inc. Greg has been handling my cape buffalo hunt and, so far, I've been thoroughly pleased with everything.

I know Jeff C. Neal, Inc also books hunts for the NRA and their "Under Wild Skies" African hunting show. Seems like a heck of an endorsement for Jeff Neal if you ask me.

Jeff and Greg arranged my '09 elephant hunt in Botswana. I could not be more pleased with their service. All future bookings will be thru them.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Fulson:
nice job on that report. The old saying "You can shear a sheep every year- but only skin him once"
is a pretty good definition that really hit's home in my business. Thanks for a report with a positive agent spin.

Dave,

That's an interesting take on it....

Both Jeff and Greg are fine, upstanding, honorable men who run a great business.

Zig,
I enjoy your filming skills. You all do a great job.

Dogcat,

Thanks for the compliment!

I too would like to know who the operator was in Zambia.

Zig just wanted to say your filming is incredible, makes me hungry for a trip to Africa, well armed of course .