Originally posted by Saeed:
quote:
Originally posted by fairgame:
quote:
Originally posted by Saeed:
Ultimately, the client has his choice.
In this particular case, the hunt is in Tanzania, the booking agent is in the UK.
How do you work it out?
Frankly, this is becoming a bit silly now.
So many outstanding outfitters are offering straight forward way to book, and provide excellent services with not a single complaints about them.
One is probably better off negotiating directly with whoever he is considering to hunt with, and make a deal that is agreeable to both.
Saeed, is it not the agent's job to ensure that the safari is legitimate and they process the logistics and payments? Agents offering Africa are often international.
It would appear that the offer has been reworded in a separate post.
Ryan is one of the good buggers and any hunter should feel comfortable with his operation.
Maybe a case of too many cooks in this kitchen
Andrew, frankly, I do not put too much faith in agents today.
Sure, they facilitate a business transaction between the client and whoever he is hunting with.
Some are very good at what they do, but most are as useless as door knob!
In the old days, agents represented people they have visited them in the bush.
Nowadays they seem to crop up like unwanted weed in your back garden.
An argent, should check what he is offering.
If there is any questions, he should sort it out before making his offer public.
This offer raised several questions right from the start, and his answer only added fuel to the unacceptable conditions his clients in Africa have set.
I still stand by what I have said.
There is no way in hell I would pay in advance for trophy fees.
Especially dealing with a new outfit I am hunting with in Africa.
And this applies to the other condition other outfitters are pushing - keeping your money in their account.
It is just not how I do business.
Thankfully, there are so many honest outfits in Africa who are more than willing to give the client what he wants without making him feel like an untrustworthy crook.
I am not suggesting that anyone involved in this is dishonest.
We deal with others in business every day.
Sometimes with new companies.
They ask for advance payment, which is fine, but we ask for a counter check for that amount in our favor as guarantee.
Works for both parties.
The working company gets cash in advance to help them start the job.
We have a guarantee that if they did not, we can cash their cheque.
This system has been working for us and them so well, it actually makes sure that every job is done on time too!
One does not have that facility dealing with one entity in Africa and the other in the UK.
Dealing with a known outfit in Africa is a totally different matter.
There are a few who I would have no problems paying them whatever they ask in advance, yourself included.
But that is entirely different in dealing with an unknown - to me - outfit who demand it.
I am in a bit of a different situation.
We have just finished a full 21 day safari, several of us.
My PH is probably still in the bush, so I have not received a bill from him yet.
For anything.
That is the sort of trust one can only get through years of dealing with each other.
Once the bill arrives, payment is done within 24 hours.
No questions asked.
