Should Jerome scrutinize outfitters credentials who post hunts?

[RogerHeintzman]

Looking back to the past couple days and the Tootabi Hunting Safaris lashings, I just wonder if it should be Jerome's position to have all outfitters offering hunts on this site to provide their Outfitter number, PH number, Insurance number etc. to the AH community?

I know it is our duty to investigate who we hunt with, but this would really simplify some of the questions brought up here that many do not think to ask or look for. This site is here to help.

This would keep Jerome from deleting posts of outfitters (like what has happened with Tootabi) just by a posting from another outfitter who has not provided written proof, just hear say.

There is always the Paul Harvey (the other person) side of the story, for those who remember him and live in the US.

This may bring a extra comfort level to safaris seekers here on AH. It would me!

"A dream can be relived, again and again in Africa."

 

[enysse]

Just remember there are agents selling hunts and it is kinda hard to monitor all of this without losing some forum interest.

 

[RogerHeintzman]

enysse,

I would think that the agents have done the background homework for who they offer their hunts for. I am speaking of the Outfitter/owner advertising here.

Lets see what others think.

"A dream can be relived, again and again in Africa."

 

[Code4]

Absolutely NOT.

It's not Jeromes job to do that. It is the consumers/hunters responsibility to do that. Not accepting that you made a bad purchase decisions, then blaming someone else because they did not look after you is, well, rather pathetic and becoming far too common.

Sure people get screwed, but you can minimise the risk before it starts. You can get screwed buying a car or hamburger too.

 

[Rob404]

I think Jerome allready has a pretty Full Plate ,JMTC

 

[BRICKBURN]

Looking back to the past couple days and the Tootabi Hunting Safaris lashings, I just wonder if it should be Jerome's position to have all outfitters offering hunts on this site to provide their Outfitter number, PH number, Insurance number etc. to the AH community?

I know it is our duty to investigate who we hunt with, but this would really simplify some of the questions brought up here that many do not think to ask or look for. This site is here to help.

This would keep Jerome from deleting posts of outfitters (like what has happened with Tootabi) just by a posting from another outfitter who has not provided written proof, just hear say.

There is always the Paul Harvey (the other person) side of the story, for those who remember him and live in the US.

This may bring a extra comfort level to safaris seekers here on AH. It would me!

"A dream can be relived, again and again in Africa."

It is the hunters responsibility to determine where they spend their money.


Posting hunt offers is easy. There are some simple rules about the offers that have to be followed or they get deleted. It is amazing the number of outfitters who do not bother to read the posting rules.
Hunters can read them to and get some ideas for questions.

I also thought some other information in the posts might be useful and provided these SUGGESTIONS a couple of years ago.

I edited it today to also include the Outfitters license number. After I read your post.

http://www.africahunting.com/thread...posting-in-deals-offers-forum.802/#post-48604

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

Roger,

I can understand where you are coming from however it is not possible for me to know or investigate every outfitter in Africa. I have neither the time nor the resources to scrutinize every outfitter, taxidermist, shipping agent and others that are out there.

One of the purposes of AfricaHunting.com is for the members to share their knowledge and experiences with others as we all benefit from that. Together we have a better opportunity to make a good decision about every aspect of hunting in Africa, from equipment to outfitters and everything in between. However at the end of the day it's always the individual who must do their due diligence with the information that they have gathered to decide for themselves, here and elsewhere.

By all of us sharing information and our own personal experiences, as well as using intellect and reason we have a better chance to make the decision that is right for us.

Just because somebody is a member of AH, SCI, DSC, PHASA, NAPHA and other organizations doesn't mean that a problem, disagreement or dissatisfaction cannot arise from time to time.

I personally think that the community of AH is pretty good at sifting through the non-sense and coming up with a fair assessment of what is happening when there is conflicting information.

 

[RogerHeintzman]

Thanks Jerome,

Sorry, I know I used the wrong word (scrutinize). What I was getting at, is to just have the advertising outfitter include his/her outfitter/ph license number. Period!

Maybe the outfitters might think of this as a good business practice and will now include this in their information.

Most U.S. outfitter sites I have visited on the web in Colorado, Montana, Wyoming list their outfitter license numbers.


"A dream can be relived, again and again in Africa."

 

[RogerHeintzman]

It is the hunters responsibility to determine where they spend their money.


Posting hunt offers is easy. There are some simple rules about the offers that have to be followed or they get deleted. It is amazing the number of outfitters who do not bother to read the posting rules.
Hunters can read them to and get some ideas for questions.

I also thought some other information in the posts might be useful and provided these SUGGESTIONS a couple of years ago.

I edited it today to also include the Outfitters license number. After I read your post.

http://www.africahunting.com/thread...posting-in-deals-offers-forum.802/#post-48604

Thanks Brickburn,

I checked out the link, we can all use a refresher course with what we should ask in planning a safari.

Much appreciated.


"A dream can be relived, again and again in Africa."

 

[Hank2211]

Regardless of how the Tootabi thing works out, I think the site has already accomplished its purpose. A question was raised, views were aired, and (hopefully) the relevant party will respond, at which time we can all make our own - independent - judgments about which side we are on.

Full disclosure makes for a better marketplace, and the site, I believe, does that.

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

enysse,

I would think that the agents have done the background homework for who they offer their hunts for. I am speaking of the Outfitter/owner advertising here.

Lets see what others think.

"A dream can be relived, again and again in Africa."

As many crooked agents as outfitters. Sorry Roger just the way it is, I believe that the rules for posting are clearly stipulated...... I also firmly believe that no matter the process that crooked guys will find away around it, we have seen this at SCI!

consumers need due diligence and not jump and get over excited about bottom lines, the site has a good system and we should not forget that it is a public site representing hunters, this includes outfitters and travelers.

Booking safari's over the net as I mentioned in an earlier post is not a very personal way of booking a safari, it is completely different than over a table, and for this exact reason due diligence is required, research, REFERENCES, or 10 emails with 100 questions, booking contracts as well as hunting reports. SKYPE! PHONE CALLS?

I recently had a AH member enquire about a safari, he did not book as he chased bottom line price tags and I would not budge.....and yet he said that I was the only outfitter he had contact with that offered A SKYPE and or phone call........

It clearly did not impress him that much as he played the price card
Gents ........
We can argue as much as we like price tags over the net make guys go googoogagaa! And often makes them do stupid sh-t !

Jerome is a great individual and so is Brickburn and a good system is in place, Jerome has created an online based hunting community the likes of which will be extremely hard to beat......but I don't believe that these guys are here to think for us as well.

My best always

 

[enysse]

Thanks for agreeing with me Jaco. Don't get me wrong there are good agents that work hard for their clients....then there are agents that don't keep in contact with the people they represent. And believe it or not some agents sell hunts to places they have not been at all.

 

[peras]

Caveat emptor-the buyer must always beware,the right questionsand the correct use of google can get you far. And yes ask for that phone call, it should not be a problem to any outfitter and makes the contact slightly more personal.

 

[Norwegianwoods]

I think it works very well as it is.
It is up to all of us to do some proper checking before we book a hunt and pay our deposit.
And this forum is great for initial checking of an outfitter.
Read the the forum posts, read the hunting reports, ask questions in the forum and send PMs to members that have hunted with the outfitter you have in mind.
This will give you a good impression of how the outfitter is.
Then you need to "pester" the outfitter with ALL the questions you have in your head

Then if you still feel good and confident about it all, you book your hunt and pay the deposit.

 

[Patrick R]

I think it works very well as it is.
It is up to all of us to do some proper checking before we book a hunt and pay our deposit.
And this forum is great for initial checking of an outfitter.
Read the the forum posts, read the hunting reports, ask questions in the forum and send PMs to members that have hunted with the outfitter you have in mind.
This will give you a good impression of how the outfitter is.
Then you need to "pester" the outfitter with ALL the questions you have in your head

Then if you still feel good and confident about it all, you book your hunt and pay the deposit.

+1 - ask for copies of there HO and PH licenses...if you can ask to forward references, why not licenses!!

 

[billc]

They already do more then any other website so this should be on the hunter to find out all that info.Maybe they could make it part of the posting rules to show the numbers of permits to be in business.We keep asking brickburn to do more he will figure out how to use it to come on all are hunts to make sure we are all ok. LOL

 

[Norwegianwoods]

Maybe we can get BRICKBURN to pay for our hunts too

 

[BRICKBURN]

Maybe we can get BRICKBURN to pay for our hunts too

Look for the cheque, its in the mail.

 

[BRICKBURN]

They already do more then any other website so this should be on the hunter to find out all that info.Maybe they could make it part of the posting rules to show the numbers of permits to be in business.We keep asking brickburn to do more he will figure out how to use it to come on all are hunts to make sure we are all ok. LOL

You have to fend for yourselves out there in the bush. I'll just read the reports.

 

[Norwegianwoods]

Look for the cheque, its in the mail.

That is what a Nigerian "businessman" told me too^^