Never a bad plan.
Although sometimes in business it's better to give someone a deal if they can fill a hole that is open. I see it all the time when hunters cancel last minute and outfitters offer buig discounts for someone to fill the hole.
looking for feedback as an outfitter
- Thread starter Pres 27
- Start date
Never a bad plan.
Although sometimes in business it's better to give someone a deal if they can fill a hole that is open. I see it all the time when hunters cancel last minute and outfitters offer buig discounts for someone to fill the hole.
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
Of course, last minute deals are fine.
And who would know who got a last minute deal and who didn't?
There is nothing wrong with offering deals to repeat clients, last minute clients, Canadian clients, or any client you feel like giving a break to.
I have been on lots of guided hunts and not once did we ever discuss what we paid with the other hunters who happened to be in camp when we were.
Some times we were the only clients in camp, sometimes there was one other group of 2. Once there was 8 other guys.
Some guys came right out and said this was their xxth time hunting with the outfit. So yes, they probably got a better deal than me.
Lots of outfits will give you the 2015 price if you book now for 2017 for example. Always better to be booked full in advance isn't it?
Its like being on an airplane - everyone pays different price but they are happy with what they paid or they would not have paid it.
There is nothing wrong with offering deals to repeat clients, last minute clients, Canadian clients, or any client you feel like giving a break to.
I have been on lots of guided hunts and not once did we ever discuss what we paid with the other hunters who happened to be in camp when we were.
Some times we were the only clients in camp, sometimes there was one other group of 2. Once there was 8 other guys.
Some guys came right out and said this was their xxth time hunting with the outfit. So yes, they probably got a better deal than me.
Lots of outfits will give you the 2015 price if you book now for 2017 for example. Always better to be booked full in advance isn't it?
Its like being on an airplane - everyone pays different price but they are happy with what they paid or they would not have paid it.
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
And lots of outfits will rebook clients that originally came through an agent privately. Also not right IMO.
Just relaying what's worked for the last 35 years. Everyone is free to run their business as they see fit.
Hi Bearkiller:
I am not understanding the "rebook" comment.
#1 - Do you mean that if a hunter books through an agent and goes to "Freds" outfitting for 2015 that "Freds" outfitting cant book him direct for 2016, and that he should go through the agent again the next year?
#2 - Or do you mean "Freds" outfitting will contact the hunter in advance of the hunt and have them cancel with the agent and book direct with Fred?
I agree #2 is underhanded for sure, but I don't see anything wrong with #1
If your clientele is comprised mostly of US hunters, list prices in US funds. If you charge $3,500 US for a hunt, and $3,500 CA for the same hunt to a Canadian, you are going to lose your US clientele. It's that simple. If your business can afford it, charge everything in CA funds, as most of your expenses will be in CA, it's easier to predict your income that way and create a solid business. Charging in US makes predicting your income impossible because if our dollar goes for crap, your expenses go way up compared to your income and you will have to increase your US rates.
It's a little complicated but not rocket science. The biggest thing is being consistent, and fair to all of your guests. Increase your rates to make the business viable, and treat each guest like they are your reason for being there.
Clients that complain, are pinching pennies, attempting to use the exchange rate to reduce their cost, etc....are the ones you don't want to deal with anyway. Rock their world with the best hunt and service they have ever had, let them go home with that memory, and if they don't forget about trying to get everything for free, let them stay home.
It's a little complicated but not rocket science. The biggest thing is being consistent, and fair to all of your guests. Increase your rates to make the business viable, and treat each guest like they are your reason for being there.
Clients that complain, are pinching pennies, attempting to use the exchange rate to reduce their cost, etc....are the ones you don't want to deal with anyway. Rock their world with the best hunt and service they have ever had, let them go home with that memory, and if they don't forget about trying to get everything for free, let them stay home.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Exchange rate fluctuations are kept in check by the deposit, 50% in my case. You can't take an American's deposit with the threat the other half of their hunt may change in price, and they don't like standing there while you do currency conversions either. The US $ is the standard from here to Africa for booking hunts, and it's just plain easiest to follow the industry on that.
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
Have the hunter rebook through the agent, don't bite the hand that feeds you. An agent taking a 15% commission is far less costly than sports shows.
I would lean more to rebooking and taking the money while it is there than giving the customer a chance to reconsider and go elsewhere..... I would then pass the commission onto the agent....
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
That's not really a concern. You just have to make it clear that the price for them is the same.
Agreed, and were it me, I would make a deal with the agent..... If they get 15% commission for the first hunt, they should get less for the second, as it is more based on service that the hunter "rebooked"...... It's win win for all, the agent still gets a cut, the hunter gets a slight discount and the outfitter gets a return client.....
For sure that's what I was thinking (and would do if I were in that business)
The agent got the outfit the first hunt, but the outfit earned the second and subsequent hunts by providing great service. The agent didn't do anything to earn a second commish. But that's just me.
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
Thats because most of them are American operating in Canada. Is math really that hard?
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
You're missing some obvious points. The agent found the hunter originally. Many of the large agents have a policy in place in regard to return bookings. For those that don't, consider that many have several outfits they book for. When a prospective client asks which one of their bear hunts in Canada they'd recommend, take a wild guess which one it will be?
There's also the fact that most agents have cancellation insurance for the client, and you as an outfitter don't have to worry about getting money from the client. There's also the added security of recourse in case something goes south.
Bottom line; it's good business sense and it doesn't matter to the client as he pays the same.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
You'll want to pay close attention to guys like Ardent (who has just started an outfitting business) and Arctic (who ran an outfitting business for years in the NWT). They will know the ins and outs of the game.
I'm looking forward to hearing how it goes for you.
So here is what I do when looking for an outfitter for a guided hunt, I hope you find it helpful
First I do an internet search. You would be surprised at how many OF have webpages that are 3-4 years out of date. Please, keep your website current. you will reach many more people this way than at hunting expos, which are probably the next best way.
Second, I look for pricing on said website. If I have to "call for pricing" (sound familiar?) that means it is too expensive. Why would an outfit (or any retailer for that matter) not list the price online? Are they ashamed of what they charge?
Third, I look for current pictures, and they should show all the animals taken not just the monsters. Assuming the clients don't mind.
Fourth, I look for references, now usually with emails, so I can contact previous hunters.
Fifth, I like to call and chat. Please return my call. And not at midnight, be mindful of time zones. And if you are away for the summer/winter leave an alternate phone number for that season.
And last of all, keep track of your previous hunters so if you suddenly have an opening you can call me up to tell me that and guess what maybe I will take you up on it.
Good luck with your new business.
First I do an internet search. You would be surprised at how many OF have webpages that are 3-4 years out of date. Please, keep your website current. you will reach many more people this way than at hunting expos, which are probably the next best way.
Second, I look for pricing on said website. If I have to "call for pricing" (sound familiar?) that means it is too expensive. Why would an outfit (or any retailer for that matter) not list the price online? Are they ashamed of what they charge?
Third, I look for current pictures, and they should show all the animals taken not just the monsters. Assuming the clients don't mind.
Fourth, I look for references, now usually with emails, so I can contact previous hunters.
Fifth, I like to call and chat. Please return my call. And not at midnight, be mindful of time zones. And if you are away for the summer/winter leave an alternate phone number for that season.
And last of all, keep track of your previous hunters so if you suddenly have an opening you can call me up to tell me that and guess what maybe I will take you up on it.
Good luck with your new business.
KMG Canada
CGN Regular
- Location
- Alfred, Ontario
When I advertise hunts for Africa, we advertise in the currency of the country we are marketing in. For example at the Toronto show we will price our hunts in Canadian. While in Buffalo it will be in USD. Our website lists prices in six different currencies. We use to work solely in USD, but found that while the Rand fell vs the USD, the Canadian dollar actually gained on the Rand, therefore we could offer better deals to our Canadian clients as an example.
Best of luck with the new venture!
Best of luck with the new venture!
Thanks for the great suggestions!
Update website a must
Call back a costumer who leave message
put a non guided and camp price (low) and high one whit good guide and food so young and old hunter can go at your lodge
me i dont whant guide but my dad and oncle are lux hunter so good lunch and guide are needed each morning
Dont overlook at good costumer here a outfiter put a 10% off each refer you do nice i only paid 70% but all my familly paid the big plan so you dont lost at this
Call back a costumer who leave message
put a non guided and camp price (low) and high one whit good guide and food so young and old hunter can go at your lodge
me i dont whant guide but my dad and oncle are lux hunter so good lunch and guide are needed each morning
Dont overlook at good costumer here a outfiter put a 10% off each refer you do nice i only paid 70% but all my familly paid the big plan so you dont lost at this
