Been watching this thread for a number of days now......I have really resisted the urge to post, but I feel that there are some things that I need to be state.
I am a "newer" member of AH; I don't have the experience or connections that most here have. I don't know people by their first names; only by 'screen names', "handles", and via the pictures that they post. I haven't hunted with other members of AH. I haven't talked on the phone with any member of AH. I don't know the business dealings or relationships between members.......but I do know that there are business dealings/relationships! Having said that, since I don't know the extent of those business dealings or relationships, and since I don't want to be potentially burned, this whole muddy mess has me reconsidering choices for upcoming hunts. The fact that one's side of the story has not been stated in nine pages of postings, yet that party is able to view it, send emails, talk on the phone with other members, etc., causes me to raise an eyebrow and ask myself some serious questions. Is "guilt by association" a fair way to consider an outfitter? Probably not, but what else does one have to go on, other than the word of a bunch of anonymous posters on an internet forum? I've been burned before by slick websites, internet reviews, etc......it's not a pleasant experience. And for the record, they had "friends" in that camp that "stood up" and "vouched" for them.......as we were being taken to the cleaners!
The fact that one person has not responded to this issue raises a number of red flags for me; I can only imagine that it is doing the same for a number of other viewers woh have not posted anything. What I have taken away from this thread is to make sure what various policies/procedures are, that they be stated in a written agreement, and to follow those policies/procedures to the letter, irregardless!
...but there is also some collateral damage being done that might not be so visible.
Maybe the individual who hasn't posted yet has nothing to say.............at least that's what I'm taking away from this. And if that's the case, then it speaks volumes. They also need to know that it not only impacts his business, but others that he has business relationships with. I'm sure that I won't have trouble finding someone to take my money when it comes to booking a second trip to Africa, and while I would like to consider a sponsor from this site, the whole "friends" thing has me reconsidering that option, based on my personal past experiences with "friends" vouching for "friends".
But one thing is for sure............this thread has become a train wreck; a bad soap opera! Nobody really wants to look, but nobody can really help themselves from looking!
....but I am going to try and do my best to keep from looking..........at least for a while.
Peace out, and take care.....................