I wondered if there was a repository of complaints anywhere. Really, there are just too many countries involved to have one central list.
Complaints and concerns are out there. You have to dig to find the information and Newbies may not or do not know the questions to ask.
No one is immune to complaints or concerns from a client and it is more important, in my mind, how they deal with the problem than the mere existence of someone having lodged a complaint or the lack thereof. Read the whole story whenever you can.
My advice: Simply dropping this type of post, "Anyone hear of these guys?", is not enough. Read the threads where the problems have come to light and ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS of the people you are thinking of doing business with.
I got an inspiration the other day and thought I would have a look into this.
I decided to look at the Exhibitors list for DSC 2012 and cross reference it with the complaints of hunters on public forums.
I think people assume, as I have in past, that there is some type of screening that goes on before anyone can be an exhibitor at one of these shows or conventions.
NOT!
(I chose DSC only because a fellow AH'r is attending that show and it inspired me, no other reason)
Exhibitors Pay their money and they get space, as illustrated by the DSC Application Contract Exhibitors have to fill out.
This is the only restriction I can find in the contract:
"Exhibitor consents to DSC's right to prohibit any exhibit, Exhibitor or
proposed exhibit that, in DSC's sole opinion, is not suitable for the
Convention. DSC may exercise this reserved right at any time prior to or
during the Convention. The reservation concerns entities, persons, items,
audio or video digital recordings, images, printed matter, conduct and all
other things that may affect the Convention, DSC, its members or the
hunting industry. DSC reserves the right to prohibit from exhibiting at the
Convention any outfitter, guide or professional hunter who is not a member
in good standing of a recognized regional state, provincial or national
professional hunting association."
Yet, nowhere on the Exhibitor application form is any requirement to provide this information or proof thereof!!
So, on to the point:
There are FOUR outfits that have earlier or active complaints/concerns/issues by hunters that are exhibiting at DSC 2012.
Adam Clements-Safari Trackers, Inc. 1244-47
Frontier Safaris C510
Impala African Safaris 2654
Safrique, Lda. 1035/36
I am cross referencing publicly available information. Look up the outfits you are thinking of booking with.
BUYER BEWARE!
These are the other names that I pulled from an archive search using various key words: (Complaint, Guilty, Suspended, etc.)
Whether the concern is well founded or not I can not attest. I am only sharing the fact that someone was concerned enough to create a thread that is public and has been presented and debated in the open. Judge for yourself.
This is not a comprehensive list.
LOOK FOR THE THREADS AND READ THEM FOR YOURSELVES. DO YOUR RESEARCH.
(look for variants of the spelling, you are dealing with various languages in a host of countries)
SAFRIQUE
SHINGANI
TOUCH AFRICA
IMPALA AFRICAN SAFARIS
NICO LOURENS
Krys Wessels from Kukuzans Safaris
Terry Cundiff, Mark Willman, Hunt It All, Inc.
Mozambique Unlimited Safaris
Col. Watson Tshipa Zimbabwe Safari Company
Hunts are being offered by: Allison Smith yoafrica.com
PH in question: Lorrie Van Aasvagen
Area: Sinamatella camp, Hwange
Tyler W Lowery - Global Sporting Expo's
Mid-South Hunting & Outdoor Expo
Barry Burchell of Frontier Safaris
TC Africa / Top Class Africa
ZINGELA FORWARDERS out of South Africa
Sable Taxidermy Kerneels Bronkhorst
Chris van Wyk Tienie Bamberger PH Warthog Safaris in Ellisras
Jan Groenewald Swart, Trophy Hunting Safaris.
Dawie Groenewald? "Out of Africa Adventurous Safaris"
Dirk Terblanche
JUAN PACE of Shangwari Safaris, Trophy Quest Africa and Leopards Lair
Victor Ildefonso Anselmo "Ideal Safaris", Frenchman, Julien Raymond
HWANGE Safaris, Gordon and Allan Banks
Vaughan Fulton Classic Safaris, Mr Fulton
Jeff Martinell
Jimba Safaris, owner is Wayne Dietrechsen
Out of Africa?
EK Safari's and Nyala Safaris (Zim)
Tusk and Hide Safaris Inc.
Complaints and concerns are out there. You have to dig to find the information and Newbies may not or do not know the questions to ask.
No one is immune to complaints or concerns from a client and it is more important, in my mind, how they deal with the problem than the mere existence of someone having lodged a complaint or the lack thereof. Read the whole story whenever you can.
My advice: Simply dropping this type of post, "Anyone hear of these guys?", is not enough. Read the threads where the problems have come to light and ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS of the people you are thinking of doing business with.
I got an inspiration the other day and thought I would have a look into this.
I decided to look at the Exhibitors list for DSC 2012 and cross reference it with the complaints of hunters on public forums.
I think people assume, as I have in past, that there is some type of screening that goes on before anyone can be an exhibitor at one of these shows or conventions.
NOT!
(I chose DSC only because a fellow AH'r is attending that show and it inspired me, no other reason)
Exhibitors Pay their money and they get space, as illustrated by the DSC Application Contract Exhibitors have to fill out.
This is the only restriction I can find in the contract:
"Exhibitor consents to DSC's right to prohibit any exhibit, Exhibitor or
proposed exhibit that, in DSC's sole opinion, is not suitable for the
Convention. DSC may exercise this reserved right at any time prior to or
during the Convention. The reservation concerns entities, persons, items,
audio or video digital recordings, images, printed matter, conduct and all
other things that may affect the Convention, DSC, its members or the
hunting industry. DSC reserves the right to prohibit from exhibiting at the
Convention any outfitter, guide or professional hunter who is not a member
in good standing of a recognized regional state, provincial or national
professional hunting association."
Yet, nowhere on the Exhibitor application form is any requirement to provide this information or proof thereof!!
So, on to the point:
There are FOUR outfits that have earlier or active complaints/concerns/issues by hunters that are exhibiting at DSC 2012.
Adam Clements-Safari Trackers, Inc. 1244-47
Frontier Safaris C510
Impala African Safaris 2654
Safrique, Lda. 1035/36
I am cross referencing publicly available information. Look up the outfits you are thinking of booking with.
BUYER BEWARE!
These are the other names that I pulled from an archive search using various key words: (Complaint, Guilty, Suspended, etc.)
Whether the concern is well founded or not I can not attest. I am only sharing the fact that someone was concerned enough to create a thread that is public and has been presented and debated in the open. Judge for yourself.
This is not a comprehensive list.
LOOK FOR THE THREADS AND READ THEM FOR YOURSELVES. DO YOUR RESEARCH.
(look for variants of the spelling, you are dealing with various languages in a host of countries)
SAFRIQUE
SHINGANI
TOUCH AFRICA
IMPALA AFRICAN SAFARIS
NICO LOURENS
Krys Wessels from Kukuzans Safaris
Terry Cundiff, Mark Willman, Hunt It All, Inc.
Mozambique Unlimited Safaris
Col. Watson Tshipa Zimbabwe Safari Company
Hunts are being offered by: Allison Smith yoafrica.com
PH in question: Lorrie Van Aasvagen
Area: Sinamatella camp, Hwange
Tyler W Lowery - Global Sporting Expo's
Mid-South Hunting & Outdoor Expo
Barry Burchell of Frontier Safaris
TC Africa / Top Class Africa
ZINGELA FORWARDERS out of South Africa
Sable Taxidermy Kerneels Bronkhorst
Chris van Wyk Tienie Bamberger PH Warthog Safaris in Ellisras
Jan Groenewald Swart, Trophy Hunting Safaris.
Dawie Groenewald? "Out of Africa Adventurous Safaris"
Dirk Terblanche
JUAN PACE of Shangwari Safaris, Trophy Quest Africa and Leopards Lair
Victor Ildefonso Anselmo "Ideal Safaris", Frenchman, Julien Raymond
HWANGE Safaris, Gordon and Allan Banks
Vaughan Fulton Classic Safaris, Mr Fulton
Jeff Martinell
Jimba Safaris, owner is Wayne Dietrechsen
Out of Africa?
EK Safari's and Nyala Safaris (Zim)
Tusk and Hide Safaris Inc.