Price Increase Question

[Vintageguy]

No dice. I’d walk. That’s unethical and would be a breach of trust in my opinion. I would politely inquire as to the deposit considering the amount of the increase. If it was lost, I would likely just be a no show. They could use the empty week to catch up on facility maintenance. They either have something cooking that they don’t need your booking or they’re just taking advantage. Neither is a person I would trust nor loose any sleep over ghosting. Do like my dog and kick some grass on that and move on.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Now that you’ve shed a little more info on this I just want to make sure I understand correctly and feel free to correct me

You booked a 3 animal Package for X days, with a $1000 deposit. The total cost of the hunt (day rates + trophy fees - package discount) increased 42% which equates to $2100 over the initial quote. Your contract basically combined day rate and trophy fees, giving you a slight price break on day rates or trophy fees depending on how you look at it. It included the verbiage “pricing subject to change” likely accounting for increases in trophy fees from 2024 to 2025 to 2026 and was giving you an estimated cost based on today’s rates.

Am I understanding that correctly so far?

If so, your $1000 deposit was essentially your day rates which he hasn’t gone up on and you’re locked in at. The price increase is on trophy fees. You’re hunting a game ranch that’s either “relocated” (increasing their operating costs) or his “replenishment” costs have gone up, indicating a put & take operation.

What was his trophy fee on each animal in 2024? What were they in 2025? Did you check?
What are they now for 2026? When did you reconfirm? Have they gone up since the shows to now?
Are their Trophy Fees listed on their website and do they match what you’re being charged?
Are you still getting a slight price break for your “package” when you add in Days x Day Rate + Trophy Fees + Other Misc Costs (airport transfer, etc)
Morbid curiosity, are one of the animals a kudu by any chance? We all know prices on them have skyrocketed there …


This is going to be a VERY unpopular opinion and I’m making a few assumptions based on my experience and understanding of many RSA (not all) business models.
You entered into that contract with that verbiage (which isn’t uncommon for a game ranch hunt booked 2+ years out since the outfitter can’t control what the breeder charges him). That’s 100% on you and that’s the downside of hunting a Game Ranch. It’s also one of the reasons I personally don’t like or care for package hunts. I fully understand and don’t disagree it feels slimy, but not sure how you (or anyone) expects a business built on replenishment, to eat the costs of said replenishment when they clearly told you up front “prices are subject to change”.

Is he within his right to hold your deposit? - Yes you made the contract
Does this suck? - 100%
Do I think he should? - No, but I think he also needs to explain why the costs increased
Would I hunt with them? No, but other flags were raised that would’ve prevented me from contracting/booking with them before we got to this point since I’m 99.9999% sure I recognize the business model and the animals are his commodity
Would I forego my deposit if I was in your position - Maybe - I’d shop around and see a few other “like outfitters” costs are on said package. You might find when compared to similar operations they’re inline or below the current market rate and walking away is gonna cost way more than 42%

I think a fair and good outfitter would explain everything to you with a calm discussion and offer you a refund on your deposit despite making a contract that didn’t fully secure or lock in the price. It’s also not like you prepaid for your entire package in 2024 when he could’ve bought the animals at that price.

 

[Sideshow]

It increased 2100 dollars. We had 1000 dollar deposit.

Offf yeah I was going to ask if it may have been a typo. But thats hard to do with that figure.
Trouble is if you do go you will be expecting what’s next are they going to gouge me for.
Be hard for me to trust them after this.

 

[Sideshow]

I don't really want to say at this time. I’ve been with this company once before and had a great time just not on a package hunt. We still plan on going and not sure i want to rock the boat just yet. I will update after we return.

Well you’re a better Man than me. I wish you all the luck. Hope you have a great time.
Not sure how I’d relax with this elephant in the room though.

 

[Odinsraven]

well the dollar has dropped 10 percent against the rand in the last two years - fuel costs are killing everyone - PH's in particular - 42 does seem on the high end - but did you book a special offer for that year ? Would need to read the org advert to clarify !

 

[Philip Glass]

I would be upset because this should not happen. When a deposit is taken on a package it should be honored. I understand the trophy fee price list can change but the package should not. Some of us see a red flag immediately when you mention it was a 3 animal package. The reason being is that sounds like a planned bait and switch hunt. Kind of like some of the bad auction hunts out there.
I have people hunt with me who have paid a $1000 deposit and it held the package price for as long as 3 years before the hunt. It never changed.
I'd ask more questions of the outfitter and here on AH.

 

[R eight]

I hate Canadian B.S , I know at least 3-5 guys who had hunts paid for on sheep or other hunts, and got canceled during the pandemic, only to the find the outfits spent the money and the province courts ruled in favor of the Canadian outfitters .

I had a completely opposite experience with a Canadian outfit.

Had a BC moose hunt booked for 2020. I couldn’t get there until 2023 because of the Canadian government COVID restrictions, which were more stringent for those of us who aren’t North American.

They were absolutely brilliant to deal with.

Collingwood Brothers/Spartezi River Outfitters.

 

[Tim Blackwell]

I'd be finding a new outfit....that's garbage. I'd happily walk from a $1k deposit in those circumstances.

Back in 2019, we booked a buff/ele hunt with KMG Hunting Safaris for 2020. Due to Covid, we couldn't complete the hunt until August 2022. Marius was 100% solid on honouring his original prices, even though we expected an increase.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I suggest the original poster should supply the outfitter with a link to this thread. No threats or anything. Just let the guy see what the consensus is among a whole lot of hunters with a whole lot of experience. The implication should be clear ... and fair. Come to an understanding with this client or more details may come to light on the African Hunting forum ... which likely will not be good for business.

 

[Areaonereal]

Don’t even arrive, let him keep the depisit annd the no hunters for the days you booked. Do not tell him anything play along with his game and then. Surprise no hunters. 40 days out. B S. A deposit should be a firm contract to establish price and services. No OVERS after a short notice change.

 

[Trophyhunter01]

Losing $1k will save you multiples of that just walking away and starting over with a quality group/outfitter. Mark it lesson learned and move on.
Imagine once you are in country and in a hard spot face to face. Like old food in the refrigerator, “Not going to get any better”.