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”.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Don't know if the boomer collapse will drive down prices but there's a lot of new worldwide wealthy that may take up some of the slack. These are Eastern European, Middle East, Indian and Asian clients. If I were an African or American outfitter selling expensive hunts, I'd be looking in that direction.

 

[Ryan]

Why would their behavior change when you are in camp and are basically held without your own transportation in their camp. What will they change. Or what else did they tell you that won’t hold up once there.

Walk away quickly

10-15% I get, above that this is exactly where I went with it.
If you are still going with them get all prices on paper, signed, that clearly states no further increases in price will occur. Otherwise I'd cut losses and walk away.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Question Guys, we booked a 3 animal package hunt in August of 2024. We paid a deposit at the time. We are 40 days out and just received a notice that the package price went up 42%. To be fair it did say price subject to change. So i guess our fault for not asking more questions. 42% just seems a little steep. Is this common practice for South African Hunting industry?

I’m far from and expert and always try to take objective view as to why a change occurs and reach towards a level of understanding. That said…42% price increase in 1.5 years when many folks are seemingly deferring a year or cancelling either Iran and economic uncertainty, I’d call horse sh*t. I get that fuel costs are up some, and if buying something in the US inflation just keeps inching up with tariffs and all, but 42% sounds like trying to take advantage of someone.

I’d say reach out and directly ask “really”? I mean be polite, but based upon response I’d say you should be kind and allow your fellow hunting brethren of an outfitter you need to ask additional questions when dealing. Hopefully it’s and oversight or mistake they immediately correct, but if the case, they won’t unless you point it out. And if it’s actually a price subject to change (42% in 1.5 year) call them out on it.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Also be careful listening to my advise. I am an understanding and moderate gent unless someone is outwardly rude or trying to take advantage of me like I’m dumb or unwilling to stand up for myself…then I can be downright principled…ie maybe more spiteful. I’d likely avoid rocking the boat an sink it instead. If the response to my polite “really?” Was yes, really…read the contract, says subject to change. I’d interpret that as their intent to scam me, because they could accept my deposit, get me on the hook, and then inflate the price ad hoc whenever and however they wanted. I’d get offended as not just getting treated like a chump but if doing so to me, expect others as well. So I’d just say no thank you. I’m out. I don’t want to hunt with someone who thinks that little of me, and since I am typically hunting dangerous game, sure as hell not going to trust that person.

So id have to directly and flat out ask “really?” With a caveat that I expect it’s an oversight or mistake.

But that’s me… not saying it’s the best route.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Thanks for your reply. I unfortunately agree with every thing you said. We’ve had a good discussion with our booking PH that i have hunted with before and hunting with this time. We got some things worked out.

It’s 5 of us total going

Glad you got it sorted out, and it was like I suspected; The $1000 deposit was to lock in dates and cover your day rates, while the price increase or “subject to” (as stated in your contract) was on the trophy fees and his breeders are hitting him with a price increase. Doesn’t surprise me in the least especially if Kudu was on the list.

Good luck with the hunt, post some photos and a story once you’re back.

 

[AZDAVE]

@Wildwillalaska Man after my own heart.

Do rock the boat but stand in the middle and grab both barrels and shoot a large hole in the bottom... Quickly find out who can swim or sink.

 

[Shaw]

Normally a 3-animal hunt is fairly cheap for Safari standards unless a Buffalo is primary species but for plains game only then that's a different story. If talking SA alot of outfitters hunt multiple farms so when you book say Kudu, Impala, Bushbuck just as an example the outfitter pretty much knows where he is going to hunt those animals, and he confirms with landowner and price is locked at time of deposit. Outfitters usually have to square up with landowners within 7 days of commencement of hunt.
My personal .02 is he thinks he has you over the barrel 40 days out you don't have time to react. Plenty of Sponsors on here that can get you handled, I would walk away cause chances are if he reduces cost somewhat, he will gouge you on something else.

 

[Dparr]

Just walk away. This is a totally unscrupulous business practice. If it was an actual unforeseen hardship circumstance for them they would call and discuss. Not just announce the increase. I have multiple hunt dates per year booked out through 2030. Even the 2030 hunts are locked in prices - that is the point of the deposit. He gets my money for 4 years and takes on the cost rising risk. I got prices and dates locked in. That’s the whole point.

Ask yourself this. If you announced to him a few days before that you were paying 42% less how do you think that would go?

 

[Huntforever]

They will try an increase your hunt in other ways during or after your hunt as well.