SOUTH AFRICA: Jannie Otto Safaris - Cannot Recommend

[Lundertaker]

umm, that auction was not purchased by me. And, as I stated above, I never disputed the auction payment nor the full separate amount paid to Jannie Otto, I only disputed a portion of what was paid to him that was equal to the downgrades and cost incurred by me due to his failures to provide promised services.

Can I ask what your associate to Jannie Otto is? Seems like you've got something going on here.

That package has a $2000 reserve!

 

[FG8JMW]

I'm pretty sure that anyone who has been to South Africa several times understands what is going on in your post. I'm still trying to figure out what your credit card dispute for damages are, but all that aside, when you choose to join a forum to intentionally bash an outfitter, well it just seems classless. Jannie Otto Safaris has been in business for 43 years....Outfitters don't last 43 years and get elected to the African Professional Hunters hall of fame if they are bad outfitters. You are very disrespectful, and I think you owe J.O.S. an apology.

On the subject of auction hunts
There are a couple reason outfitters donate them.
it brings money to the chapter that they donate to. Secondary, they use this to create a client base for return hunters. They don't necessarily lose money on auction hunts, but standard package is a low profit margin. They treat these hunts the same as any other.
What I get out of this is you could not afford to do a proper trip, they didn't fluff your pillow and powder you ass on time, and you are disputing hundreds of dollars?
Feel free to P.M. me!

I joined a forum to share my experience with the outfitter. Part of the point of this forum is to share feedback, both positive and negative.

Someone's time in business does not exempt them from changing or going downhill. They way they act in present day is very much a factor when people are booking for today, not 43 years ago. Look at all the stuff with Roche Safaris. He was Boddington certified and then apparently ended up in jail. Should people not have shared negative feedback around him because he had been around for a bit and won awards?

I see too many great experiences shared here by people hunting with other outfitters for anyone to risk a poor overall experience with Jannie. For people who want to hunt with someone you can trust, who is upfront and communicates changes, and will give you a great all around hunt, stay away from Jannie.

While you focus on monetary impact, I focused on lack of honesty, integrity, and communication. Apparently you don't think those are important for an outfitter, but I bet others do. Especially, as you say, those who have been to Africa number of times. Issue happen, its how the outfitter handles them that sets them apart. Jannie unfortunately was on the wrong side of being set apart.

Oh, and the silver lining here is that your shill account let me learn the Ignore list in this forum, which you are now a part of!

 

[mark-hunter]

I have read the beginning of this thread and got the picture at start. (page 1)
Then I was not following this till now, page no 4.

Usually in this type of threads, moderators call in the outfitter in question giving him a chance to react.
This sometimes turned as benefit to dissatisfied hunter. (like discounts, or free hunt next time, etc)
Sometimes not.

So, was the outfitter in question informed about this thread, by anybody?
(just asking...)

 

[M70375!]

You went on an Auction hunt.

I have the following 3 things to say about auction hunts:

1. There is no free chicken.
2. see number 1
3. refer to number 1

Don Casey of The Hunt Report once told me that 80% of the complaints about hunts they got came from auction. hunts. I had a bad auction hunt in BC one time

 

[mark-hunter]

This is approximate percentage on this forum about auction hunts.

 

[PARA45]

If an outfitter is going to have different set of standards for auction hunts, then don’t offer or participate in the auctions. Just because a hunter buys an auction hunts, doesn’t mean he is a cheap ass. Many here have purchased auction hunts, and they are capable of paying their own hunt, and have. They buy those auctions hunts to help their respective chapter. My 2 cents worth of opinion.

 

[mark-hunter]

If an outfitter is going to have different set of standards for auction hunts, then don’t offer or participate in the auctions.

Yes that is fine in theory, but how can you know in advance?

 

[PARA45]

Yes that is fine in theory, but how can you know in advance?

I really don’t know the answer. Unless the outfitter donating the auction is known in advance and before the auction. Otherwise I guess it’s a gamble unless the outfitter is well known.

 

[Milo]

@FG8JMW
The pound of flesh, which I demand of him, Is dearly bought; 'tis mine and I will have it.

 

[K-man]

Yes that is fine in theory, but how can you know in advance?

The answer is, you can't without references, by looking at the auction records, and a lot of research. Some outfitters "donate" to every auction but just read the fine print, know what things SHOULD cost, not what is written on the donation auction bill, and be fair to the outfitter by adding animals and/ or days. Auction hunts help conservation and are a great tool but too many are a result of alcohol and/or spur of the moment decisions.

 

[Lundertaker]

I joined a forum to share my experience with the outfitter. Part of the point of this forum is to share feedback, both positive and negative.

Someone's time in business does not exempt them from changing or going downhill. They way they act in present day is very much a factor when people are booking for today, not 43 years ago. Look at all the stuff with Roche Safaris. He was Boddington certified and then apparently ended up in jail. Should people not have shared negative feedback around him because he had been around for a bit and won awards?

I see too many great experiences shared here by people hunting with other outfitters for anyone to risk a poor overall experience with Jannie. For people who want to hunt with someone you can trust, who is upfront and communicates changes, and will give you a great all around hunt, stay away from Jannie.

While you focus on monetary impact, I focused on lack of honesty, integrity, and communication. Apparently you don't think those are important for an outfitter, but I bet others do. Especially, as you say, those who have been to Africa number of times. Issue happen, its how the outfitter handles them that sets them apart. Jannie unfortunately was on the wrong side of being set apart.

Oh, and the silver lining here is that your shill account let me learn the Ignore list in this forum, which you are now a part of!

I think your response speaks volumes! When I go to Africa, I don't worry about money. You apparently do as you are squabbling about pennies! I have known Jannie for many years......straight shooter! Not sure where you got off the rails with him, but your pissing about ........well. I don't even know.....seems like nothing???? You can block me so I don't hurt your tender mercies, but don't waste outfitters time until you can put your big boy panties on! I deal with your type every year.

 

[Lundertaker]

@FG8JMW
The pound of flesh, which I demand of him, Is dearly bought; 'tis mine and I will have it.

I think he blocked me.........might have a weak stomach!!!

 

[Lundertaker]

I joined a forum to share my experience with the outfitter. Part of the point of this forum is to share feedback, both positive and negative.

Someone's time in business does not exempt them from changing or going downhill. They way they act in present day is very much a factor when people are booking for today, not 43 years ago. Look at all the stuff with Roche Safaris. He was Boddington certified and then apparently ended up in jail. Should people not have shared negative feedback around him because he had been around for a bit and won awards?

I see too many great experiences shared here by people hunting with other outfitters for anyone to risk a poor overall experience with Jannie. For people who want to hunt with someone you can trust, who is upfront and communicates changes, and will give you a great all around hunt, stay away from Jannie.

While you focus on monetary impact, I focused on lack of honesty, integrity, and communication. Apparently you don't think those are important for an outfitter, but I bet others do. Especially, as you say, those who have been to Africa number of times. Issue happen, its how the outfitter handles them that sets them apart. Jannie unfortunately was on the wrong side of being set apart.

Oh, and the silver lining here is that your shill account let me learn the Ignore list in this forum, which you are now a part of!

 

[FG8JMW]

As I had stated before, I fear the issues with Jannie's communication failures, invalid bookings by he and his team, and lack of accountability are general and not specific to this being an auction hunt. If he specifically chooses to have lower service and lesser experience for auctions hunters, that is his choice but he should make that clear to folks.

I've done 3 auction hunts and 12 direct booking hunts. For the other 2 auction hunts, it was clear the outfitter didn't treat auction hunters any less. For one outfitter, the experience was one of my 2 best in South Africa. I have a return hunt already booked with them. That outfitter also needed to change things but they told me in advance of the changes, I didn't have to find out about them myself. That outfitter immediately emailed when a change was necessary and they asked for my thoughts on their proposed changes. They had very clear communication and they stood behind everything they committed to me. These are the typical stories I read around outfitters on this board. That's why I encourage folks to stay with those with positive feedback here and not add on risk to a hunt.