Clients letting people down

[jamross65]

I started a thread on here a few months ago about fair pricing in the hope it would give a bit of an insight to relative beginners about what they should be paying for a reasonable day out. it was on the back of some real bad stories I had Ben told by guest and what experience they had elsewhere. I don't mean that if someone charges £1000 for a day they should immediately assume they were getting ripped off. Just that up front conditions but more importantly fair conditions are for me the way it should be done.

I am no expert and learn from many friends on here and elsewhere. But I also like to think I know enough to provide guests with a good day out and the chance (a fair one) of getting deer.

I really admire the guys who have been doing this for decades and value their posts when they comment on this subject. Hope to meet one or two of them at the Fair in March.

coming from a background where I have been fortunate in getting a lot of ground to manage and not paying for it, I agree that the current prices are high, so try and ensure someone gets value for money when out, like I know 90% of other stalkers do as well.

 

[toad]

i think you have hit the nail on the head mate all anybody can ask for is fare crack of the whip. because i live on anglesey its not just the cost of the stalking it is also the fuel i stalk in scotland 3/4 times a year i wish it was more but hay ho. thats approx £150 return i always purchase the carcass if lady luck has been with me accomadation booze food and so on. this is acceptable so long as you have enjoyed the trip and to set the record straight i have had some fantastic trips without pulling the triger. i have also stalked with guides off this site and have been verry fortunate so far. thats what is great about this wonderfull site you get good recomendations its the way foward for me.

 

[Schneeree]

There are no guarantees in life. If you think you are entitled to expect a shot in every outing then maybe you believe you are the center of the world and everything should succumb to your will. Perhaps something went wrong in your childhood and your parents should have said no once in a while!

On the other hand, 24 hours is ample time for a cancellation, in my books. I understand that a professional stalker is self employed, but a paying guest has a life, a job and family, which means that if something sudden takes place in one of these three areas it must have priority over a hobby/past time...

 

[hogey]

There are no guarantees in life. If you think you are entitled to expect a shot in every outing then maybe you believe you are the center of the world and everything should succumb to your will. Perhaps something went wrong in your childhood and your parents should have said no once in a while!

On the other hand, 24 hours is ample time for a cancellation, in my books. I understand that a professional stalker is self employed, but a paying guest has a life, a job and family, which means that if something sudden takes place in one of these three areas it must have priority over a hobby/past time...

Yes i fully agree.I think that the argument cuts both ways.
I am fairly new to stalking and I see nothing wrong in paying a deposit or even the full amount up front.
If I as a client choose to cancel for whatever reason I would not expect a deposit returned.
I would however expect if I had paid the full amount ,credit towards further stalking and not to loose the full amount.
This has happened to me after my wife had a slight accident and I was required to stay at home and miss the stalking.

It has worked out badly for the stalker and the client in my opinion as I would have wished for further stalking with him, but I am unable to bring myself to pay twice for the same thing.
Its not about the money really but more about missing the trip and missing out on further trips with that stalker.

 

[jamross65]

There is no question that if a guest was paid in full and had to cancel, they would've been given other dates where free that season, or put in the diary for next. I don't think there would be many guides/stalkers that wouldn't offer that, surely?

 

[Paul at Fechan]

yeh that's only fair when a guest paid up front, but what if you've have to book extra stalkers to guide? that still has to be paid.

 

[Psyxologos]

My job gives me no choice but to make very short term plans. Sometimes this means that I might be called away within 24 hours or even shorter notice. When I contacted Colin (Solwaystalker) about a stalk or two in December, I made him aware of this. He was very understanding, and said that if I have to cancel, so be it. We can re-arrange. He did not take a deposit or mention any cancellation fees. I was lucky to be able to honour my booking with Colin, as nothing dramatic happened at work that demanded my presence in a short notice. To me, Colin's easy going and friendly attitude was central to my choice, and makes me certain that I need to look to nobody else but him when it comes to booking another stalk. I have no intention on letting anyone down by cancelling an outing, but I need to know that if I need to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances I will not be penalised or made to feel as if I am a time waster and I mess people about.

 

[BunnyDoom]

There are no guarantees in life. If you think you are entitled to expect a shot in every outing then maybe you believe you are the center of the world and everything should succumb to your will. Perhaps something went wrong in your childhood and your parents should have said no once in a while!

I don't think anyone's suggesting you should get a shot every time you go out on a paid shoot - I think the point is you'd expect to see a deer most times you go out...?

Though since you mention it I am the centre of the world and everything does revolve around me

 

[dean]

Andy clothes are very important part of deer stalking and sadly it is not always the ones that are warm and dry that are the best for the job. Silence is the key when after Roe Deer and i have always believd skin is water proof.But we were never going to beat the frost on sunday.

davie must be something about the fort .ps must say my skin was water proof that morning