temmie
Well-known member
See my point one, when I see the 'it's a short season' justification for silly prices, it does leave a bitter taste. Can you imagine another business model which applies the principal of charging double on the basis that they have the rest of the year off, tell that to strawberry pickers. Agree with the rest of this point.
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This is why it's always better to use locals, cut out the middle class European or American who takes his slice off the top and pay the locals direct. It always bemuses me that when a European or other person from a developed country, sets up a business such as this in the undeveloped World, they always charge as if they're still in London or Clalifornia, costs never have any resemblance at all to the local cost of living, hence the silly prices.
Comparing birding guides to strawberry pickers... No insults to strawberry pickers, but bird guiding is a whole different league and level in terms of knowledge, experience, maturity, responsability. If a tour goes smooth it sometimes looks like a walk in the park, but if a tour experiences unforeseen problems, a good guide (and company) really shines.
Without wanting to sound like a colonialist: the Western travel business and bird tour business (especially the British) has existed and matured for a much longer time than any of the local tour companies. Some of the local companies now offer the same level or even a better level (and for some, a more authentic experience). And because they have less travel cost and no westerners involved with higher salaries, also better prices. But again, once these companies mature, they will also increase their prices. You local cheap guide / company / ... will see that, once they are in business longer, their business model is not sustainable if they don't increase quality and investments, and with increased demand, they will increase their prices.
Still, not all clients can / want to communicate / transfer money to a company overseas, so some will stick to the security (insurance, physical presence nearby, potential bankruptcy/scam of the overseas agency, preferring to travel with a certain guide or a guide who speaks your native language and who travels from start to end with you...) of their thrusted travel / bird tour agency. You make it sound like some of your personal opinions are facts, while it's a matter of taste / preference / weighing the pros and cons.
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regarding the Manu Expeditions policy:
I wouldn't book a tour with a 600 dollar non-refundable deposit, but if the contracts states it, I wouldn't bother if I am not getting it back. I decided not to fly on the 13th of March while there was still no official travel advice against flying, so I just didn't show up for a flight (and so decided to miss out on >1200 euro on booked flights and accomodations). I got almost everything back as vouchers or money, and I am happy ofcourse. But if that didn't happen, I wouldn't think about it for a second. It was a risk I was willing to take when booking. So the central question is: was there a clear contract, and if that contract is respected, there is simply no case. If not, the opening posted should explain his case much, much better, because without the details, throwing it in public is a waste of time. If you have a good case, show it.
@ Jim: I agree that it would be better not to share content of emails publicly. On the other hand, I guess Barry has had it. After decades of guiding and doing business, the fact his business stops will play a role in giving up on being nice to potential clients, or doing the right PR for future clients. I guess the trust is breached the moment someone calls you (insert everything that would be censored) in an email.