I have the opportunity to go to work for a large booking agent that represents hundreds of outfitters around the world. I've traveled to hunt and fish but never through a booking agent. What are your experiences with booking agents, pros v. cons, opinions of the industry, etc...? Thanks for your help as this is a major decision for me.[/align]
They are just glorified Travel Agents in my opinion. You can use them as you would a travel agent and take their opinions and be pushed towards those they have been greased by or have friendships with. Nothing wrong with it, and for those who don't want to do the leg work themselves they can definitely make it easier.
As for getting you a "deal", you'll find much better deals on your own but you will do5 times the work.
As far as being one, sounds WAY sexier than the reality. You have to pound phones, troll web sites like this and 100 other things looking for people who don't want the hassle of making the calls themselves. I would suggest you keep your day job!
Remember this though, Booking Agent is just another name for Sales Man. Nothing wrong with sales, I do it for a living.
I have a friend who uses the same one every year, swears by it. You, in theory, get outfitters that the agent has used and ensures a good hunt. Its a way of avoiding the random crooks who are in the outfitting business.
You are right Bob, that using a booking agent is a great way to avoid the random crooks, or at least to avoid those outfitters who are trying to make a booking and may misrepresent or unduly prop up the experience they provide. Our company, if I join it, ensures a better experience by first having our agents hunt and or fish with the outfitters to approve of their services. We stake our reputation on their ability to meet the expectations of our clients so we take that very seriously. Second, because we want our clients expectations to be met, not for success neccessarily which cannot be guaranteed in hunting and fishing but expectations of the experience, we evaluate our clients wants and needs and then match them with an outfitter who can meet those desires. We can do so unbiasedly because we represent in most cases many outfitters in each venue, for example we represent 25 elk outfitters.
Many outfitters do not use them as you have said, but I supose all want to increase their bookings so a great many do. In fact I have been suprised that a couple have contacted me wanting to discuss representation just because of this posting on this a a few other forums. The outfitter benefits by our service by increasing bookings and lowering advertising and administrative costs associated with booking their on their own and the clients benefit because this service is at no extra cost to them, the outfitter pay for it through their benefits.
So am I wronge or doesn't the booking agent get a free hunt in order to do an evaluation? If so then they will recemend anyone reguardless of how well things went. There is no such thing as a free lunch.
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Often the booking agent does get a reduced price of free hunt so there is the possibility of a booking agent just recomending an outfitter just because of that, and I'm sure thats happened far too often. However, that's just bad business in any industry, and of course that kind of thing happens often in every industry.
Good business is for the outfitter to make it possible for a booking agent to hunt or fish with them so that they can prove their ability to offer a quality experience. They all do the same thing with outdoor writers and television show host and again, such promotion is common is every industry including the doctor that recomends medicines sold to him by companies giving him proofs to and perksfor getting his business.
Then good business is for the booking agent to recomend onlythose outfitters who canmeet then expectations of the client. If the booking agent does otherwise they won't be in business long, again just like in any other industry.That's how I will run my business if I do this as the comments I have received have shown. It's too bad booking agents have with too many gotten a bad name by just sorry character and business practice that is just wrong in any industry. Thanks for all the input as it solidifies my commitment to serve the client, the hunter and fisherman looking for their dream trips.
Hi Guys:
My two cents worth. I am an outfitter and have used booking agents in the past on both sides of the money flow.
I think the most important thing for you to know is it's YOUR money. You are the boss. Wheater you go with an outfitter or a booking agent CHECK SEVERAL REFERENCES. As many as you can. With a booking agent I would insist on at least ten but should do 20 for the camp you are being referred to by him. Then insist you talk to the outfitter before booking. If you have any red flags - ANY - then move on.
One trick they will use is the old "I just found this outfitter and he is great take my word for it." Now this could be true so if the booking agent truley believes in the outfitter he will have no problem offering you a full money back guarentee for the hunt. If the agent will not do that IN WRITING AND SIGNED before you send your booking fee, then he does not truley believe. Then move on.
Again I say IT'S YOUR MONEY. Which makes it yhour responsibility to make the right choice. You are the boss the agent or outfitter is the empoyee. If they will not fulfill your wishes move on.
Would you buy a used car on a stranger telling you it's a great car you will love it. I think not. The same buyer beware mind set should be what you strive for.
I have 11 booking agents that say they book for me. I have only had one use me. They all want 15% to connect a hunter with me. I will only pay 10% because I do a very good job of booking on my own. I book up every year and mostly a year in advance. There are two booking agents I know I would trust. Steve West of Steve's Outdoor Adventures and Steve Gilhouse of World Adventures.
Best of luck to you. Once you do all the work to find the right outfitter or booking agent then you are done with the leg work.
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It is not uncommon for those who have the wherewithall to do the more expensive, exotic, and distanthunts to have manysignificant irons in the fire at any one timeand a shortage of time on their hands. They are frequently used to achieving their objectives thru the use of subordinates (that is typically kinda how theyended up with the money) so it is logical in many cases for them to work thru a trusted booking agent. There is a small industry that has grown up around meeting these folks needs and the upperechlon (sp)of that industry is quite reliable and in turn relies heavily on the word of mouth within the "good old boys and girlsclub" to keep business going. Typically for the clinet, just another business deal (a goal, a budget, available resources, and a strategy to make it happen in the time allotted) and that "deal" just happens to involve (hunting) recreation --- no bigleap forthem.
They know how to get there, get 'er done, get back and get back to making the dough.
The whole thing sure does seem to get somefolks stirred up to the pointthat somefeel it necessary to attack both groups. It's just a different, ah, er, agh, ...... "kind"..... of hunting strategy.
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Booking Agent
