CptCarling
member
Reged: 21/10/2007
Posts: 102
Loc: Isle of Wight
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Here is my problem, what are the members thoughts?
I sold 2 pegs on our little wild bird shoot to 2 guns for £70 (seventy) each - £140 total. I explained it was a wild bird shoot in its 1st year so the sky wouldn't be black with birds. The fee also covered a field lunch, refreshements and the beaters (4 plus me)& picker-up (1)
They paid a deposit of £70 via paypal, came along and had a day out - it must be explained that the day is run properly - pegs, drives, draw etc and 6 guns shoot. Both shot some birds including the 1st woodcock of the year, then headed for the hills.
The total bag was only 14 head - 7 phesant, 1 partridge, 3 mallard, 1 woodcock and 2 pigeon (5 more than the 1st day!) and they were well looked after - as the owner of the shoot I didn't shoot, as I was running the day and making sure everyone had an enjoyable day and thrashing through undergrowth with the beaters.
So...what would you do?? have had no contact from either gun despite sending a "thank you for coming, hope you had an enjoyable day" e-mail.
Do I forget it and put it down to experience, keep sending e-mails and phoning or what? In some ways I,m glad it is only £70, but is that the point?
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andy_m
member
Reged: 02/11/2007
Posts: 2
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I think the guns are out of order. At the end of the day they where told it would not be a big bag. I think you should keep on at them are they will do the same to some one else if they getaway with it.
If you don’t get any payment I would put their names on the shooting forums and tell other keepers to stay well clear.
Just my opinion
Ps where about are you I would love a days shooting for £70
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CptCarling
member
Reged: 21/10/2007
Posts: 102
Loc: Isle of Wight
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Hi Andy, Thanks for the above reply. I had thought about naming and shaming, but there could be legal issues!
As for a days shooting: http://forums.shootinguk.co.uk/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/2069/an/0/page/0#2069
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Flairball
member
Reged: 11/09/2007
Posts: 10
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Cpt. Sorry to hear about this unfortunate situation. The guns are at fault, and I'd pursue them for your money. Should they not pay they should definately be banned from ever shooting with your outfit again. I think it'd be a professional courtesy to share their names with others providing game shooting opportunities. I'd sure be grateful if I received a bit of advanced notice that a couple of my guests have a history of cheating people out of money. In fact, they'd be turned away.
I guess there is a lesson to be learned too. No gun will be allowed to shoot until the remaining balance is paid in full. Are your deposits non-refundable? If so, keep a gun or two as stand-by in case a gun doesn't pay. The stand by gun could replace the original for the remainder of the price. As this would amount to a reduced fee for the stand-by gun, I'd try to limit the stand-by guns to youth, or students who tend to lack the funds for such shooting, need more experience, and seldom lack enthousiasm. They are the future of our sport.
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James_the_cripple
member
Reged: 28/10/2007
Posts: 45
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Get the paperwork in order stating that deposits are non-refundable, payment before pulling the trigger etc. Get it signed sealed before the day leaving you with every power to get your money whether they turn up or not. I help afriend run a corporate event business, our contract has them paying pretty much every penny from the moment they sign their name, even if they cancel.
With these two jokers, naming them is your right, if they pay you you can make a statement to that effect and thank them very much. The fact they payed late will still be of infomrmation to others. I would personally give them a letter stating you want the balance within 5 working days or else you will start claims in the small claims court. (cost you nowt to do it, and I never lost a case yet). Also state in the letter that you will be charging interest of 5%/per week outstanding. If you go to court make the papers out and include losses etc, you will be able to claim 3-4 times their bill. If I can help please contact me on james.mason68@btinternet.com I'm happy to aid with getting your money. I'm disabled so I've got the time to do it.
James
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CptCarling
member
Reged: 21/10/2007
Posts: 102
Loc: Isle of Wight
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Thanks all for the above advice. I got the deposit via Paypal (so lost a percentage to start with, along with more when I transfered funds from PP to the shoot acount)
Im lucky with the other guns, as we all know each other and so they all know this year is being run on a shoestring, so the problem of non-payment does not happen here. I am upset that as shooting is supposed to be a "Gentlemans" sport (and Ladies, of course!) that certain people dont behave as such. In future, I shall insist on full payment before the day starts.
If there had been a problem with any element of the day, I would rather have sorted it out there and then, as opposed to having a bitter taste left in my mouth. Be assured, these persons will not be shooting with me again, even if I do recieve the outstainding payment.
As one of the guns is involved in shooting coaching and gundogs - in fact its his business, I am suprised that they behaved in this way.
Its not the £70 thats an issue, its the dent in the money available to keep things ticking over. At least it is only £70 and not £700!
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transpond
member
Reged: 01/09/2007
Posts: 3
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Soon as you start to sell shooting you can expect trouble. I guess they shot 3 birds between them (you can't really count non-gamebirds) and figured £20 was a fair price, certainly fairer than £40 a bird...unless they were stratospheric. They had the opportunity too cheat on payment and took it.... nothing you can do about it other than be less trusting in future.
Syndicates can often work, selling days is full of pitfalls unless you can guarantee the bag or a 3 times shot count; non game species are either not shot or not charged for...you were naive Sir.
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steadfast
member
Reged: 04/10/2007
Posts: 5
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Good morning Capt.Carling, I think you already have a fair cosensus of opinion on this unfortunate matter. If you are sure of your position I believe you should name and shame. If the paying guests had any complaints they should have made them known on the day, to walk away without paying is cheating on the deal and cannot be defended. Good luck if you try to recover your losses.
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