Outfitter will not return our deposit on a hunt

[JonBoy]

Man......3k is an unlucky number on tbh lately.

I didn't want to be the first to say it, but yes it crossed my mind as well. Not sure what recourse you have but I wish the OP best of luck!

[ultrastealth]

You should probably start that with the word "some"

Some used car salesmen.

[35remington]

Care to elaborate?

Sure. We have been provided no evidence that the deposit was in fact advertised to be fully refundable.

[SB09]

This Outfitter must've learned to do business the way Cory Anderson does.

[tdwinklr]

not understanding when $3000 was just something to blow off, as in losing it to someone(outfitter) who won't honor their own policy just because they can't control their own spending habits? Why wouldn't you fight for it back?

[RR 314]

not understanding when $3000 was just something to blow off, as in losing it to someone(outfitter) who won't honor their own policy just because they can't control their own spending habits? Why wouldn't you fight for it back?

Objection. Assumes facts not in evidence. :-)

[mfarmer]

I thought deposits were security for the outfitter if you have to back out. I've never seen outfitters refund deposits. Maybe this guy is different. But 60 days isn't a lot of time to find replacement hunters to pay full price for a guided hunt. It's plenty of time if the guide keeps the deposit and only has to find a group to pay 1/2 of the normal charge. Maybe his contract is different. Post the refund portion of his contract.

Your best bet is to reschedule for next year....if that bridge hasn't been burned

Not sure why everyone is ready to burn the outfitter... I can only imagine how many "want" to go hunting, until its time to pay up... Ops case is different but still no evidence of what contract states....

I have looked at several pronghorn outfitters in WY and all said the deposit is non-refundable. That seems pretty normal.

Since pilar won't provide details this is speculation on my part. But it is possible this outfitter's 60 days policy is from the date the deposit was made, not 60 days before the hunt (such as many stores have a 30 day return policy). That is just a guess on my part of course, but I am not sure why else the outfitter is refusing to honor his own policy.

probably spot on, 60 days from front end NOT hunt

Sure. We have been provided no evidence that the deposit was in fact advertised to be fully refundable.

exactly.

Have you even considered rescheduling for the next year? You haven't answered that question either. Only thing we know is you sent $3k, may or may not have a contract, you cancelled and he's a bad guy.

[mfarmer]

Oh ya, and you state "we" sent in $3k... what portion of that is YOURS? If more parties are involved, what's their excuse for cancelling?

[AntlerCollector]

Some used car salesmen.

[sharkhunter]

Sure. We have been provided no evidence that the deposit was in fact advertised to be fully refundable.

Yep and if it’s not advertised or in an e-mail you can forget it.

[Landrover]

interesting!

[Stolle]

not understanding when $3000 was just something to blow off, as in losing it to someone(outfitter) who won't honor their own policy just because they can't control their own spending habits? Why wouldn't you fight for it back?

Who's to say he blew the money? What if outfitter had expenses(pertaining to the hunting) to pay in advance and can't get the money back? It is hard to point the finger when we have not been given the chance to read the outfitters policy. I think he could be in the right to keep the deposit. I'm willing to bet most elk hunters have booked their outfitters by now and might be tough to find hunters to replace the OP.

[Carpe_diem]

I’m no bottom feeding, egg sucking lawyer , but I believe the jurisdiction would be in the county that the transaction took place...where you sent the money and where he deposited it and lives.

Careful....careful there....you may not be a lawyer but your belief is correct - If the OP decides to sue in JP Court, then venue should be good in the county and precinct of the defendant's residence (Iraan).

Here's the contact info for the JP there.

http://co.pecos.tx.us/member/jppct3/

Now let's hope the JP is not the outfitter's Sunday school teacher.

[brokeno]

Sounds like you lost your deposit if you can't sell the hunt yourself to someone else.