had a trip booked with a guide for a lake, (ill be discreet and not name names) paid in full 2 weeks before the day to be on the water, day comes, bad weather, guide cancels. were ok with that. set a different day 3 weeks later. day comes, weathers bad again, guide says to pick another day.

my question is, as a paying customer, (paid in full) is he to schedule us for an ASAP date because of the rescheduling???

Also, I requested to cancel the trip all in all becuase of the wait time. i call him on a sunday, no answer. text him monday, no response. text him again on tuesday, tells me to call him later. I call him tuesday night, he says he cant send refund thru paypal and would send a check thru mail. he hangs up on me before i can say no hard feelings and thank you!!!!!(wow)

It has been 9 days since, we called him today and got no response back. what are we to do in this situation????

Well, weather can be a problem. You're lucky you live close enough to be able to fish on another date.

Bottom line is to keep the client happy. If I had to keep canceling for whatever reason and you decided to give it up... I would refund your money just to keep you happy in the long run.


I'm hearing about a lot of people who have not paid a deposit, not showing up for the trip. Almost everyone requires a deposit just to make sure the clients shows. (Interest Follows Money)

I don't have a writen policy on deposits, but I should. When ask about it I tell the people if they don't show up, I'm going fishing, take lots of pictures, and give them a real hard time about all the fun they missed.
LOL

I've never hired a guide, but I am in Sales. One thing I was taught from day one is an unhappy customer is 10 times more vocal than a happy one. Your post about this bad experience is evidence of that.

I would think he would bend over backwards to make you happy. In a guide business, advertising is expensive. Referrals are free. If he was smart, he would do his best to book the trip ASAP then hit you up for your buddy's numbers too. But not after this experience. That's too bad man. I'd keep calling him til you get your check.

Reschedule for another day and hope you didn't piss him off.

Robbie, I hope you were joking. If not that qualifies for the worst advise I have seen given on here in weeks!

As a paying customer you have the right to a full timely refund. You, or the guide for that matter, can't control the weather. Since the guide can't provide you with a make up date at YOUR convenience, then a full refund is in order.

Also, since he was rude to you and hung up, he was out of line and I hope I never hire him as a guide.

He should reschedule you ASAP, but his idea of ASAP is probably different than yours. It wouldn't be good business to cancel on someone else just to make you happy.

Then when you decided to cancel, he should have quickly refunded your money. That is also bad business practice. Both sides should understand that bad weather happens and that sometimes clients want to fish a particular time period. If you aren't able to fish in your available window, I think you are certainly entitled to a refund.

Sounds like a guide I want to avoid. If you don't get your money back promptly, I would post his name so everyone else knows who to avoid.

I agree. I'd even go as far to say you ought to post his name...

Before I name names, I'm gonna try another attempt today to get a response. Thanks for everyones advice, I appreciate it.

Leasoned learned never pay in full. A reasonable deposit is acceptable and should be required.

Nothing wrong with paying in full if you are using a reputable guide.

It's more likely you are taking a chance when you use someone that is not as well known and cheaper.

They are cheaper for a reason!

I've never asked a guide to refund my money if we have a weather day. I always reschedule for another trip.

If the guide is good then he'll be booked and, depending on the lake, possibly as much as 6 or more months out. You can't expect him to cancel one of his pre-booked trips to make up for a weather day. That would be bad business, too.

But, since you asked for a refund, he should give it to you unless he has a policy in writing concerning weather days, make-up trips and refunds. Otherwise, he needs to man up and pay up.

Called him again, no response, left voicemail. His policy is " must cancel within 10 days for full refund." in this case, we don't have a date set after he cancelled the past 2 times in a month due to weather. We decided to use the money to head to the coast and fishvthere. We just wanted a refund, no hard feelings. I just hope he didn't spend our money! Lol

And in your message, you also suggested that he take a look at this post, I guess...

I find it hard to believe, if in fact he is a legit guide!

I'm sure he didn't put your money in escrow,so it's gone. Your best bet is to be friendly and at least get your fishing trip.