Rogue Tour Guides

[Bugjuic]

Hi Ian

Thank you very much for contacting Ratel and clarifying. I am glad to hear about both sides of the story, and hopefully this does then not spell the end for Ratel.

When reading the comment section when I saw it posted, no one came up for Ratel, thus one would assume there is foul play involved.

That is some of the dangers of social media, in this example, 'Mal oor Botswana' facebook page is a closed group and they might not even be aware of the posting.

Hope one can assist them in posting their side or the story as well.

[Mad Manny]

Ian, the guys from Ratel are welcome to join this Forum, under their Ratel tours name and post their side of the story.

As he says, it has been posted all over Social Media (I assume he means FB, which is actually Antisocial Media), but it's only fair he gets to give his side of the story and I fear The 4x4 Action Group Forum may be the only place to afford him the opportunity.

Just tell him to use spellchecker...

[jakeslouw]

Just tell him to use spellchecker... [/color]

"avyually" and "affort"

[Mad Manny]

"avyually" and "affort"

Poor another bear Jakes...

[Johannes]

[AndreasR]

Strange that they have not reacted at all to the post on their own FB page.
Strange that as an operator they could not in any way contact their clients for what was probably at least a 12 hour period.
Strange that as an operator they had no plan B in case of mechanical breakdown, bearing in mind the breakdown happened in SA.

[AndreasR]

Strange that the Guides were t o meet the clients on the 2nd. They did not show. On the 5th they state that clients WILL be refunded not that clients HAVE been refunded.

[iandvl]

I have asked, Manny. Whether they do so or not is their call. Considering the negative vibes all over the place, no idea.

[iandvl]

Strange that they have not reacted at all to the post on their own FB page.
Strange that as an operator they could not in any way contact their clients for what was probably at least a 12 hour period.
Strange that as an operator they had no plan B in case of mechanical breakdown, bearing in mind the breakdown happened in SA.

Also: I did get in touch with Ratel subsequently. There are possibly legitimate reasons.

[iandvl]

Response from Ratel is as follows. Not quoting because I am typing it verbatim.

Had issues for last 8 months.
Turbo shaft busted.
Attempted to drive to where they could get assistance.
Motor died.
Seized bearings.

[iandvl]

I applied for membership of the FaceBook page in question.

It would appear as if there are several issues related to the tour operator - namely Ratel Safaris. Owners being Juan Cronje and Hannalie Schutte. So I would add them to my deny-list.

[Mad Manny]

I have little sympathy for the victims in both these stories.
I don't use a supplier unknown to me unless I've done due diligence.
I don't use a supplier with less than 12 Google Reviews and then the Rating must be higher than 4.4.

Ratel Safaris has a Rating of 1.8 based on 5 reviews.

They only have one 5star review and that was posted by Hanlie Schutte herself.

So Ratel Safaris is definately not a company any intelligent person would use....





This is an example of a awesome company with a high amount of great Google reviews...

[grips]

There is a very good reason why I carefully choose the guys I tour and 4x4 with

[CornellMans]

Looks like Woody has some competition...

[Rechardt]

If you have a brain and can plan. Tour on your own or maybe with a mate in another vehicle. You dont need a guide.
'
But thats my personal opinion.