[jay566]

I had an family emergency happen at 11 PM the night before I was to leave on a 15 day (May 31) I normally don't pay for my trips in full until I get on the boat, however in this case I called a few weeks ago to pay for the entire trip $3995 or something close to that amount. I didn't ask the boat yet and I know the rules about cancelling trips at the last moment, and I'm not complaining about it. But I always only paid for half the trip, and paid the final half on departure. I understand that when cancelling a trip the 1/2 deposite is lost. However shouldn't I get the other half back as the trip was overbooked by one, so my late cancellation should have been covered by the overbook by one to cover cancellations (The boat was overbooked by 1 with a standby list. I didn't call the office, and I'm not going to make a big issue out of it reguardless. I only cancelled because I was asked to by several members of my family. I have never paid in full until this trip, and I will not do so in the future. I have never cancelled a trip until this one.

 

[wahoodad]

I remember a few years ago, and I was talking to Frank on the way back in. He was saying how hard it was to get deposits up to 50% on most of us regulars. He explained how most of them reply, "Frank, I'm good for it"!
Frank asked me if I knew what being good for it meant, I said I guess not.
Being good for it when you bail at the last minute means shooting him a check for the other 50%!
That spot was considered full, and perhaps many other called to get on that trip. I know June Heat is very tough to get on, and I know they could have filled it having just a little more notice.

I had a similar thing about 9 years ago, had to bail on a long trip about 3 weeks before departure. I told Frank if he did not fill my spot, I would send the other 50% in. Luckily, he filled it, WHEW!

 

[sactotuna]

I had a friend have to do just that this year due to a medical emergency on the way to San Diego! Talk to the office, maybe they can work something out for a trip at a later date. In his case, they got him out on the next trip, no problem.
Doesn't the Fisherman's Landing have a link to a trip cancelation insurance . . .

 

[Brad_G]

Sorry to hear that you couldn't make the trip.

I think the others are correct--that if they were able to fill your spot you should be off the hook, but if they were not able to fill your spot, you are still liable.

I've lost money too by not being able to make a trip at the last minute, but looking at it from a boat owner's point of view, one can understand why--its not the angler's "fault", but it is his responsibility.

 

[fishybuzz]

OK lets flip this around....lets say the landing cancels the trip...yes they refund the money ..but what about out of town folks who have non refundable airline tickets...and people who have put in for vacation and can't change the dates they get zero compensation.....don't forget the boats are also holding thousands of dollars of deposit $$$ in interest bearing accounts for up to six months......


Just the business I guess....

 

[jay566]

Thanks for the reply(s)

I feel alot better now about pissing away $4000.00

I didn't realize that the person cancelling was responsable for the other half. I understand now. I was hoping to hear otherwise, but I'll now get over it and move on.

I was also hoping that the overbook by one rule would help me in this situation.

I didn't call them until 8:30 am the day of departure.

I'm surprised to hear that other anglers sometimes pay for the amount due on a cancelled trip.

 

[sactotuna]

I just ran the numbers for your trip on insuremytrip.com and trip cancellation insurance would have been under $120.
Who knew?

 

[jay566]

Thanks for the tip on the insurance. I generally never have a problem with having to cancel, this is the first. I will in the future use the insurance on long trips.