Need some advice

[hacimsaalk]

As most/some of you know, our high adventure is planning a trip up in Northern ME. I am currently working with two different guides. One guide I have been in contact with since early Nov. The other one I just recently got back in touch with (as he didnt respond). The guide I recently got in touch with is A LOT cheaper than the first one. THe guide I've been dealing with thus far is more expensive (a lot more). He seems like a great guide, and a good deal. In his advice, he said that the other guides price sounded too good to be true. THe late-coming guide I talked to last night, and he answered all my questions. My problem now is who do I go with? I want this trip to be as cheap as possible w/o sacraficing quality of the trip, or possibly getting faulty equipment and an unsafe trip. If you were in my shoes, what would you do. I really am stuck on this one.

I appreciate all responses.

Thanks

Micah

P.S.- If you need any other information, please feel free to email me, as I don't really wnat to get too in depth on here.

[Mrw]

Do these guys supply references?

[hacimsaalk]

Yes, I have gotten 3 back from the first gentleman, and 1 back from the 2nd.

[jr56]

Check out their refernces, see what they have to say. Look closely at what all is included in the price. Maybe one guide intends to do more for you.

[wagionvigil]

the 2nd does not sound too dependable.

[Lynda J]

I agree with wagion. Are you going to still be in your own Council? If so check with them. Also remember the saying "If it sounds to good to be true it probable isn't" Price isn't always everything. You will get what you pay for.

I don't remember what you are planning on doing but you might also request some references from venders that these two guides deal with.
Knew of a canoe guide in North Arkansas that most suppliers wouldn't deal with. THey had so much trouble getting their money out of him that they simply stopped dealing with him.

Get written prices. Also you might do a search of their names and see what responses you get. Nothing would be harder on you than to get on the trip and everything fall apart.

You also need to see if they are licensed, insured and or bonded.

[wagionvigil]

Micah when you do the Yough do you use Wilderness Voyaguers or one of the wantabe outfitters? If you use WV you do not use the cheapest but you use the best.

[hacimsaalk]

I googled both of them. The first guy resulted in ) hits b/c apparently there is a public speaker and a popular metal worker with the same name. The second gentleman I found many times on many different sites. Apparently he has guided for a certain guide service. The guy that owns the guide service has praised him on site after site after site (forums).

The first gentleman is also an Eagle Scout (or at least he was in Scouts for a long time). Is there any way I could check to see if he was an eagle?

Any other advice? Googling them sure didnt make my decision any easier. I really need some More advice on this.

Thanks

Micah

[cballman]

Micah first just because someone is an Eagle Scout dont mean hes dependable. No the second thing if you have been in contact with one since Nov. and the other one just returned you calls or emails then why so long if you started out contacting them, at the same time. does either one have a website? then ask if either one has dealt with local scout troops then contact them. like some earlier post said just because someone is cheaper that dont mean they will offer the same services. then what is the difference in price? just adding more questions that might help you make an informed decision.

[hacimsaalk]

cballman- i realize that eagle scout doesnt qualify or disqualify someone. it simply is just something to add to ones credentials.the second gentleman said that he was moving and didnt get a chance to reply until recently. they both have websites for their respective businesses. the difference in price initially is $615. but, the for the second guy, we would provide him with food, gas, land use fees, etc.

i really like what the first guy has to offer, and he seems to have more experience, but he is more expensive, and I'm sure after i talked to the 2nd guy last night, he is counting on our business. the 2nd guy is also just starting his outfitting service, so I almost want to help him out and support him in his venture.

micah

[Nuts4Scouts]

Make a list of what each guide is including in his price. Lay them side by side and really look at the differences. Add up the extras you will have to pay for with guide #2. Tack that onto his cost and see where they stand cost wise then.

The fact that one was in Scouts (Eagle or not) and one is just starting his own business should really have no impact on your decision.

Contact references, including guide #2's former boss. Check out the Better Business Bureau & the Chamber of Commerce in the town they are located in.

You are not able to sign any contracts on behalf of your Troop. That is up to the CC or SM. After you have all of the information in hand, sit down with your SM to decide between them.

[Lynda J]

Don't let "wanting to help out" the second guy ruin your trip. I know it would be nice to help someone get things off the ground. But it also means that he probably doesn't have business backup built up.
And I would wonder about being ask to furnish him with gas money and land use fees on top of the guide fee. This indicates that he doesn't have money backing to cover those expenses. At this time I would suggest that you go with the first guy. And as far as moving being the reason for taking so long to get back to you. I don't know. Sure would hate to see your troop be the guinea pig for this guy and end up with a bad trip.

I would agree that you ask both for Scout unit references.

[ASM-142]

you should also check to see if this guy has insurance

[hacimsaalk]

both gentlemen have insurance. im pretty sure that both are requiring forms be signed.

as far as laying costs down side x side, I have done this already. there isnt much difference. i am leaning towards the first one right now, just b/c he seems to be a bit caring and really interested in making our trip the best that we are ever going to have.

he has even gone to the extent of offering his base camp as an option on the way up or back as a place for the night, at no charge. in addition to everything, he has also stressed that he wanted to prepare us traditional meals to give us a taste of "maine tradition".

on the other hand, i found out that the 2nd guide has a Master Guide license (highest honor in ME. takes lots of hard work). and the second guide only has a recreational license.

in another sense, the first guy has guided on the river we are canoing. i have seen pictures of the river from him, of his trips. the second guy hasn't and doesn't offer it as a river he "does" on his web site.

price is also a big factor. things are gonna be expensive either way, but in one way i wanna go cheap, just cuz its cheaper that way, but on the other hand, id rather spend the extra money, get the guide with promise (and a little more), and have a god trip almost guaranteed.

i realize that being eagle adds nothing. i just figured that as an eagle scout or a scout period, he could relate a little better and would really know what we are looking for. i found out from him that during his scout career, he was extrmly active in the outdoors. (he climbed all the peaks over 4000ft in ME). adds a little piece of mind for me.

i also realize that i am not able to sign contracts. as far as i know there are no contracts to sign, other than parental waivers. the SM also has said to go with the cheaper, but lately, i tend to disagree with him. he made a snap decision, where as I have been in contact with this gentleman for monthes.

i know this is rambling to most, but i wanted to put all my thoughts down on "paper". any more thoughts on this would be nice (and appreciated)

thanks so far

micah

[ASM-142]

... on the other hand, i found out that the 2nd guide has a Master Guide license (highest honor in ME. takes lots of hard work). and the second guide only has a recreational license. ...

Is it the 1st guide that has the Master Guide License? If so based on everything else that you stated so far this decision should be easy - go with the first one.

[hacimsaalk]

the second gentleman has the master guide license. the first guy only has a recreational license.