While few game ranchers and hunting outfitters argue that wild animals have become a lucrative, tradeable commodity, most still do business with a handshake. This is commendable, but in recent years it has even ended friendships. A higher cash offer for a specific animal can often ruin the good intentions of that previous handshake.
Gideon van Niekerk realised that a more formal platform was needed to secure game transactions and so he came up with the idea of trading game on a website, and www.game-hunting.co.za is the result.
A niche in the bigger picture
“Ii developed the trading platform because believe there is a need in the hunting industry for it,” explains Ggideon. “The hunting and game industry forms part of the much larger tourism arena in Ssouth Aafrica and in my opinion the industry still has a long way to go if it aims to deliver the same level of competitiveness to its clients as other niches in the industry.”
He says that buying game is like buying a new car. “Think about all the options and all the added benefits the various manufacturers offer to get you to buy their product,” explains Ggideon. “Nnow imagine you are a hunter whose lifelong dream is to hunt an Aafrican elephant bull.” Buying a car one has to deal with a salesperson affiliated to a dealership. Ffor the elephant one deals with professional hunters affiliated to outfitters. Ccar salesmen have a number of different sources for the product the customer wants, not so in the hunting industry because it isn’t as well structured.
Outfitters rely on relationships built up over a number of years and a professional hunter can only offer hunters the game he has access to at his outfitter. By the same token the game rancher may find himself at a loose end when it comes to marketing his game, much like an automotive manufacturer who has fantastic vehicles, but doesn’t have a trade outlet linking him to custo
Why the website works
It’s a trading platform for game, specifically created for outfitters, professional hunters, game capturers and game farmers. While many outfitters hold concessions on game ranches, they can now confidently offer their clients game they don’t have access to on their own concessions. Because the trading platform is web-based, it means outfitters, when marketing their businesses at international hunting Expo’s in Europe and the USs, can source animals for clients and book hunts from their stands at the Eexpos. “This service ultimately strives to improve competitiveness in the market and create better value for the paying customer,” says Gideon.
Buying online
Should a buyer be interested in a specific animal or a group of animals, an “offer to purchase” is automatically generated by the websites and once it is filled out, it’s e-mailed to the seller. The seller has the opportunity to accept or decline the offer and the buyer is notified via e-mail. The website takes 5% of the transaction.
The commission is broken down into 2,5% payable by the buyer and 2,5% payable by the seller, although the buyer pays the full 5% upfront and recovers the 2,5% from the seller on settlement.This 5% is calculated on the value of the game alone. “We don’t ask for a commission on accommodation or day fees, or any associated costs,” says Gideon. “Such costs must be agreed on directly between the buyer and the seller.”
Contract arrangements
Gideon says there’s no rush to accept offers on the seller’s part and he can select the best offer. “We have prepared what we believe to be a most fair legal agreement,” says Gideon. The parties can contact each other directly and finalise their agreement.
The trading site also creates the potential for futures trading in game.
Gideon says that while game prices are currently high, there is no telling what could happen in the light of the current global economic downturn. By selling game at acceptable prices now, game ranchers can hedge against a possible drop in demand when international hunters are forced to tighten their purse strings. “Our main aim is to introduce buyers and sellers to each other and once the e-mails have been sent and the parties are in agreement, our involvement ends,” concludes Gideon.Contact Gideon van Niekerk on 083 302 3125. |fw
