Several years ago, an Ely outfitter mistakenly substituted a child's sleeping bag for an adult bag. Of course we did not discover this until we arrived at our first camp. The guy who rented the bag just shrugged it off and joked about it. We gave him a space blanket, and he zipped the bag open at the feet, using the sleeping bag for his upper torso, and wrapping his legs in the space blanket. Was it comfortable? He said it worked, but not well. He was a rookie. When we returned, he mentioned it in a joking way to the outfitter, who immediately refunded the entire amount of the rental. We've used this outfitter several times since then with no errors or problems. In fact, I've bought two canoes from him since.

Many years ago, we were stranded at PP by another outfitter, who forgot to write our pickup information in his book. We had verified he had it before we left. It was late afternoon, about 4 pm, when we arrived for a 5 pm pickup. When the boat did not come, we sent messages with two other parties, reminding our outfitter to come get us. We tried, but could not get a cell signal until almost dark. When we finally got a call through, at first, he denied he was responsible for us, until we got him to go back in his book to find the record of our tow into PP. There, he found a note regarding our exit. He said it was too late in the day to come get us, that we would have to camp, and he would get us the next day, when he brought a party in, late AM. We told him that was unacceptable, that previously made family plans, dictated that we exit now, to drive home that night. He responded that he wasn't going to come. We did set camp at the portage, and caught the first tow of the AM, which was with another outfitter. When we told our story, the outfitter who towed us refused any payment. When we returned to the outfitter we had hired, he not only refused to make any financial adjustment, but charged us for a missing PFD, which probably got left at PP. Our solution: We've never used him since.

Another experience was with a Canadian based outfitter who had a breakdown involving his advertised jetboat. We got the regular boat, but no discount. The regular boat had problems delaying our return. We got no apology, no discount, nothing. I will not use them again.

Mistakes happen in the outfitting business. Most outfitters will not only acknowlede them, but are apologetic, and try to make restitution when it happens. That is really all they can do. Their attitude is important, but that is something we can't control. What we can control, is OUR attitude when mistakes happen. It really helps to not respond with anger and rage when a mistake is discovered, but to improvise and make do, not letting the mistake dominate and ruin the trip.

I agree with those who feel that it should have been part of the original story to mention that he brought a replacement cook kit the next day, and that he refunded $1000., which are very significant omissions. I don't know what the total bill was, nor do I need to know, but I feel confident that $1000. represents a healthy percentage. His attitude was deplorable if it was as stated, but I doubt it was exactly as stated...

Was the original post inflamatory? It certainly had the intent of steering people to avoid him, by only mentioning 'facts' that put him in a bad light.

When people ask me for recommendations, I will gladly recommend those who give good service. I will also warn them about the two that gave poor service. But I don't post it on the net.  :-X