Predator Experience Blog
Cheap deals are they value for money?
Tue Feb 21 20:48:27 2012
Hi Everyone
Having had the experience of working within the leisure industry for many years now, it has given us the opportunity to observe visitor satisfaction and the quality of falconry experiences offered. As you have probably noticed there are lot of new online large deal companies popping up, offering discounted vouchers for all sorts of stuff, experiences included. In a depressed financial climate these offers can seem very tempting, and whilst the service providers will do their best to give you a nice experience, it really is worth bearing in mind the process which has resulted in the offer. It goes like this.........
Large companies contact a service provider and essentially make them an enthusiastic offer they can't refuse of a boost to their sales. A heavily discounted price per experience is agreed and the deal is done. This gets the service provider hooked. The company then goes through the process of sending out the documents and everything looks great. The company then comes back to the service provider, with the news that someone higher up the managerial chain has stated that the price per unit is too high, and the experience must be offered yet cheaper, by the service provider in order for the promotion go ahead. The service provider is very disappointed to be squeezed in this way, but agrees. The offer is advertised, hundreds of vouchers are purchased and redeemed. Of the tasty already around 80% discounted rate advertised in the promotion, the service provider receives about 45% percent, the rest is VAT and the deal companies cut.
The reason we think this is worth blogging about, is because customers think they are getting a bargain, but are you? There is an element of not having bought an experience through the service provider directly to make a comparison. Therefore, customers often don't realise that in many cases, they do miss out. All companies have a financial breakeven point which they need to achieve in order to remain viable. Inevitably, low price per unit sales, means high unit group numbers. The resulting cost to the customer is a significantly reduced experience.
We have learned this lesson the hard way. We ran a promotion with a company. Although everyone who attended the event had a great time when they were here, they had no real comparison to the experience we run for ourselves. The experience we offered on promotion, was a one hour Eagle Experience with about a 73% discount. Under the promotion the unit price was so low, it was necessary to include up to eight people on each experience, eight on a one hour experience! The customers only got to hold each bird once. A one hour Eagle Experience directly from us, as an experience which is completely exclusive to the party booked, even if it is only one person on the experience. This of course, is reflected in the cost. The deal situation is the same when the promotion on offer is a half day or full day. In fact it can be worse. The profitability of the day for the service provider means that yet more people need to attend each experience, to compensate for there being one group, thus limiting the revenue turnover for that time.
Predator Experience has a company policy of a maximum of four guests attending any experience purchased directly, this incudes observers. Even on a full day there are no more than four attendees (unless someone has booked with group bigger than four). Low group sizes ensures that everyone has a truly engaging high quality experience. The falconer can personally get to know everyone well, and make them feel welcome. Each guest has plenty of opportunity to interact with the birds, and get to know their individual personalities. There is more freedom to ask those questions which you really want to ask, but are too shy to ask in front of a large group of stangers! The experiences are relaxed and stunning, rather than rushed by a falconer who is under pressure to get around everyone before their time is up!
It is necessary to say we are not against the idea of deal companies, in some situations you can get a bargain. We just think that it is a good thing to warn people that in other cases, the old adage of 'You get what you pay for" certainly exists. If you know what to expect and realise that you're purchasing a discounted service, so you will receive a discounted service, then you won't be diappointed.
We were approached by a second company who professed to be not like the first, we believed them! At the point where they came back to us to apply the squeeze, we backed out and vowed never to be that easily taken in again, with a myrthful smile on our faces and a little wiser to boot!
I have heard tell that these companies have a relatively short shelf life, go in to a country make a lot of money, and leave. It gets harder to encourage service providers to work with them, and people realise that they are on a conveyor belt and would quite like to get off and go for quality instead!
If you want an amazing uncompromised experience, for yourself or as a gift, contact us at http://www.predatorexperience.co.uk or call 07733366748, you certainly won't be disppointed!
Falconry an Intangible Cultural Heritage
Mon Jan 23 12:58:24 2012
Hi Everyone
Today I would like to take you back to 2007, when the United Arab Emirates and our Hawk Board, applied to UNESCO, to have falconry recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. Intangible Cultural Heritage is a protection status give to traditions, ancient art forms and festivals which are historic, having been practiced through the ages.
It was both an important year and project for Daniel and I. The first ever festival of falconry was held in Reading, July 2007. The festival was to demonstrate for UNESCO the heritage of falconry through-out the world. In total forty nine countries were represented with their falconers attending this ground breaking event. My role to design and manage the education exhibit for the Hawk Board at the festival. It was there that Daniel and I met!
Actually we nearly didn't meet! I was on my way out of the exhibit to walk my dog, when I was held up by a chap from Holland with an enquiry. Having had a chat with him, I was just leaving when Daniel met me with Ben the Golden Eagle on his glove! Daniels chat up line was 'Do you have a hood that will fit my Golden Eagle?' Yes, I'm ashamed to admit I fell for that old chestnut! Anyway, if I hadn't been held up, I would have been out walking my dog and Predator Experience would never have exisited! Fate is such a mysterious thing! If I knew who that guy was, I'd buy him a drink!
Predator Experience is committed to education and the conservation of wild birds of prey. The ethos of our experiences relates to natural history and bio-diversity and does not focus on falconry unless requested or for falconry tuition. Our unique modern approach is very different from other falconry related organisations. However, the fact that the UNESCO application is successful, and that falconry is protected is still vitally important to us. The skills handed down through generations since 2000 BC, have made it possible for us to take our guests into the natural environment with eagles, hawks, falcons and owls today, so they can fully appreciate the life of birds of prey.
Falconers have always played a significant role in the conservation of raptors and owls. Through the rehabilitation of injured wild birds of prey, protecting nest sites and using their skills to assist population numbers. We can now be sure that in this ever changing world, the heritage of falconry will continue through the ages to come. We will be proud to hand our skills down to the next generation so they can carry on the work which we do now, and others have done before us.
Of course, along with the benefits to world heritage, the UNESCO project changed our lives! Check out our website http://www.predatorexperience.co.uk
Bye for now!
Dee
Home to Roost!
Fri Jan 20 12:32:37 2012
Hi Everyone
Did you have a good Chirstmas? Daniel, myself and the team, all wish you all the very best for 2012. We hope it is a good year for you all. It has been an exciting start for us as we have just completed the purchase of Barn Close. It might seem weird to those of you who are probably thinking, I thought that is where we visited you??? Yes, you did, but we were renting the property and land until the 6th January 2012 when it became our own. We are glad that the business is secure in it's venue and it is all upwards from here.
This is going to be an exciting year for Predator Experience as a company, there is expansion on the horizon! More about that later, watch this space.
The birds are all absolutely thriving. They have had a little holiday and have enjoyed every minute of it. Following diets fit for medieval kings, some are raring to go, Colt the Harris, Sam the Peregrine, and those who think maybe an extra day off or two would be nice, we know who you are Ben the Golden Eagle! However, it is back to the fell this weekend Ben, so get your bell on let's go!
We put a little pile of about twenty small stones in the middle of the field for Johnny to mess around with. Johnny is our Striated Caracara, which although he is naturally found in the Falkland Islands, was born in Bristol Zoo Gardens. Johnny and I have been together for about six or seven years.
This is Johnny or Striated Caracara.....
Anyway, all Caracaras love to turn stones over to search for food, it is a natural way in which they hunt (they have thick strong toes for the purpose). With that in mind, we put some pebbles in the field and Johnny had a great time in the wind yesterday, flying around and then returning to his stones to search for hidden titbits. There was less wind today so then he prefers to just run around. He really enjoys himself, I love flying him because he is so cheeky and expressive, you really can tell that he is having a good time.
Sapphira the White-tailed Sea Eagle, was incredibly curious about this sudden addition of a pile of pebbles to her flying area, and she it best to keep half an eye on them in case they had any intention of jumping up to bite her! Today, they were there yesterday, so didn't warrant even a glance! She does like to know that everything is how it should be!
Everyone will be raring to go in a few days, and we are all looking forward to the summer season. So if you are in the area or fancy visiting us and want a really great expereince this year, come and meet us and our team! Visit our webite for more details. http://www.predatorexperience.co.uk.
Catch up soon.
Sat Dec 3 11:13:12 2011
Hi Everyone
Predator Experience is offering a one day only early bird Christmas discount of 15%! It will only last throughout tomorrow Sunday 4th December 2011.
If you want to take advantage of this amazing offer you will need to ring us on 07733366748 or 07500956348.
So if you are looking for a great present for a loved one or an unusual Christmas present for couples, we are just what you are looking for!
Christmas is just around the corner
Mon Nov 28 21:35:03 2011
Hi Everyone
With Christmas just around the corner, I thought I would remind you all how much you loved being here and how well you all remember your visit. Or even how much you are still looking forward to your visit because you haven't been yet.
We have a gift for everyone whether they would be up for adventure, eagles and fells...... (Eagle Experience morning)
or a gentle but heart touching experience with hawks and woodlands...... (Hawk Walks & Experience Days)
Of course we do scary............(The Predator Experience)
.....and comical.......(Eagle Experience - afternoon & Experience Days)
We can offer you exhilarating........... (Experience Days)
And relaxing........(Eagle Experience - afternoon & Experience Days)
We can do wilderness.................(Eagle Experience - morning)
and rolling countryside..............(Hawk Walks & Experience Days)
There is falconry to learn...........(Falconry Tuition)
and fun to be had...............(Eagle Experience - afternoon & Experience Days).
Whatever you have your eye on.......(Eagle Experience, Experience Days, Hawk Walk, Predator Experience, Falconry Tuition)
We'd love to meet the ones you love. Contact us for a gift that will be remembered forever. We all hope your all looking forward to Christmas.