Are we all too keen to give our money to marinas during the pandemic?

[James W]

Before I start, I totally understand the gravity of the situation we face as a nation. I have lost all of my work until at least September and have been following the guidelines strictly, with my family at home, as I'm sure most forum users have.

There does, however, seem to be some incredible goodwill toward to marinas and boatyards at this time though. Where my boat is kept, most of the staff have been furloughed, so the company will be helped out by the government to pay their wages and yet the mooring and storage fees have not budged an inch. In fact, for some people, they have risen because summer rates have kicked in. Their costs have dropped and yet we still pay top whack just to have someone occasionally wander around the yard/marina and check all is well.

You can't go to the gym, so the gym companies have given people payment holidays. You might be struggling to pay your mortgage, so the lenders are offering payment holidays. Even some software I use for work has allowed a payment break as people won't need it for a few months. So why are marina companies not offering payment holidays or serious discounts to their clients for the period that they are not allowed to even visit their boats to check on their safety and security?

Just a thought.......

 

[FlyingGoose]

Because it is the last sector IMHO that still rips its customer off in all areas , from maintenance to boat storage ,
Storing a large caravan on a bit of land does not cost the amount you are charged for your boat on some concrete , I am more than willing to pay for lift in and out but also a reasonable rate for sitting doing nothing
But certain marinas are offering their clients discounts , so it may be worth asking

 

[steveeasy]

Always two sides to an argument. I pay on the Hamble £200 odd per month for my boat sat on the hard. 40 of that is VAT. is £160 a lot of money ?. not really, it is to me, but really they have to make a profit.

Steveeasy

 

[FlyingGoose]

Caravan storage for £40 a month in Yacht Haven wonder what the price is for your boat taking up the same space
This link is shows the advertised price on the banner link , but no price on the actual website
Motorhome site and winter storage | Caravans & campervans | Largs, Ayrshire

 

[awol]

Not all marinas and boatyards are behaving in the same way. Some are trying to do the "right thing", whatever that is.

 

[Rappey]

Car insurance company's must surely be saving lots of money currently.
Surely they should offer discounts before marinas who have empty berths due to boats not being able to take up summer berthing ?

 

[FlyingGoose]

I was always told as a normal saver to keep money back for a rainy day , at least 2 months to cover bills mortgaged etc, in case of no income stream, I find it absurd that main marinas have no money holding or can get access to bank money now he government are paying their staff ,and allowing all sorts of breaks for them
One months worth April of cash flow not incoming will not affect any major marina at all, and if it did they are not good at business

 

[[70521]]

There does, however, seem to be some incredible goodwill toward to marinas and boatyards at this time though. Where my boat is kept, most of the staff have been furloughed, so the company will be helped out by the government to pay their wages and yet the mooring and storage fees have not budged an inch. In fact, for some people, they have risen because summer rates have kicked in. Their costs have dropped and yet we still pay top whack just to have someone occasionally wander around the yard/marina and check all is well.

What will you do when they all shut up shop as they are bankrupt and you can't park your boat there?

 

[JumbleDuck]

What will you do when they all shut up shop as they are bankrupt and you can't park your boat there?

Pay lower fees to the new companies who buy the assets cheaply from the receivers? Marinas aren't going to go anywhere, even if the companies owning or running them go bust.

 

[steveeasy]

I was always told as a normal saver to keep money back for a rainy day , at least 2 months to cover bills mortgaged etc, in case of no income stream, I find it absurd that main marinas have no money holding or can get access to bank money now he government are paying their staff ,and allowing all sorts of breaks for them
One months worth April of cash flow not incoming will not affect any major marina at all, and if it did they are not good at business

Did anyone say they were going to drown. its only been a few weeks. if it goes on and on then im sure their be more reduced fees. Seriously marinas will open quicker than some with strict social distancing. Restaurants with restrictions. my business well I don't think people will want to mix and quite frankly I don't want to mix with them until a vaccine, so no events or shows. Happy |Days.
Steveeasy

 

[[70521]]

Pay lower fees to the new companies who buy the assets cheaply from the receivers? Marinas aren't going to go anywhere, even if the companies owning or running them go bust.

I can't see it, the amount of debt that the UK PLC will have is going to be massive, but it is my wife who is the Chartered Management Accountant not me.

 

[FlyingGoose]

Did anyone say they were going to drown. its only been a few weeks. if it goes on and on then im sure their be more reduced fees. Seriously marinas will open quicker than some with strict social distancing. Restaurants with restrictions. my business well I don't think people will want to mix and quite frankly I don't want to mix with them until a vaccine, so no events or shows. Happy |Days.
Steveeasy

No I did not say they were going to drown.? I was saying that they have money , access to money and are getting a lot of help from the government. and for loyalty purposes and good customer care this should be passed down to the consumer which is me.

 

[James W]

What will you do when they all shut up shop as they are bankrupt and you can't park your boat there?

I don't wish bankruptcy on anyone, I just wondered why many marinas don't appear to be very flexible during these times when other businesses have no choice but to be.

 

[James W]

Did anyone say they were going to drown. its only been a few weeks. if it goes on and on then im sure their be more reduced fees. Seriously marinas will open quicker than some with strict social distancing. Restaurants with restrictions. my business well I don't think people will want to mix and quite frankly I don't want to mix with them until a vaccine, so no events or shows. Happy |Days.
Steveeasy

That's crap luck Steve, I hope you can manage. I know where you're coming from as almost all of my work is event based.

 

[steveeasy]

No I did not say they were going to drown.? I was saying that they have money , access to money and are getting a lot of help from the government. and for loyalty purposes and good customer care this should be passed down to the consumer which is me.

Just because they may have received some financial support, that is no reason to give some money back to you. Now if you wanted to argue they were not providing their part of the bargain. you might have a reasonable case, but you cant travel, nor can you use most waters now. Really if a marina offers you a discount, it is a goodwill gesture. Of course, if they say they are closed but were open to some, then youd have a good claim. that would be really unfair.

Steveeasy

 

[lw395]

Car insurance company's must surely be saving lots of money currently.
Surely they should offer discounts before marinas who have empty berths due to boats not being able to take up summer berthing ?

Not necessarily.
They have sudden new requirements for IT for WFH. A significant number of people are not renewing. They still need to pay the rent etc. A lot of their staff have gone sick or are stuck with their kids and they're paying others overtime. Meanwhile their cheap sources of underwriting ain't answering the phone.
A lot of everyday office work has gone bonkers.

 

[steveeasy]

That's crap luck Steve, I hope you can manage. I know where you're coming from as almost all of my work is event based.

Run 2-4 shows and events per week. all stopped. Im broke really, but every other business is closed so I am really casual about it. what I do know is im not keen to start up again. I actually think when the restrictions are removed there will be a real reluctance for people to go out and about. they wont want to go in to shops, offices, or places where people congregate, they might like to sit on the beach or go sailing, but social distancing will voluntarily last for a long long time.
steveeasy

 

[FlyingGoose]

Just because they may have received some financial support, that is no reason to give some money back to you. Now if you wanted to argue they were not providing their part of the bargain. you might have a reasonable case, but you cant travel, nor can you use most waters now. Really if a marina offers you a discount, it is a goodwill gesture. Of course, if they say they are closed but were open to some, then youd have a good claim. that would be really unfair.

Steveeasy

Interesting on how Premier Marinas are offering discounts, because shrewd bushiness looks after customer loyalty and retention , I have posted before but I have been a General manager of London Hotels , I can assure you customer service , loyalty , and retention is a major player in a service industry , marinas have been getting away with it for years , Hence why Premier marina has moved with the times., , get on the program or lose your customers simplies
A small discount to a customer retains loyalty , and commitment to that person paying up to 4000+ a year , so by discounting for April or reducing costs the marina does not lose the full amount , it is simply economics in a service driven world

 

[25931]

I can't see it, the amount of debt that the UK PLC will have is going to be massive, but it is my wife who is the Chartered Management Accountant not me.

Perhaps you should listen while your wife explains that not all firms are in the same position, some will go bust but not all by any means.

 

[[70521]]

Perhaps you should listen while your wife explains that not all firms are in the same position, some will go bust but not all by any means.

I've been doing that all my married life, had senior engineering jobs and worked for one of the Big Four accountancy/consulting firms so did not come down with the last shower.