Marina not ready to negotiate

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ricky_s

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Popped into my old marina today and tried to negotiate the price down on a years berthing. They aren't desperate enough to give a discount yet.

Quite surprised in the current climate, Perhaps things aren't as bad as they seem.
 
If you live in angmering why don't you use littlehampton Marina?
But then if you know the place it answers the question.
 
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I don't really blame them for not wanting to negotiate an outright discount.

Imagine if everyone else in the marina heard of the discount you got on a years berthing and then wanted the same deal. If its a large marina the cost of loosing a handful annual tenants far out weighs dropping the price of all the other berth holders to match?

Sometimes a reduction in price to secure one extra sale could shoot oneself in the foot.
 
My Marina refused my normal discount this year. The boat is 8.2m including swim deck and previously they've allowed it in the 8m category. £1000 increase over last years costs. Nearly £5k to dry berth the boat is just too much in my book and despite asking them to reconsider they told me there was no room for any negotiation

I'm paid up to end of March but then I'm off to another marina. Saved myself nearly £900 by moving and that is without going down there and trying to do a deal. Shame, I liked the staff at my current location but access is quite restricted by the tide so it just doesn't make sense to stay there.
 
I think there's 3 types of marinas out there at the moment. Those that won't move on price, those that offering deals and poaching customers from the first type and are full. finally theres the ones that understand others are offering deals and accept they have to help their customers to stay.......
 
fewer boats in berths + increased marina operating costs = an increased need to keep the berthing prices high to cover those costs else they go under. MDL on the other hand appear to be investing in the facilities quite heavily and I believe they are keeping the berthing fees the same as this year. I can live with that.
 
oGaryo said:
fewer boats in berths + increased marina operating costs = an increased need to keep the berthing prices high to cover those costs else they go under. MDL on the other hand appear to be investing in the facilities quite heavily and I believe they are keeping the berthing fees the same as this year. I can live with that.
Click to expand...
Me too. Get a damn good service - any case; common sense, can see the issues
from their angle.
 
so what are you paying for your berth ?????

i have paid £432 per mtr but i got a 5% discount on top of that for paying in advance for the whole year for a 37ft boat in weymouth

i consider the facilities to be good for what i want wifi if req and free computer in reception to use whenever you wish, decent clean toilets and showers that are all in their own private cubicles,14 free nights away at any of their other marinas and 6 weeks free dry storage,gas,fuel,ice, security too name a few, i know its not the solent but its where i want to be.
 
I've just paid mine, up front for the year, no increases this year and new shower block on the way! Very happy with the standard of service I receive, can't compare with anywhere else as it is my first marina, we had no reservations about renewing as I feel the benefit in moving and saving a few quid would be swallowed up by increases in traveling time to get to our boat. I really like the prospect of trying other marinas in the group (MDL) free of charge as well.

The only things that I'm not so thrilled about are the so called special inclusive offers, like free hard standing which comes at the cost of hugely inflated lift out and pressure wash and the free wifi which is slow and difficult to connect to on my android phone. I'd rather pay a small amount for the wifi and then get a decent speed and maybe stream some films to wind down to at the end of a day arguing with the other boats in the solent :p

All in all, I don't think I'm ready to try elsewhere just yet, maybe next year if we move house to the west country we might not feel like staying with the same group when we are home berthed in Torquay. But we'll see, lot's of maybe's in the last bit.
 
Approaching renewal, we've asked our marina to match an offer (or come somewhere close) from a different marina we've been talking to. At a saving of £1500 pa, we'd have been foolish not to at least ask. We've had a flat no which is disappointing as we have a lovely berth and have always received great service from MDL and so will be sorry to have to leave. We're asking them to drop a fair bit I guess so I can understand their reluctance but at the end of the day, we just can't justify paying that much extra for close access to the Solent which is what it basically boils down to. As I say, it's a shame but needs must.
L
:)
 
Well just renewed at MDL Mercury - been there a few years now, accept that they don't do deals. Accept the thought that I would be annoyed if I found out my neighbour had got a deal and I didn't and visa versa... But of course would love "a deal". Trouble is irrationally i do love the place.
 
I've been looking at marina prices from the Solent to Cornwall with a view to re-locate. For my size of boat (23ft) they all seem within a few pounds annually, so I guess there isn't much point, from the marinas oint of view, to offer a discount.
 
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