Marinas & money for old rope

[Guest]

Re: here is what they sent me

That seems more than fair to me.
So the question is "if MDL can do it why not everyone else"?
It also tells me that MDL can fill their berths without any real problems even if you decide to leave and the fact that they will hold onto some monies if your between boats shows that they are thinking of their customers.

 

[Sinbad1]

Hillyarder....

Do not stand for any of this nonsense.

If you are in breach of your contractual terms with your ex-marina then they can sue under the contract BUT only to recover the losses that have arisen from the breach. If they have relet the berth at the same or higher rate than you were contracted to pay, then they have no loss. They also have a duty to mitigate any losses that may have arisen for them and as there is a demand for berths at Chi it is unlikely that they are in a position to show that they have suffered any financial loss.

I wouldn't pay but would send them a nice letter advising that you have vacated the berth and that you understand they have relet it.

As for monitoring this forum and then contacting you becos you have expressed an opinion, they should be ashamed of themselves. I can only assume that their MD John Watson had a hand in that as its unlikely that he allows his staff to play on the forum in working hours.

Do not allow yourself to be bullied.

 

[Viking]

Have you spoken to the Marinas Boat Holders Association?

 

[jwatson]

Sinbad - play fair! Read the thread fully and properly and you will see we are not the guilty party,
Regards,
John Watson
MDL

 

[Twister_Ken]

Chi marina is (I think) Premier, not MDL. nm

`

 

[johnskit]

Re: here is what they sent me

Not all marinas are quite so grasping. I paid up front for a years berth at Gillingham marina (to avoid the premium on monthly payments) for my boat which was on the south coast. Because of an illness (and subsequent death) in the family, we never made it round the corner to Gill. When we explained what had happened to them they gave us our money back (minus a small admin charge). I don't think they were legally obliged to, it just seemed the decent thing to do. Mind you, I could have sworn there were tear stains on the cheque when it arrived.

 

[jwatson]

Re: Chi marina is (I think) Premier, not MDL. nm

Correct!
J

 

[hillyarder]

No one is guilty. Just wish I had read it properly

There is no guilty party on either side. I was merely pointing out that I had indeed made a mistake and for others to be wary. As I have said all along it is entirely my fault and I have contacted the marina itself and said the same.
My only concern now is the fact I was monitored on here and contacted direct and then told about someone else.

 

[Trevethan]

Re: Chi marina is (I think) Premier, not MDL. nm

MDL is sometimes seen as the baddie, but must confess I am impressed that you come on these boards and explain MDL's point of view - great credit to yourself - even if the answers aren't always what we want to hear.

 

[Joe_Cole]

All gone quiet?

Still no response from Chi Marina then!

May we assume that they now recognize that their policy is indefensible?

Joe Cole

 

[jwatson]

Re: Chi marina is (I think) Premier, not MDL. nm

Thanks for this. I have got a certain 'image' problem to try to correct but can't begin to do this by ignoring feedback from customers - existing and potential.
We are never going to keep everyone happy due to the nature of supply and demand, scarcity of marina sites, historical indifference in certain areas and so on. I am going to keep trying though.
My direct telephone line is 023 8045 0209 and I encourage anyone who wishes to call me to do so.
We certainly do not get everything right but our sites will become increasingly empowered, the quality of our people will go up (the quality is already mostly very high)and our customer communications will improve. I deal with every complaint or compliment personally and the general feedback I am geting is that we are greatly improving month by month. No short cuts though and it is hard work.
Here endeth the advert!
Stay well,
John

 

[clyst]

Re: Chi marina is (I think) Premier, not MDL. nm

Just before you go John can you please clearly state in simple language how you justify the 25% when the berth in question has already re allocated and the new berth holder is/has stumped up???????? and before you look it up no I'm not one of your berth holders -------just curious!!

 

[Joe_Cole]

Re: Chi marina is (I think) Premier, not MDL. nm

Terry,

I think you'll find that John is the wrong person to ask. He's from MDL.

What you need is somebody from Premier.........and they have ducked out of site. They obviously can't answer this one!

Joe

 

[clyst]

Re: Chi marina is (I think) Premier, not MDL. nm

OOPS!!!!!!!!
Thanks for pointing that out Joe---------SORRY JOHN! but does MDL have a similar policy?-------Just curious. mmmmmmmmmmmm

Sorry about the confusion on my part

Terry

 

[Guest]

Seems to me that most of the posts here have been both unreasonable and unfair. Hillyarder signed a contract - as he pointed out with commendable honesty. The marina were entitled to expect him to fulfill that contract to its finishing date, just as he was entitled to expect them to do so. The 25 % charge for leaving early is a concession. The alternative is no charge when another customer comes along straight away, and the full charge if one doesnt.

And do we really need warning to read the terms of a contract before signing?

 

[tome]

Just one niggle

John

I'm an MDL berth holder and generally concur that MDL is doing it's best to correct it's image problem. The staff are helpful and efficient, and generally I don't have much to complain about (except the pontoons being a bit short).

Boat is currently ashore and I've had various contractors in to do engine repairs, topsides, skin fittings etc. They each get charged around 6 quid a day to work there which is obviously passed on to me, and I don't like it as it's a hidden extra. I can understand a first-time charge (checking out their insurance etc) but not on a daily basis.

I understand this is common at many marinas and that MDL is not the most expensive, but it leaves an unpleasant taste.

Regards
Tom

 

[hillyarder]

The alternative as you describe it would be IMHO more fair. Perhaps you would not need a warning. I did. Simple as that.

 

[jwatson]

Re: Just one niggle

Tom
This feedback is most helpful. I am dashing off to a meeting but I will respond properly to this shortly.
John

 

[hillyarder]

JGW

This thread went much further than I imagined but it has thrown up some good points. When I said marinas I should not have spoken in general terms. One cannot but be impressed with the comments of the MDL chairman. It would I think be a good idea for a lot more of those who run our major businesses to take account of how their customers feel.
Well done Mr Watson.

 

[tome]

Hell of a long meeting John!