Premier marinas require off site contractors to pay them to work on my boat..
- Thread starter KevB
- Start date
D
Deleted User YDKXO
Guest
I think that's reasonable. In today's environment of trigger happy 'elf 'n safety nazis, ambulance chasing compensation lawyors and insurance companies looking for every angle to get out of a claim, organisations have to cover their arses. Sad but its the world we live in. At least its not like my marina in Croatia which charges a flat rate of €100 per day for any outside contractor to work on your boat in order that boat owners get the message that they ought to use the marina's own service company
Firefly625
Well-known member
....or Berthons that insist all contract work is carried out by....you guessed it, Berthons. (always used to be anyway... is that still the case?)
crazy4557
Member
Yes, I believe it is. I agreed to a berth there about 3 years ago until they told me only 'Berthon' can work on my boat. I've had 3 great years at LYH!!
Regarding charging for outside contractors, don't forget they use the trolleys, waste bins, car parking etc etc so there is a cost involved so perfectly justified IMHO>
gjgm
Active member
only £5 ...
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Deleted User YDKXO
Guest
I always think with these kinds of conditions that you have the option to take your berthing business elsewhere. In my case I'm happy to put up with my marina's stupid blackmail attempt to stop bertholders using outside contractors for the other benefits of being in the marina. When I need to use an outside contractor, I just do what every other bertholder does and that is to to take the boat 300yds across the bay to the local town quay
KevB
Active member
It's not so much the £5 per day but "A copy of your risk assessment and method statement for the proposed work" for what is essentially a cottage industry. I suppose they have to help safeguard all those business that have moved into their new smart on-site buildings...
KINGFISHER 8
Well-known member
The contractors won't be paying it ... you will!
volvopaul
Well-known member
Is this just for Chichester or across the board?
As a registered contractor with premier and a berth holder I've had nothing through the post re notification .
Are they jumping on the mdl bandwagon ? Trying to squeeze the last inch out of everyone that steps foot on site. Any further costs involved will just be added on to the end user via the contractor.
Got to be diplomatic about this but they need to organise there own staff to lift boats when they say they will and return them to the water when they say they will in order for them to have the work done before they sink, this is from personal experience .
They also need to be competent in moving there customers boats without damaging them and not owning up, again personal experience. This was dealt with quickly but it should never happen in the first place.
I will wait for the new fees of entry in the post, maybe this is a way of paying for the new toilet block and yard developments at swanwick.
I tend to find my clients vote with there feet when faced with this kind of change, there are not enough contractors in most marinas that are capable to satisfy everyone's requirements, outside contractors are needed everywhere and let's face it why should the boat owner use a marina based company just because there on site.
I have looked at the Chichester site, I doubt some will be there in 12 months time, I have heard two companies go to the wall this week alone in the Solent area that have big overheads to sustain.
As a registered contractor with premier and a berth holder I've had nothing through the post re notification .
Are they jumping on the mdl bandwagon ? Trying to squeeze the last inch out of everyone that steps foot on site. Any further costs involved will just be added on to the end user via the contractor.
Got to be diplomatic about this but they need to organise there own staff to lift boats when they say they will and return them to the water when they say they will in order for them to have the work done before they sink, this is from personal experience .
They also need to be competent in moving there customers boats without damaging them and not owning up, again personal experience. This was dealt with quickly but it should never happen in the first place.
I will wait for the new fees of entry in the post, maybe this is a way of paying for the new toilet block and yard developments at swanwick.
I tend to find my clients vote with there feet when faced with this kind of change, there are not enough contractors in most marinas that are capable to satisfy everyone's requirements, outside contractors are needed everywhere and let's face it why should the boat owner use a marina based company just because there on site.
I have looked at the Chichester site, I doubt some will be there in 12 months time, I have heard two companies go to the wall this week alone in the Solent area that have big overheads to sustain.
[2068]
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Stealth Van, working in the car park ... reminds me of Robert de Niro in the Terry Gilliam film "Brazil".
mercuryman
New member
Paul, Just had emails from Port Solent, Swanwick and Chichester about this so all sites by the looks of it.
volvopaul
Well-known member
I'll give you a facebook " like " for that one David
volvopaul
Well-known member
So the 8k plus a year I give them For my berth won't be enough?
I will wait for my email, then every time my boat gets damaged by there visiting customers which there making money from will go towards my gelcoat repairs, twice now this has happened since Feb 14th.
mercuryman
New member
Guess not. Do you get an outside contractor in to do the gel work? They will add a fiver to your bill now lol
volvopaul
Well-known member
I guess Tom we will have to decide which customers we work for in the future wether they be MDL or premier customers as well will be parting with the best part of 1 k a year just to drive In .
What is it coming to? We provide a service at way below main dealer rates and a very personal one at that where our clients can talk to us way after 5 pm and at weekends .
volvopaul
Well-known member
Lets do the sums, 8k plus for a berth or the contractors fee, I wonder which one they would take .
mercuryman
New member
The way of the world. Get the money in and at any way possible.
oGaryo
Active member
Pretty sure you'll survive Paul, if you can afford the big boat you've recently purchased and the berthing rate you mention, your margins should be able to cope with a fiva a visit without passing that on to your customers who've helped fund the aforementioned
timv
Member
we own a pub and get this all the time '-the money you take you can easily soak up a 5p a pint rise'-5p a pint is worth £10k a year to us but costs the typical customer about £1.50/week !!
Flynnbarr
Well-known member
Is it legal?
A boatbuilder friend of mine had the same problem at bray MDL on the thames a few years ago.one of his customers was a barrister and when he heard of this charge he fired off a letter about restrictive practice etc,wanting a particular person doing his work etc.the charge was quietly dropped for any work done by my friend in bray MDL for this person.cannot give any more info as my friend has passed away,but this is the story he told me.his van was not sign written.
A boatbuilder friend of mine had the same problem at bray MDL on the thames a few years ago.one of his customers was a barrister and when he heard of this charge he fired off a letter about restrictive practice etc,wanting a particular person doing his work etc.the charge was quietly dropped for any work done by my friend in bray MDL for this person.cannot give any more info as my friend has passed away,but this is the story he told me.his van was not sign written.
