Boarding prices

[saultgirl]

So, I inquire about boarding at a new barn. I get the tour, etc., and the BO tells me the price is $450 per month.

I send an email to a friend who boards there, asking about how she likes the place, and she tells me it's great and that the price is $350 per month.

??

Do I ask for clarification by either party?

Would you just pay the $450 because you liked the place? Or would you feel resentful because so-and-so is paying $100 less? I know the contract between them is really none of my business, but I can't un-know it now!!

[see u at x]

I wouldn't say anything, especially if you like the place and can afford the $450. Now, if they have their prices published someplace (like the web), and it says $350, I would ask. However, it could be a situation where the BO is raising board only for new boarders and the current boarders are "grandfathered" in or something.

[2ponyriders]

If you really like the place and paying more then your friend doesn't upset you then go for it. Or maybe the prices are about to go up and your being qouted the soon to be price.

I know I have more then one horse in boarding and I pay a reduced rate for each one after the first one.

[ChampionMercedes]

Maybe the BO hasn't upped the board for current boarders but has a new fee for incoming boarders. It's like that at my barn, the rate I pay is slightly different than what incoming boarders pay.

[LuvMyNSH]

So, I inquire about boarding at a new barn. I get the tour, etc., and the BO tells me the price is $450 per month.

I send an email to a friend who boards there, asking about how she likes the place, and she tells me it's great and that the price is $350 per month.


How long has friend been there?

Sometimes a BO will increase rates but let the existing boarders stay at the lower rate. If friend has been there for awhile I would just accept that the rate has gone up. If friend just went over there last week, then I'd be asking questions.

[AllyandPete]

If having a different price would REALLY bother you, than it isn't worth it because you will end up resentful.

It probably is a grandfathered in price. I boarded at a barn and when the prices went up the BO told me that my price would remain the same because she knew I was paying for college and working a million hours a week already to pay for my board. It was great because with the increase I definately would have had to leave.

I am guessing that the price is going to be going up. Why have someone come in at $350 for one month and then be like, oh BTW starting next month its $450.

[stryder]

So, I inquire about boarding at a new barn. I get the tour, etc., and the BO tells me the price is $450 per month.

I send an email to a friend who boards there, asking about how she likes the place, and she tells me it's great and that the price is $350 per month.

??

Do I ask for clarification by either party?



This is why I would ask how long it's been since board was raised, and when it's expected to go up again. You may find it's going up for everyone very soon, and the BO is just now getting out notice to everyone.

I know there's a discrepancy at our barn between rough boarders and stall board. And that the BO isn't taking on any more rough boarders. Is your friend receiving the same services as were presented to you?

It's worth asking about.

[nwrider]

When I was inquiring about a fancy barn that I had my horse at for a while I asked right up front if it was a standard rate that everyone had to pay or if there were different rates. It was standard. If I knew someone else was paying $100 less for the same thing I would be amighty pissed.

[saultgirl]

The services would be exactly the same.

My friend has been there for not too long... I believe she was still at her last barn this past June, so within the year.

I haven't totally decided if I'm leaving my current place, so I'll take it into consideration. And I have decided that yes, I would have hard feelings about paying $100 per month more for the exact same services as the person next to me.

[Trees4U]

Maybe BO is fishing?

Are there lots of stalls available or only one?

I would like to know why the big difference - you will feel resentful and then suspicious that they are not being honest with you about stuff. Of course- there are barn "favorites" but i won't go there.....

[gieriscm]

Is the price acceptable given your budget, the quality of care at the facility, and the amenities available?

Can you find better service elsewhere at the same or lower price?

If you answered yes and no, don't worry about what your friend is paying. The BO's contract with her has nothing to do with you.

[Blondie22]

I have this situation at my full service A barn. I pay $XXX but I know that everyone else pays $YYY. The difference is $100. I have been there for a year and everyone else has been there for at least 3+ years, so their board hasn't been increased up to what mine is. I'm not bitter about it and I look at it this way - when I inquired about the facility, I asked the trainer how much board was. Trainer told me $XXX and I moved my horse in, knowing that I would be paying $XXX. I love it there - trainer is great, horse is amazing so I do not complain.

[magnolia73]

My board is higher than other boarders at my new barn because the owner increased rates for new boarders while keeping the rates lower for longtime boarders as a courtesy. I'm happy and it tells me that the BO works hard to keep from upping existing boarders board.

[Tiffany01]

My board is a happy $$$$ amount.

[LearnToFly]

I am guessing that the price is going to be going up. Why have someone come in at $350 for one month and then be like, oh BTW starting next month its $450.

That happened to me, except my BO told me beforehand that the price would be going up soon. No biggie.

[flypony74]

In college, I did self-care board at a nice little farm for 5.5 years. The BO did raise board rates eventually for newcomers, but grandfathered me in on the old rates, which I very much appreciated. I suppose it was worth it to him to take care of a long term, very loyal client who always paid on time and recommended the farm to others.

[katie16]

I have this situation at my full service A barn. I pay $XXX but I know that everyone else pays $YYY. The difference is $100. I have been there for a year and everyone else has been there for at least 3+ years, so their board hasn't been increased up to what mine is.

While not my situation, I do know of another trainer who has done this. I, however, cannot understand this. If I were the boarder paying the higher rate, for the exact same services, I would not be pleased. From my way of thinking, if the BO needs to raise rates, than he needs to raise rates - period - across the board. But how do you justify that newcomers pay more for the same thing? From a management standpoint, I cannot help but expect that it would create hard feelings between new customers, old customers, and management. I simply do not understand. Maybe someone could shed some light?

[Wigwag]

Had this happen years ago at an old barn. We the current boarders were grandfathered in under the price we'd been paying for years, and new boarders were paying a higher rate. Eventually (I think it was within a year or so), our rates were changed to the higher amount as well.

Only problem with this was that the BO specifically went around asking all of the current boarders to keep it a "secret" that we weren't paying the same, higher, amount. It made things a bit uncomfortable. Personally I just don't discuss board prices with other boarders, but am shocked at how many people do. At my current barn, as far as I know, we're all paying the same rate; or basically the same. There may be a couple people working something off, and there are those who pasture board and pay a lower rate, but otherwise myself and the 5 or 6 horses that moved in at the same time all pay the same.

I figure if I move into a barn and agree to pay X amount in board, then I've determined it's worth it and it really doesn't matter what others are paying. Why even ask? This is very much a MYOB situation IMHO.

[Blondie22]

While not my situation, I do know of another trainer who has done this. I, however, cannot understand this. If I were the boarder paying the higher rate, for the exact same services, I would not be pleased. From my way of thinking, if the BO needs to raise rates, than he needs to raise rates - period - across the board. But how do you justify that newcomers pay more for the same thing? From a management standpoint, I cannot help but expect that it would create hard feelings between new customers, old customers, and management. I simply do not understand. Maybe someone could shed some light?


I agree with your thoughts. It kind of irritated me when I found out (trainer did not tell me that other people paid less) but then I remind myself - I agreed to pay $XXX and moved my horse there knowing that was the monthly board cost. If everyone else is paying less, it's really none of my business. With that being said, we have a fabulous barn where everyone gets along and there is no drama between clients. I still feel like I'm paying less than I would be elsewhere for what I'm getting and I'm not going to leave and start the dreaded barn search over $100.

[Dressage Art]

I boarded at 2 barns that did similar pricing: first one charged $100 less to clients who stayed with them thru their demolishing/construction of their barn. If the board was raised, their board was raised as well, but still remained $100 less than people who came after construction was finished. Construction was done about 8 years ago, but the discount still stands.

In the barn where I board now we also have different pricing: BO raises our prices once per year in the summer time. However, for the new people who come starting January, she adds up the raise up price from the get go - and then in the summer bring up the price for everybody else. The barn has 60 places for horses. 40 of that are regular customers, but another 20 always come and go. So at any given time we can have 20 people who are paying a higher price. The difference is $30-50 per month. Some people do not understand her raising board formula and do bitch about it.

There are also a couple of people who help BO with her chores and get a discount.

If you will ask BO about the price difference - do not mention your friends name ;)

[Huntertwo]

I boarded at a barn once who didn't raise the board on existing boarders, but new boarders coming in paid a little more.

If you really like the place, then I'd just pay it and not say anything.

[magnolia73]

While not my situation, I do know of another trainer who has done this. I, however, cannot understand this. If I were the boarder paying the higher rate, for the exact same services, I would not be pleased. From my way of thinking, if the BO needs to raise rates, than he needs to raise rates - period - across the board. But how do you justify that newcomers pay more for the same thing? From a management standpoint, I cannot help but expect that it would create hard feelings between new customers, old customers, and management. I simply do not understand. Maybe someone could shed some light?

I feel like she does it as a courtesy to those who have been with her for a long time. Bottom line- she has a waiting list, the care is excellent- I'm getting my money's worth. My decision is in no way impacted by others. I agreed to her rates when I moved in. That someone pays less is irrelevant. It's not much different from airfare. Or being the first person in a new neighborhood. I think people are pretty used to tiered pricing- it happens everywhere- hotels, even medical services.

I get where some people would be peeved- but I feel I am paying a fair price for the service. Would I love it if she cut my board? Of Course!