Money Moral Dilemma: Should we leave our golf club and rejoin later to get cheaper membership?

MSE_Kelvin

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

My golf club offers cheaper rates to new members than to those renewing. We've approached the owners about the unfairness of this, but they didn't seem to take us seriously, so a large group of us are now all thinking of leaving, playing somewhere else for a year, then rejoining for the cheaper rates. While I don't want to damage the club, we're being penalised for our loyalty. Is walking out the right thing to do?

Unfortunately the MSE team can't answer Money Moral Dilemma questions as contributions are emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be a point of debate and discussed at face value. Remember that behind each dilemma there is a real person so, as the forum rules say, please keep it kind and keep it clean.

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Brie

If you leave the club will they allow you back in?

BJV

Yes, it is unfair, I cannot stand it when new customers get better deals than loyal long-standing customers.

But I think it would depend on several things?

1. If you leave, will you be allowed to go back?
2. What is the price difference, if it is pennies, is it worth it?
3. Is there anywhere else local that you would like to join?

Once you have answered these, you will know the right way to go.

tacpot12

Who runs your golf club? 

evosaurus

My club offers the same rate for 12 months at the end of the year before the new rate hike in January. This makes it seem like it’s cheaper - are you sure it’s not something similar?

Most clubs don’t allow previous members to join for 13 months after leaving, which means there’s a one month limbo.

If you’ve considered all of this and still think it’s worth it to get a cheaper rate, why not?

Emerion

How large a group? If you are all resolute in your decision you could write a letter to the club, signed by all, explaining your position. They might rethink. 

keithyno.1

Walking out and taking your custom elsewhere is absolutely the right thing to do, because it sounds like that’s what you are - a customer. You refer to the club’s ‘owners’ who didn’t take you seriously when you approached them about the membership rates, so presumably it’s privately owned and run as a business, rather than owned and run by the members.

If that’s the case you’re perfectly entitled to take your custom wherever you wish. If a large group of you threaten to resign your memberships and leave to go somewhere else then if the business owners have any sense they’ll restructure their membership fees to entice you to stay. The customer is king in ANY business..if they fail to realise that then they won’t be in business for very long.

ripongrammargirl

Sounds a great idea and if there is a large group then the owners might think again. However be careful of any nasty clauses as will you be classed as a “new” member just because there has been a year’s gap or will it be seen that you have been a previous member so new memberships don’t apply? A lot of companies seem to add clauses like this so avoiding paying out to people or giving better rates etc.  

Or better still save some cash and don’t join any clubs to avoid the extortionate fees they charge. 

retired19

Yes leave if they've already refused to rethink their policy. Vote with your feet and think twice about your return. Loyalty should be rewarded 

Matt8888

Firstly it is not really a moral issue, it a straight customer decision based on cost and convenience etc. Secondly, businesses are perfectly entitled to offer better rates to attract new custom. As a club member you will likely get better future rates and services the more new members the club can secure. If this lower rate was applied to all members the club could likely not afford it, so you are complaining about not getting something that would be impossible for the club to give you all. This is simple business practice. You are not being cheated. The club is doing its best to stay solvent and get more members in to secure its future. If a load of you leave and want to join again, you will likely return to find the club in a more precarious position, which will not be good for you and your friends. Of course if you do not value one club above another you could switch around every year or two and save money for sure. So you need to ask yourself if you like and value your club (then stay) or do not really care which club you use (in which case move around and save money). My club does what you say and I completely understand why. I like my club (the course, the bar, the members) so I will stay. It sounds to me like your club secretary should have a meeting of those disaffected and explain "Business 101" and why the club is doing this for new members but not the rest of you. It ain't rocket science to be honest though! Anyway, good luck with your decision.

Jonboy_1984

If it is a business then yes you pay your money and take your choice, albeit golf can be an expensive pastime with the equipment costs of the sticks, caddy and silly hats all paid for upfront and giving new members a small percentage discount might be reasonable for longevity of the business. 


If it is a club with a committee and AGM process then you need to ensure you have correctly raised it at the appropriate time and manner for discussion by the full membership...