$10 Fee increase for Michigan Trail Pass next year

[dcsnomo]

If Egg Harbor or Door County decided to raise the slip prices 80% in the next two years you would still go there? How many other people would?

There is a point at which price exceeds perceived value and volume falls. Or, through inadequate management of pricing, quality falls and volume declines.

Egg Harbor removed an old dumpy marina, built a new one of double size that is a wonderful marina, and raised slip fees. The result? 66 full slips at a higher rate (double the occupancy, higher rate) more than double the income to run the facility, and a beautiful destination marina that will bring visitors to our village. The perceived value of boating to Egg Harbor has been increased and can support the higher price. We are using the increased revenue to rebuild the park by the marina (thus enhancing value) and are using room tax revenue to have 9 free concerts of national touring acts on Sunday night at a new outdoor venue within walking distance to your boat. This is in addition to all that we have to offer other than boating.

Perceived value earns a higher price, and through higher slip fees the user pays the cost for the better time on vacation.

Would we raise slip fees 80%? Of course not, and the suggestion of pricing at double the market is ludicrous! But, an Audi commands more than a Ford, Haggen Dazs commands more than Deans. We changed our market segment and our marina is full. And yes, we lost some long term renters who didn't want to pay the new price.

Price is not absolute, it is inextricably tied to value,and FOR ME at this time the UP delivers the highest value sledding experience within a 6 hour drive. At $45 it is not a matter of price, it is a matter of value.

As long as the fee supports the value I'm good.

This is fun, you guys are making me work!

 

[dcsnomo]

Egg Harbor is getting a new Marina? I got to check it out!!!!

Yes sir we do! It will be in its first full year of operation. It's wonderful!

www.eggharbormarina.com will be up and running soon, otherwise www.villageofeggharbor.org

Walk up the hill to the Lull-Abi Inn and I will buy you a beer or three!

 

[polarisrider1]

Yes sir we do! It will be in its first full year of operation. It's wonderful!

www.eggharbormarina.com will be up and running soon, otherwise www.villageofeggharbor.org

Walk up the hill to the Lull-Abi Inn and I will buy you a beer or three!

Will do! Make sure this info is going into the Lakeland Boating "Ports O' call book" that is the Great lakes boating bible. I have been to Casey's,Cupula, Grant's, the Hof, Horseshoe Pub, Shipwrecked, Trio, Village Cafe' and the Chocolate Chicken, but not to Lull-Abi Inn. it is on my to do list thank you.

 

[polarisrider1]

Yes sir we do! It will be in its first full year of operation. It's wonderful!

www.eggharbormarina.com will be up and running soon, otherwise www.villageofeggharbor.org

Walk up the hill to the Lull-Abi Inn and I will buy you a beer or three!

http://www.eggharbordoorcounty.org/ try this one it works better.

 

[polarisrider1]

How did Egg Harbor get its name?
Egg Harbor. It's an unusual name and you may have wondered how it came to be. There are many conflicting stories about the name "Egg Harbor." Some say Egg Harbor was named by Mr. Increase Claflin because in the process of retreiving a horseshoe out of the harbor, he found a nest full of duck's eggs. Some say it was named after a nest of eggs found on the shore by Door County's first settler. Others say it received its name because seagulls nested along the shore and one could gather a basket of eggs from their nests.

A more appealing story is told in the Door County Advocate of April 26, 1862. The story indicates that a number of Mackinac boats left Green Bay to deliver furs to the trading post on Mackinac Island. The boats stopped at the yet unnamed harbor to rest for the night. While rowing ashore, there was a race to see who would reach the shore first. The village is named after a legendary egg battle that took place in our harbor. A witness was Mrs. Elizabeth Baird, who recorded that fateful day of June 23, 1825, in her journal.

She wrote that the battle began when men among a six-boat trading flotilla began throwing hardtack at each other while approaching a spot of land. This first bout ceased due to their continuing need of the staple. Shortly thereafter the young Mrs. Baird saw eggs flying in the air, some of which occasionally struck her in the head. The leader tried to stop the battle, but the fun was "too fierce to be readily given up." When they camped on that spot of land, she wrote that a storm was brewing ... another egg storm!

The great egg battle stopped only for want of ammunition, and the men "laughed until exhausted." The next morning the battlefield was so strewn with egg shells that before leaving shore, speeches befitting the occasion were made, and the spot was formally christened Egg Harbor.

I suspect that the saying, "Last one in is a rotten egg". Was coined at this event.

 

[booondocker]

There is a point at which price exceeds perceived value and volume falls. Or, through inadequate management of pricing, quality falls and volume declines.

Egg Harbor removed an old dumpy marina, built a new one of double size that is a wonderful marina, and raised slip fees. The result? 66 full slips at a higher rate (double the occupancy, higher rate) more than double the income to run the facility, and a beautiful destination marina that will bring visitors to our village. The perceived value of boating to Egg Harbor has been increased and can support the higher price. We are using the increased revenue to rebuild the park by the marina (thus enhancing value) and are using room tax revenue to have 9 free concerts of national touring acts on Sunday night at a new outdoor venue within walking distance to your boat. This is in addition to all that we have to offer other than boating.

Perceived value earns a higher price, and through higher slip fees the user pays the cost for the better time on vacation.

Would we raise slip fees 80%? Of course not, and the suggestion of pricing at double the market is ludicrous! But, an Audi commands more than a Ford, Haggen Dazs commands more than Deans. We changed our market segment and our marina is full. And yes, we lost some long term renters who didn't want to pay the new price.

Price is not absolute, it is inextricably tied to value,and FOR ME at this time the UP delivers the highest value sledding experience within a 6 hour drive. At $45 it is not a matter of price, it is a matter of value.

As long as the fee supports the value I'm good.

This is fun, you guys are making me work!

DC, with all due respect, I don't think this is a fair comparison.

Your marina, got vastly improved.

The Michigan trails are what they have been for many years...with but a few exceptions.

Therefore your "perceived value" isn't there. Fact is unless you are going to add something extra like Polaris suggests, there is no extra. Just a fee increase put in place when the economy was much better and when few cared because it didn't matter much.

Times change...economies go up and down, and Governments that put taxations in play, need to be sensitive to these issues and either provide some value extra, or find a new way to cut up the fish!

There will always be those who pay the price and never say a word...as many have already pointed out...not an option, and will just pay it and keep going. But QUIETLY, many will walk. Probably Michigan's hunting and fishing sales is a better example. No doubt like the cheese state, even though the price of licenses have increase, and more restrictions have been put in place, fewer licenses are being sold and the QUIET, is now deafening. Now campaigns to "take a kid fishing" with FREE fishing days, and so forth are necessary to get more enthusiasm in the industry.

The point of this thread was really can we afford to keep on piling up the fees to increase revenues, ignoring the QUIET movement out of the industry and away from Michigan? It will have consequences, and nobody will be holding signage at the capital, but the tally will still be there and perhaps it is time to find alternative sources for income to build the funds necessary to maintain the trails and do all the other chores the funds were supposed to cover.

 

[polarisrider1]

DC, with all due respect, I don't think this is a fair comparison.

Your marina, got vastly improved.

The Michigan trails are what they have been for many years...with but a few exceptions.

Therefore your "perceived value" isn't there. Fact is unless you are going to add something extra like Polaris suggests, there is no extra. Just a fee increase put in place when the economy was much better and when few cared because it didn't matter much.

Times change...economies go up and down, and Governments that put taxations in play, need to be sensitive to these issues and either provide some value extra, or find a new way to cut up the fish!

There will always be those who pay the price and never say a word...as many have already pointed out...not an option, and will just pay it and keep going. But QUIETLY, many will walk. Probably Michigan's hunting and fishing sales is a better example. No doubt like the cheese state, even though the price of licenses have increase, and more restrictions have been put in place, fewer licenses are being sold and the QUIET, is now deafening. Now campaigns to "take a kid fishing" with FREE fishing days, and so forth are necessary to get more enthusiasm in the industry.

The point of this thread was really can we afford to keep on piling up the fees to increase revenues, ignoring the QUIET movement out of the industry and away from Michigan? It will have consequences, and nobody will be holding signage at the capital, but the tally will still be there and perhaps it is time to find alternative sources for income to build the funds necessary to maintain the trails and do all the other chores the funds were supposed to cover.

The state of Michigan has no problems with piling on "fees" (a tax in disguise). This is how politicians get things done without "Raising taxes". If you want to really find out how this works talk to anyone who has recently gotten a DUI in MI. It scares me to just listen to the stories of monetary Rape on the citizens of Michigan with fees and I live here.. But no one is going to feel sorry for the drunk driver any more than they will for us snowmobilers. Many state legislators feels we are to small of a group to be reckoned with financially. Lansing understands only one thing, Numbers. numbers mean votes to them. votes mean re-election. That is why MSA membership is so important. Just like the NRA. We are viewed as a special interest group to them begging for money all the time. www.msasnow.org it is worth a look. As far as businesses who do business with the snowmobilers, I look for the MSA sticker in your window at the same time I look for the credit card sticker. I will not stay at your business if not a member. It is that important that you too support those who are supporting the trails to your doors.

 

[chords]

"A toll on the IL tollway is a fee (tax) on drivers who use the tollway, and is used to operate the tollway. People who don't use the tollway never pay the fee."

"Putting a sled on a trail requires a trail permit".

I'm just pointing out that those who may never use the trail system, pay the permit fee unlike the toll road. And putting a sled anywhere, not just on a trail, requires a permit.

I try to stay legal by using my sleds only for ice fishing. But do like to ride on the lake (21 miles shoreline) and back in da woods. I dont have $20k sleds, or $40k truck, $9k trailer and spend $1000s on accessories and hotels.

If I rode a trail 1 time or wk-end I would buy one. Thats the pay to play thats referred to so many times. But until that day comes, I quit buying them.

 

[wisyooper1]

Yeah and you also have to pay to play. I know you are not totally bitching about it but cmon....$45 bucks. That is worth it if the continued progress I see in grooming keeps up. You ride a mult-thousand dollar sled so what is $10 more dollars. If they want to add more trails like they are talking then this is what is helping it. I know what you mean just another expense but cmon it isn't that big of a deal. Think about it though, our lowest expense in the sport goes to keeping up what we ride on all year long.

My sleds are not multi-$1000s - I am still riding ZX chassis and very happy with it. I rode once in da yoop last winter - $70 for two sleds. And most of my riding was off-trail or on privately groomed trails in Bootjack/Dollar Bay/Point Mills. But I still use the state trails to get to these other trails and need the sticker. I am thinking that next year I will trailer to get around the state trails and save the $90. I would rather give my money to the small club that grooms the trails....

 

[Banks93]

There is a point at which price exceeds perceived value and volume falls. Or, through inadequate management of pricing, quality falls and volume declines.

Egg Harbor removed an old dumpy marina, built a new one of double size that is a wonderful marina, and raised slip fees. The result? 66 full slips at a higher rate (double the occupancy, higher rate) more than double the income to run the facility, and a beautiful destination marina that will bring visitors to our village. The perceived value of boating to Egg Harbor has been increased and can support the higher price. We are using the increased revenue to rebuild the park by the marina (thus enhancing value) and are using room tax revenue to have 9 free concerts of national touring acts on Sunday night at a new outdoor venue within walking distance to your boat. This is in addition to all that we have to offer other than boating.

Perceived value earns a higher price, and through higher slip fees the user pays the cost for the better time on vacation.

Would we raise slip fees 80%? Of course not, and the suggestion of pricing at double the market is ludicrous! But, an Audi commands more than a Ford, Haggen Dazs commands more than Deans. We changed our market segment and our marina is full. And yes, we lost some long term renters who didn't want to pay the new price.

Price is not absolute, it is inextricably tied to value,and FOR ME at this time the UP delivers the highest value sledding experience within a 6 hour drive. At $45 it is not a matter of price, it is a matter of value.

As long as the fee supports the value I'm good.

This is fun, you guys are making me work!

Good to hear about Egg Harbor.

That really isn't using the same example as the MSA and the permit increase of 80% over two years for snowmobiling. It would be like raising your slip prices to your new 66 customers 80% over the next 2 years. You changed your product offering and going after a brand new market segment and have upgrades to explain your increase.

The UP trails are staying the same yet the price is going up. Do the same thing with the new slips and my guess is that you would have some people moving to other marinas.

 

[cuzzinolaf]

I'm sorry, but need to say this. All of you who are complaining about the additional $10 fee know you'll be the first people headed to the UP if they are the only ones with snow. I can understand everyone's frustration with the fee raising two years in a row. I also read it won't be going up anymore for another five years. IF that is what has been communicated and it goes up again next year feel free to complain. Feel free to complain if they said that last year too... but I don't recall anyone saying it.

FINE PRINT
This doesn't apply to people who ride out west.

 

[snoluver1]

I'm sorry, but need to say this. All of you who are complaining about the additional $10 fee know you'll be the first people headed to the UP if they are the only ones with snow. I can understand everyone's frustration with the fee raising two years in a row. I also read it won't be going up anymore for another five years. IF that is what has been communicated and it goes up again next year feel free to complain. Feel free to complain if they said that last year too... but I don't recall anyone saying it.

FINE PRINT
This doesn't apply to people who ride out west.

Nice disclaimer. How u do dat?-LOL

 

[xcr440]

Is it possible, that with the snow scattered about the rest of the midwest the past two years, that this was their way, and excuse, to raise it now because the revenue's from such trail permits and fees did not bring in what they were hoping they would to stay above water with the expenses of maintaining the trail system?

Kinda like supply and demand. Demand to ride in the UP was down, so the supply of funds to maintain the trails was also down.

Thoughts?

 

[polarisrider1]

Is it possible, that with the snow scattered about the rest of the midwest the past two years, that this was their way, and excuse, to raise it now because the revenue's from such trail permits and fees did not bring in what they were hoping they would to stay above water with the expenses of maintaining the trail system?

Kinda like supply and demand. Demand to ride in the UP was down, so the supply of funds to maintain the trails was also down.

Thoughts?

LOL, a conspiracy ya that's it. We voted on this 3 years ago.

 

[lx700kev]

For me personally it will affect Michigan. My wife and I enjoy riding Wisconsin AND Michigan when we come north. We usually stay in WI and ride north into MI on one of our days of riding. It's not going to be worth $90 to make a one day loop up into the UP like we usually do. $70 for WI stickers plus another $90 ( for 2 sleds) just to go further north will not be worth it for us. Yeah, it's only another $20......But I have to draw a line somewhere. I just drew it. Everyone needs to decide for themselves where they want to draw that line....be it for the price of a sticker, sled,room, meal,gallon of gas,oil, the sport as a whole or whatever.

 

[xcr440]

LOL, a conspiracy ya that's it. We voted on this 3 years ago.

Thats not what I meant. Though I can see how you could read that into it. I didn't know it was decided 3 years ago.

 

[ridindirty800]

For me personally it will affect Michigan. My wife and I enjoy riding Wisconsin AND Michigan when we come north. We usually stay in WI and ride north into MI on one of our days of riding. It's not going to be worth $90 to make a one day loop up into the UP like we usually do. $70 for WI stickers plus another $90 ( for 2 sleds) just to go further north will not be worth it for us. Yeah, it's only another $20......But I have to draw a line somewhere. I just drew it. Everyone needs to decide for themselves where they want to draw that line....be it for the price of a sticker, sled,room, meal,gallon of gas,oil, the sport as a whole or whatever.

This is what I have said to! Its not going to effect the people who go to the U.P for 2-3 trips a year. They are going to lose out on a lot of us who ride from N. Wi into Michigan. Now like I said earlier if they are the only ones with rideable snow I will pay the fee with a smile on my face to go ride. But to I wont put a $45 sticker on to make a loop from mercer into the U.P and back. Like you also say at some point you draw a line. Everyone will draw it at a different dollar amount then the other.

 

[polarisrider1]

This is what I have said to! Its not going to effect the people who go to the U.P for 2-3 trips a year. They are going to lose out on a lot of us who ride from N. Wi into Michigan. Now like I said earlier if they are the only ones with rideable snow I will pay the fee with a smile on my face to go ride. But to I wont put a $45 sticker on to make a loop from mercer into the U.P and back. Like you also say at some point you draw a line. Everyone will draw it at a different dollar amount then the other.

In the area I ride the most, you can guarantee to get sticker checked at minimum one time. Sometimes multiple times in a weekend. The fine is $150. I will buy that permit.

 

[snow_monkey]

What does a trail pass cost out West? If $10 is changing your thoughts of riding in the UP, you really need to get out of the sport. I've ridden all of the trails too, and for the amount of traffic they get, no one does a more consistent job of grooming than the UP. When snow permits, most all trails are groomed daily up there, so you know what you're going to get. You can't say that for everywhere else. They groom 2, maybe 3 times a week if you're lucky. Your $45 is gone in less than one shift in the groomer for fuel only. As long as they keep doing the job they have for the past 10 years or so, I am happy to pay that for smooth trails!

X'2 they groom my local trails in the lower, more than I would expect. There are pockets of trails that are subject to exceptional grooming from a few select super dedicated volunteers in the lower and the upper. There were times this winter I never expected to see a groomer and they even panned our trails during the last big storm two weeks ago! No complaints here!!!

 

[snow_monkey]

Note: the permit is good for All of Michigan, not just the UP. Many of us can ride from our door or from our cabins door. That is worth it. But then again the cost of a cabin far out weighs the cost of a permit. I guess it is perceived value of the permit that xsledder is having issues with. No need to diss the Michigan trail system for it. It is just not a value to you. Reminds me, my boat registration is due for renewal again, $280 for what? no trails or grooming even. (I am sure it goes for something).

X'2 riding from the cabin is the best! Nothin better than an early 50 mile loop then a nap! Come on up next winter and ride with polaris one or the snow monkey. We can both take you on a wicked 100 mile loop and almost never touch a marked trail. I will never pass on the chance to ride with someone local that knows the backroads. There is something to be said when you never pull a map out all day and end up at the back door of all the best eateries and watering holes we never knew were there.