monthly fees

Monthly fee

pescadoman said:

Here in Ventura Ca, the local room WAS charging 100.00(a number that I think is way too high) until recently when he raised it to......120.00. He only has 1 person now on a monthly.

What, if you offer a monthly, is everyone's rate.

Click to expand...

Here in Medford, OR we charge $75.00 for a 30 consecutive day card which entitles the player to play as much as they want anytime we are open. The player can start or stop anytime they want, but you can't 'pause' it- it is good for 30 consecutive days from whatever day you purchase it. We always have 20-25 people 'on the card', some of which play way more than that, and a few play less. Most of them also buy food and drinks while they are playing, and make games with guys who aren't on the card, who have to pay time. One thing is for sure, the most avid of your players will be the ones on the monthly program-players are only doing it if they think it causes them to pay less. I go back and forth as to whether it is a good thing for me. As to cost, the players say it is too expensive, and I say it is too cheap, so I guess it's just about right for us. I think Hardtimes in Sacramento has a similar program for $79.00.

Metro Sports Bar in PHX has a $30.00 Monthly PASS I believe it is 7 days a week 10A-7P, on 10 GC-III 4.5 x 9.0 FT., and that is a DEAL IMHO if you live near them. But before you all YELL DEAL AZ is a Right to Work State with FEW HIGH PAYING UNION JOBS. Like its neighbor Kalifornia.

Monthly

CocoboloCowboy said:

Metro Sports Bar in PHX has a $30.00 Monthly PASS I believe it is 7 days a week 10A-7P, on 10 GC-III 4.5 x 9.0 FT., and that is a DEAL IMHO if you live near them. But before you all YELL DEAL AZ is a Right to Work State with FEW HIGH PAYING UNION JOBS. Like its neighbor Kalifornia.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I agree, that IS a deal if you like playing during the day. Some do, and others only play at night. I've always thought a big key to success in this business is to get some money in the till before 6:00 pm, and many places offer this 'daytime only' monthly deal.

RackemBilliards said:

Yeah, I agree, that IS a deal if you like playing during the day. Some do, and others only play at night. I've always thought a big key to success in this business is to get some money in the till before 6:00 pm, and many places offer this 'daytime only' monthly deal.

Click to expand...

I recall a couple of years ago the California Billiard Club had two programs: one for daytime play only and another higher priced membership for anytime play. Also, the cost from one room to another is going to be very dependent on their normal room rates, the overall level of business the room has, as well as the overhead faced by the owner. I don't think you can simply compare rates in a vacuum without consideration to these and other factors. Obviously a room in a high rent district needs to get more and a room that does well anyway can charge more for the privilege of offering a flat monthly rate.

Out of curiosity though, I've wondered what room owner's policies are in regard to busy times when there might be a wait list. I would assume a card holder doesn't have to give up a table to an hourly player. But say a card holder comes in and there is a wait list. Does the card holder get a place in line or is the card only good when there isn't a wait? Or does the card holder (as a "loyal regular") get preference in line?

How do you guys handle this?

$600.00 a month for unlimited pool.

Where does cost $600 a month?

waiting list

In my hall if your on the monthly card and there is a wating list they put you on the clock for one hour then you have to get off and get back inline on the waiting list. if your on the card program but are playing on the same table with a paying custy you can stay and play. My local hall charges more for 3 or more people.

Card

J-Flo said:

In my hall if your on the monthly card and there is a wating list they put you on the clock for one hour then you have to get off and get back inline on the waiting list. if your on the card program but are playing on the same table with a paying custy you can stay and play. My local hall charges more for 3 or more people.

Click to expand...

How much is the card per month, and can you play anytime?

J-Flo said:

In my hall if your on the monthly card and there is a wating list they put you on the clock for one hour then you have to get off and get back inline on the waiting list. if your on the card program but are playing on the same table with a paying custy you can stay and play. My local hall charges more for 3 or more people.

Click to expand...

That sounds like a fair solution.

I leave any pool hall that says they charge per player or charge for 3 or more players. Not gonna fly for me. It irritates me beyond belief. You'd rather I come by myself and shoot pool than to encourage my friends to come and drink the beer, eat the food, and enjoy the good times.

I'm paying to use your table, not for the priviledge to be in your bar.

Per person

laserbrn said:

I leave any pool hall that says they charge per player or charge for 3 or more players. Not gonna fly for me. It irritates me beyond belief. You'd rather I come by myself and shoot pool than to encourage my friends to come and drink the beer, eat the food, and enjoy the good times.

I'm paying to use your table, not for the priviledge to be in your bar.

Click to expand...

Does it cost more for 3 people to go to a movie than 1? How about to go bowling or go to a club with a cover charge? Next time you go golfing just tell the dude working the counter 'I'm going to pay my green fees, and these guys are just playing along on my hole'. That should work.

RackemBilliards said:

Does it cost more for 3 people to go to a movie than 1? How about to go bowling or go to a club with a cover charge? Next time you go golfing just tell the dude working the counter 'I'm going to pay my green fees, and these guys are just playing along on my hole'. That should work.

Click to expand...

If we're each paying for the time, can we play on 3 seperate tables? We're paying the equivalent. Does that make any sense?

If 3 people are playing on a table and we aren't playing cutthroat, aren't 2 people really playing? At no time are 3 people playing the game.

If there's a guy standing around, but not playing, does he need to pay? He does in golf.

If I don't have a full group of 4 will you match me up?

In a movie theater there are certain number of SEATS that they are renting. Each SEAT has a specific price and I pay to use it for the duration of the movie. Multiple people per seat is not permitted.

Pool rooms have pool tables that they are renting. I am paying for the use of the pool table, not for admittance. Some places do charge cover charges on busy nights, and I obviously have no contention with that.

On a golf course there are x groups going out per day. Each group should be 4 people. They add singles and doubles and group them together to make foursomes.

Clearly not appropriate analogy's, but I see what you're saying. But the reality is that 2 people play pool at at time (majority of the time) and the other sits and drinks and eats and plays the part of the patron until it is their turn.

$100. month

RackemBilliards said:

How much is the card per month, and can you play anytime?

Click to expand...

Card is $100 a month but they have 13 BIG Gs and on 3 cussion and 1 10ftr

regular rate is $7 befor 5pm and then $9 hour for 2 players and $12 hour four players. they will stay open till the match is over most nights 3-4am

$100 soulds like alot till you see there reg rates. room always clean , clean bathrooms with soap and towels and toilet papper.

Note: June, JUly, August card only $65.

Fees

laserbrn said:

If we're each paying for the time, can we play on 3 seperate tables? We're paying the equivalent. Does that make any sense?

If 3 people are playing on a table and we aren't playing cutthroat, aren't 2 people really playing? At no time are 3 people playing the game.

If there's a guy standing around, but not playing, does he need to pay? He does in golf.

If I don't have a full group of 4 will you match me up?

In a movie theater there are certain number of SEATS that they are renting. Each SEAT has a specific price and I pay to use it for the duration of the movie. Multiple people per seat is not permitted.

Pool rooms have pool tables that they are renting. I am paying for the use of the pool table, not for admittance. Some places do charge cover charges on busy nights, and I obviously have no contention with that.

On a golf course there are x groups going out per day. Each group should be 4 people. They add singles and doubles and group them together to make foursomes.

Clearly not appropriate analogy's, but I see what you're saying. But the reality is that 2 people play pool at at time (majority of the time) and the other sits and drinks and eats and plays the part of the patron until it is their turn.

Click to expand...

All of that makes sense to me. It also makes sense that 3 people playing on a table, and splitting the cost 3 ways, might cost a little more. The answer, I guess, is in what kind of business you have. If you have alcohol, food, and gambling games you'd probably love to have 10 people on a table and that would be great. If you make a majority of your $ on pool time, it might be different. I think most rooms charge by the player, but I could be wrong. Guys?

Fees

J-Flo said:

Card is $100 a month but they have 13 BIG Gs and on 3 cussion and 1 10ftr

regular rate is $7 befor 5pm and then $9 hour for 2 players and $12 hour four players. they will stay open till the match is over most nights 3-4am

$100 soulds like alot till you see there reg rates. room always clean , clean bathrooms with soap and towels and toilet papper.

Note: June, JUly, August card only $65.

Click to expand...

That sounds like a good deal to me. You can play as much as you want, so you can make it a great deal by playing more, and it sounds like a nice room. You can't put a price on toilet paper:smile:

what about time. could you let them buy time. instead of doing a monthly fee.. they by say 20 hours for 40 bucks. and just chage a bit less for this type then for the reg hour rate. just a quick thought. it would keep money in your pocket and the person playing. and maby have them pay more for roll over time.. other wise if they dont use up there hours, o well. you get paid and the person dosent have to pay out the butt. i mean your paying for your time there anyways.. just a thought

laserbrn said:

I leave any pool hall that says they charge per player or charge for 3 or more players. Not gonna fly for me. It irritates me beyond belief. You'd rather I come by myself and shoot pool than to encourage my friends to come and drink the beer, eat the food, and enjoy the good times.

I'm paying to use your table, not for the priviledge to be in your bar.

Click to expand...

This logic will certainly drive up the price per hour accross the board,,,,,even when you go there for a couple of hours by yourself to practice. I mean, 3,4 bucks an hour to play pool,,,,who can't pay that? Take those buddies bowling for a few hours and see what it cost.

Hummm everybody thinks in different ways

Hummm everybody thinks in different ways

RackemBilliards I agree (BUT) Lets look at it a little more closely.

Does it use any more power to turn the lights on?
Does it cost anymore to heat/AC?
Won't you get more in food sales with 4 people rather than 1?
Will it cost any more for maintenance if 4 people play on it rather than 1?
Just because other sports (bowling) (Golf) does it, Does it mean you have to?

Just some food for thought. I'm not saying i'm right But I would like some other opinions too.

RackemBilliards said:

Does it cost more for 3 people to go to a movie than 1? How about to go bowling or go to a club with a cover charge? Next time you go golfing just tell the dude working the counter 'I'm going to pay my green fees, and these guys are just playing along on my hole'. That should work.

Click to expand...

Cheaper rates may work in "low cost" per square foot locations (Bugtussle USA). Most pool rooms have "historically" charged rates predicated on the number of players per table. As I have stated in other "posts" about rates...Unlike other businesses that "pass along" operating cost increases as they come up. Pool rooms can only raise rates every 4-5 years (on table time). Think about it...YOUR local pool room did NOT have different table time rates in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008...2012 etc... As a "pool player" I wish I could go in to a place and pay $10 and play all month long (on perfect equipment of course). As a pool room owner...I know that is impossible. I would love to charge the same rates I did when I opened (1995)...."IF" my costs were the same as they were in 1995. Nobody complains about the "Chevy" you paid $20,000 for in the year 2001, now costs you $30,000 in 2012 or the box of corn flakes that was $1.99 in 2001 is $3.29 now. The same is true at your local pool room. As far as "giving" table time away with food or drink...the pool room is generally on it's knees (struggling) or is a "theme bar" with pool tables (i.e. not a true pool room). If your employer wanted to pay YOU the same amount of money he did in 2002....you would likely quit. Costs go up over the years (rent-mortgage, electric, gas, insurance, licensing fees, wages, maintenance supplies, table cloth, taxes, taxes and MORE TAXES). Couple this with the "smoking ban" (that hurt most pool rooms and bars) and casinos (which are just about everywhere now), it is a "tough business" to be in (pool rooms). Most room owners are just trying to pay the bills.