chriswelker 0 #1 June 18, 2002 Would anyone ever consider joining a skydiving country club where one price covered everything?What would be considered a fair price for services rendered?What kind of value added services would need to be included to make the price fair?The reason I ask these questions is because before I started skydiving I was an avid golfer. I was a member of a country club to which I paid an up front membership fee when I joined and then a monthly membership fee. I was obligated to a 1 year contract and then could go month to month after the first year. The service included unlimited tee times, the use of a swimming pool, and clubhouse privileges. There were extra charges for golf club storage, cart rental, professional golf lessons taught by a PGA professional, social events, meeting rooms, and private parties.Could this work and would anyone be interested in such a thing for skydiving?Blue Ones,Chris Welker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbo 0 #2 June 18, 2002 I don't think you could get enough people together who would be willing to pay the price (upfront) to support such an operation.That said, take a look at Perris or Eloy. Those DZs seem to have every amenity available, but are supported primarly by a large following paying a little bit each week. My $0.02 USD-Jim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivehigh 0 #3 June 18, 2002 I thought Deland was a country club......You mean that wasn't a steam room ???Fugit...I'm finding a new DZ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bbarnhouse 0 #4 June 18, 2002 Now Jim not true. Eloy cuts operations in the summer but the majority of income comes in the fall/winter. And it is that income that sustains this place.True that in the summer it is lean here, and mostly team training, but to say that it is "supported primarily by a large following paying a little each week ", infers hundreds of jumpers here everyday that Sky Az is in operation. That just isn't the case.If you learn not to expect anything, you don't leave room for disappointment. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbo 0 #5 June 18, 2002 You're right, my mistake. The point though was that I don't think it would be feasible to support a 'Country Club' DZ on upfront payments only. I wouldn't be willing to do that. -Jim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diver123 0 #6 June 18, 2002 Not only would it be difficult to provide these services from a DZ owner perspective, but how many skydiver's do you know that could afford to spend anymore money than we already have to!!! :)"pull high! It's lower than you think..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #7 June 18, 2002 The best DZ's in the US are the little ones that are out of the way, don't have great facilities and the people are the best things that could ever happen. There are several DZ's with all sorts of activites and amminities around on the DZ (Eloy, Perris, SDC...). But you know what... you can keep all the nicities and give me a safe airplane with some really great people and a great vibe and I'll be happier then I would be jumping at a "Resort".Besides... the only time I'd be able to use the extras besides the plane and hanger is at night and I better be drunk if its that time of the day....Drop the tube...DROP the tube... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bbarnhouse 0 #8 June 18, 2002 I agree that the idea is a novel one, however, I seriously doubt that folks would be willing to hand over that kind of money. Furthermore it would be too damned expensive. 100 jumps equates to roughly $1,700. I dont see how unlimited jumps could possibly be cost effective. I know that I do way more than 100 jumps a year......heck try that figure in a month. just my .02If you learn not to expect anything, you don't leave room for disappointment. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooked 0 #9 June 18, 2002 What a concept! Interesting idea! How could you ever fix a price?J Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #10 June 18, 2002 I think the biggest problem is protecting the DZO's ass. If they were to set a flat rate, assholes like me would make 30 jumps a weekend. Sure, everybody wouldn't, it would probably average out somewhere around 10 jumps/day.The price would just be too expensive to make it worthwhile... DZ's occaisionally have "jump till ya puke" boogies. The cheapest one of these going is currently $200/weekend. If they wanted to do this for a month, I can't imagine them charging less then $800/month, and even then the're probably getting hosed...A big difference with skydiving and golf is that the expense of golf is mostly in capital - ie, buying the land. It doesn't cost a golf club much to let you play. Skydiving is different.... every time you jump it costs them at least $4 in jet-a, and if they're leasing the plane it might cost as much as $12 for your slot (plus gas). Unlike golf, everytime you're jumping over your "quota", you're actually costing the DZO cash, unlike golf where you're largely just using capacity._AmICQ: 5578907MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfeYahoo IM: ametcalf_1999 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weid14 0 #11 June 18, 2002 I thought that's what the $15 was for at CK's??? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chriswelker 0 #12 June 18, 2002 If we waited for all traffic signals to turn green , then we would never be able to leave the house.Lead, follow, or get out of the way.Chris Welker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #13 June 18, 2002 QuoteDZ's occaisionally have "jump till ya puke" boogies. The cheapest one of these going is currently $200/weekend. The recent all you can jump boogie at Perris was $150/rig/weekend. pull & flare,lisa"Try not. Do or do not. There is no try." - Yoda sez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbo 0 #14 June 18, 2002 They did build new showers. Much nicer than last years....-Jim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chriswelker 0 #15 June 18, 2002 Please send me your business plan so I don't try it.Chris Welker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bbarnhouse 0 #16 June 18, 2002 Andy...........business plan? Oh gawd here we go! *fastens seat belt snuggly around waist, brings tray to the upright and locked position........."ok I'm ready for take off".........If you learn not to expect anything, you don't leave room for disappointment. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #17 June 18, 2002 The DZ's already sucked $1800 out of me this year so far... and I'm not even really jumping much If anyone has enough money laying around up front to pay a $5000+ fee... they are'nt jumping enough to start with!Drop the tube...DROP the tube... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #18 June 18, 2002 Quote$5000 feeper year?Add the wind tunnel training to the skydives...video fee...coaching...packing....team room rental..., and I think you'd have a sweet deal for serious team training skydivers! ltdiver____________________________________________LightDiverCam Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdriver 5 #19 June 18, 2002 Quotegive me a safe airplane with some really great people and a great vibe and I'll be happier then I would be jumping at a "Resort".Are you saying Eloy, Perris, SDC can't provide this? I beg to differ. I'd say I can get a pretty descent and safe aircraft at all three. And I know really great people at all three. So why should I be leaving again? I know you don't mean to imply they have unsafe aircraft. It's just the way it seemed to read.Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skyrose7 0 #20 June 18, 2002 country club ? sounds stuffy. it would change the -free- style (the only free thing in jumping) of jumping. do I make any sense? long week--crap. it is only monday.The mind is like a parachute--it works better when it is open. JUMP. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bbarnhouse 0 #21 June 18, 2002 DiverDriver et el....I have already addressed this in PM with Phree and i assure you that was not his intent. Thought I would share that so he wouldnt have to go through the same dance again..........his card was filled with me. If you learn not to expect anything, you don't leave room for disappointment. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #22 June 18, 2002 What I ment was all it takes to make me happy is a good plane and great people... I could care less about having Horseback riding or on DZ Golf Couse. Who really has time for that stuff at a DZ? DZ's are for jumping... Drop the tube...DROP the tube... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdriver 5 #23 June 18, 2002 Ok...but sometimes we have jumpers with whuffo family members. If they have activities that they would enjoy other than skydiving then maybe they won't make it stressful on the jumper for spending time at the DZ. Just a thought. Everyone can stay happier and makes it a more family friendly place.Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stacy 0 #24 June 18, 2002 I agree about the showers, but they DO need to label them. get out of the shower and naked packers are running around in there... can we say "Good Morning Cross keys?" =c) Those showers rock though!!! Roll in there at 10 or 11 AM and the water is still hot... yahoooStacyhttp://users.snip.net/~stacy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #25 June 18, 2002 Okay, as discussed above, there are serious financial issues with this sort of thing, plus there is probably not the same 'economy of scale' type of thing.........That said, one the oldest DZ's in the UK is owned and operated entirely by the jumpers, at Strathallan, you pay a yearly fee, and you actually own a share of the place. The whole thing is run on a 'non profit' basis, with any spare cash going into club facilities, and it actually runs quite well.Plus its an incredibly scenic DZ, with a beautiful backdrop of nearby mountains, glens etc..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
