BOC Entry fee changes over time

[PhilJ]

Don't get me wrong Andypat I totally disagree with the way they operate BUT they know they hold you to ransom, plus the sites put their prices up to highest band just because its a bank holiday weekend Why? I have asked sites this and their reply is "because we can"....and don't get me started on that they charge for pets...dogs/cats per night...I have had a go at sites on that aswell asking "as you are charging for my dog...can she use all the facilities...toilets/showers/bar..are you providing me food for my pet...again they can charge "because we can"...if you don't like it find somewhere else...but as they all operate in the same way your stuffed...seeing a rant coming on now...as some sites see anyone over 14 an adult and you have to pay adult rate...so is my 14 year old taking up more water or breathing more air than my 13 year old? No! so why the hike...usual reply... all together now "because we can".

[SJC]

Why do the organisers put up the BOC entry fees from £19 to £24 to £29 as the event approaches when you get the same service regardless of when you enter ?

Because they can.

[andypat]

I would expect campsites in these prime locations to be fully booked on most holiday weekends, probably for more than just the 3 days, so taking a booking for only 2 days would mean that they would have empty spaces for 1 or 2 nights.
So I wouldn't see it as money grabbing, but good business sense and possibly even good for customers who are looking for a whole weekend in one place.

Its not very customer focussed though Paul is it. My mate in ECKOland (Taynuilt) tried to book a table for him and his wife for dinner at the local hotel not 50 yards from his front door one saturday night a few months back, and was told they wouldnt accept Saturday table bookings for any less than 4 people! Sound business sense or pissing off potential customers? I must say that he isnt entirely disappointed that the hotel has now gone into receivership!

[SAL]

That's not surprising Sal as it is a Bank Holiday weekend, so I would expect ALL campsites to be looking for a Fri/Sat/Sun booking

I agree that it's not surprising (sadly) - I only pointed it out because camping was being discussed on here as a viable option. We've now made other arrangements.

[youngladdie]

Why do the organisers put up the BOC entry fees from £19 to £24 to £29 as the event approaches when you get the same service regardless of when you enter ?

Because they can.

But they shouldnt be allowed to.
So boycott the event... it isnt that important - unless you have a chance of being Champion which is very few competitors.

ALSO: Does it cost less to park and transport a Student or Junior (entry fees less than half adult - whether that adult is employed, low-wage earner or unemployed).

[andy]

It's looking like a better plan to just head down for the relay and the urban race...

[PhilJ]

very off topic but a quick tot up so far, family of 4:

JK £143 (missed 1st entry date, bad timing just before Xmas! so having to pay more and getting the same)
BOC £54
CROESO £281 (incl camping)
HOC W/end £54
Welsh Champs £32

Total = £564

did someone once say 'O' was a cheap sport, this total excludes travel and accommodation, not going to British Middle and Sprints, suprising when you look at how much you spend on entries alone. I am going to keep a tally this year of all event entry fees just to see how much we spend to enter 'O' events.
I reckon it will top the £1,000 mark (Jubilee weekend to add)

[RJ]

Or to look at it another way.....

Level C and D events entered locally throughout the year, with courses often of a better standard than the big events, more fun and friendlier atmosphere..... 52 informal club events, and ten Cumbrian Galoppens.... total £150. There is travel to pay for but would be balanced by a couple of trips to northern Scotland and southern England.

[andy]

Total = £564

did someone once say 'O' was a cheap sport

That's about 20 days of top orienteering for a family of 4 for £600! That is not expensive.

[PhilJ]

Hi Andy,
Happy to pass on my bank details (i assume you are not an African prince) so you can top up my bank balance...£600.00 is obviously not alot of money to you...nice to have such a high surplus of cash, but for an "average" waged person to continue to spend this amount of money needs to be budgeted for with Mr Cameron squeezing the working classes.
We do not all earn the same amount of money, so what you think is cheap may not be same as the next person, I am simply recording how much it is costing me with a family of 4 to carry on orienteering at the current level i.e attending local and major events and how this may change in 2013 or sooner.

[andy]

I am simply recording how much it is costing me with a family of 4 to carry on orienteering at the current level

As I said in another thread a while back, I'm not saying it's cheap as in something frivolous to throw money at. Unless your hobbies are free then orienteering isn't expensive in the grand scheme of things. Having been involved in big events I know what it costs to put on and it really is worth the money.

[andypat]

I think it depends on how much actual top class competition you want. I dont suppose there are many road runners who expect to run 20 half marathons per year for example. Agree with Andy's comment - he refers to value for moeny rather than actual cost.

I have to admit its mainly cost (travel cost mostly) thats stopped me going for my 50 events in year 50 (SOA anniversary) but £3 or so for a local urban event in the west end of Glasgow last Sunday was very good value if you ask me!

I'm making the trip to the British Sprint/Middle, but pretty sure now I am giving the British long/relay a miss this year. Personal choice but cost (accommodation and event totalled) is a factor.

[brooner]

Just to bring this back to life, you should be thankful you're not in Ireland - just seen the entry fees for the Irish Champs

(Prices before deadlines 18/2, 18/3, pre-event)
Middle
Adult: €29 / €32 / €35
Student: €26 / €28 / €31
Junior: €22 / €24 / €27

Classic
Adult: €39 / €43 / €48
Student: €35 / €39 / €43
Junior: €29 / €33 / €37

This makes me very glad that students are given subsidised entry fees in the UK.

Think I'd probably draw the line at paying ~£24 (middle) and £32 (long) to run at the national championships unless it was on VERY good terrain.

[King Penguin]

I'm sure they were much cheaper than that last year. Perhaps because larger entry expected as one week after JK, so able to spread fixed costs over more people ?