Fuel Surcharges

[harddrive]

Yup. And by the time you're at the docks all worked up. What are you going to do? They know it.

There you go, Min.
Add up all the numbers that your experience tells you are going to be there when you check-in and the Intrepid might cost a hundred or so more for fewer passengers.

 

[jiggyn]

its a battle we will not win. If its in the price its probably hidden. If not we pay it up front. So who cares you get to fish
Just get on the boat let them burn the fuel to take us to places we drool over and fish eat, drink and fish

 

[titan05]

Pretty easy to figure the cost

Visa-40.00
Excursion permits 8 day = 80-90.00
Fuel at 20.00 a day ( as per the Excel ) = 160.00

so add an extra 280.00 to get off the dock to the trip price then do the math and get your per day cost.
If you do this going in then you already have it in mind

 

[wes cerny]

I like it all up front. I love it when I walk into the Intrepid office sign my name, pick up my ticket and leave. Ya it makes the trip look more expensive at sign up, but i know nothing else is coming.

 

[fyermn]

Advertising is advertising. Like all businesses, the posted price is the absolute lowest price. If you pay with a credit card, most LR boats add a fee, as the posted price is a CASH price( I know their are some exceptions). If projected fuel prices go up, a fee is added. If permits are added to the equation, the price go up. When passports were required, it added to OUR price as an increase.

Have you ever looked at a New Car add(TV or Newspaper), and gone to the dealer looking for that car at that price? Usually in the fine print, it states --ONLY ONE AVAILABLE AT THAT PRICE, or they say that car has been sold. That's advertising in this day and age. Boats cannot get you to even investigate their operation without a low price ad. If you don't call the boat operation, they have little chance to (SELL) you a spot on their boat, and believe me, they have to sell the spots in order to stay in business.

The Intrepid has a loyal following, and HIGHER than most prices, and that is their way of doing business. To me, I have trouble saving enough for a LONG RANGE trip, and the Intrepid is just to FANCY for me on a fishing trip. We all have to purchase what we can afford.

 

[harddrive]

That's called bait and switch.

Have you ever looked at a New Car add(TV or Newspaper), and gone to the dealer looking for that car at that price? Usually in the fine print, it states --ONLY ONE AVAILABLE AT THAT PRICE, or they say that car has been sold. That's advertising in this day and age.

 

[ebnash]

Do you want to get locked in at $30 per day for fuel surcharge regardless....even if the price drops? I guess that I'm not part of your "most here" as I dont want to see that amount to be locked in.

when you're budgetting your trip, budget $30 a day for the fuel surcharge. If its less than that, bonus for you.

First of all, I really don't sweat the fuel surcharges, I just expect them and pay them and get on the boat.

I agree with the logic stated above, that we roll with the punches and sometimes it costs less if fuel drops, but I think most people on here are upset because the surcharge doesn't always fluctuate as prices drop. Perfect point in case is the Excel tomorrow.

We know fuel is down from 2 weeks ago and we heard from one member here who got a surprise surcharge drop at the dock, but the Excel is still going to charge $20 a day for the 8 day leaving tomorrow. This just seems confusing...

I am just happy that I could get the total ahead of time so I could plan out the cash to bring to the dock in the morning.

I am a lot more worried about the weather coming down than the surcharge.

 

[titan05]

The cost of electricity is going up so I think I may charge a " air conditioning fee" at work for my customers so they are nice and comfy...then hit em with a 10.00 per person surcharge when they pay.

Just kidding...the AC is a cost of doing business so if the fuel is an issue then put it into the cost of the trip up front...along with the permits and visas and let me pay for the trip up front.

Best resorts I ever went to were the "all inclusive" ones.

 

[lowelld]

The cost of electricity is going up so I think I may charge a " air conditioning fee" at work for my customers so they are nice and comfy...then hit em with a 10.00 per person surcharge when they pay.

Just kidding...the AC is a cost of doing business so if the fuel is an issue then put it into the cost of the trip up front...along with the permits and visas and let me pay for the trip up front.

Best resorts I ever went to were the "all inclusive" ones.

One bar of soap, a plastic cup wrapped in plastic, no shampoo, and a cold linoleum floor (deck)--Motel 6 or The Intrepid. It all depends on who your roommate is. Fishy and Jimal--the happy couple.

 

[LagunaTuna]

First off I don't think SD fleet wants to be considered in the same realm as doing business with a car dealer trying their best to get more add ons to the botton line, don't think that most folks have too high of a regard with how that business venture is generally negotiated.

I kind of look at this whole fuel surcharge agenda as truly not needed, but it is something that we have become accustom too and have accepted. Don't know about the rest of you, but if I go to the dentist and he/she says its going to cost $800 to do a root canal and I schedule the work to be done a month or two down the road then complete the work and then get a bill for $975 I am not going to be a real happy camper (again its not so much the extra cost, its the principle). I really don't care if the dentist's electric bill, water bill, or even his/her insurance went up, I was told the final price and that is what I signed up for.

All I am saying here is I prefer to know what my total trip cost is going to be at the time I book my trip, rather than being held hostage at the dock with a fuel surcharge that is calculated how?, and this transaction is now happening after the boat/landing has my trip cost paid in full and my monies are in their bank account, so what is my option as the consumer at that stage? can I cancel my trip without penalty if the fuel surcharge is too high for my original budget?

All inclusive price means just that: all inclusive, if fuel goes down that radically in cost on an all inclusive priced trip than the boat can offer a cash refund or a credit towards a future trip, most anglers would be happy with that resolve. If fuel prices skyrocket above projected cost on an all inclusive trip than the boat could elect not to run, but I get a full refund and I go another day rather than be held hostage and make me pay a fuel surcharge that I did not sign up for in the begining. Most likely not going to see fuel prices fluctuate that radically in a 6 month period of time is my take on this, to where a boat is losing so much money based on their original projected fuel costs they can't run.

OK, If we are going to get ultra precise about fuel costs and mandate that I as a long range customer am paying for the higher cost of fuel as a separate transaction above the cost of the trip price that I booked because long range boat operators are losing money in droves than why don't we calculate the "actual" fuel costs at the end of the trip so I and the other anglers pay based on how much fuel was consumed on our trip?, kind of like a car rental when you check back in, why should I or anyone pay a fuel surcharge in advance of a trip that is based on what?

And one poster states the boat's are giving us the benefit of the doubt basing fuel costs at $2.50 per gallon, how do we know that? And why then do some boats charge a higher fuel surcharge per day than others in the fleet who are buying their fuel at the same place and cost?, bottom line IMO: its just too confusing for the patron and it raises doubt so you feel like you are doing business with a used car dealer which has been my point here from the begining.

Other thing is why do SD long range boats have to publish trip pricing a year in advance, they could state TBD (too be determined) and still take deposits if anglers wanted to give them. Then as the trip date got closer and fuel prices were projected properly for all inclusive pricing they could shore up the published trip price and book all those who were ready, willing and able to lock in at that time.

JMO

 

[titan05]

One bar of soap, a plastic cup wrapped in plastic, no shampoo, and a cold linoleum floor (deck)--Motel 6 or The Intrepid. It all depends on who your roommate is. Fishy and Jimal--the happy couple.

Lowell....you know I would share with you

You can have my Chicken Feet as well

 

[MikeyLikesIt]

Humorous comment considering your profile photo: the slow thinking Sergeant Schultz (good thing there is no such thing as being politically correct here on BD). BTW way John Banner who played German Sergeant Schultz the actor in Hogan's Heroes was actually of "Jewish" decent, wonder if he was frugal as well as being a great actor?

It's not the $160 amount you paid that is the problem for most here, it's more about the principle in respecting one's valued support of your operation, if the "fuel surcharge" is legit than it is legit, but why risk having your valued customers even question it for one second is my point. I am not Jewish either, but I appreciate and respect those who are in business who have intregrity and do honest, upfront business transactions no matter what the dollar value is, even more so when I consider them to be my friend, and it's the expected norm within my family.

you should think about getting a life.........













away from BD. I just dont understand how people can leave home, and arrive at the BD forums, without their SARCASM CARD.

 

[Fishybuzz]

Laguna you actually understand what is going on unlike many here.... some folks are in such awe of some of the operators they will bend over and smile no matter what....they make excuses and rationalize that these guys were pioneers and how much they have done for the sport and how they are nice guys...in any other venue these same people would be screaming murder if they were shorted a nickel at a store......or will drive cross town to save .02 a gallon for gas.

I have never understood the fuel surcharge ...I want to know how much a item or a service costs me upfront......don't any of you supporters wonder why the permits costs are different from operation to operation or why one boat charges $20 a day for fuel and another charges $5.......if you are happy with that then by all means keep paying and they will not change their operating procedures....heck if they can get extra money off the top why stop.

the LR operations provide a great product and one of the best things is there are so many choices..you can chose a all inclusive price or price than has add ons if that is more your style. bare bone operations or luxury all the way.

First off I don't think SD fleet wants to be considered in the same realm as doing business with a car dealer trying their best to get more ad ons to the botton line, don't think that most folks have too high of a regard with how that business venture is generally negotiated.

I kind of look at this whole fuel surcharge agenda as truly not needed, but it is something that we have become accustom too and have accepted. Don't know about the rest of you, but if I go to the dentist and he/she says its going to cost $800 to do a root canal and I schedule the work to be done a month or two down the road then complete the work and then get a bill for $975 I am not going to be a real happy camper (again its not so much the extra cost, its the principle). I really don't care if the dentist's electric bill, water bill, or even his insurance went up, I was told the final price and that is what I signed up for.

All I am saying here is I prefer to know what my total trip cost is going to be at the time I book my trip, rather than being held hostage at the dock with a fuel surcharge that is calculated how?, and this transaction is now happening after the boat/landing has my trip cost paid in full and my monies are in their bank account, so what is my option as the consumer at that stage? can I cancel my trip without penalty if the fuel surcharge is too high for my original budjet?

All inclusive price means just that: all inclusive, if fuel goes down that radically in cost on an all inclusive priced trip than the boat can offer a cash refund or a credit towards a future trip, most anglers would be happy with that resolve. If fuel prices skyrocket above projected cost on an all inclusive trip than the boat could elect not to run, but I get a full refund and I go another day rather than be held hostage and make me pay a fuel surcharge that I did not sign up for in the begining. Most likely not going to see fuel prices fluctuate that radically in a 6 month period of time is my take on this, to where a boat is losing so much money based on their original projected fuel costs they can't run.

OK, If we are going to get ultra precise about fuel costs and mandate that I as a long range customer am paying for the higher cost of fuel as a separate transaction above the cost of the trip price that I booked because long range boat operators are losing money in droves than why don't we calculate the "actual" fuel costs at the end of the trip so I and the other anglers pay based on how much fuel was consumed on our trip?, kind of like a car rental when you check back in, why should I or anyone pay a fuel surcharge in advance of a trip that is based on what?

And one poster states the boat's are giving us the benefit of the doubt basing fuel costs at $2.50 per gallon, how do we know that? And why then do some boats charge a higher fuel surcharge per day than others in the fleet who are buying their fuel at the same place and cost?, bottom line IMO: its just too confusing for the patron and it raises doubt so you feel like you are doing business with a used car dealer which has been my point here from the begining.

Other thing is why do SD long range boats have to publish trip pricing a year in advance, they could state TBD (too be determined) and still take deposits if anglers wanted to give them. Then as the trip date got closer and fuel prices were projected properly for all inclusive pricing they could shore up the published trip price and book all those who were ready, willing and able to lock in at that time.

JMO

 

[Fishybuzz]

One bar of soap, a plastic cup wrapped in plastic, no shampoo, and a cold linoleum floor (deck)--Motel 6 or The Intrepid. It all depends on who your roommate is. Fishy and Jimal--the happy couple.

yep.....me and Jimal


Lowell something you can relate to... wine in a box or A nice Stags Leap Cabernet.....

 

[Slice-Of-Life]

Other thing is why do SD long range boats have to publish trip pricing a year in advance, they could state TBD (too be determined) and still take deposits if anglers wanted to give them. Then as the trip date got closer and fuel prices were projected properly for all inclusive pricing they could shore up the published trip price and book all those who were ready, willing and able to lock in at that time.

JMO

There is no way this could work. So I have an upcoming 5 day on the XL for $1740 + permits,fuel and tip. So let's say the trip will cost me $2200. I knew that 3 months ago when I originally booked the trip. Now how could I plan a trip for a price of TBD. For instance I put my $500 deposit on my trip and 30 days out they say the trip is $2300 and what if that is out of my price range? I loose my deposit because I didnt know the cost of my trip. Maybe people that have better jobs than being in the army could swing at whatever the price is but the fact is most people save to do one or two trips a year.

I wish there wasn't fuel surcharges but not because I don't understand the cost of fuel but I would like to keep a little extra in the $$$ in the bank or give it to the crew for a tip. I remember going out on my buddies 34 twin diesel sport fisher. We would leave friday run all day/night and fish Saturday. When we returned we were looking at a $800+ fuel bill. So for me to go out for 5 days and pay an extra $100 I don't mind it. If you break down the cost your paying about $350-400 a day to go LR. Expensive of course but break the cost down to what your actually getting its cheap. Between the meals, the crew there for your service and the fact that we're out doing what we love fishing.

 

[albacore11]

Another business model that is fuel intensive is the trucking industry. Do you think a trucker is allowed to tack on a fuel surcharge when he/she makes their delivery? Not unless it is written in their contract and specifically spelled out under what conditions.

What has always irked me about fuel surcharges on the fishing boats is that it isn't based upon anything. Each boat should be able to calculate their costs, and their charges based upon fuel being $xx.xx per gallon. They would then be able to state that if fuel costs rise to $yy.yy per gallon, they will then tack on a surcharge of $zz.zz per day or whatever. But the surcharge is based upon a known value.

Has anyone ever heard of a some one receiving a refund because fuel costs were reduced? Not complaining, just stating facts.

Considering other discussions on this board relevant to the costs of Long Range trips, perhaps it is time that there is actually a contract between the boat/landing and the angler. Both parties would be protected by law. The contract would spell out what is included for the stated price. The contract would also state how the angler's funds are protected in the event that the trip is cancelled. The vessel would also be protected by stating what charges would be imposed if the angler cancels their trip.

Despite how distasteful this may sound to some, times have changed, and the days of doing business via a handshake just doesn't cut it any longer. Every industry matures.

 

[lowelld]

I know that the RP and Royal Star have re-powered. They have made a huge capitol investment and I'm sure that's to ultimately improve their bottom line. So would they do a fuel surcharge to help recover their costs or would they reduce their fares because they can operate more efficiently, become more competitive, and increase the # of passengers because they now can afford to charge less? (Supply & demand). Very few of us are in the business so we probably don't know all of the ins and outs---there are just too many variables and we can only speculate and opine (and do we ever).

 

[wils]

First off I don't think SD fleet wants to be considered in the same realm as doing business with a car dealer trying their best to get more add ons to the botton line, don't think that most folks have too high of a regard with how that business venture is generally negotiated.

I kind of look at this whole fuel surcharge agenda as truly not needed, but it is something that we have become accustom too and have accepted. Don't know about the rest of you, but if I go to the dentist and he/she says its going to cost $800 to do a root canal and I schedule the work to be done a month or two down the road then complete the work and then get a bill for $975 I am not going to be a real happy camper (again its not so much the extra cost, its the principle). I really don't care if the dentist's electric bill, water bill, or even his/her insurance went up, I was told the final price and that is what I signed up for.

All I am saying here is I prefer to know what my total trip cost is going to be at the time I book my trip, rather than being held hostage at the dock with a fuel surcharge that is calculated how?, and this transaction is now happening after the boat/landing has my trip cost paid in full and my monies are in their bank account, so what is my option as the consumer at that stage? can I cancel my trip without penalty if the fuel surcharge is too high for my original budget?

All inclusive price means just that: all inclusive, if fuel goes down that radically in cost on an all inclusive priced trip than the boat can offer a cash refund or a credit towards a future trip, most anglers would be happy with that resolve. If fuel prices skyrocket above projected cost on an all inclusive trip than the boat could elect not to run, but I get a full refund and I go another day rather than be held hostage and make me pay a fuel surcharge that I did not sign up for in the begining. Most likely not going to see fuel prices fluctuate that radically in a 6 month period of time is my take on this, to where a boat is losing so much money based on their original projected fuel costs they can't run.

OK, If we are going to get ultra precise about fuel costs and mandate that I as a long range customer am paying for the higher cost of fuel as a separate transaction above the cost of the trip price that I booked because long range boat operators are losing money in droves than why don't we calculate the "actual" fuel costs at the end of the trip so I and the other anglers pay based on how much fuel was consumed on our trip?, kind of like a car rental when you check back in, why should I or anyone pay a fuel surcharge in advance of a trip that is based on what?

And one poster states the boat's are giving us the benefit of the doubt basing fuel costs at $2.50 per gallon, how do we know that? And why then do some boats charge a higher fuel surcharge per day than others in the fleet who are buying their fuel at the same place and cost?, bottom line IMO: its just too confusing for the patron and it raises doubt so you feel like you are doing business with a used car dealer which has been my point here from the begining.

Other thing is why do SD long range boats have to publish trip pricing a year in advance, they could state TBD (too be determined) and still take deposits if anglers wanted to give them. Then as the trip date got closer and fuel prices were projected properly for all inclusive pricing they could shore up the published trip price and book all those who were ready, willing and able to lock in at that time.

JMO

you dont think that the boats like to be compared to used car salesmen. Do you think that they like being compared to dentists more?

if the world revolved around "principle", what would happen to "capitalism"?

 

[Slice-Of-Life]

Trust me every business owner that depends on fuel to run is gonna pass that cost onto the customer because they are here to make a profit. Let's face it we're all gonna keep fishing so let's go and pay up. If going all inclusive is for you that's great if you don't mind paying trip cost plus fuel and permits than that great for you because at the end of the day the cost is damn near the same.

 

[ISLAND BOUND]

I know that the RP and Royal Star have re-powered. They have made a huge capitol investment and I'm sure that's to ultimately improve their bottom line. So would they do a fuel surcharge to help recover their costs or would they reduce their fares because they can operate more efficiently, become more competitive, and increase the # of passengers because they now can afford to charge less? (Supply & demand). Very few of us are in the business so we probably don't know all of the ins and outs---there are just too many variables and we can only speculate and opine (and do we ever).

Many if not all of these boats have repowered, not by choice.. It's called the air resource board and they are coming after anything commercial that burns diesel fuel. Trust me we are getting killed right now in the construction and trucking industry, but alot of these boats probably recieved grants by our state to repower.

By the way, these new repowered engines are clean, quiet and BURN LESS FUEL. The fuel surcharge is a joke, if I tried to charge one of our customers this I would get laughed at,this is nothing more than an added cost just because.

Right now offload diesel in bulk is a little over 3 bucks and dropping.

 

[pwfishes]

Many if not all of these boats have repowered, not by choice.. It's called the air resource board and they are coming after anything commercial that burns diesel fuel. Trust me we are getting killed right now in the construction and trucking industry, but alot of these boats probably recieved grants by our state to repower.

By the way, these new repowered engines are clean, quiet and BURN LESS FUEL. The fuel surcharge is a joke, if I tried to charge one of our customers this I would get laughed at,this is nothing more than an added cost just because.

Right now offload diesel in bulk is a little over 3 bucks and dropping.

good points. as far as state grants to repower, i'm so sure , considering the state is broke.

 

[harddrive]

Yup. It's the principle of the thing.

As some poster said. They have your deposit and you are asked to pony up as you're about to leave. I kind of don't like the sense of having not been told ahead of time and not given the options to opt out.

 

[ISLAND BOUND]

good points. as far as state grants to repower, i'm so sure , considering the state is broke.

Millions in grants were handed out to repower, and yes the state is broke...wonder why?

 

[OILAGER]

Fuel prices the last few years have been predictable, going up in February and declining by late spring. It seems to me that the operators should be able to deduce an average based on the pattern of the last few years and post a price that makes them a profit without slamming an angler with a last minute "adjustment" to the price of a trip. It peeves me that if you refuse to pay for the last minute adjustment you could lose all the dough that you already coughed up, which forces a person to make a decision under duress.
Practices like this gives a business a questionable reputation, and lots of internet scrutiny.

BTW Car dealers are highly regulated by the state, with lots of consumer protection programs and laws. Everything is spelled out in a contract which has at minimum 11 customer signatures on it. You can get the "one only" deal if you show up at opening time and ask for it, but like a Black Friday special with a limited amount available, if you show up after lunch you'll be paying the regular price, but at least you get to choose the color and not get the puke green "special" with dark blue interior.

 

[egarratt]

And nobody calls into question the inflated oil costs. There is still no reason gasoline prices should be above ? $3.00 ? per gallon. Production is up all over the world, yet oil companies have the most generous tax deductions, and oil companies continue to make record profits per quarter. We are the stupid ones.