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Need help framing questions to ask BO

2K views 17 replies 11 participants last post by  core 
#1 ·
This has been asked discussed before, but I need some help from some people who aren't personally involved. I'm trying to figure out what to ask the BO's so that I can determine what I want to do about it.

On Wednesday (1/2/2013) the other boarders and I received word that board would increase by $50/month, starting the day before. Most of us are pretty upset with the lack of any notice.

I've researched other barns in my area (50 mile radius) and average cost for similar facility w/similar services is $350. The ones with top facilities and more care are $500-$600 but were talking entire heated barns, misting aroma therapy in the ceilings, all kinds of extra services for people who don't want to ever get dirty.

Where I'm at now, we were paying $400 and it will now be $450/month. We get turn in and out in the winter, fed, use of an indoor and outdoor arena. The only reason we don't have to schedule our own vet/farrier is because my trainer decided to do it to help boarders split barn call fee's. The trainer fetches & holds if boarder can't get out but doesn't get a dime for it.

So, I asked the BO's if we could have a boarder/owner meeting to discuss this, and BO agreed.

I'm conflicted by the increase... If they need the extra money, then they need it. But the other half of me is screaming in outrage . The BO said that they take the cost of all 17 horses and get an average per horse. 6 are full time pasture board, 11 are stall board. Of all the horses, only 8 are boarders (all have stall board). 8 out of 17 horse bring in money for the BO's. Bo is saying this is fair since pasture care horses lower the average cost for all horses.

I know I want to ask if this is temporary. And if so, when it will decrease again. But what else should I be asking? What are some good things to find out that will help boarders feel less resentful about this? Or to understand the situation better?

The other issue is that out if 8 horses being boarded, 3 are only there for training. Horse owners are out of state. Out of the 8 horses boarded, 2 may leave (includes me), and one ends training in February anyway (was going to leave anyway). That'll leave them with 5 paying horses, and 14 total horses.
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#2 ·
First off, I wouldn't be concerned with what may/may not stay as a paying customer if you and/or others leave.

Lack of notice is the biggest issue. A BO can charge whatever they feel like (regardless if it's justifiable) and you have the choice to pay it or go elsewhere. They SHOULD give adequate notice if a price increase though.

If you feel you would receive equal or better care elsewhere for the same or lower price, just tell the BO that at this time you are unable to afford the rate increase and you will be leaving on X day. Keep it short, simple, drama-free and don't burn your bridges.
 
#3 ·
Some places increase their board fee for the winter and drop it back down once they stop feeding hay all the time. I would ask if the board increase is permanent year round, temporary or temporary-seasonal.

Of the 17 horses you say 9 are paying boarders. Are the other horses the BO's horses? Why are they there if not?

What is included in your board that is not included in pasture board?
Are there services you could drop? If so, by how much?
Is pasture board going up as well?
What is the extra fee supposed to be paying for?
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#4 ·
The cost of everything continues to increase, so a $50 month rise in board doesn't sound horrible. The only issue I'd have is that they didn't give you very much notice.

If you think another place that's cheaper is your best bet, then by all means move. However, you already know the level of care given at this barn, so are you really willing to take a chance on an unknown place because of price?

What happens if you leave in a snit and find out the place you moved to is a hellhole? Do you think this BO would willingly take you back after you denigrated them for their 'greed'?

Trust me, nobody's making a mint by boarding horses. They're lucky if they make a miniscule profit, and most places are lucky to just break even.

As far as the increase being temporary? Don't count on it. The costs of feed, hay, electricity, water, etc., are on the increase, not the decrease. The BO has to pass some of that increase onto the boarders.
 
#5 ·
I have no intention of getting in a snit with the BO's over this. It's their barn.. They can do as they like. I know from experience there are other suitable stabling options for me and my horse that will be $100 less a month. I don't mind paying more short term, but I can't afford it long term. And I only moved to this barn to be closer to my trainer.. I'm not really happy with how they run things.

I really like the BO where I'm at now, but they run it like a hobby farm, and I secretly suspect BO is an animal hoarder.
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#7 ·
The 9 other horses are all BO's horses. They're just pasture puff's, not lesson horses.

They don't have any lesson horses at the barn.

There aren't any additional services other than feeding, bringing in and out, and stall cleaning.

None of the boarders are on pasture board so I don't know if that is going up too. But asking about pasture board is a good idea. I don't think it's an option based on where BO has her horses, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

"What is the extra fee supposed to be paying for?" That's a good question. She did mention it was to cover hay/grain.
"ask if the board increase is permanent year round, temporary or temporary-seasonal." - that's a good question too! I wrote those down to ask BO at the meeting.

Thank you, DancingArabians! Great questions.
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#8 ·
I don't think I'd be grilling the BO about the $50/month, other than to find out if it was permanent or seasonal. I WOULD strongly suggest that 30 days notice is appropriate for rate increases, not retroactive after you've paid your month's board fee. Other than that, if you're upset enough about it, now would be a good time to give your 30 days notice that you'll be moving, retroactive to the first of the month, of course.
 
#10 ·
Misting aroma-therapy..what? LOL

$50 as others have said really isn't that much. I do think you should have been given a notice. The notice time around here and I think most place is 30 days. Everything has been going up price wise especially with the economy. If you like the barn and where you are, I think $50 is more than fair.

I would ask, the same questions others have said. If it's permanent and you could also ask why there was no notice. IMHO I would ask why there wasn't, up to you.
 
#11 ·
I'd be less upset about the amount of board increase than the fact that they decided to give you notice after it was already in effect. As others have said, it's up to the BO to set the price on whatever basis she thinks is reasonable, and up to you to decide whether or not it's worth staying there at that rate.

It sounds like you're not all that thrilled with the barn itself and know of cheaper options anyway, so I'd take it as a cue to give your notice and move elsewhere.

Is your trainer at this barn, or just nearby? If she's at this barn I'd consider tactfully letting her know that you're leaving because of the barn itself and not because of her. If she has clients leaving because the barn isn't being run well or is being overpriced for the services it offers, she will likely pass that kind of feedback on to the BO or move somewhere else herself.
 
#12 ·
I was able to get the barn owners to agree to a meeting with all the boarders (the ones interested in attending). So we had a sit down with everyone and discussed it. I thought it went really well. The BO's explained their side of things well, and why the increase was occurring. They explained some of the things they've done to attempt to keep costs lower. We also discussed how long the increase would last, and although they weren't sure of the length of time, they did seem very willing to drop board if/when feed costs decreased.

After that we discussed with the BO's some ways that some of us could help off-set the increase for our horses. They were more than willing to find ways we could help the barn in order to knock $50 off our board each month.

Overall, I think the meeting went great. The most concerned boarders walked away feeling much more at ease with the situation.

Thank you for the good questions. I was kind of on the spot since I set up the meeting, and I actually felt like I had some good questions to ask (instead of getting there and freezing up on what to ask).
 
#16 ·
and although they weren't sure of the length of time, they did seem very willing to drop board if/when feed costs decreased.
I'm sure you are aware with the majority of the US in drought recovery, the chances of feed prices coming down is nil. Consumers were just warned that the price of everything associated with farming was impacted by the drought and 2013 is going to be a rather expensive year.
 
#13 · (Edited)
On Wednesday (1/2/2013) the other boarders and I received word that board would increase by $50/month, starting the day before. Most of us are pretty upset with the lack of any notice.
When you say board went up starting the day before, do you mean you paid January's board on the first, and you are being notified that, as of February 1, 2013, you will be getting charged an additional $50? If so, that is more than sufficient notice in most instances.

Glad your talk went well! :)
 
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