Priv Card difficulties

[rinof]

I guess part of the problem is the interpretation of the phrase 'Posted Rate'. Like the artificial $175 rate Lionhead uses. This was the posted rate in the annual Star golf course listings. Artificially high so that any discount percent off coupon or 2 for 1 coupons will end up costing about the same as an email member rate. It's just playing with numbers. To me the posted rate means what the cost is regardless of whether it's earlybird, twilight, spring, fall or email member. In other words, golf courses, if you can't or won't honour the priv card at All Times, don't sign up. Maybe that's what the card needs to say. The term Posted Rate is pretty subjective.

I'd like to thank the Priv Card president Kim for taking the time to respond.
I sense your frustration as well. But I probably won't be getting a priv card next year if these interpretations and issues are not resolved. I usually play early morning and do not wish to start my day trying to convince pro shop staff that this card is supposed to reduce my green fee by 20%.

By the way I'd also like to thank all the golf courses that do honour and value the card at all times...NO QUESTIONS ASKED!!

[LostBallInTheBunker]

Originally Posted by sharkhark

I posted about a problem i had about the card when playing st andrews for first time about two weeks or so ago. The girl was real snotty and said it didnt apply as prices were reduced for fall, when i asked if a mgr could verify for sure, she said no point, it was made clear to her no discounts, i had no time to argue so i paid.

That's odd I was up at St. Andrews Valley about two weeks ago and they honoured the Priv Play card. I have also used it at Cardinal Red Crest against the fall rate and there were no problems. I don't do Kaneff courses anymore, started boycotting them this year. Too many issues with the email discounts, rudeness, extra charges etc... Can we use 2-for-1 at Glen Abbey?

[dpdp]

I used my 2 for 1 at Taboo this summer, which was a pretty good deal, and automatically made my privplay card a good deal.

I didn't get out much this fall, so I can't say I had any of the fall rate issues. In the summer, no problems, but I always clarified the club's acceptance of the card when I made my booking.

Golf courses, in general, do seem to have a problem with these types of discount plans, they either snag your use up with limitations, or catch you with these artificial 'posted rate' qualifiers so in the end you only end up saving much less than the promised 2 for 1, etc. Many of them get it, but many don't - programs like PrivPlay are not about people who regularly play their course now trying to rip them off. Its about getting people who play 25 rounds a year to play 40 because they can afford it more easily and because they want to get value for their membership investment, or they can now afford to play better courses.

[Big Shooter]

Originally Posted by dpdp

I used my 2 for 1 at Taboo this summer, which was a pretty good deal, and automatically made my privplay card a good deal.

I didn't get out much this fall, so I can't say I had any of the fall rate issues. In the summer, no problems, but I always clarified the club's acceptance of the card when I made my booking.

Agreed, the 2-for-1 coupon is the CLINCHER...a whole bunch of us TGN'r used the coupons to play The Ridge at Manitou....we were gonna play anyway, but PrivPlay made it that much better!!

I think I used my card, maybe once since Sept.1...but I'll likely renew!!

[beeker]

That's too bad. I enjoy playing both St. Andrews and Piper's, but I honestly don't see myself paying $90 for either of them - with the discounted rate that was offered through Priv Play both of these were courses in the regular rotation - I guess Silver Lakes will be getting more of my rounds now.

[AlfaGolfer]

Originally Posted by beeker

That's too bad. I enjoy playing both St. Andrews and Piper's, but I honestly don't see myself paying $90 for either of them - with the discounted rate that was offered through Priv Play both of these were courses in the regular rotation - I guess Silver Lakes will be getting more of my rounds now.

Silver Lakes refused to honour my card as long ago as three weeks.

[LostBallInTheBunker]

That sucks... I was hoping to play Pipers and St. Andrews Valley a lot more next year.

Hey, maybe you can replace them with Dragons Fire and Mill Run... that would be cool!

[dpdp]

yeah, a real ball drop by Piper's, went there last year because it was a Privplay course, really liked it, and was going to play there a lot more in 2010, but definitely not going to go there nearly as much after learning they dropped from the program.

[mirak]

Me and my friends had a steady foursome at Piper's every two weeks. We were all members of privplay and that's the reason we were playing there... we will miss it but will find somewhere else to play, the course will miss us.... or should I say they will miss our money....

[sharkhark]

st andrews is off my list for sure, i did not like the way they didnt even have the mgr answer my question when i was turned down for using my card. I will go elsewhere which is too bad as it was my first time there and i thought it was ok.

[hogannut]

I used mine at St Andrews this summer, and got the discount on the twilight rate.

i think this is more of a fall rate thing, and I would have to side with the courses. You are already getting a better price than you would using the card, so take the cheap rate and don't complain.

[sharkhark]

Originally Posted by hogannut

I used mine at St Andrews this summer, and got the discount on the twilight rate.

i think this is more of a fall rate thing, and I would have to side with the courses. You are already getting a better price than you would using the card, so take the cheap rate and don't complain.

If you had bothered to read the thread on priviledge play with the response in it from the president of priv play, st andrews was not following the guidelines of the program, should have accepted it as it was their regular posted rate for that day and time and advertised as such and they are no longer with priv play as they were asked to comply with card rules or discontinue.
Watch your mouth with telling others what to do......its not complaining...its called paying for a service and product and not getting what you paid for.
Cheap or not, its what i and many paid for.

[bigshot]

Originally Posted by hogannut

i think this is more of a fall rate thing, and I would have to side with the courses. You are already getting a better price than you would using the card, so take the cheap rate and don't complain.

With all due respect I disagree with you 100%. The conditions of the card are that the discount applies to ALL posted rates (i.e. the rate available to the general public).

The card is called "privileged"!!! The privileged residents of Rosedale/Forest Hill/etc don't move to Jane/Finch in the fall!

This year was a bit unusual in that the weather in Nov was better than parts of the summer. To use the lower rates of late fall as an excuse not to accept the card is EXTREMELY lame. If the course management do not wish the discounts to eat into their revenue they should cancel their contract with Priv Play NEXT YEAR. While they have a contract with the card they should honour their commitment!

[Big Shooter]

Originally Posted by mirak

Me and my friends had a steady foursome at Piper's every two weeks. We were all members of privplay and that's the reason we were playing there... we will miss it but will find somewhere else to play, the course will miss us.... or should I say they will miss our money....

ditto....played there MORE than anywhere else in 2009...not gonna happen in 2010....

[unskinnybop99]

Don't know all the details but it seems the course and Priv Play are setting themselves up for legal action. If you sign a contract you better follow it or else expect the unexpected---legal action by breach of contract. "Posted Rate" and "Regular Rate" need a clear definition. It should state "rate at time of play." If courses don't want to obey the rules then don't sign up.

[bigred]

Originally Posted by unskinnybop99

Don't know all the details but it seems the course and Priv Play are setting themselves up for legal action. If you sign a contract you better follow it or else expect the unexpected---legal action by breach of contract. "Posted Rate" and "Regular Rate" need a clear definition. It should state "rate at time of play." If courses don't want to obey the rules then don't sign up.

Yeah, but kind of limits what golf courses can do to control their pricing to non-Privilige Play members.

In the end doesn't it hurt the entire golf population then? Golf courses may not be willing to discount there greenfees as aggressively (like Piper's and St.Andrews) if they know they'll see PP members come in and request an additional 20% off.

It should be 20% off the Regular Rate, and excludes special promotions.

I love my PP membership, but I do have to empathize with course owners on this one.

[wongmb]

To me, its not additional 20% off. They sign up for a program that they "believe" will generate more business to their courses. So for the cost of 20% off their posted rates, the PP program basically give them free advertising and bring them more customers. So definitely NOT additional 20% off in the mind.


I too was going to go back to Piper after playing there first time using my PP card this summer. Also played St Andrews a few times because of the PP card. Hate to say have to drop those two names going forward. I will most likely renew my PP card as long as they keep expanding the no. of courses available and I wish them success.

How about adding Watsons Glen, Mill Run to the PP card ?

[hogannut]

Originally Posted by sharkhark

If you had bothered to read the thread on priviledge play with the response in it from the president of priv play, st andrews was not following the guidelines of the program, should have accepted it as it was their regular posted rate for that day and time and advertised as such and they are no longer with priv play as they were asked to comply with card rules or discontinue.
Watch your mouth with telling others what to do......its not complaining...its called paying for a service and product and not getting what you paid for.
Cheap or not, its what i and many paid for.

Geez.....didn't think my opinion would pi$$ people off this much. I was just saying that I have used my card without any problems. Most discount cards or books usually have some sort of restrictions.

A phone call to the course asking first could have been a "pro-active" way of avoiding a potential problem as well. Next time I'll watch my mouth though!

[Big Shooter]

as someone asked in another thread....

WHO PAYS THE RACK RATE?

...between Coupon Book/Internet sites, etc.

...not to mention, the "courtesy" most courses extend to "pro's" and their playing partners.

[MichaelR]

PrivPlay certainly helped me make a decision where to play today. Braeben's late season rate was $45 to walk this weekend, brought down to $36 by the 20% savings with the card. While there were other factors in the decision, the discount helped seal the deal for me. FWIW.

PS I did call ahead and ask first, no problem encountered...


.

[hogannut]

Originally Posted by bigshot

With all due respect I disagree with you 100%. The conditions of the card are that the discount applies to ALL posted rates (i.e. the rate available to the general public).

The card is called "privileged"!!! The privileged residents of Rosedale/Forest Hill/etc don't move to Jane/Finch in the fall!

This year was a bit unusual in that the weather in Nov was better than parts of the summer. To use the lower rates of late fall as an excuse not to accept the card is EXTREMELY lame. If the course management do not wish the discounts to eat into their revenue they should cancel their contract with Priv Play NEXT YEAR. While they have a contract with the card they should honour their commitment!

Has anyone contacted Priv Play. BTW....I am a member too, and all I was saying is I didn't have a problem using it at St Andrews and they gave me the discount against their cheapest twilight rate.

Fall rates are NOT regular rates and/or twilight rates. So if I was the course owner I would say OK fine use your card against the REGULAR green fee rates, which would probably be more than the already discounted rates.

[hogannut]

This is from the PRiv Play regarding the rates. You will notice it says REGULAR rates.....which means the regular and twilight rates for the season........NOT fall rates.




8. When am I eligible to receive the 20% savings on green fees and carts?


The 20% discount applies to tee times that are any time during the day, any day of the week on all regular posted rates. This includes weekday, weekend, primetime and twilight rates.

[MichaelR]

Originally Posted by hogannut

Has anyone contacted Priv Play.

Have you had a chance to read the whole thread? The PrivPlay rep has acknowledged contact and responded.


.

[hogannut]

I went back and read it, and here is her quote (Kim) regarding spring and fall rates.....


"When I started the program, I never would have thought that our biggest challenge at PrivPlay would be to ensure that the discount off of Spring and Fall rates gets properly applied. We have virtually no issues through the course of the summer (unless a member comes across a new course staff member that has not been trained). I answer personally all issues that arise because of the importance we attach to the confidence people have in the program and I can tell you we run pretty smoothly with few complaints."


I would have to agree with Kim......my 2 years with Priv Play have been a positive one, and I have never had any issues regarding REGULAR and/or REGULAR TWILIGHT rates.

If you play over 10 times a year and stick to Priv Play courses you are getting a good deal. Sorry.......but I take the side of the courses regarding spring and fall rates......they are already cheaper than any and all REGULAR rates, so you are still getting a good deal.

If you saw an ad for 20% off all current model years at a car dealer and there was a new car on the lot but last years model (ie.....a 2008 model but has no mileage on it) that was already discounted more than 20% would you expect the additional discount?

I bought a brand new 2004 car in 2005, and wasn't allowed to use my GM points because the car was already discounted $6000 compared to a 2005 model year. I guess I could have paid an extra $6000 so I could use my GM points to get the $1500 off. Same concept to expect an additonal discount on fall rates.

[Bentley01]

Here's something for all of the complainers to think about.

If I were a golf course owner/manager that was thinking of signing up with PP for next year and I saw all of this grumbling about not getting an extra $10 off a ridiculously low FALL rate, and telling everyone here how they are never going back to these courses (over $10), I'd pass on the opportunity.

I mean, here I am, offering a very good discount for new people to try (and hopefully like) my course. Then, I make the discount available to everyone (Fall rate) and all of a sudden, you jokers crucify me and threaten not to come back? You want me to give you an even better rate than everyone else, yet you are the most fickle, least appreciative golf customer I have. Makes no sense, at all.

Earlier in the year, when you guys were getting 20% off the prime time rate, you felt it was "good value" and you came to play. Now, you're paying even less than that (without the discount), but all of a sudden it is not worth it? Quite frankly, you guys don't deserve a discount. Period.

If I were a course owner, I'd stop giving cheapos like you discounts at all. Instead, I'd give discounts to my good, regular, appreciative customers to encourage them to come more often, bring their friends, and fill up my tee sheet. I'd plow some of the savings into course improvements too.

Maybe you should change the title to "Re: Priv Card difficulties with cardmembers"