Mugged - by a marina

[rwidman]

In the USA, in my experience, I am usually asked to pay for my stay when I check in. Of course, I can usually extend my stay by paying again.

One or two marinas have acted like a country club and kept a "tab" (which would include dockage, electric charges and meals and drinks) which is paid at checkout

I don't care for this arrangement because you can't leave until the office opens in the morning and sometimes there are charges on your tab that aren't yours (food and drinks).

But - if you want to stay there, you play by their rules.

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by krissteyn

They charge midnight to midnight , so a late arrival and early next day departure is billed as 2 days.
I was aware of this and planned to leave before midnight (we were gone from the dock by 22h30) but on the day in question, they decided to close the office at 4pm

It seems to me you were guilty of not settling your bill before normal business hours and paid the price.

Most marina contracts charge per day "inclusive" (midnight to midnight) and unless you have informed them and settled contract, you have already committed to that next day.

While many office staff have discretion and are allowed to handle the funds...

Are they there 24 hrs?,... You really cannot count on that, nor should you

Next time, pay and check out when you first check in, if it is a short time stay, that way it is very clear to both parties.

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by gonesail

midnite to midnite is a total scam. why not just double the rates and be up front about it?

Why is this a scam?.....
A marina sets this inclusive period because they cannot enforce a departure of a yacht not ready to leave (for whatever reason).

That means the next yacht scheduled to arrive 'sometime' next day, is left on standbye and cannot be charged.....So someone has to pay.....who should it be?

Looking at it another way if the overnight mindset is used

A yacht docks at one minute after mignight stays thru till next day and departs one minute Before midnight.
That is just one overnight stay by your calculations

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

............Most marina contracts charge per day "inclusive" (midnight to midnight) ......... .

I have never experienced that. Never.

"Some" might, most do not.

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by rwidman

I have never experienced that. Never.

"Some" might, most do not.

There is often a big difference between what is in the 5 page contract (which most skippers rarely read) and what the Marina allows and explains to the customer upon arrival... especially if not full.

The 'inclusive' date is usually a standard term, but not always enforced according to discussions at the ICOMA world marina conferences I attend.

I agree a 24 hr understanding is more fair and definitely more customer friendly, but the OP knew this was not the marina's policy, so bears the responsibility of added cost.

I happen to manage slips designed for Super yachts and we have that same inclusive policy which I highlight upfront.

The other issue is when a yacht comes in and signs our contract basef on a Daily Rate, giving them flexibility to depart with only an hour's notice.

Then after deciding to stay over a month, they want us to change that Rate to Monthly (25% discount) , failing to realize that they did not give us that commercial certainty during the month.

You cannot have flexibility and lowest cost at the same time, which most people understand with Airlines

[Vladis]

Hello,

I have been in Thessaloniki marina twice in the summer of 2016. I understand that you pay relatively more if you just stay one night but this is a good marina. And Thessaloniki is a great city deserving more than one day (night in the marina) to visit. And very easy to go from the marina to the airport. About the prices, they are published in their website and we know what to expect. I left here the link to the website and a table with the prices per "day" for a 12 meter boat which is my case. For example, if you stay 3 days (they charge you 4 days) you pay 17,3 Euros per day. Do you think it is expensive? I think it is not!

Thessaloniki Marina.

Regards, Vladis

[Jim Cate]

Do you think it is expensive? I think it is not!

cheap compared to Australia!

Jim

[poiu]

Funny how a complaint got turned into positive publicity!