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Post by horselady on Jun 30, 2014 21:07:17 GMT
As most you of you know i have a retirement boarding facility. some of these horses (residents) have been here for 6 years and i have never raised their board. (yup, do not throw the poop at me ) hubby always felt that the owners were doing the right thing to keep their horse maintained for the horses life and did not want to charge more than we originally planned. WELL, i am going to raise their board whether he likes it or not my thought is perhaps $30.00 more each and for the ones on special feed i will split the cost. so i buy 2 bags and they buy two bags. and for beet pulp or special hay they will pay the extra, this is a winter expense so i will worry about that come october as now they are on grass.. NOW my question>>>>>>>> If you were a boarder here, would it be ok to send an e-mail as to the change in rates. or should i send a letter to them  i would really rather e-mail but if protocol says to mail than i will. and do you think it is enough or too high of a jump in price. . some of these boarders (most of them) own boats and million dollar condos and go on 30 day cruises. but i still do not want to shock them or piss them off. each one of the owners is a gem and we get along great.  |
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Post by horselover4life on Jun 30, 2014 23:28:59 GMT
I think a "real" letter is the way to tackle this change....more professional and businesslike than a email to me.
If you want to follow it up with a email after you know they have received your letter, fine.
As for costs...if those boarders have been there for 6+ years and only now {  } you will be increasing their cost... $5.00 per year increase is a pittance and you have absorbed as much as you can. {$5.00 x 6 years = $30.00 per month increase}
You need the increase to offset the large increases in prices of feed, supplements, farrier work and supplies you provide for them when ever their horse needs any kind of care.
Let us not forget your insurance, electric and land taxes have increased every year too.
A business is for making money or at least breaking even... you are well due to have a increase.
I can't imagine that they could find another facility that takes such care of their animal, no matter the situation it is dealt with professionally for the same sum of money for so long.
It isn't like you increase every year and I would put that in that letter...to cover the expenses of the quality feed and supplements, etc....
Many barns increase $30 a month every year and they don't include half of what you do without added $$ to their monthly board bill.. 
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Post by horselady on Jun 30, 2014 23:55:04 GMT
Thanks for the compliment hl4l, and yes i do for them before i do for my own horses and for me.
so my next question. since i have to type all those letters and address the envelope, do you think a handwritten note would suffice. that way it is personal yet professional. ? 522867
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redzip
Junior Member
Posts: 1,701 
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Post by redzip on Jul 1, 2014 0:44:33 GMT
Thanks for the compliment hl4l, and yes i do for them before i do for my own horses and for me. so my next question. since i have to type all those letters and address the envelope, do you think a handwritten note would suffice. that way it is personal yet professional. ? 522867 I think one letter, copied, and sent out to everyone should be fine. You could hand write your signature on each, and also any personal, or additional, comments to whomever you want to say more to. But one 'form' letter stating your intentions would be totally appropriate,.., IMO |
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Terry
Junior Member
Central Illinois, USA
Posts: 1,466
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Post by Terry on Jul 1, 2014 1:07:04 GMT
Thanks for the compliment hl4l, and yes i do for them before i do for my own horses and for me. so my next question. since i have to type all those letters and address the envelope, do you think a handwritten note would suffice. that way it is personal yet professional. ? 522867 I think one letter, copied, and sent out to everyone should be fine. You could hand write your signature on each, and also any personal, or additional, comments to whomever you want to say more to. But one 'form' letter stating your intentions would be totally appropriate,.., IMO I agree. I do think the letter should be typed, but it can certainly be a form letter, copied and sent out to all of your boarders. I like the idea of you personally signing each letter, and possibly adding a short hand written note to any boarders you need or want to say something more to. |
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Jul 1, 2014 21:05:52 GMT
I agree with everyone. Feed cost are going up. Hay is going up etc. Maintenance cost! You need to be paid for your services. I know that your more concerned for the horses. But if these people have the money and want to take care of them. Then they can afford a small raise in board. Especially after all the time they have been paying the same amount. You can be sure that their luxury items have gone up in price. Hell 30$ is a tip at a restaurant for them. So don't feel guilty asking.  I wouldn't wait until October either.. Just had to add that I just went to your farm page and what you charge for what you do is nothing!! If they had to pay full board anywhere else it would be doubled what you charge an do!!!  |
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hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
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Post by hugs on Jul 29, 2014 12:24:14 GMT
Have you sent your letter yet?
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Post by horselady on Jul 29, 2014 20:30:08 GMT
I have been trying to get my printer to work with my little acer and it is not happening.
soooo today i contacted one boarder who messaged me wanting some more photos of her pasture pal and i told her about the increase. she was of course agreeable to it. raised it 55.,00
and if she can afford a house in the country from manhattan and 5th ave apartment and trips to paris and spain and own a condo on antiqua she is not worried about that at all.
now for the other 13 . going to notify them by personal note if i can not get printer working so will pick up stationary with horses on it and send out notices.
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hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
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Post by hugs on Jul 29, 2014 23:09:09 GMT
Now those are the kind of boarders to have. Those lucky ducky horses. A person needs good news like that every so often, helps the heart rest easy.
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Post by horselady on Aug 11, 2014 1:28:22 GMT
OK< i would like a little input. or help
i have ordered blank stationary so the board increase will be hand written on my card, to make it personal and easy.
help me decide what to say and still get the point that the board is going to go up
i feel not mentioning the individual items like price of hay, price of grain and price of bedding.is ok.
i want these to go out a week from monday as i am getting the cards on friday.
thanks in advance.
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Terry
Junior Member
Central Illinois, USA
Posts: 1,466
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Post by Terry on Aug 11, 2014 2:34:45 GMT
Dear ________:
As you may or may not know, I have not increased my boarding rates for the past ____ years. However, I now find myself in a situation where I must increase the cost of board simply to cover the increased costs of all the supplies necessary in running a boarding facility. As such, please be advised that, effective ______________, 2014, board will be increased to the rate of $________ per month. I appreciate your business, and I thank you in advance for your understanding.
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Post by horselady on Aug 11, 2014 11:17:41 GMT
I like that alot.  short , to the point. i fill in the blanks with name ,date and number. and start date. my theory . keep it simple and to the point so there is no fluff and confusion. |
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Terry
Junior Member
Central Illinois, USA
Posts: 1,466
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Post by Terry on Aug 11, 2014 12:45:01 GMT
Happy to help.  I figured that short, sweet and to the point would probably be best (especially if you are handwriting these letters), but I also figured that, if nothing else, this would at least give you a starting point, and you can tweak it as necessary.
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Post by horselady on Aug 12, 2014 11:23:28 GMT
I ordered the cards on thursday with a name imprinted on them and they are going to be here tomorrow. fast work from california so they will go out a day or two sooner . anymore suggestions? and input is greatly appreciated. wait until i start getting increased checks, hubby will be surprised that i did this, i usually wait. but if i continue to wait for him it will never get done. 522867 |
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hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
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Post by hugs on Aug 12, 2014 11:42:17 GMT
You probably won't have any problems, in fact it may spur a few good souls to slip in a little something extra maybe. At least that's the world I like to live in whether its true or not
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Post by horselady on Aug 13, 2014 2:21:04 GMT
One more question, and i need to come to the experts. my daughter in law says to raise the boarders 100.00. i told her that was a big jump and the boarders . regardless of their money and comfort would feel it was too much of a jump. that 35-45-50 is enough. i got the cards today and will finalize the draft and have them go out next monday. soooo my question is what do you think of an increase and what amount. is not earth shattering. ??  522867 |
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Post by horselover4life on Aug 13, 2014 2:31:55 GMT
Your DIL ....  ....
Personally... $100 a month is too steep in my opinion as a one time board increase.
I think you would have more than a handful raise serious questions about the care their horse was getting if prices need to increase this much at once...
Me, if you raised it that steeply...I would be looking to leave possibly.
Raise what you originally intended...then again next year increase it $25 more a month... small increments don't hurt or look so horrendous to me.
jmo...
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Post by horselady on Aug 13, 2014 2:51:29 GMT
Thanks hl4l i knew you would knock some sense into me. lol
yes i will stay on the regular amount as i wanted in the beginning. not too steep an increase and no questions as to why all of a sudden so much was added to the bill. and no questions as to the care the horses was getting in the past,
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Post by horselady on Aug 14, 2014 14:25:41 GMT
This is what i have put together with the help of the suggestions by Terry and a friend of mine that is able to round off the edges and make it sound more soft than what i put together
this is the final draft
Aug 13 at 8:45 PM TO ALL BOARDERS OF ________________________________
OUR GOAL HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO GIVE OUR HORSES--PERSONAL ATTENTION; LOVE AND THE INDIVIDUAL CARE THAT EACH ONE NEEDS...
WE STRIVE TO CONTINUE TO ALWAYS PUT THE WELFARE OF OUR HORSES FIRST....
AS YOU KNOW WE HAVE NOT INCREASED OUR BOARD FEES FOR MANY YEARS AND HAVE TRIED TO ABSORB THESE INCREASES OURSELVES. THE ECONOMY SUCH AS IT IS, HAS NOW FORCED US INTO MAKING SOME CHANGES.
AS OF OCTOBER 1, 2014, OUR FEES WILL BE AS FOLLOWS:
_________________________________
_________________________________
THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND THE TRUST YOU HAVE SHOWN IN PLACING YOURS HORSES WITH US.........
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING MANY MORE YEARS WITH YOU AND YOUR HORSE....
SINCERELY
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Terry
Junior Member
Central Illinois, USA
Posts: 1,466
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Post by Terry on Aug 14, 2014 15:46:43 GMT
Perfect!!
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} you will be increasing their cost... $5.00 per year increase is a pittance and you have absorbed as much as you can. {$5.00 x 6 years = $30.00 per month increase}
I wouldn't wait until October either..
short , to the point. i fill in the blanks with name ,date and number. and start date. 
I figured that short, sweet and to the point would probably be best (especially if you are handwriting these letters), but I also figured that, if nothing else, this would at least give you a starting point, and you can tweak it as necessary. 
522867
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