Covid surcharge

[dthogey]

I experienced something for the 1st time yesterday, a green fee surcharge of $2 for the cartworker/ bag handler. As I carried my golf bag from my vehicle up to the bag drop 3 of the bag boys watched me approach and directed me to the cart I should load my bag on. I thought it was strange that none of them offered to load my bag for me. Because none of them helped I didn't give them any tip. When I went to pay for my green fee I was informed that there was an automatic two dollar charge added to the green fee to pay for cleaning after the round.

 

[e1iterate]

Just an excuse to charge extra.

 

[Gyro25]

If they actually clean the cart, then whatever, for extra safety precaution and a 'peace of mind if someone's very concerned..

 

[Sox_Fan]

Seems like that should just be their job anyways without you having to pay extra for the service. So I guess if they don't properly clean carts, they just sit around all day barking orders to golfers?

 

[JB]

A course I played recently did that. It is because of the different cleaning procedures necessary for the carts. At least that was the explanation to me. Could also be considered a way to make up cost for using single carts.

 

[mpeterson]

If they actually clean the cart, then whatever, for extra safety precaution and a 'peace of mind if someone's very concerned..

Could be that they have more carts in circulation too, which would cost them more - if they're taking them out of play to clean rather than just putting them into the group of carts to send out with another group.

 

[Gyro25]

Could be that they have more carts in circulation too, which would cost them more - if they're taking them out of play to clean rather than just putting them into the group of carts to send out with another group.

Absolutely, and just the need to dedicate a person to "thoroughly" clean two cards every 10 min or so, as opposed to all of them at the end of the day before being put away.. time and money

 

[Molten]

I’ve seen something like this and kind of laughed it off - as long as they stay in business through this I’m happy to pay the extra few bucks.

 

[Browns7213]

Our course just relaxed the 1 person/cart rule not because things are any safer, but rather because they weren't able to get as many tee times due to cart shortages.

 

[ttucliffhanger]

Just an excuse to charge extra.

#truth

 

[goalie]

The course I play in a league at put up temporary Plexiglas barriers in some of the carts, so people can share but still "socially distance."

They all get sprayed down and wiped between use.

No extra charge though. They're making enough with the extra people golfing during the coronapocalypse.

 

[jdtox]

I think I've seen something similar as a cleaning fee. I don't care as long as I can take my own cart

 

[dthogey]

We didn't have to ride in separate carts.

 

[JB]

We didn't have to ride in separate carts.

We didn't either, but it was an option, so more carts in circulation on the course is my guess, plus the extra time to clean each cart.

 

[gmiller598]

I've seen courses here in Columbus say they charge $10 extra if you want to have a solo cart. However, I have gone out as a single player for a late afternoon round and been paired up with other players where I wasn't forced to share a cart or pay the fee.

 

[Et Tu Brute?]

I guess some course somewhere will start charging extra because there was a thunderstorm the previous evening. After all, they had to go pick up all the sticks and leaves that blew onto the course out of the trees.

 

[WLG1952]

Our local course is actually spraying disinfectant, and wiping down carts upon their return..This, in addition to their normal cleaning process.

They did raise green fees a couple of dollars earlier this year, but they didn't list the increase as an extra covid fee.

The green fees are the same for walkers, or riders, and 9 or 18 holes. Still under $28 a round for locals.

 

[Et Tu Brute?]

Our local course is actually spraying disinfectant, and wiping down carts upon their return..This, in addition to their normal cleaning process.

They did raise green fees a couple of dollars earlier this year, but they didn't list the increase as an extra covid fee.

The green fees are the same for walkers, or riders, and 9 or 18 holes. Still under $28 a round for locals.

I'm not very sensitive to price. If it's a course I want to play, the fact it is say $35 instead of $30 or $60 instead of $55 won't really make a difference.

I just *hate* being nickel and dimed. Any business, golf or otherwise, ought to be transparent on their pricing. If it costs $60 to play then tell me that's the price. Don't tell me the green fee is $55 and then when I get there mention there's a $5 "surcharge". Drives me nuts.

 

[Flipit]

We didn't have to ride in separate carts.

It’s mandatory here as is the cleaning with special products. I have not seen an increase on my local track.

 

[blueonblack]

It’s mandatory here as is the cleaning with special products. I have not seen an increase on my local track.

I checked out the CDC "cleaning products" page of approved products. A lot of it is just alcohol and peroxide based. Their list of chosen companies is all that is "official."

The only heavy duty stuff, starts with a "Q" can cause reproductive harm to developing children. Made by the "Mason Chemical Company."
Yes. Creepy.

 

[Flipit]

I checked out the CDC "cleaning products" page of approved products. A lot of it is just alcohol and peroxide based. Their list of chosen companies is all that is "official."

The only heavy duty stuff, starts with a "Q" can cause reproductive harm to developing children. Made by the "Mason Chemical Company."
Yes. Creepy.

What I meant by special is not what they were using prior. Actually prior I think they usually just used air pressure to blow them off.

 

[blueonblack]

What I meant by special is not what they were using prior. Actually prior I think they usually just used air pressure to blow them off.

I assumed you meant the CDC approved cleaners. Many are nothing special, really. They used air at our course too.
Maybe "the rag" if you're lucky. I do see the young kids out washing them with soap and water after they are returned. They do work here.

 

[VegasMav]

I just *hate* being nickel and dimed. Any business, golf or otherwise, ought to be transparent on their pricing. If it costs $60 to play then tell me that's the price. Don't tell me the green fee is $55 and then when I get there mention there's a $5 "surcharge". Drives me nuts.

You should be glad you don't live in Vegas. Casinos have resort fees (has changed since pandemic) on top of the room fee. If it's $40 resort fee, then just tell me the room is $190 and not $150/night. A local taco joint charges a $1.50 COVID-19 surcharge if you get carne asada.

If you advertise a COVID-19 surcharge at any business, and the consumer is well aware of that surcharge, I'm okay with it. What I'm not okay with is the surprise/sneaky surcharge prior to purchase or after services are rendered.

Don't tell me there is a COVID-19 surcharge for cleaning as I'm paying and not when I reserved the tee-time. Regardless of the amount.

 

[WLG1952]

I'm not very sensitive to price. If it's a course I want to play, the fact it is say $35 instead of $30 or $60 instead of $55 won't really make a difference.

I just *hate* being nickel and dimed. Any business, golf or otherwise, ought to be transparent on their pricing. If it costs $60 to play then tell me that's the price. Don't tell me the green fee is $55 and then when I get there mention there's a $5 "surcharge". Drives me nuts.

I see your point, and pretty much agree with you. My thinking is that with today's technology some vendors want to break their pricing down into individual prices for accounting purposes. The register gets programmed to separate the monies paid.

I play a course a few times every year. The green fee is listed at $65 for a non resident. I pay the $65 with no problem. The golf course is worth it. The receipt comes back broken down into 4 specifics. The actual green fee listed on it is $45. Cart fee, misc fee, and a Native American Land Use fee makes up the other $20. It's all good.

 

[Tenputt]

There is a lot of this going on right now. I went into a new place to order take out yesterday. It was a specialty burger place. When I placed the order and went to pay, the person taking my order asked if it was ok to pay a surcharge, because beef was more expensive. I asked, “Is it voluntary?” She said, “no.” I suggested it might go over better just to raise the prices, but I also realized she was just taking orders and not a decision maker.