4wd Club Fees? Please Explain?

[medion]

Hi All,

When I was at the 4wd show at Eastern Creek, I was looking at some of the 4wd club stands, and I couldn't believe how much it was to join.

One club was $80 per year, which wasn't to bad, but one of them was $180 for the first year!!!! I can't remember if it was $100 to join and $80 per year, or the other way around, but WOW.

Does anyone know why joining would cost so much?

[CRW]

I found this out today at the Penrith show

Toyota Land Cruiser club has a first year joining fee of $395 and $150 per year thereafter.

They own two properties where camping and facilities are free.  They have courses like Driver training, navigation, recovery techniques, bush mechanics etc, all included in joining fees. Also as a club they have to pay insurances etc

Just as a comparison

[D4D]

Yep depends if they have properties, driver training, state associations etc.

I was a member of the Pajero Club until this year

The annual membership fee, for both Single and Family membership for 2011/12 is $125, of which, $42 is Fwd Vic affiliation fees
The once-off joining fee is $80.

[medion]

Well if they have property that makes sense.

The dearer of the ones I spoke to said that you pay the $180 upfront, then must participate in two club events in the first 60 or 90 days (can't remember which one), but one of them must be a driver training course that is run by the club ( which you have to pay for as well). Then after your 90 day probation they decide if they want you as a member, and if they say no you don't get any refunds.

[RichardW]

I'm a member of Triple Diamond in Sydney and was treasurer for 9 years.
The club fees are $60 joining and $65 annual membership.
The joining fee includes an evening 4WD theory session and 2 day practical driver awareness course with accredited trainers.
Association affiliation fees are $16.50 per member and insurance is $9.50 per member.
A BBQ at the AGM and and Dinner and Breakfast and presents for the kids at the Xmas Party are included.
The club has built up a few assets as well over the years. BBQ, Tirfor hand winch, Marquee for events, Handheld radios, Santa Suit etc.
The club runs regular trips both weekend and extended with a trip leader however costs for these aren't included.
Most clubs are not for profit and aim to break even each year. 
It's not bad value if you compare it to some commercial operators.

[Bird]

Clubs are not for everyone. But this has been done to death, so wont go there.

The dearer of the ones I spoke to said that you pay the $180 upfront, then must participate in two club events in the first 60 or 90 days (can't remember which one), but one of them must be a driver training course that is run by the club ( which you have to pay for as well). Then after your 90 day probation they decide if they want you as a member, and if they say no you don't get any refunds.

Which club was that? I'd be interested to see how long they stay open for, I think you must have misunderstood them, nobody would put up with those conditions - ever...

One issue is affiliation fees with 4wd <insert state>, new member fees, insurance, members badges, etc all fees add up, magazine postage, etc.. all small but add up. But not all clubs do it.

Everything you do associations want a chunk of, for little in return. These days driver trainers (trained volunteers) are expected to run driver training for the public - non club members that the association charges $100's for...!!!

The club that Im in isnt interested in clearing the national debt. We are happy to just cover costs. We have 1000's of sq hectares of club property, it's called Australia.

$30 to join, and $70 for single, and $75 for family a year.
Included in that is
- the basic and if we have enough interest (and the trainers have time to spare) Advanced Accredited driver training course after 2yrs membership and you have done basic course and some trips to prove you can drive.
- we run Trip Leader courses
- soon having another GPS/Ozi Explorer Course run by club members for club members
- discounts at 4wd stores
- club lead trips and lots more.

You also get 2x fully catered for events a year. We had xmas in July this year, 3x types of roasts, numerous salads, rolls and stuff... same again for our end of year party

And the prez is a fawkin TOP BLOKE  

[medion]

Nope, didn't misunderstand them... I asked twice

Clubs are not for everyone. But this has been done to death, so wont go there.
Which club was that? I'd be interested to see how long they stay open for, I think you must have misunderstood them, nobody would put up with those conditions - ever...

One issue is affiliation fees with 4wd <insert state>, new member fees, insurance, members badges, etc all fees add up, magazine postage, etc.. all small but add up. But not all clubs do it.

Everything you do associations want a chunk of, for little in return. These days driver trainers (trained volunteers) are expected to run driver training for the public - non club members that the association charges $100's for...!!!

The club that Im in isnt interested in clearing the national debt. We are happy to just cover costs. We have 1000's of sq hectares of club property, it's called Australia.

$30 to join, and $70 for single, and $75 for family a year.
Included in that is
- the basic and if we have enough interest (and the trainers have time to spare) Advanced Accredited driver training course after 2yrs membership and you have done basic course and some trips to prove you can drive.
- we run Trip Leader courses
- soon having another GPS/Ozi Explorer Course run by club members for club members
- discounts at 4wd stores
- club lead trips and lots more.

You also get 2x fully catered for events a year. We had xmas in July this year, 3x types of roasts, numerous salads, rolls and stuff... same again for our end of year party

And the prez is a fawkin TOP BLOKE  

[Bird]

Nope, didn't misunderstand them... I asked twice

so which club was it?

[BigJules]

Whilst I've never actually become a member, I think many of the 4wd clubs do a great job and offer support and assistance for members, news and old alike.

I have considered joining the LCC a few times, especially so my wife can do their driver training as many times as she wants to.

[rescue1]

Dion,
The Jackaroo 4WD Club is only $60 a year (they don't just cater for Jackaroo owners) and are based in the west of Sydney.

[medion]

Dion,
The Jackaroo 4WD Club is only $60 a year (they don't just cater for Jackaroo owners) and are based in the west of Sydney.

Thanks Rescue1. I was talking to so of the guys from the Jackaroo club at the show.

[rescue1]

Glad to be of help, if you decide to join make sure you mention the show special (not that there Treasurer would charge you the joining fee anyway, he's a top bloke)....

[rodw]

Geez, things are certainly cheap up here in QLD.

Our club fees are $60 p.a for families and $55 p.a. for single members. We don't charge a joining fee and we charge a whopping $30 for the nationally accredited training course we ask our members to do within six months of joining our club. Remmber we have to pay affiliation fees to the Qld association and also fees for each person on the training course.

We have a Christmas party every year which the club foots most of the bill for. This year we are heading for the Springs 4WD park and dinner and breakfast is covered b the club.

We are  social club not a money making machine. Find out more about us here http://www.twinrivers4x4club.org.au/

I reckon one of the strengths of our club is that it is not aligned with one vehicle. All we ask is that our car has low range as soft roaders don't cut it on most of our outings.  We encourage visitors to join us on three club events after which we ask for a financial commitment if they want to come back for more!

Do yourself a favour guys, look around. Check the 4wd association in your state and visit a couple of clubs before you pick one that makes you feel welcome.

[kiva]

I found this out today at the Penrith show

Toyota Land Cruiser club has a first year joining fee of $395 and $150 per year thereafter.

They own two properties where camping and facilities are free.  They have courses like Driver training, navigation, recovery techniques, bush mechanics etc, all included in joining fees. Also as a club they have to pay insurances etc

Just as a comparison

We are members of TLCC Sydney. Everyone has their own reasons for joining a club and we had our own.

What impressed us was that the club has a huge number of members, so there is a great mix people that make it a nice social club and very family friendly. All training courses are free to members; with one exception - St John's first aid, where you pay their fee. Thanks to the towing course, I learned how to reverse park the CT There are a number of social events held throughout the year at the club properties that are all fully catered for. I'm pretty sure that the only event that costs extra is the kids Christmas party. This has a minimal cost per child ($5) with the child receiving a gift in the $15-$20 range via the club providing a subsidy. There is also a 64 page printed magazine sent out six times per year, many club trips, and an annual 4x4 inter-club event.

The club properties are great. The recreational property is close to Sydney. No bookings are ever required and you can stay for as long as you wish. This in itself makes the annual fee worthwhile as you can always go there knowing that there is a nice private camp ground (with flushing toilets, hot showers, fire pits, BBQ's etc) waiting for you.

I guess the fees might be more than most clubs, however I feel that there is great value in what I, as a member, get for those fees.

Oh, and you don't need to have a Land Cruiser to join Any vehicle that is 4WD and has low range is acceptable.

Disclaimer: This isn't intended to sound like an advertisement! However, only you can decide if you get value from club fees.

[darren]

when you are shopping for a club at a show look for leather hats and badges.
If you see them keep lòoking

[D4D]

when you are shopping for a club at a show look for leather hats and badges.
If you see them keep lòoking

You forgot leather vests

[AussieBob]

We are members of TLCC Sydney. Everyone has their own reasons for joining a club and we had our own.

What impressed us was that the club has a huge number of members, so there is a great mix people that make it a nice social club and very family friendly. All training courses are free to members; with one exception - St John's first aid, where you pay their fee. Thanks to the towing course, I learned how to reverse park the CT There are a number of social events held throughout the year at the club properties that are all fully catered for. I'm pretty sure that the only event that costs extra is the kids Christmas party. This has a minimal cost per child ($5) with the child receiving a gift in the $15-$20 range via the club providing a subsidy. There is also a 64 page printed magazine sent out six times per year, many club trips, and an annual 4x4 inter-club event.

The club properties are great. The recreational property is close to Sydney. No bookings are ever required and you can stay for as long as you wish. This in itself makes the annual fee worthwhile as you can always go there knowing that there is a nice private camp ground (with flushing toilets, hot showers, fire pits, BBQ's etc) waiting for you.

I guess the fees might be more than most clubs, however I feel that there is great value in what I, as a member, get for those fees.

Oh, and you don't need to have a Land Cruiser to join Any vehicle that is 4WD and has low range is acceptable.

Disclaimer: This isn't intended to sound like an advertisement! However, only you can decide if you get value from club fees.

I have been in the LLC for 22yrs, and find the annual subs ($150) are very good value, especially relating to the courses and the two large properties , one on the river and the other in the hills, yours to use 24/7.
Bob

[morgansmall]

I think you need to ask what you're getting for your money.

I belong to a mountain bike club in the ACT which if I want to participate in club races or events costs $120 per year. $20 of that goes to the club, $100 goes to the Australian mountain bike governing body to pay for access lobbying, insurance, and to help run the national race series.  There's a lot of costs involved in running an organisation, most of which you wouldn't necessarily think of.

As someone said if you have to pay $200 a year to join a 4wd club and you pay nothing else in the year but get to go on 4 trips and a course, that's pretty decent value.

If it's still gunna cost you $100 a trip, but you get a free stubby holder and car sticker, I'd suggest shop around.

[ddr]

From personal experience I wouldnt hold a property too high in the club value stakes.  If other clubs are anything like the last club I was a member of it was their sole purpose, even to the extent of actual 4wding.  The club put all its efforts into their property & IMHO the club suffered greatly for it.


lost I think your overselling the President of your club, he looks terrible in a skirt & needs a shave!

[Bird]

From personal experience I wouldnt hold a property too high in the club value stakes.  If other clubs are anything like the last club I was a member of it was their sole purpose, even to the extent of actual 4wding.  The club put all its efforts into their property & IMHO the club suffered greatly for it.

Ditto, even down to the stainless steel piss troff!

lost I think your overselling the President of your club, he looks terrible in a skirt & needs a shave!

Hes had a shave recently...