Bill ... For only 15 nights a year, the High Country Club
www.highcountryclub.com annual dues for Associate members joining after Nov 30 are going to $4,300 from $3,500 representing
a 22% increase. In addition,
the membership fee is going up 33% for those new members. Percentagewise - these are huge increases. Marriott would be proud of them!
They are different products of course, but everyone makes the TS vs DC comparisons, even the salespeople. Many TS people here would be concerned having to pay MF of $4,300 for just 2 weeks - regardless of whatever comparison are made, and in the process MMC look like a bargain, especially with the golf!
Surely that tells you where the annual fees are eventually going with Destination Clubs too. With less than 300 customers presently, if HCC can keep to their promised hold on MF for current members for many years I'll be very surprised. HCC is only 2-3 years old - an infant in a new biz - and their places will suffer wear and tear just like a TS does. Do you really think the new members will be the only ones that have to pay the increased costs of upkeep and refurbs?
Again ... I'm sure you know the reserve fund is not a Marriott increase. While
owners did not have the courtesy of an explanatory note from the MMC HOA, the reserve fund is to help keep this resort up to the standards it had right from the beginning and perhaps shows bad management in prior years when increases were as little as 0%!
Brian
Yes, but you are not making a fair comparison as these are two different products.
My comparison was on the % increase in annual dues. HCC increase has been less than 5% for current owners as we are locked into a set rate when we join. Marriott, on the other hand, seems to think it is fair to raise rates to whatever they think they can get, no matter if it is 15% or more increase.
I still think MMC is a good deal, but at these rate of increase, I can see a lot of people dumping Marriott and simply renting.
Manor Club % increases over the last few years:
2.74% - 2002
3.67% -2003
0.00% - 2004
4.32% - 2005
4.94% - 2006
11.93% - 2007
18.51% - 2008
Clearly 2007 and 2008 are HUGE jumps as compared to the other years.