Re: [RC] re "making money on a ride" - Barbara McCrary
I agree. There's no way that any
amount of income from a ride can pay for the time we, and others, spend on it,
before or during the event. I'm thinking only in terms of coming out ahead
of actual cash outlay, your definition of "positive cash flow." Forget
anything that looks like compensation for our time.
"...discover IF money could be made on ride
management..."
If by making money on a ride you mean making enough
to pay everyone a reasonable amount per hour and cover the cost of equipment
and running of vehicles, it really CAN NOT be done. In addition to
careful management, ride fees would have to be much higher, and much more
advertising revenue generated.
Can you imagine Dodge paying the type of fees they do
to get their name at a NASCAR venue?
The ride fees are held down by two things.
First, by how much we, the riders, are willing (or can afford) to pay.
Second, most rides are put on by people who DO NOT EXPECT to make a
"profit"* even if they do need a "positive cash flow"*, competition from these
charitable people alone is enough to prevent anyone else from
charging high fees.
Definitions:
*profit: Money left over after all expenses,
including total cost of running the vehicles used, replacement of equipment,
capital equipment (stock tanks etc.), fair wages for all concerned (for all
planning time as well as the ride weekend), food, awards, advertising,
association dues and whatever I have forgotten.
* "positive cash flow": Money left over after the
most important expenses have been paid. Usually does not include
provision for vehicle replacement, lots of little expenses that do not make
the RM's accounting procedures, and any wages for the RM and
volunteers.
Ed
Ed & Wendy Hauser 2994 Mittower
Road Victor, MT 59875
