RCR now charging fuel levy on callouts

[robtheplod]

Important Update: Introduction of Fuel Levy on Callouts

We are writing to let you know about an important update to our callout charges. As you will be aware, fuel prices have continued to rise sharply in recent months, with costs now reaching approximately £2 per litre. We have absorbed these increases for as long as possible, but we have now reached a point where action is necessary to ensure we can continue providing reliable support to all members.
To avoid increasing membership prices for everyone, we will be introducing a £15 fuel levy per callout, effective immediately. This levy will only apply when a callout is made, meaning members who do not require callouts will not be affected. We believe this is the fairest approach, ensuring that additional fuel costs are only passed on where they are actually incurred.
This charge is already included within our Terms & Conditions in your membership booklet.
Please be assured that this measure is temporary. As soon as fuel prices fall to a sustainable level, we will remove the levy.
We appreciate your understanding and continued support. If you have any questions, our team is here to help.
 

[MtB]

Translation:

 

"Fuel has gone up by 50p a litre so we are charging you fifteen quid." 

 

 

[Alan de Enfield]

14 minutes ago, robtheplod said:

We believe this is the fairest approach, ensuring that additional fuel costs are only passed on where they are actually incurred.

 

 

And it would be even 'fairer' to members if the levy as (say) 20p per mile then those who broke down close to the engineers paid less than someone who broke down 100 miles from anywhere.

 

A few years ago (invasion of Ukraine) we had a similar fuel levy applied by Biffa, with the assurance it would be  removed when fuel prices dropped - it never was removed.

Edited April 18 by Alan de Enfield

[LadyG]

They are only charging those who require a call out, I think thats fair. Every business has to adjust, they will have done the sums.

No one has to subscribe, they can spend several hours phoning round to find someone to come, just phone every local  busines and pay his charges, he likely will charge mileage, @£2 per road mile, its likely to be, say 30 miles, £60 for a local callout, easily £100. You just have to accept that they are in  business, and need to make a profit on every job.

Im not sure, but i would think a lot of their customers have older boats which are not particularly well maintained, it would be cheaper to take their boats to be serviced, and keep on top of things 

Wasn't their  a recent discussion about fuel contamination. That's probably a maintenance issue.

Edited April 18 by LadyG

[robtheplod]

9 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

 

And it would be even 'fairer' to members if the levy as (say) 20p per mile then those who broke down close to the engineers paid less than someone who broke down 100 miles from anywhere.

 

A few years ago (invasion of Ukraine) we had a similar fuel levy applied by Biffa, with the assurance it would be  removed when fuel prices dropped - it never was removed.

Thats in the back of my mind... costs dont tend to get removed, only added.......

[Rob-M]

RCR removed the fuel levy last time they introduced it when fuel costs increased.

[cuthound]

4 minutes ago, LadyG said:

They are only charging those who require a call out, I think thats fair. Every business has to adjust, they will have done the sums.

No one has to subscribe, they can spend several hours phoning round to find someone to come, just phone every local  busines and pay his charges, he likely will charge mileage, @£2 per road mile, its likely to be, say 30 miles, £60 for a local callout, easily £100. You just have to accept that they are in  business, and need to make a profit on every job.

 

RCR are a breakdown service.

 

Most boats that breakdown will be out cruising and therefore have to pay the charge.

 

Boats failing to start in their marina or at there mooring will still incur a call out charge.

 

Unless you break down outside their (almost) canalside headquarters on the Staffs and Worcs I'm struggling to imagine a scenario where you won't incur a call out charge.

 

[Hudds Lad]

Assuming this is for non-membership callouts, as i've received no such email (as yet)?

[Alan de Enfield]

5 minutes ago, Rob-M said:

RCR removed the fuel levy last time they introduced it when fuel costs increased.

£15 fixed fee just seems to be 'gouging'.

 

Lets say a van does ~30 mpg

Diesel has increased by ~50p / litre (£2.75 / gallon)

 

if a breakdown requires the engineer to make a 50 mile trip (100 miles round trip) then he will use ~3 gallons of fuel incurring ~£7.50 of additional cost.

 

50% of the fuel levy they are charging.

 

How many breakdowns will have the 'local' engineer 100 miles away (200 mile round trip), which is the 'break even point'.

[LadyG]

6 minutes ago, cuthound said:

 

RCR are a breakdown service.

 

Most boats that breakdown will be out cruising and therefore have to pay the charge.

 

Boats failing to start in their marina or at there mooring will still incur a call out charge.

 

Unless you break down outside their (almost) canalside headquarters on the Staffs and Worcs I'm struggling to imagine a scenario where you won't incur a call out charge.

 

I does say this is for subscribers, they dont normally charge per callout distance, but they will know the average mileage and the increase in their fuel prices. Remember they are paying nearly £2 per litre 

[Alan de Enfield]

8 minutes ago, Hudds Lad said:

Assuming this is for non-membership callouts, as i've received no such email (as yet)?

 

 

40 minutes ago, robtheplod said:

To avoid increasing membership prices for everyone, we will be introducing a £15 fuel levy per callout

 

 

 

 

 

1 minute ago, LadyG said:

I does say this is for subscribers, they dont normally charge per callout distance, but they will know the average mileage and the increase in their fuel prices. Remember they are paying nearly £2 per litre 

 

But the price has not increased by £2 per litre has it !

Edited April 18 by Alan de Enfield

[Hudds Lad]

That's all well and good, @Alan de Enfield, but i can't seem to find this info in the wild.

No email, not on their website blog, not on their Facebook page?

Wondering where @robtheplod has got this from.

[robtheplod]

1 minute ago, Hudds Lad said:

That's all well and good, @Alan de Enfield, but i can't seem to find this info in the wild.

No email, not on their website blog, not on their Facebook page?

Wondering where @robtheplod has got this from.

its on an email i got today..... i assumed it was for everyone but now i'm thinking its just me since i seem to be the only one with it???? not used them in years!!!

 

Dear Mr Robert Brown, Member Code: <removed!> Important Update: Introduction of Fuel Levy on Callouts We are writing to let you know about an important update to our callout charges. As you will be aware, fuel prices have continued to rise sharply in recent months, with costs now reaching approximately £2 per litre. We have absorbed these increases for as long as possible, but we have now reached a point where action is necessary to ensure we can continue providing reliable support to all members. To avoid increasing membership prices for everyone, we will be introducing a £15 fuel levy per callout, effective immediately. This levy will only apply when a callout is made, meaning members who do not require callouts will not be affected. We believe this is the fairest approach, ensuring that additional fuel costs are only passed on where they are actually incurred. This charge is already included within our Terms & Conditions in your membership booklet. Please be assured that this measure is temporary. As soon as fuel prices fall to a sustainable level, we will remove the levy. We appreciate your understanding and continued support. If you have any questions, our team is here to help. Yours sincerely, The RCR Team River Canal Rescue Ltd   Telephone: 01785 785 680 Email: enquiries@rivercanalrescue.co.uk Website: www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk Sender: River Canal Rescue Ltd, 11 Tilcon Av, Stafford, ST18 0YJ | Registered in England and Wales no. 04126409 | 01785 248 793 Click Here to Unsubscribe   This e-mail and any attachments is intended only for the attention of the addressee(s). Its unauthorised use, disclosure, storage or copying is not permitted. If you are not the intended recipient, please destroy all copies and inform the sender by return e-mail. Internet e-mail is not a secure medium. Any reply to this message could be intercepted and read by someone else. Please bear that in mind when deciding whether to send material in response to this message by e-mail. This e-mail may be monitored, recorded and retained by River Canal Rescue Ltd. Monitoring / blocking software may be used, and e-mail content may be read at any time.

[Tonka]

If the price of fuel goes down again will they drop the surcharge?

 

I doubt it

[Rob-M]

We had the same email during the week.

[MtB]

I wonder if this surcharge still applies when the engineer turns up in an electric van...

 

Or given a tankful of electricity only costs about ten quid, I wonder if there is a case for a negative surcharge to be applied?

 

I'll stop stirring now  

 

 

 

[Adam]

Fuel cards have maxed at £1.50+ vat (£1.80), they were around £1.10+ vat before the toys came out the pram. They won't be paying the vat on the fuel.

 

Next week's price, circa £1.40 +vat

 

We have been given surcharges ranging from 5 p a mile to 5% of invoice value.

Edited April 18 by Adam
Next week's price

[Melita]

4 hours ago, cuthound said:

Unless you break down outside their (almost) canalside headquarters on the Staffs and Worcs I'm struggling to imagine a scenario where you won't incur a call out charge.

Last time I think the callout levy was £5. In Stafford, I climbed off the roof and snapped my key off in the ignition barrel, couldn't get it out. Called RCR and they had a replacement in stock. The engineer arrived about 20 minutes later on his push bike, I did laugh when the £5 fuel levy was charged!!

[Chris John]

Thanks Donald 

[robtheplod]

Got another email today... they really want me to know about the surcharge!!

[cuthound]

1 hour ago, robtheplod said:

Got another email today... they really want me to know about the surcharge!!

 

I got one today even though I'm not a member (although my boat insurance provides cover for me if I pay the £65 call out charge).

[MtB]

1 hour ago, robtheplod said:

Got another email today... they really want me to know about the surcharge!!

 

Maybe they are planning on surcharging you twice! 

 

 

[Alan de Enfield]

1 hour ago, cuthound said:

 

I got one today even though I'm not a member (although my boat insurance provides cover for me if I pay the £65  £80 call out charge).

 

Corrected that for you.

[cuthound]

7 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

Corrected that for you.

 

I try to avoid calling them out when possible and to fix it myself.

 

Mind you at those prices it might be cheaper to call a local boatyard.

[Laurie Booth]

21 hours ago, Hudds Lad said:

That's all well and good, @Alan de Enfield, but i can't seem to find this info in the wild.

No email, not on their website blog, not on their Facebook page?

Wondering where @robtheplod has got this from.

I got the email