Skycaddie Membership Ripoff

[Truman]

Don't you pay your membership dues in the winter?

[pup142]

Skycaddie is for me the best gps there is.I just bought the new Lethal balls by Taylormade and paid more for these with tax as what Skycaddie cost for a year.That is just how i feel and everybody feels different.

[jimmies78]

[quote name='Truman' timestamp='1363660700' post='6640873']
Don't you pay your membership dues in the winter?
[/quote]

Yes...but If at the end of the season I do not renew due to a long injury.....and I then go to renew 10 months later, my club would charge me a pro-rata rate for the two months left in the year. Not insist that I pay for the 10 months I wasn't a member too

[mr_divots]

Golf is a LUXURY item kind of sport. Played by those who are generally better-educated and versed in business. For a company to take a heavy-handed approach and not recognize their customer base is not a good business practice. When it's something so simple as an activation date, SkyCaddie needs to change [i]their[/i] practices, not "re-train" intelligent consumers to accept some ludicrous practice on their part.

I did not realize this about Skycaddie, and I thank you for starting this. I don't care to reward companies with ridiculous policies. (Especially if they are not the only game in town.) Life is much too short to be on the phone dealing with ridiculous stuff like that. Kind of why my laser wins out. Its in the bag and ready to go. All it wants is a 9v battery.

[Hateto3Putt]

[quote name='jaiello' timestamp='1362872845' post='6579967']
Supposed I waited until July? Would I then only get 6 months?
Just wondering if any of you other Skycaddie guys have noticed this rip off? What did you do about it?
[/quote]

Reason # 2,365,098 why I left Skycaddie YEARS ago. Never regretted that decision, and never looked back. I can't believe with all the other options available, that there is still a segment of players who drink the Koolaid and still buy and use Skycaddie devices with their archaic business model.

Although, I guess some people still use AOL.....

[vernon]

I don' have any issues with it and I rarely get to use mine for three to four months in the winter. At my club, if I allow my golf membership to expire it must remain inactive a minimum of 12 months or I get charged the back dues to the date of expiration. They have to do this to pay the bills in the winter or else everybody would resign when it got cold and rejoin when it warmed back up. Wouldn't be in business long doing it that way but I guess everybody would be happy till the "Out of Business" sign went up.

Any of you guys fish? Every state that I buy my license in expires at a predetermined date regardless of when I buy it. If I don't purchase until September then I only get four months but still have to pay for all twelve. Some may expire in different months than others but none are good for twelve months from date of purchase.

Not that unusual in my experience. Especially when you consider that you're only paying about $4 per month for one heck of a bunch of technology. Could always go back to using sprinkler heads I guess.

[BlackDiamondPar5]

[quote name='vernon' timestamp='1363721280' post='6645071']
I don' have any issues with it and I rarely get to use mine for three to four months in the winter. At my club, if I allow my golf membership to expire it must remain inactive a minimum of 12 months or I get charged the back dues to the date of expiration. They have to do this to pay the bills in the winter or else everybody would resign when it got cold and rejoin when it warmed back up. Wouldn't be in business long doing it that way but I guess everybody would be happy till the "Out of Business" sign went up.

Any of you guys fish? Every state that I buy my license in expires at a predetermined date regardless of when I buy it. If I don't purchase until September then I only get four months but still have to pay for all twelve. Some may expire in different months than others but none are good for twelve months from date of purchase.

Not that unusual in my experience. Especially when you consider that you're only paying about $4 per month for one heck of a bunch of technology. Could always go back to using sprinkler heads I guess.
[/quote]

Or do business with one of the other companies that don't charge an annual fee or buy a laser. Over the last two years the remaining skycaddie users in my golf league have done just that.

[mr_divots]

[quote name='vernon' timestamp='1363721280' post='6645071']
I don' have any issues with it and I rarely get to use mine for three to four months in the winter. [b]At my club, [/b]if I allow my golf membership to expire it must remain inactive a minimum of 12 months or I get charged the back dues to the date of expiration. They have to do this to pay the bills in the winter or else everybody would resign when it got cold and rejoin when it warmed back up. Wouldn't be in business long doing it that way but I guess everybody would be happy till the "Out of Business" sign went up.

[b]Any of you guys fish? [/b] Every state that I buy my license in expires at a predetermined date regardless of when I buy it. If I don't purchase until September then I only get four months but still have to pay for all twelve. Some may expire in different months than others but none are good for twelve months from date of purchase.

Not that unusual in my experience. Especially when you consider that you're only paying about $4 per month for one heck of a bunch of technology. Could always go back to using sprinkler heads I guess.
[/quote]

Two things:

[b]One[/b], private golf courses are struggling big time. It's their archaic billing practices which account for much of this. What is happening more and more? People play when they want and pay only when they are playing, so they don't have to suport the restaurant, etc at the private clubs against their choosing. Skycadie should take notice.

[b]Two[/b], the fishing SEASON is just that. A set season. It should expire the same date each year. DNR officials have to be around to enforce the season and rules. Skycaddie is a system of [i]computers.[/i] If they knew what they were doing, they'd offer many options for membership that would suit different needs. Because all it would take would be programming their billing system to this effect.

I have no idea why anyone is even attempting to defend this practice? "Take it or leave it" usually isn't a good way to gain customers. You have choices as a consumer. [i]MANY[/i] of them. SkyCaddie is insane for thinking they are in some position to bully their customers. Again, no horse in this race, but it still grates on me they would treat their customers like that.

[pup142]

[quote name='vernon' timestamp='1363721280' post='6645071']
I don' have any issues with it and I rarely get to use mine for three to four months in the winter. At my club, if I allow my golf membership to expire it must remain inactive a minimum of 12 months or I get charged the back dues to the date of expiration. They have to do this to pay the bills in the winter or else everybody would resign when it got cold and rejoin when it warmed back up. Wouldn't be in business long doing it that way but I guess everybody would be happy till the "Out of Business" sign went up.

Any of you guys fish? Every state that I buy my license in expires at a predetermined date regardless of when I buy it. If I don't purchase until September then I only get four months but still have to pay for all twelve. Some may expire in different months than others but none are good for twelve months from date of purchase.

Not that unusual in my experience. Especially when you consider that you're only paying about $4 per month for one heck of a bunch of technology. Could always go back to using sprinkler heads I guess.
[/quote]I agree 100% For me Skycaddie is the best and for $4.00 a month i love it.

[Pepperturbo]

I have had a Skycaddie since Version 1; a long time, and never have I had an issue with their subscription model. What's totally irrational is people comparing Skycaddie's subscription model to that of a club or other totally unrelated subscriptions, and then stating, what sounds to be expected allowances or no penalties, for not signing up when the subscription terminated. Makes no common or practical business sense whatsoever. As it stands, Skycaddie offers a highly functional product for a reasonable price. If its not to someone's liking, they should try something else.

[gr8blueheronbird]

And I now save the $4.00 per month and use my rangefinder for even more accurate free yardages. The only cost is a new battery one time per year at about $6.00 per battery. This saves me $3.50 per month plus no worries about downloads and charging and putting new courses into the unit. No worries anymore about going on vacation and downloading courses you might play.

[vernon]

Well you should be pretty close to retirement any day now on that extra $4 per month. And the states I fish don't have " seasons". It's open year round. I still think sprinkler heads (and food stamps) are probably best for some of you guys. By the way I have a laser too.

[vernon]

Oh yeah - my course isn't private.

[SatelliteGuy]

So you guys defending SkyCaddie on this one...

You buy it. Pay for one year. Don't renew after a year. 5 years from now you buy a different SkyCaddie... You go back into your SkyCaddie account and they charge you for the last 5 years plus the upcoming year... And you swallow that one?

The example may be extreme but that is the exact theory behind the OP's complaint.

It's a principle. SkyCaddie expects you to pay for services not rendered and they will because people, despite the options, continue to do business with a company like that. SkyCaddie is no better than my Bushnell Geo+... It's GPS based just like SkyCaddie and side by side they perform identically. If ya can wear a watch... The Bushnell is ideal. Have a SkyCaddie too... Stopped paying them a long time ago... Unit still works fine... Never plug it into a computer....never update software and all the courses I loaded work fine.

[Pepperturbo]

[quote name='Directvtechguy' timestamp='1363737716' post='6646831']
So you guys defending SkyCaddie on this one...

You buy it. Pay for one year. Don't renew after a year. 5 years from now you buy a different SkyCaddie... You go back into your SkyCaddie account and they charge you for the last 5 years plus the upcoming year... And you swallow that one?

The example may be extreme but that is the exact theory behind the OP's complaint.

It's a principle. SkyCaddie expects you to pay for services not rendered and they will because people, despite the options, continue to do business with a company like that. SkyCaddie is no better than my Bushnell Geo+... It's GPS based just like SkyCaddie and side by side they perform identically. If ya can wear a watch... The Bushnell is ideal. Have a SkyCaddie too... Stopped paying them a long time ago... Unit still works fine... Never plug it into a computer....never update software and all the courses I loaded work fine.
[/quote]

Don't renew for 5 years, and expect to renew???? That is THE DUMBEST example I've heard. Want to try again, only this time using something reasonable to defend your belief? Its good that your happy though.

[ej002]

Get a garmin - its no subscription and just as accurate. Problem solved.

[chockrl]

[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1363802375' post='6651701']
[quote name='Directvtechguy' timestamp='1363737716' post='6646831']
So you guys defending SkyCaddie on this one...

You buy it. Pay for one year. Don't renew after a year. 5 years from now you buy a different SkyCaddie... You go back into your SkyCaddie account and they charge you for the last 5 years plus the upcoming year... And you swallow that one?

The example may be extreme but that is the exact theory behind the OP's complaint.

It's a principle. SkyCaddie expects you to pay for services not rendered and they will because people, despite the options, continue to do business with a company like that. SkyCaddie is no better than my Bushnell Geo+... It's GPS based just like SkyCaddie and side by side they perform identically. If ya can wear a watch... The Bushnell is ideal. Have a SkyCaddie too... Stopped paying them a long time ago... Unit still works fine... Never plug it into a computer....never update software and all the courses I loaded work fine.
[/quote]

Don't renew for 5 years, and expect to renew???? That is THE DUMBEST example I've heard. Want to try again, only this time using something reasonable to defend your belief? Its good that your happy though.
[/quote]

Not really, his example was actually very relevant. Lets say you bought a sky caddie, didn't renew, and then 5 years later bought a new sky caddie device. If you use the same account for the new device, will you have to pay for the years you didn't use? Or maybe it will be the situation where you will only loose the months of the current year, and they'll be "nice" enough to not charge you for all the other years you didn't pay up.

[TM_HOYER]

[quote name='chockrl' timestamp='1363810619' post='6652573']
[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1363802375' post='6651701']
[quote name='Directvtechguy' timestamp='1363737716' post='6646831']
So you guys defending SkyCaddie on this one...

You buy it. Pay for one year. Don't renew after a year. 5 years from now you buy a different SkyCaddie... You go back into your SkyCaddie account and they charge you for the last 5 years plus the upcoming year... And you swallow that one?

The example may be extreme but that is the exact theory behind the OP's complaint.

It's a principle. SkyCaddie expects you to pay for services not rendered and they will because people, despite the options, continue to do business with a company like that. SkyCaddie is no better than my Bushnell Geo+... It's GPS based just like SkyCaddie and side by side they perform identically. If ya can wear a watch... The Bushnell is ideal. Have a SkyCaddie too... Stopped paying them a long time ago... Unit still works fine... Never plug it into a computer....never update software and all the courses I loaded work fine.
[/quote]

Don't renew for 5 years, and expect to renew???? That is THE DUMBEST example I've heard. Want to try again, only this time using something reasonable to defend your belief? Its good that your happy though.
[/quote]

Not really, his example was actually very relevant. Lets say you bought a sky caddie, didn't renew, and then 5 years later bought a new sky caddie device. If you use the same account for the new device, will you have to pay for the years you didn't use? Or maybe it will be the situation where you will only loose the months of the current year, and they'll be "nice" enough to not charge you for all the other years you didn't pay up.
[/quote]

That situation does not apply. A few years back when someone made same complaint, there was a time period (and it was months) that they would not go back to the original renewal date. If you deactivate your skycaddie when your renewal date is reached, and reactivate when you are ready to renew, they will not go back to the original renewal date.

[tjumper78]

[quote name='Hateto3Putt' timestamp='1363720650' post='6645015']
[quote name='jaiello' timestamp='1362872845' post='6579967']
Supposed I waited until July? Would I then only get 6 months?
Just wondering if any of you other Skycaddie guys have noticed this rip off? What did you do about it?
[/quote]

Reason # 2,365,098 why I left Skycaddie YEARS ago. Never regretted that decision, and never looked back. I can't believe with all the other options available, that there is still a segment of players who drink the Koolaid and still buy and use Skycaddie devices with their archaic business model.

Although, I guess some people still use AOL.....
[/quote]

+1.
i liked the product (i think it was sg5 or something) but their practice lost me as a customer.
plus most of their customer service reps are pretty much retarded or they are robots, and thats IF i can get through to them over the phone.

my leupold kicks some serious butt.

[prorobo]

Wow I never thought about this but I will be in the same boat as the op as soon as it warms up enough to play around these parts. Got my SGX last year for Christmas and bought the 1 year. Haven't renewed yet thinking I'd get a full year when I finally get a chance to play. Very disappointed to hear about Skycaddie's business practices.

[EdL]

That's some shady dealings. Membership does not have its privileges, ey? Still ok with the annual fees on top of the $$$ shelled out for the unit? Another reason to avoid Skycaddie.

[Pepperturbo]

[quote name='chockrl' timestamp='1363810619' post='6652573']
[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1363802375' post='6651701']
[quote name='Directvtechguy' timestamp='1363737716' post='6646831']
So you guys defending SkyCaddie on this one...

You buy it. Pay for one year. Don't renew after a year. 5 years from now you buy a different SkyCaddie... You go back into your SkyCaddie account and they charge you for the last 5 years plus the upcoming year... And you swallow that one?

The example may be extreme but that is the exact theory behind the OP's complaint.

It's a principle. SkyCaddie expects you to pay for services not rendered and they will because people, despite the options, continue to do business with a company like that. SkyCaddie is no better than my Bushnell Geo+... It's GPS based just like SkyCaddie and side by side they perform identically. If ya can wear a watch... The Bushnell is ideal. Have a SkyCaddie too... Stopped paying them a long time ago... Unit still works fine... Never plug it into a computer....never update software and all the courses I loaded work fine.
[/quote]

Don't renew for 5 years, and expect to renew???? That is THE DUMBEST example I've heard. Want to try again, only this time using something reasonable to defend your belief? Its good that your happy though.
[/quote]

Not really, his example was actually very relevant. Lets say you bought a sky caddie, didn't renew, and then 5 years later bought a new sky caddie device. If you use the same account for the new device, will you have to pay for the years you didn't use? Or maybe it will be the situation where you will only loose the months of the current year, and they'll be "nice" enough to not charge you for all the other years you didn't pay up.
[/quote]

No its NOT, and no to your question... I know because there was a lapse of time between when one skycaddie (older model) subscription ended and when I bought my next skycaddie and resubscribed; the later was for a year and started the day I paid.

[Hateto3Putt]

[quote name='prorobo' timestamp='1363814694' post='6653085']
Wow I never thought about this but I will be in the same boat as the op as soon as it warms up enough to play around these parts. Got my SGX last year for Christmas and bought the 1 year. Haven't renewed yet thinking I'd get a full year when I finally get a chance to play. Very disappointed to hear about Skycaddie's business practices.
[/quote]

You think the mapping subscription is a ripoff? Check out the battery replacement process (and pricing) for your SGX. [url="http://clubsg.skygolf.com/content/faq/general+skycaddie+questions/skycaddie+devices/6-4120-How_can_I_replace_the_battery_on_my_SkyCadie_SGX.html"]LINK[/url]

[DrJet]

[quote name='Hateto3Putt' timestamp='1363872976' post='6656695']
[quote name='prorobo' timestamp='1363814694' post='6653085']
Wow I never thought about this but I will be in the same boat as the op as soon as it warms up enough to play around these parts. Got my SGX last year for Christmas and bought the 1 year. Haven't renewed yet thinking I'd get a full year when I finally get a chance to play. Very disappointed to hear about Skycaddie's business practices.
[/quote]

You think the mapping subscription is a ripoff? Check out the battery replacement process (and pricing) for your SGX. [url="http://clubsg.skygolf.com/content/faq/general+skycaddie+questions/skycaddie+devices/6-4120-How_can_I_replace_the_battery_on_my_SkyCadie_SGX.html"]LINK[/url]
[/quote]

Is Skycaddie a kind of luxury GPS? It charges like many luxury auto dealerships do.

[adamv]

I got screwed even worse. MIne expired in July, I didnt renew mine till May the next year. In july it was telling me i had to renew again! I said screw that and bought a laser. SO STUPID!

[Hateto3Putt]

Wow I never thought about this but I will be in the same boat as the op as soon as it warms up enough to play around these parts. Got my SGX last year for Christmas and bought the 1 year. Haven't renewed yet thinking I'd get a full year when I finally get a chance to play. Very disappointed to hear about Skycaddie's business practices.

 

You think the mapping subscription is a ripoff? Check out the battery replacement process (and pricing) for your SGX. LINK

 

Is Skycaddie a kind of luxury GPS? It charges like many luxury auto dealerships do.

 

It's not by any means.

 

But those who drink the Koolaid, think it is.

 

[5 O'Clock Charlie]

If you guys are unhappy with SkyCaddie and want them to change their ways, keep doing what you are doing. Gripe and complain about them, tell everyone you know why you hate them, then leave and go to another provider. The free market system works. When I'm selling these gps units and showing the various features of many different available units, 10 out of 10 people balk at the yearly fee when I mention it to them.

[jaiello]

[quote name='5 O'Clock Charlie' timestamp='1363876890' post='6657117']
If you guys are unhappy with SkyCaddie and want them to change their ways, keep doing what you are doing. Gripe and complain about them, tell everyone you know why you hate them, then leave and go to another provider. The free market system works. When I'm selling these gps units and showing the various features of many different available units, 10 out of 10 people balk at the yearly fee when I mention it to them.
[/quote]
Thanks for this post. I agree. The reason they have this practice in place is because either a) people don't know about it or b) lemmings just accept it as the way things should be. Complaining as a group action gets results. It's the reason I originally started this topic.

[SatelliteGuy]

Believe my example was extreme and a bit on the absurd side.

It's called a principle. The example was ridiculous... But only because I said 5 years. Now I say change it to 5 months. So your ok with paying for 5 months you did not utilize? Example dumb...principle sound. I don't pay for stuff I don't use.

Pay for a full tank of gas when you still have 5 gallons.
Pay for a dozen Pro-v's but they take 1 away because of the one in your pocket.
Pay for 18 but they make you start on 3

These are all examples of the principle we debate in this thread. That's what SkyCaddie does. They violate a basic principle because people don't mind if its....

" Only a month "

[NickPhillips]

I agree with the OP I think they should have either prorated your rate for only 10onths, or started your year membership when you renewed.