Money question...

[anchorman]

Okay, the economy is absolutely kicking the crap out of my business right now. So, I have this deep philosophical question:

I have 6 sleds, none of which are the latest and greatest. They are family sleds and they all work well. I have some friends who have never snowmobiled and are always hinting that they'd love for me to take them. So, if I volunteered to take some of these guys on my sleds for a pretty mellow ride (only because that's all they'd be able to handle without being stuck all the time), would it be okay for me to require them to pay for the registration as well as the fuel?

Am I being too cheap in even asking the question?

[MOMMA DRINK]

Originally Posted by anchorman

Okay, the economy is absolutely kicking the crap out of my business right now. So, I have this deep philosophical question:

I have 6 sleds, none of which are the latest and greatest. They are family sleds and they all work well. I have some friends who have never snowmobiled and are always hinting that they'd love for me to take them. So, if I volunteered to take some of these guys on my sleds for a pretty mellow ride (only because that's all they'd be able to handle without being stuck all the time), would it be okay for me to require them to pay for the registration as well as the fuel?

Am I being too cheap in even asking the question?

I think if you lay it all out in the open and say, "because the economy is kicking the crap out of your business................ and ask him" I'm sure they'd be happy to pay for reg and fuel.
To be Truthful and Humble is always a good thing.

[Bc Sno-Ghost]

Originally Posted by anchorman

Okay, the economy is absolutely kicking the crap out of my business right now. So, I have this deep philosophical question:

I have 6 sleds, none of which are the latest and greatest. They are family sleds and they all work well. I have some friends who have never snowmobiled and are always hinting that they'd love for me to take them. So, if I volunteered to take some of these guys on my sleds for a pretty mellow ride (only because that's all they'd be able to handle without being stuck all the time), would it be okay for me to require them to pay for the registration as well as the fuel?

Am I being too cheap in even asking the question?

My first take on your dilemma is...you have 6 sleds??? I feel for you being caught in the economic downturn, but perhaps you got in a bit deep when times were good...? Six sleds? You sound like a "Big Hearted Guy" by owning toys so your friends can play but IMO if you can afford six sleds you can pay for the fuel and registration. If you honestly can't afford it then sell one or two sleds and use that money to cover your expenses. I'll bet you don't take out 5 friends at one time. Who pays for the maintenance on those 6 sleds? Would your friends cover the cost if something broke? I know I'd have a very hard time asking my friends to cough up for fuel if I took them out. I had one spare sled last year and used it twice. Both times my friends offered or threw money at me for fuel. Sorry, I'm not trying to be a Richard(Dick) but I don't suspect your in too much of an economic crunch if you own 6 sleds.

[anchorman]

Good point BC. The sleds consist of an '82 Encticer 340, 2 1992 Prowlers, a 1992 Venture, a 1996 580 Powder Special and my '03 900 Mountain Cat. Outside of my 900, I don't think the value of the sleds equal my wife's worn out minivan!

I don't own the trailer either because it's considered a demo from my work and the tow rig is a company vehicle too. So it may sound a bit more exotic than it really is.

I agree it sounds bad though. I think you may be right about either selling one and using (almost all) of the profits for registrations or just mothballing a few of them until next year.

Oh and I wouldn't own them if I hadn't already paid for them. I don't actually "owe" on anything except the house.

[TROUT HUNTER]

Looking at the setup.... I don't see any prob asking them to help out. Figure this, Idaho registration is what $30 ish this year, fuel and oil for them would be prob 30 to 40$ for the day. So they are looking 60 to 70$ for a day of getting out and riding. Now compare that to the 150$ to 180$ they would pay just for a rental for the day, all the sudden Gas and registration isn't to bad of a deal for them is it?

The whole thing has to be approached in the direction that you are willing to supply the sleds but they are going to have to help out and contribute a bit too. Personally If they are any type of decent responsible guys they should want to help out anyhow atleast with gas etc.

[Bc Sno-Ghost]

Originally Posted by anchorman

Good point BC. The sleds consist of an '82 Encticer 340, 2 1992 Prowlers, a 1992 Venture, a 1996 580 Powder Special and my '03 900 Mountain Cat. Outside of my 900, I don't think the value of the sleds equal my wife's worn out minivan!

I don't own the trailer either because it's considered a demo from my work and the tow rig is a company vehicle too. So it may sound a bit more exotic than it really is.

I agree it sounds bad though. I think you may be right about either selling one and using (almost all) of the profits for registrations or just mothballing a few of them until next year.

Oh and I wouldn't own them if I hadn't already paid for them. I don't actually "owe" on anything except the house.

If you do sell one or two, don't sell the Enticer!!! I had one of those for about 5 years and it was so much fun and just wouldn't quit. Great for kids. Easy on gas too if you do take friends out I hope the economy turns around for you guys soon!

[Timber_Tramp]

Well compared to what it would cost your buddys to hire a guide and rent sleds for the day, asking them to kick in for actual costs is a bargin.

[dragonblue]

Originally Posted by BUBBA

Personally If they are any type of decent responsible guys they should want to help out anyhow atleast with gas etc.

I agree with this...anyone who would scoff at chipping in for their own fuel usage is someone I probably wouldn't want to ride with anyway.

[Throttle Junkey]

Gas at the very least, and dinner for the guide is usually a good thing also.

[777]

I'm alot like you it seems. Toys are no fun if you can't have it with your freinds. I was in sort of the same position this year. Had a mod-sled and I bought a new m8. All my freinds without sleds were looking forward to riding the mod-sled. I thought about it pretty hard and ended up selling the mod sled. That was a house payment sitting there, not that I figured I would need it BUT if I did I wouldn't want to try to sell it in the dead of winter.

I like to share my fun but it seems like a guy ends up doing all the work getting ready and then storing the equipment.

I know that wasn't really your question so as far as asking for money, yes I would lay it out honestly.