[iaudit]

I was just logged onto the villages.net to access the golf reservation system.
There is a notice that the access rates are changing from $5.50 per month to $8.00 per month, effective January 1, 2009. In addition, there is no discount for paying on an annual or semi-annual basis. For twelve months, that means it will now cost $96 per year versus the old prepaid rate of $60 per year.

WHAT A RIPOFF!!!

Does anyone know if Comcast is going to change their current arrangement with customers for tee time access.

[iaudit]

Does anyone on this boards use the tee time golf access system at villages.net?? No reaction to their price increases, especially in light of the fact that the system has been down all day??

[ijusluvit]

Yes, it certainly looks like a ripoff. What cost does the Villages incur for continuing the computerized tee time system? Virtually all costs were associated with startup, which was paid for long ago. And what alternative do they have to the system? A labor-intensive phone system far less efficient and incapable of putting as many fee-paying golfers on the courses as the computer system can. So the fee increase almost seems like an insult.

If there's anyone out there who doesn't know it, you are entitled to free access to the Villages.net if you have an account with Comcast. I almost choke saying something positive about Comcast, but it's true!

[sschuler1]

I have no experience using the on-line tee time system there, but you posed the hypothetical question of what expenses they incur. I constantly see ads for jobs available in the tee times office, so I would hazard a guess that they have to pay those employees. Plus they would have the overhead of maintaining the building that the office is located in, just like any other business. It seems odd to have to pay for the service of making a tee time at a golf course, but they pretty much have us by the balls. (golf balls that is!)

[downeaster]

I have been told by thevillages.net the current arrangement with Comcast will end next June. No free access after that.

[zcaveman]

Originally Posted by downeaster

I have been told by thevillages.net the current arrangement with Comcast will end next June. No free access after that.

When Comcast bought out Clearlink, there was a letter that said that the free golf system access would continue until 2009 (I think). I have looked high and low for that letter and cannot find it. But I have not given up. When I find it I will repost.

Z

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by downeaster

I have been told by thevillages.net the current arrangement with Comcast will end next June. No free access after that.

Where is that information located on the thevillages.net website?

[zcaveman]

Go to https://www.thevillages.net/ and look to the left. It is under Service Notice.

Z

[borjo]

I was never told about the free access when we had Comcast! Doggone. I agree $96 is alot for the ease of making your tee time reservations. Maybe what we should do is use the phone system! No charge for that way. I never used it but one of my renters did all the time and said it wasn't very difficult at all.

[iaudit]

I don't understand why the developer should have the system that controls tee times for the executive courses. Since use of the executive courses is covered by our amenity fees, doesn't it make sense that someone under Janet Tutt should be responsible for these courses tee times and access should be covered under the amenity fee? Once the software is developed, the cost to run and maintain the system should be minimal.

[zcaveman]

The tee time system comes with two email Ids and the associated disk space which is not free. There is maintenance and other overhead associated with the email IDs above and beyond the Tee Time System. I don't think that Tutt and company want to get involved with running an ISP.

As I mentioned in another note, Comcast was providing free access to the Tee Time system through mid-2009. I am not sure who absorbed the cost of that decision.

I am not happy with the monthly charge as opposed to an annual discounted charge. But I will pay it because I do not like the telephone system.

[chacam]

Villages.net only gives two e-mail accounts to paying customers. Those who get it free through Comcast only get one e-mail address.

[Frangyomory]

If you are new here, just get used to it. The developer does just about anything he wants to do and raises prices at his will.

We moved in 2005 and were told our amenities would not raise until we had lived here two years. Less than one year later, we had an increase and each year since then.

The place is wonderful. I love living here. However, this is one of those things that gets my blood pressure up.

We just paid our $60 annual fee in August. Now I am waiting to see what they plan to do about recognizing that for one year or if we will get a bill for the $35 soon.

Truly, not worth having an attack over it.

As for T times in executive courses, if you saw the number of people who sneak out after the Ambassadors go home for the day, you would appreciate a T time system. While this is "free" don't forget your trail fees.

No free lunches, not here anyway. Remember, I love it here but every once in a while I get ticked off at something the developer does.

[zcaveman]

I found my letter from Comcast. It reads: "As a benefit, Comcast High-Speed Internet customers will enjoy complimentary access to www.thevillages.net through June 2009.

The letter was dated October 4, 2004.

I hope we are going to be notified so we can take appropriate action.

[The Great Fumar]

IF YOU ARE NEW HERE , DON'T BE MISLED BY CLAIMS OF PEOPLE SNEAKING ON THE COURSES IN THE EVENINGS........
AFTER HOURS (USUALLY ABOUT 5:30) WHEN THE STARTERS GO HOME , PEOPLE COME OUT AND GET A FEW HOLES BEFORE DARK.....THESE FOLKS ARE USUALLY BEGINNERS WHO DON'T WANT TO PLAY WHEN REGULARS ARE OUT THERE.... MANY FOLKS WHO MOVE TO THE VILLAGES ARE NOT GOLFERS OR JUST THE GUYS HAVE PLAYED AND NOW WANT TO TEACH THEIR WIFES TO PLAY AND THE EVENINGS ARE A PERFECT TIME TO DO THAT ....I TAUGHT MY WIFE THIS WAY BECAUSE IT WAS THE ONLY WAY I COULD GET HER TO TRY IT..........THAT WAS THREE YEARS AGO AND NOW SHE HAS CLUBS FAR BETTER THAN MINE (they had to be like Tigers) , SHE HAS HAD A HOLE IN ONE (thank God I wasn't there)....AND PLAYS WITH THE GIRLS ALL THE TIME. SHE LEAVES ME NOTES TELLING ME WHERE SHE IS AND WHAT TIME I SHOULD HAVE DINNER READY.....
AS MY DADDY USED TO SAY " I DON'T LIKE HER , BUT I'M USED TO HER"

BELIEVE ME 50 YRS OF MARRIAGE TAKES A LOT OF GETTING USE TO ....

COMING DEAR !!! FUMAR