Aston owners club... value?

[Frankychops]

Been a member a year, I don't see where the cost to value relationship sits. Now prices are going up again. in this modern age, how do they justify the cost?

[Davil]

The NSW branch of AMOC is superb. Drive days every month. Shed tours etc. Great people too. I think the value is probably in going to local events?

[Frankychops]

which is the point really. given forums/internet/Facebook, having a local group or meet, what do you actually get for you £125ish? or where does it go?

[williamp]

This has been discussed many times. For some, there is little value. For others, lots of value.

[BiggaJ]

It really does depend on the area and how well set up they are and how much people want to get involved.

I just renewed my membership so going into my second year with Area 1. Very busy area, active, good people most of which are part of the WhatsApp group, for my sins I stepped up to help organise and now find myself in the assistant rep. role alongside a guy who's been running it for best part of 30 years.

So I find it good value.

I feel many like to be members but very seldom get involved.

[Ken Figenus]

I found they organised very little over the year, few perks, everything was an extra cost, often piggybacked others' events and relied on unpaid local volunteers (some of whom often arrived in Land Rovers) to arrange local stuff.

I've joined a club for my current car and they are leagues ahead - inclusive events, drive outs, F1 team visits, exclusive trackdays, factory visits, UK & European tours at great value prices etc. £50 pa for 2. Night and day for me but its horses and courses as some regions are lively and do things. Id suggest sussing out your local group.

[matrignano]

When I was a member 15 years ago, you could get a great j insurance deal with Lockton if you were a member, which more than offset the membership costs

[kevin_cambs_uk]

I really enjoy being a member, I get to meet so many fellow owners, go to lots of events, yes its not cheap, but then nothing in Aston Martin world is cheap.

I like being part of a club, never been in one before, and so it's great to belong to such a prestigious one!

But its not for everyone, some don't like the cost, or the politics, but so far so good for me

Kev

Edited by kevin_cambs_uk on Friday 29th March 11:19

[VanquishRider]

There are alternatives that are offering more for less.

[ram_g]

Frankly I wish AMOC USA had an active chapter in my neck of the woods (Houston, Texas) but they don’t.

I’ve had many interesting cars and make it a point to join the local clubs, if they exist. But I’ve had mixed success.

- I used to own 2 Corvettes and joined the local Corvette club. Discovered that the conversations seemed to revolve around which concealed pistol holster fitted the Corvette best, and what a great guy Trump was, so I left.

- I currently own a Jaguar XKR and joined the local chapter of the Jaguar Clubs of North America. Turned out that the members gathered to watch polo games, have English high tea, and to celebrate King Charles’ coronation, so I didn’t renew my membership.

- I also have a Mercedes SL500 and am a member of the Houston chapter of the Mercedes Benz Club of America. They’re nice people and have decent car focused events, but I would describe them as “low energy”. Only a handful of events every year. I’m still a member.

- And finally I have 2 Porsche 911s and am in the Lone Star Chapter of the Porsche Club of America. They’re GREAT! Lots of meets, driving events, social events, a huge membership and events every single weekend. I’m an enthusiastic member and I’ve even taken my DB9 to one of their meets (where it was met with a lot of interest and nice comments).

(By the way, I absolutely do not intend to make any political statements, just poking a bit of fun at the dramatically different culture of these different car clubs!)

[Frankychops]

What do they do with all the money they raise?

[Frankychops]

Looking at companies house, its one hell of a money making exercise!

https://find-and-update.company-information.servic...

how do they justify putting the prices up?

[SL500UK]

This leads you the balance sheet that shows a net worth of £1.1m down from £1.2m 18 mths prior. The business is exempt from filing P&L accs so we can't really see what profit (or loss) is made.

[ds666]

SL500UK said:

This leads you the balance sheet that shows a net worth of £1.1m down from £1.2m 18 mths prior. The business is exempt from filing P&L accs so we can't really see what profit (or loss) is made.

There is a real disconnect in the club - the membership fee supports one event I think and everything else is organised by excellent area reps who typically don’t get financial support from the middle .
What’s the point of the club having a £1m in the bank ?
( mind I think quite a bit came from a db5 left in a will ?? )
I didn’t rejoin . But it served a purpose for me , finding out about Vanquishes

[williamp]

ds666 said:

SL500UK said:

This leads you the balance sheet that shows a net worth of £1.1m down from £1.2m 18 mths prior. The business is exempt from filing P&L accs so we can't really see what profit (or loss) is made.

There is a real disconnect in the club - the membership fee supports one event I think and everything else is organised by excellent area reps who typically don’t get financial support from the middle .
What’s the point of the club having a £1m in the bank ?
( mind I think quite a bit came from a db5 left in a will ?? )
I didn’t rejoin . But it served a purpose for me , finding out about Vanquishes

The annual report from ompanies house mentions this, as about £240k held in a seperate bank account.

What they are going fo do with the only is a interesting question.

[TRfan]

I was a member for 20 years. During that time I never once heard from my area rep, and attended things only because I’d read about them online on the main website. Originally I was under the impression that you got a discount on insurance through Locton, but found out that in fact Locton charged more than a comparative company and gave amoc 10% of your premium. Not liking to have ‘mug’ tattoed on my forehead, I left.

Having various marques as well as two astons, I joined the Jaguar Drivers Club - one third the price and ten times more worthwhile.

[Frankychops]

what are they spending money on? Or more importantly, who are they spending money on?

[LTP]

Frankychops said:

what are they spending money on? Or more importantly, who are they spending money on?

Racing

[Frankychops]

LTP said:

Racing

the club?

[VanquishRider]

Frankychops said:

What do they do with all the money they raise?

Pay someone on the COM £50k to speak to Aston about the logo

Pay each other to organise the racing calendar

Spend lots on lawyers for kicking people out who ask awkward questions.

Buy an extortionate printing contract for an office printer

Gave everything of value to the AMHT to keep themselves from losing them in a court battle. Now have zero control over those assets and the AMHT is a now a rival organisation with equal risk of losing the assets in a court battle.