Oaktree Member Price Increase

[Aldemar]

FWIW, here is a post I just made to them in the Vendors Forum.......

I just received your email notifying me that the membership will be increasing to $350.00 as of May 1, 2015.

Since my membership expires in June, and I will not fight the crowds over the weekend, I will not be renewing it along with my wife's add-on. Even though I can easily afford it, you have priced yourself out of the realm of reasonableness.

I will be darkening your doors until our membership expires since it won't cost me anything but we will not be spending any $$ in your restaurant, "pro shop" or anywhere else. After that, no more.

Perhaps if you allowed the members access to pistol bay 1 or the old Armitex bay I would reconsider, but limiting pistol shooters to just two bays is just plain stupid. Having 2 empty bays while people are waiting in the other 2 does not make good business sense; whomever came up with this scheme has no business running that part of your range. Membership should have it's privileges but you provide none other than a faster check in.

If you come to your senses, feel free to contact me via PM or respond directly to this post.
__________________

[Oldmandan]

Why does anyone bother with Oaktree at this point...

[protohyp]

Why does anyone bother with Oaktree at this point...

^^^^^^
agreed!

[Capybara]

I only go for location, there isn't anywhere else within an hours drive to shoot clays. But I see your point, between the Smart Gun fiasco, this and other assorted dumb moves, they are alienating a lot of shooters. They are going to price themselves out of the market. Shooting shouldn't be a rich mans only sport.

[I Swan]

I like how calgunners keep justifying reasons to go somewhere that stabbed gun owners and people fighting for their 2A rights in the back. The almighty dollar is the main reason people won't shoot here now, not their past actions?

[Capybara]

For me it is simply time. They are fifty eight minutes from me, the next closest places to shoot clays are much farther, takes more time to get there = less trips to shoot clays. I agree, I would rather not shoot there but I only go once every few months and cannot get my friends to drive two to three hours to the IE to shoot clays. So it's OakTree, or don't shoot clays. I don't have a membership, will never get one there. Even Angeles, with traffic, is at least 90 minutes each way, hard to get friends to make that drive. Is there anywhere else in the Valley area to shoot clays?

[Aldemar]

I like how calgunners keep justifying reasons to go somewhere that stabbed gun owners and people fighting for their 2A rights in the back. The almighty dollar is the main reason people won't shoot here now, not their past actions?

Good point. But when has the almighty dollar not been the overriding factor in most of the decisions everyone (not just Calgunners) makes on a daily basis?

Have you bought anything made in Japan, Mexico, China or Vietnam lately?

I'm not trying to start a fight over morals here, but nobody that I know is 100% true to their core beliefs.

[I Swan]

I do draw the line at Oak tree. Some items aren't even available to be bought in a made in USA version. But hey if you get to shoot Oak Tree is a-OK!

[Aldemar]

I'm going to seriously start looking at some of the gun clubs up the 5 or 14. I've been a guest at West End but it's a bit of a drive for me, also I don't currently have a 4wd vehicle. I've also got a wife to consider...she does appreciate the comforts Oaktree offers but she can deal with roughing it.

So what if I have to drive a bit further and bring my own chow.

Money is not so much the issue as what you get for it.

[I Swan]

I'd definitely consider that option if I were you. Everyone needs to make their own decisions on what is right or wrong but it just amazes me that anyone here can justify continuing to spend money at Oaktree.

[09cs]

For me it is simply time. They are fifty eight minutes from me, the next closest places to shoot clays are much farther, takes more time to get there = less trips to shoot clays. I agree, I would rather not shoot there but I only go once every few months and cannot get my friends to drive two to three hours to the IE to shoot clays. So it's OakTree, or don't shoot clays. I don't have a membership, will never get one there. Even Angeles, with traffic, is at least 90 minutes each way, hard to get friends to make that drive. Is there anywhere else in the Valley area to shoot clays?

I only go for location, there isn't anywhere else within an hours drive to shoot clays. But I see your point, between the Smart Gun fiasco, this and other assorted dumb moves, they are alienating a lot of shooters. They are going to price themselves out of the market. Shooting shouldn't be a rich mans only sport.

Same with me, closest range with clays, all types not just trap or skeet etc.

FWIW, here is a post I just made to them in the Vendors Forum.......

I just received your email notifying me that the membership will be increasing to $350.00 as of May 1, 2015.

Since my membership expires in June, and I will not fight the crowds over the weekend, I will not be renewing it along with my wife's add-on. Even though I can easily afford it, you have priced yourself out of the realm of reasonableness.

I will be darkening your doors until our membership expires since it won't cost me anything but we will not be spending any $$ in your restaurant, "pro shop" or anywhere else. After that, no more.

Perhaps if you allowed the members access to pistol bay 1 or the old Armitex bay I would reconsider, but limiting pistol shooters to just two bays is just plain stupid. Having 2 empty bays while people are waiting in the other 2 does not make good business sense; whomever came up with this scheme has no business running that part of your range. Membership should have it's privileges but you provide none other than a faster check in.

If you come to your senses, feel free to contact me via PM or respond directly to this post.
__________________

I agree, one of my biggest complaints after having a membership there is when I go on the weekend to shoot clays, there is no benefit of being a member except saving, what $2 a round? That's minimal... if there was a "members range" for trap and skeet which fills fast then it would be worth it. Same with the pistol metal range. It is impossible to shoot there on the weekends it is so crowded, and having a membership does NOTHING in terms of incentives or benefits besides not having a range fee, you still need to wait in line to check in with everyone else, etc.. Same goes for rifle range. Why get a membership if I have to sit and wait an hour for a shooting bay to open up? I'd rather pay the range fee instead of member price if I'm going to have to wait no matter what

[Bushwack44]

Oaktree has slipped a bit the past few months. I don't mind the range officers but the grounds in general are slacking. And as I'm starting to shoot rifles, Oaktree severly lacks a good rifle range.

Living on the west side and wanting to shoot outdoors, it's a 35-40 minute drive if I leave early during the weekend. Over an hour during the week and even longer coming back home. Oaktree has become more of a convenience for me then a pleasure to go to/support. Next closet I know of is Angelus and while distance is about the same, it takes 10-15 minutes longer to get to.

I don't know their business model but *I* don't see a value at $350/yr. Come next Turkey Day and its time to renew, it will have to be the $175 price point to make me consider of signing up for another year.

[Euphoria526]

I enjoy Oaktree. Not going to Angeles and I don't know any blm.
Oaktree is 20 min from me and I've never had an issue with the exception of the rising membership price.

[09cs]

Oaktree has slipped a bit the past few months. I don't mind the range officers but the grounds in general are slacking. And as I'm starting to shoot rifles, Oaktree severly lacks a good rifle range.

Living on the west side and wanting to shoot outdoors, it's a 35-40 minute drive if I leave early during the weekend. Over an hour during the week and even longer coming back home. Oaktree has become more of a convenience for me then a pleasure to go to/support. Next closet I know of is Angelus and while distance is about the same, it takes 10-15 minutes longer to get to.

I don't know their business model but *I* don't see a value at $350/yr. Come next Turkey Day and its time to renew, it will have to be the $175 price point to make me consider of signing up for another year.

Yes, it would be nice if the rifle range would go past 100 yards

[smle-man]

Try a place to shoot. Less formal than Oaktree but not as crowded especially earlier in the morning or mid afternoon. Steel rifle plates to 400 yds. No steel jacketed rounds. Nice ranges, nice owner, great staff.