Game Finances Updates

[Rule Monkey]

Ok ... first off, many apologies for neglecting this for more than a year. I wanted to post this to give an update on the current situation, what has led to the outstanding debt to the JPC and our decision to increase the game fee to $4.00.

Previously, rent was approximately $29.00. Under those circumstances, at $3.00 per player taking into account a cartridge of toner every month to month and a half and maybe a slab of paper, gave us more than enough to cover up everything along with assorted misc expenses like sashes and paper stuff. We also had a surplus for when the game was $5.00 when some people made a habit of not paying at ESD and we were having to pay sometimes up to $60.00 to cover their bills, which was unpleasant. But that is not the point of this post. When the ESD issue went away, the fee was brought back to $3.00 which is what we felt was adequate.

Over the past year, parts of our printer broke and required replacement ... given that what we print is well over half game stuff, we applied that half of the cost of the new drum. Later on, the drum broke again ... but it turned out that replacing the entire printer was less than the cost of a new drum ... so we opted for that option as it was less expensive. We also had a few cases of non-payment at ESD and we reimbursed the players who covered it when the issue couldn't be resolved. This, along with free games, ate pretty much all the float. However, we were still ok given that we had enough for rent and supplies on a game by game basis.

What we were not told until recently, was that we were only charged partially for what the room really cost. The JPC closes at 9:30 or so. To be able to play until 11:00 requires an additional employee to be on site, therefore, an extra charge in addition of the rent. Previously, we didn't have to pay this but sometime during 2009, I suppose for budgetary reasons, it was decided that they would start to enforce those fees.

Unfortunately, there is a massive lack of communication between the employees and management and a misleading billing computer system. So during the entire past contract we were told that rent was $30.31 ... which is what I paid each night which is what the computer showed. What we were not told was that each time we did this, it left some $25.00 unpaid ... which began to accumulate ... when I raised issue about the outstanding amount on contract, I was told that it was a glitch and that it would be waived.

Such was not to be the case and we found out, at the expiration of the contract that we were going to be asked to reimburse the outstanding fee plus continue to absorb increased costs for the room. We have tried to negotiate a decrease of the fee because other groups sometimes stay after 10:00 but JPC's stance is inflexible. Considering that our rent for the full room is half of what the rent for the full room really is (around $75.00), we are not going to push the issue too much ... especially given that we often get the entire floor. Getting a similarly sized place elsewhere, would easily cost over $100.

As it stands, our new contract which runs until December 10, 2010 is as follows:

Rent from 6:00 - 10:00 : $32.84
Tax: $1.64
Rent from 10:00 - 11:00 : $8.21
Extra fee 10:00 - 11:00 : $16.58
Tax: $1.24

So essentially rent is now $60.51. Last game I gave $80.51 to JPC, thus reimbursing $20.00 of the outstanding amount which brings it to $254.26

The current float is at $25.93

Realistically speaking ... we generally have 20 - 22 people who pay. At $3.00 per person, unless we increase the number of players significantly ... given that we would much rather have people show up and not pay than people not show up ... we would just be making rent.

By increasing game to $4.00, it should give us about $80.00 to $84.00 per game so enough for rent plus taking a chunk out of the debt and leaving a bit for ink and supplies. We don't anticipate the game needing anything in terms of supplies beyond those in the foreseeable future.

I hope this clarifies the situation and / or informs those that were not at last game. As always, receipts and the game contract are available to players who would like to see them. Simply PM us in advance as we don't bring those at game unless we have to.
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Rule Monkey
Basket to the gasket, finger on the trigger ...

[Rule Monkey]

Ok, for the July 17, 2010 game

Float started at $25.93

We brought in $138.10 ... thanks to many people who pitched in extra.

We paid out the rent of $60.51 plus $20.00 to bring down the debt to $234.26.

This leaves us with a float of $83.52. Given this, next game I will pay $60.00 extra to speed up paying down the debt while leaving us enough for ink and paper and actually be able to give out some change.
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Rule Monkey
Basket to the gasket, finger on the trigger ...

[Rule Monkey]

For the July 31, 2010 game

The float started at $83.52

We brought in $97.44

I paid out the rent plus $60.00 for a total of $120.56 (not sure why the cents changed for the rent ... gotta love the weird JPC billing system). This brings down the debt to $174.26

This leaves the float at $60.40. Next game I'll probably pay $40.00 extra on the debt as we will need ink soon.
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Rule Monkey
Basket to the gasket, finger on the trigger ...

[Rule Monkey]

For the August 14, 2010 game:

The float started at : $60.40

We brought in: $114. 95

We paid JPC $101.00 which means rent plus $40.49.

This brings down the debt to: $133.77

This week we bought a high yield toner cartridge (more expensive but we are hoping that this will be more economical in the long run and last more than two games) for $96.57 (tax included). Since our printer also serves for our personal needs, game covers only 50% of the paper and ink we purchase for a total of $48.27

This brings the float to $26.08
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Rule Monkey
Basket to the gasket, finger on the trigger ...

[Rule Monkey]

For the August 28, 2010 game:

The float started at : $26.08

We brought in: $110.86

A generous player gave us an unexpected donation of: $60.00

We paid JPC $100.51 which means rent plus $40.00

This brings down the debt to: $93.77

This brings the float to $96.43

With that amount, I will pay the remainder of the debt at next game. Following this, should the float increase to a point where we have more than enough for the rent for one game plus ink and / or paper, we will simply hold free games to bring it back down.
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Rule Monkey
Basket to the gasket, finger on the trigger ...