Sunday, April 4, 2010

April Online Meeting - Plates

Last year we used the plates from the previous season, saving a lot of money. Our inventory is running low and we will need to get new plates for this season. We have lost a lot plates over the last two years, mostly at events where we use the plates and they do not come back at the end of the event.

We are currently pricing them out the cost of getting new plates but we need to come up with a strategy to get the most use out of the plates we order; what are your ideas? Here are a couple to get started with:
  1. Issue a plate for 5 years - the only time you change the plate is if you go to a new category, you would then have turn in your old plate to get the new plate.
  2. You loose or break your plate you need to pay for the replacement.
  3. Buy a bunch of tyvek sheets  with numbers to hand out at events that are not races or to participants who are not MCA members - if they do not get returned no biggie, also, it makes it easier to distinguish who is and who is not an MCA member (don't know if that is important).
  4. Other ideas???
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6 comments:

  1. cory smithApril 5, 2010 at 8:19 AM

    We should have a drop off at the races set up for people with extra plates.I know i have 3 or so mca plates at home from when they gave a new plate every year.That way maybe you wouldn't have to order so many new ones.The new plates should not have a year on them and should be used as long as they hold out.I don't think the plate's have to be different as per category.It's just a number.The way it is now they are all mixed up anyways.I do think we should pay for a replacement if we lose or break it.I think that if plates are handed out at races for non-members they should have to leave a deposit that they get back after the race when they return the plate.

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  2. Kevin BApril 5, 2010 at 4:53 PM

    There are sources online for MUCH cheaper number plates. They will probably only last a year, but at under $1 per... Maybe order 1000 right away.

    http://www.eventsonline.ca/bibnumbers/

    Check the bike plates section - as low as $0.55 per plate.

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  3. Kevin BApril 5, 2010 at 4:54 PM

    Oh, the reuse of numbers can also be a big headache for Commissaires, as sometimes you get multiple riders with the same plate - we need new plates.

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  4. The VikingApril 6, 2010 at 10:41 AM

    I agree with the re-using of plates. We should get one and re-use until we change category, lose it or break it. And yes a monetary deposit for loaners should be required so if the plate is not returned post race then we keep the cash. I was always confused early on my racing why we got new plates like every year, seemed excessive to me.

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  5. Mountain Bike ChairApril 7, 2010 at 3:43 PM

    The prices on the link that Kevin provided are very good. We will try these for a year maybe two.

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  6. KKApril 12, 2010 at 9:42 PM

    I can't see there being a better deal than $.55/plate with the customization available.

    ReplyDelete

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