Posted this on another forum and got told to join the real world and stop complaining (might have a point), just wondered what you lot think?
"Last night I booked 4 spots at a FE Brands track day later in the month. For two of them I requested yellow vests as the guys have never been to Brands before. When it came to paying there was a £5 charge for each of the vests!!
This is the first time I have booked through the focused events website, usually I phone them up and they have never asked if I wanted a vest and definitely never charged before, usually they are just handed out to those that want one on the day.
I emailed them earlier querying the charge and they have got back to me saying they have charged for vests for the last three years and they are only given to those that have paid - which is definitely ********.
Has anyone else been charged for yellow vests? Surely it’'s not wise charging, and therefore putting people off asking for one as they are effectively an item of safety clothing.
. . . they also want them back at the end of the day ! :w00t: At the FE days I’ve been to there has been a box of vests by the signing on desk and if you think you need a vest, you take one and hand it back at the end of the day.
Maybe they charge for them on the on-line system because they can ?
If it’s a returnable deposit, that’s fair. My company buys dozens of site vests that disappear each year as people just walk off with them. (Similar thing. Have you seen the figures for “parking” and warning cones sold each year in this country?)
If that’s not returnable, take the bugger with you for future use. Bought bulk, they’re £3:50 each (ish)
Odd bit. Your going to need to carry one of these for each person in your car/on your bike fairly soon for use on motorway and A road breakdowns.
Did a focussed track day in September at Mallory and paid for a £5 vest (all first timers had to). Got to keep it though. Or maybe I just nicked it then…?
If you think £5 is steep (and that is about the going rate on eBay or bought singly from a supplier), try buying one from a bike shop. I think you’ll cough a lung up at the 100% markup.
Nice souvenir I thought. I suppose you could always take your own and sign up as not a first timer.
Unless you tell them you’ve done absolutely no track days before they insist you go in inters, and novices is always full according to them. Asking for a vest was the only way I could guarantee my mates got in a group they would be comfortable in.
It’s a shame FE seem to do all the brands days as I’m not particularly impressed with them. Too many people who should be in the fast group razzing round in novices and inters just to get more track time. I’ve never seen them evict someone as they say they will, even though I’ve seen some down right dangerous riding.
I don’t know if this is the same with every company but I suppose it’s the way businesses have to work these days. Profit before everything.
At the FE trackday at Brands on the 1st March the organisers put the yellow vests out in a box during the briefing - after which we could go and just pick one up. No mention of a £5 charge…
