Why do liveries advertise as £ per week? Thoughts?

Sealine said:
The yard I'm at quote and charge £23.50 per week for DIY Livery. We are billed monthly up to the last Sunday of the month. Therefore bills are for 4 or 5 weeks. I've just paid a four week bill dated July 26th so I expect the next bill we be dated 30th August for 5 weeks.

In addition to livery hay and straw is charged per bale based on what you order (delivered to cubicle weekly). I also pay £15 per month for trailer parking.

I don't like 5 week months :(
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I charge as above to the last Saturday in each month so some are 4 week months and others are five weeks months @ £32.50 per week. I let my customers pay by standing order in whichever way is convenient to them- weekly, fortnightly, 4 weekly or every month tied in with their payday. If they pay this way then when it is a five week month this just gets added onto their bill so it doesn't seem so bad. I find it easier to charge weekly as it ties in with my 2 week notice. I also try to make it as easy as possible for people to pay by offering them the option that suits them. People always tell me which way they are going to pay and it's easy to keep track of with online payments and banking. I now only go to the bank once a month rather than about 5 or 6 times per month.
 
I used to charge £30 per week per horse for the two DIY liveries I had (husband and wife). Monthly charge was therefore £30 x 52 / 12. This way it was the same each month regardless of how many days there were. Worked for all of us.
 
I pay monthly at current yard, I transfer money into the account just before the 1st, but last yard was £35 per week, but we used to times that by 52, and then divide by 12 so it was the same every month.
 
I used to livery on a farm where you were charged a daily rate for grass livery, its used to be a £1 a day, then you charge £5 a week for the stable. You got an invoice at the end of the month with how many days and how many weekly stables.
 
When we moved to our current yard the YO advertised the monthly rate - we pay first day of each month by bank transfer. Being able to transfer the money gives both YO and livery proof of payment. At a previous yard it was cash only - a couple of times the YM claimed we hadn't paid and as no receipts were issued it got very awkward, I used to then make sure I handed over the cash in front of witnesses. At another yard we were required to pay by cheque, the only problem being that sometimes the YO used to pay cheques into her bank account in bulk, several times up to three or four payments up to 6 months after being issued. Luckily the money came out of the 'horse account' so it was just sitting there waiting to be paid out, but could have been an issue if only one account, I would never have known how much money was in it.
 
I have to say near me all yards are advertised at pcm rates. I pay by DD on the first, which is much more preferable than paying by cheque (as I have a memory like a sieve!)
 
As others have said by advertising in weeks you're breaking the price down and making it seem more affordable!

I would advertise by week and then be paid every month - I think this is how most do it.

I think the more you can advertise and spread the word around, the more interest you'll get. Put up posters in all the tack and garden shops you can find in quite a large radius, put an ad in the newspaper, local radio stations, local notice boards, spread the word among friends and strangers, and maybe ask your current liveries if they know any one who might need livery.

Good luck!
 
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Round here for basic diy livery most seem to advertise monthly rate and bill monthly. Occasionally I see an advert with weekly rate for part or full livery. They still charge monthly and it works out an odd amount so £100 works out at £433.33
 
I think theyt advertise as per week as it sounds cheaper!

Then most do the x 52 and devide by 12 to get the monthly amount and like you set up a payment date.

Also think about where you are advertising and you competition and how you compare to them.

Maybe we could give you advice on your advert?
 
I pay monthly and prefer that. My salary doesn't fluctuate so like to know where I am with my fixed costs but do agree with the others that you need to follow what your competition is doing or you will seem more expensive than you really are.
 
Thanks everyone! Some really helpful advice, I think I'm going to advertise weekly rate but put in brackets after it the monthly rate and pay date. I prefer to be paid by bank transfer and won't take cheques as I just don't get out enough from the yard to go to the bank. I have a website and facebook page so can pm people it but don't want to get told off by admin :) xx
 
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