Is BASC membership worth it?

[jimmy milnes]

I jumped ship from BASC some years ago and went over to the SGA.

Not an issue for me, as I am not in the market for buying a new car.

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I've looked at their website and really like what I see, however one vibe I did pick up on was they seem to be "quite rightly so because of their name" far more concerned with things north of the border.
If I lived in Scotland I'd definitely be strongly giving them some thought but I don't "unfortunately" yet..
Cheers Jimmy

 

[jimmy milnes]

And dodged the bullet with dealings on difficulties with Police diverging from H.O. guidance, & the Police acting like a parliament themselves.

All down to basc to sort out then eh?
Don't see anyone else picking up the flag to march forward
Cheers Jimmy

 

[finnbear270]

All down to basc to sort out then eh?
Don't see anyone else picking up the flag to march forward
Cheers Jimmy

The Voice claims the Lions share of shooting community member numbers, Lions are usually pretty good at standing their ground.

 

[Oracle]

Many join or renew simply for the insurance benefit. It all depends what the individual member wants out of it, and I have met many shooters over the years who are happy with their services and some who are not. Some of the "perks" are available nationally, some not. They do run regional events for members but these are dependant on the BASC Regions as to where they are based and what areas they cover; so the BASC SE region is much more likely to host more events for members than the region covering the Highlands & Islands. From talking to some members the most popular seem to be:

• Vehicle discount scheme
• Access to BASC stalking scheme
• 5 BASC SE Region Range Days held at Bisley courtesy of BSRC
• SSC Assessment on the above days, allowing the member to book and shoot unaccompanied at Bisley
• Butchery Course
• Free Game Fair entry.

Quite simply if an individual is happy with the services provided and/or the range of services available for the cost of the membership then crack on.

 

[jimmy milnes]

The Voice claims the Lions share of shooting community member numbers, Lions are usually pretty good at standing their ground.

So is that why the other orgs are half the price, because they've half the bite

Or perhaps if basc has "the lions share" and the other orgs are half the price, basc are doing something right?
Cheers Jimmy

 

[Shabz]

I think that BASC do a grand job of fighting for large scale driven game shoots. That’s not what I’m into so I’m not interested in joining them. I think they would happily throw my ratch about shooting under a bus to protect 500 bird pheasant days. I don’t even know if I want to be associated with 500 bird days at all any more.

 

[VIGILAIRE]

+ 1 for the HiLux discount.

 

[finnbear270]

So is that why the other orgs are half the price, because they've half the bite

Or perhaps if basc has "the lions share" and the other orgs are half the price, basc are doing something right?
Cheers Jimmy

Half a bite with teeth is better than a full on gumming

 

[Pedro]

They are driven bird-centric, they do tend to look at the big picture and sometimes that is to the detriment of individuals. Not everyone likes some of the stances they take on shooting issues. But really, it seems to me that they are actually the only organisation that are actually having any sort of impact. Their insurance is pretty good though and not an insurance of last choice. It's also true that they will tend to decide policy and act on it without consulting members. However, compare them to other shooting organisations, who seem to keep in people's good books by doing nothing, so they can't be criticised. (And that doesn't always work).

So really, as sikamalc says, they are a Marmite thing. I was with them for a good few years and left simply because I had to be a member elsewhere for syndicate membership and it seemed silly to pay for something twice. I wouldn't totally condemn them as some do because of one interaction. If that were the case, I'd roundly condemn doctors, dentists, shopkeepers, quite a few banks.....etc. And I certainly wouldn't condemn you if you thought they met your needs and joined.

 

[JTO]

What about the insurance they offer do we know of any pay outs and the circumstances around them?

One of our wildfowling club members got £1000 when he tripped and shot his foot off. Now has a false leg from just below the knee.

 

[MarkD123]

Very interesting read here re what is actually insured (or not) - not just BASC specific.

Baled Out Of The Basc

After long and carful consideration, I baled out of the BASC this month and requested to be removed from their membership list and the closure of my...

www.airgunforum.co.uk

 

[JTO]

I have been a member since 1963, but everything that comes through the door from them goes straight in the bin after they caved in on lead shot.
I see them as a rear-guard action just keeping themselves in work until they draw their pensions.
Bill Harriman is the only one I respect.

 

[Jamouk]

Does the hi lux discount apply to leasing ?

 

[jimmy milnes]

Half a bite with teeth is better than a full on gumming

Not really in the scheme of it. But we're each entitled to an opinion

 

[bottletopbill]

How many working men in the BASC magazine more like yuppy club and the rest pay for them. But you can get help but that depends on who you speak to.

 

[VIGILAIRE]

Does the hi lux discount apply to leasing ?

I don't think so. Sales go through the dealer's fleet sales department and you are billed direct from Toyota as I understand it. Mine was ordered in March and delivery is mid January! The only plus is that it's going to be the 2022 model and I've swerved two price increases.

 

[Rewulf]

So is that why the other orgs are half the price, because they've half the bite

Probably because they dont employ 120+ people on decent salaries with company cars and all the perks and benefits of a multinational.
They dont produce a glossy mag with masses of advertising to further boost profits, that no one reads.
They dont run the operation from expensive offices, and then claim they cant afford to provide services to members.

BASC are not the voice of shooting, maybe they were 10 years ago ?
They are the voice of their OWN interests now, and if that means alienating those shooters who are not within their sphere of interests, then I dont think they are too bothered.
Dont believe that ? What have they done to mitigate the exodus ? Nothing.
The longer you want to keep paying BASC for NO representation in your chosen area of shooting pursuits, BASC will happily keep taking your money.

Once the other orgs get the membership money away from BASC, maybe they will become the true 'voice'

 

[jimmy milnes]

Probably because they dont employ 120+ people on decent salaries with company cars and all the perks and benefits of a multinational.
They dont produce a glossy mag with masses of advertising to further boost profits, that no one reads.
They dont run the operation from expensive offices, and then claim they cant afford to provide services to members.

BASC are not the voice of shooting, maybe they were 10 years ago ?
They are the voice of their OWN interests now, and if that means alienating those shooters who are not within their sphere of interests, then I dont think they are too bothered.
Dont believe that ? What have they done to mitigate the exodus ? Nothing.
The longer you want to keep paying BASC for NO representation in your chosen area of shooting pursuits, BASC will happily keep taking your money.

Once the other orgs get the membership money away from BASC, maybe they will become the true 'voice'

All very valid points. I'm not saying "and never have on any of the many threads like this.that basc a saints, they're not, however I've chosen to stick with them for my reasons, could they improve HELL YEAH, could other orgs do more HELL YEAH, I'm willing to carry on paying for now,
I just honestly wish I saw one of the others taking on say the 10 year certificates issue or the medical fee fiasco or one of the other things basc regularly get crucified for, but I never hear of it happening.
That's my main bug bare.
Cheers Jimmy

 

[bottletopbill]

They do not take any notice of what shooters say on various shooting sights. All I want is insurance cover and to fight for our rights. Seem to be cowing away most of the time less cost.

 

[User00053]

was ok once upon a time, membership must be dwindling now, not what it was which is a great pity shot themselves in the foot time and time again really, not been a member for a while would join again if things changed.