SANEF toll charging rip off
Discussion
Went skiing in Val Thorens on Boxing Day to 2nd Jan. Worked out the cost to fly wife, me and two boys versus driving and it was a no-brainer at least in terms of cost. I'd also always fancied driving down.....if anyone has experienced Grenoble airport departures on the way home during the skiing season, you'll know what I'm talking about.
At first glance, buying a SANEF toll tag before you go looks to be a pretty smart thing to do....you can join the "fast queue" at the the tollbooths and most have a 30Km/hr queue whereby you can drive through without stopping. This is especially satisfying after you are constantly overtaken by "Big Tony" (in his 520d with M5 bodykit) and all his pals in their Range Rovers flashing you to pull over all the way down there. BT obviously hadn't bought a tag so he must have been a bit miffed everytime he had to pass us again a 20 minutes after leaving a tollbooth LOL.
However you know what the French are like. If they can charge the Brits for anything and everything they will, so here's what they do......
Application fee EU12.00
Annual management fee EU7.20
(calendar) monthly service fee EU12.00
refundable tag deposit 20.00
next day tag delivery EU12.00
foreign exchange finance charge EU5.06
actual toll charges EU179.60
total cost EU247.86 of which EU68.26 is purely for administration
Remember that if your journey crosses over two calendar months, you'll get pinged for two months admin charge.
You couldn't make it up!
My advice to future travellers is to pay the tolls as you arrive, save on the admin and wait for what.....an extra 4-6 minutes over the entire journey, there and back??
That is unless you revel in winding up blokes like "Big Tony".....which was actually quite fun, especially for the boys.
At first glance, buying a SANEF toll tag before you go looks to be a pretty smart thing to do....you can join the "fast queue" at the the tollbooths and most have a 30Km/hr queue whereby you can drive through without stopping. This is especially satisfying after you are constantly overtaken by "Big Tony" (in his 520d with M5 bodykit) and all his pals in their Range Rovers flashing you to pull over all the way down there. BT obviously hadn't bought a tag so he must have been a bit miffed everytime he had to pass us again a 20 minutes after leaving a tollbooth LOL.
However you know what the French are like. If they can charge the Brits for anything and everything they will, so here's what they do......
Application fee EU12.00
Annual management fee EU7.20
(calendar) monthly service fee EU12.00
refundable tag deposit 20.00
next day tag delivery EU12.00
foreign exchange finance charge EU5.06
actual toll charges EU179.60
total cost EU247.86 of which EU68.26 is purely for administration
Remember that if your journey crosses over two calendar months, you'll get pinged for two months admin charge.
You couldn't make it up!
My advice to future travellers is to pay the tolls as you arrive, save on the admin and wait for what.....an extra 4-6 minutes over the entire journey, there and back??
That is unless you revel in winding up blokes like "Big Tony".....which was actually quite fun, especially for the boys.
well, you've included all the upfront charges, including refundable deposit, application and express delivery.
the monthly fee is only charged for 2 months in any year.
it's intended for regular users not one-off holidays. all fees are declared on application.
Main benefit is the "how fast can i accelerate into the barrier" game.
the monthly fee is only charged for 2 months in any year.
it's intended for regular users not one-off holidays. all fees are declared on application.
Main benefit is the "how fast can i accelerate into the barrier" game.
I admit to selective quoting
€17.06 charging the Brits for 'everything they can'.
€12 next day delivery of a parcel to a different country - Very reasonable I think. when I hear how much our spares department gets charged for next day form NL.
€5.06 exchange rate charge on €242.80 or 2% - less than the 3% most credit cards or bank accounts charge.
I agree the rest of the fees are high, if you compare to UK toll fees, but it does give you access to the whole motorway system, not just 1 bridge/tunnel combo or a bit of London or a Midlands city Bypass.
I hope you enjoyed your holiday and didn't bump in to Big Tony on the slopes.....
normal bloke said:
However you know what the French are like. If they can charge the Brits for anything and everything they will, so here's what they do......
Application fee EU12.00
Annual management fee EU7.20
(calendar) monthly service fee EU12.00
refundable tag deposit 20.00
next day tag delivery EU12.00
foreign exchange finance charge EU5.06
actual toll charges EU179.60
total cost EU247.86 of which EU68.26 is purely for administration
Remember that if your journey crosses over two calendar months, you'll get pinged for two months admin charge.
What don't the french get charged for that we do?Application fee EU12.00
Annual management fee EU7.20
(calendar) monthly service fee EU12.00
refundable tag deposit 20.00
next day tag delivery EU12.00
foreign exchange finance charge EU5.06
actual toll charges EU179.60
total cost EU247.86 of which EU68.26 is purely for administration
Remember that if your journey crosses over two calendar months, you'll get pinged for two months admin charge.
€17.06 charging the Brits for 'everything they can'.
€12 next day delivery of a parcel to a different country - Very reasonable I think. when I hear how much our spares department gets charged for next day form NL.
€5.06 exchange rate charge on €242.80 or 2% - less than the 3% most credit cards or bank accounts charge.
I agree the rest of the fees are high, if you compare to UK toll fees, but it does give you access to the whole motorway system, not just 1 bridge/tunnel combo or a bit of London or a Midlands city Bypass.
I hope you enjoyed your holiday and didn't bump in to Big Tony on the slopes.....
According to ViaMichelin the tolls are 68€ each way so this would suggest you bought the wrong class of badge.
http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/web/Routes?departure=...
http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/web/Routes?departure=...
I have had a SANEF tag for about 4 years, supplied from the UK, for my car. I don't recognise the costs that you have stated. You must be on the wrong tariff, ie for something other than a normal car.
Also, the monthly cost is only charged in the month that you use the tag. For example, I probably go to France 3 times a year and I get three monthly charges.
Go back to SANEF to get them to sort this out.
R.
Also, the monthly cost is only charged in the month that you use the tag. For example, I probably go to France 3 times a year and I get three monthly charges.
Go back to SANEF to get them to sort this out.
R.
Petrol Only said:
Just returned from Les Coches. Other than the rather poor exchange rate was worth every penny of the 60£ each way it cost. No stopping and not having to wake the passenger up and fill the car full cold air!
Let's face it skiing holidays are not for the poor are they!
But surely you have to open the window to throw your RedBull can.......Let's face it skiing holidays are not for the poor are they!
My brain hurts.
If you only save 4-6 minutes across the entire trip how come Big Tony is taking twenty minutes to catch you up between toll gates?
Granted it means any lost time can be made up, but it also suggests a toll tag allows you to make decent progress without driving like a tosser between the gates.
If you only save 4-6 minutes across the entire trip how come Big Tony is taking twenty minutes to catch you up between toll gates?
Granted it means any lost time can be made up, but it also suggests a toll tag allows you to make decent progress without driving like a tosser between the gates.
Crossflow Kid said:
My brain hurts.
If you only save 4-6 minutes across the entire trip how come Big Tony is taking twenty minutes to catch you up between toll gates?
Granted it means any lost time can be made up, but it also suggests a toll tag allows you to make decent progress without driving like a tosser between the gates.
if there's traffic BT could be stationary for 5 minutes in the queue. But op can't have it both ways i agree.If you only save 4-6 minutes across the entire trip how come Big Tony is taking twenty minutes to catch you up between toll gates?
Granted it means any lost time can be made up, but it also suggests a toll tag allows you to make decent progress without driving like a tosser between the gates.
I looked at the UK Sanef option but then had a peruse of the French site.
For those based in France with a bank account there you can get effectively a pay as you go deal with no monthly charges which would be a far better option for those of us in Blighty who travel now and again. Of course, we can't get it!
Fortunately my folks live there so I got them to sort me one out.
For those based in France with a bank account there you can get effectively a pay as you go deal with no monthly charges which would be a far better option for those of us in Blighty who travel now and again. Of course, we can't get it!
Fortunately my folks live there so I got them to sort me one out.
Two types of account based on having a French bank account
Regular user 1.25€ per month
Occasional user 1.6€ per month when used.
Many of the busy toll booths have dedicated lanes where you can drive through at 30 kph which is nice when it's busy
The French do trust you to pay after use. The M6 tag and Dartford Crossing have to be pre loaded and the English just like to earn interest on my cash
I think the OP has spent a too much on his holiday and taking it out on the toll system.
However don't get me started on burger and chips for 20€ on top of a mountain or the price of beer, coffee et
Regular user 1.25€ per month
Occasional user 1.6€ per month when used.
Many of the busy toll booths have dedicated lanes where you can drive through at 30 kph which is nice when it's busy
The French do trust you to pay after use. The M6 tag and Dartford Crossing have to be pre loaded and the English just like to earn interest on my cash
I think the OP has spent a too much on his holiday and taking it out on the toll system.
However don't get me started on burger and chips for 20€ on top of a mountain or the price of beer, coffee et
I also think you have overpaid. Mine came with some costs up front but I'm pretty sure they got knocked off when I first used it. Nowadays I only pay when I use it and I think it costs me something like £60 to drive to the Alps. Expensive compared to driving in the UK but the roads are so much better and there isn't a lot you can do about it.
I think if you get a french one (with a french bank account) you can get a discount on a nominated road. I figured the UK company subsidise their income by claiming that and not passing it on.
I think if you get a french one (with a french bank account) you can get a discount on a nominated road. I figured the UK company subsidise their income by claiming that and not passing it on.
Doesn't sound right. I pay 2 euros a month for any month I use it. If the batteries run out I just stop at one of the sanef points and replace it. Can't remember what the initial charge for the tag was but not more than 15 euros. I've had it for at least 12 years and worth every euro cent of my 2euros extra cost.
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