Booking difficulty for pre covid members

Redzed32 replied on 30/08/2020 10:25

Posted on 30/08/2020 10:25

With the onslaught of the covid virus and the massive restrictions on foreign travel , it appears not only that the existing membership are filling up club sites , but I suspect also a large influx of new members are too . This is great for the campsites , as they have all faced a very difficult season this year . However , I am experiencing that finding pitches now is very difficult , and a great deal of the sites that could be booked a month in advance previously are full to the end of the season . This obviously makes me question whether membership is actually worth it now , as so far this summer after about  6 weekend breaks , I have realised that none of these were possible through the club . 

This is obviously very disheartening , but there is a much bigger concern at play here , and that is next years bookings . No one has a crystal ball regarding the impact of covid , and we cannot predict what will happen next month , far less what will happen next year . We have the possibility of much of next years sites being booked up by people who would normally holiday abroad , and taking advantage of the booking system . If this occurs , and next year we have little or no travel restrictions , we will end up with a situation again where pre covid members cannot get pitches , and the sites will have a whole load of pre-booked vacant pitches . 

Can I ask ; are other members here experiencing this as well ? And Also ; Does the club itself have concerns about the possibility of the above situation occurring , and how to address this ? 

moulesy replied on 04/09/2020 16:57

Posted on 04/09/2020 16:54 by SeasideBill

I think we’ve been discussing prices not standards. I agree Club site standards are generally good. 

Posted on 04/09/2020 16:57

But discussing prices, or at least trying to give specific examples one way or other, is pointless as evidenced above wouldn't you say?

The only conclusion you can come to is that for some folk, some commercial sites are cheaper than some club sites at some times of the year! wink

replied on 04/09/2020 17:05

Posted on 04/09/2020 17:05

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

moulesy replied on 04/09/2020 17:12

Posted on 04/09/2020 17:12

"We live in an expensive country ..."

That is exactly the point many of us have made over the years when comparing UK site prices with continental ones! I'm surprised you haven't noticed the comments! wink

replied on 04/09/2020 17:13

Posted on 04/09/2020 17:12 by moulesy

"We live in an expensive country ..."

That is exactly the point many of us have made over the years when comparing UK site prices with continental ones! I'm surprised you haven't noticed the comments! wink

Posted on 04/09/2020 17:13

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

SeasideBill replied on 04/09/2020 17:17

Posted on 04/09/2020 16:57 by moulesy

But discussing prices, or at least trying to give specific examples one way or other, is pointless as evidenced above wouldn't you say?

The only conclusion you can come to is that for some folk, some commercial sites are cheaper than some club sites at some times of the year! wink

Posted on 04/09/2020 17:17

That’s plainly obvious, but the question is should Club sites be cheaper for most folk, for most of the time? In a membership organisation, I think they should, otherwise what’s the point?

Cornersteady replied on 04/09/2020 18:02

Posted on 04/09/2020 10:23 by SeasideBill

I don’t fret about prices, I’m prepared to pay what something is worth. However, I object to being overcharged or getting poor value for money, just because market forces mean they can take advantage.

If, as you say, there are always cheaper alternatives it does say something about CMC prices and the benefits (or not) of membership. I don’t really follow the point about overall spend. Taken to its logical conclusion you’d be happy to spend whatever as long as overall, it amounted to less than your anticipated budget?

Posted on 04/09/2020 18:02

I don't understand how you are being over charged or getting poor value for money?

To be overcharged and/or received poor value one must have bought something?

As I recall you have stated you have not stayed in a club site this year? If so how have you been overcharged?

You may think club site prices are high or do not give value but that is totally different to saying you have overcharged or received poor value.

Cornersteady replied on 04/09/2020 18:05

Posted on 04/09/2020 17:17 by SeasideBill

That’s plainly obvious, but the question is should Club sites be cheaper for most folk, for most of the time? In a membership organisation, I think they should, otherwise what’s the point?

Posted on 04/09/2020 18:05

The point is to offer good quality sites at a mid level price. Then the 'customer' decides if they want to pay.

Many do.

Cornersteady replied on 04/09/2020 18:09

Posted on 04/09/2020 18:09

While taking the long way round from Buttermere to Newlands my support vehicle driver (aka Mrs C) noticed that the club site at Manesty had a site full sign.

(A non facilities site for those that don't know)

near Malvern Hills Club Campsite Member photo by Andrew Cole

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