Posted on 09/06/2023 09:06
Great News - We have halved our deposits to just 10% at all UK Club campsites. Book by 30 September 2023 for any stay in 2023 and 2024.
Don’t miss out, simply book a stay at any UK Club campsite with only a 10% fully refundable deposit per booking and FREE cancellations and amendments up to 21 days before arrival.
To find out more and for Frequently Asked Questions please visit camc.com/lowdeposit
Posted on 09/06/2023 19:48
This does seem to be a major about turn of a major policy decision, albeit at the moment for a short period. This coupled with various site discounts suggests the Club has almost been caught with its trousers down? Being generous one could say that these decisions were made before the full impact of the current economic difficulties became a reality. My slight concern about lowering the deposit, especially if it became permanent, is that for the likes of weekend bookings members would be willing to sacrifice a low deposit more easily and we would find ourselves back to square one as far as availability is concerned. If it is decided to extend the 10% deposit perhaps it should only apply for bookings of a certain number of days, perhaps more than 4 nights?
David
Posted on 09/06/2023 19:48 by DavidKlyneThis does seem to be a major about turn of a major policy decision, albeit at the moment for a short period. This coupled with various site discounts suggests the Club has almost been caught with its trousers down? Being generous one could say that these decisions were made before the full impact of the current economic difficulties became a reality. My slight concern about lowering the deposit, especially if it became permanent, is that for the likes of weekend bookings members would be willing to sacrifice a low deposit more easily and we would find ourselves back to square one as far as availability is concerned. If it is decided to extend the 10% deposit perhaps it should only apply for bookings of a certain number of days, perhaps more than 4 nights?
David
Posted on 09/06/2023 19:48 by DavidKlyneThis does seem to be a major about turn of a major policy decision, albeit at the moment for a short period. This coupled with various site discounts suggests the Club has almost been caught with its trousers down? Being generous one could say that these decisions were made before the full impact of the current economic difficulties became a reality. My slight concern about lowering the deposit, especially if it became permanent, is that for the likes of weekend bookings members would be willing to sacrifice a low deposit more easily and we would find ourselves back to square one as far as availability is concerned. If it is decided to extend the 10% deposit perhaps it should only apply for bookings of a certain number of days, perhaps more than 4 nights?
David
Posted on 09/06/2023 20:31
I always considered the 20% deposit and 21 day cancellation terms to be too harsh to impose on a membership after having such a lenient one previously.
My own personal view would have been to introduce a 10% deposit with a 10 day cancellation, thus "breaking in" the membership and getting them used to a change in behaviour. The change imposed on them has come as a big shock and, having been a carer myself for a while, not particularly fair to those who are unable to plan out their time away like the rest of us.
I still think there is time for the club to be conciliatory on the cancellation period and adjust it. Won't really matter to me but as a member I still think it isn't quite right and could do with a tweak.
4 people like this
Posted on 09/06/2023 19:48 by DavidKlyneThis does seem to be a major about turn of a major policy decision, albeit at the moment for a short period. This coupled with various site discounts suggests the Club has almost been caught with its trousers down? Being generous one could say that these decisions were made before the full impact of the current economic difficulties became a reality. My slight concern about lowering the deposit, especially if it became permanent, is that for the likes of weekend bookings members would be willing to sacrifice a low deposit more easily and we would find ourselves back to square one as far as availability is concerned. If it is decided to extend the 10% deposit perhaps it should only apply for bookings of a certain number of days, perhaps more than 4 nights?
David
Posted on 09/06/2023 20:33
I have to disagree David your statement of lowering the deposit could put us back to square one as far as availability is concerned suggests the availability now is because deposits were introduced in my opinion the excessive availability now is because members have have given up on the club and gone elsewhere I am on my first club site this year now and it's been 50 to 60% capacity, I never believed lack of availability was due to no shows and the sites I visited had very few vacant pitches, I'm sure the cost of living will be the excuse for the downturn but it's obvious the powers that be are starting to realise something has gone wrong.
4 people like this
Posted on 09/06/2023 20:33 by ArchI have to disagree David your statement of lowering the deposit could put us back to square one as far as availability is concerned suggests the availability now is because deposits were introduced in my opinion the excessive availability now is because members have have given up on the club and gone elsewhere I am on my first club site this year now and it's been 50 to 60% capacity, I never believed lack of availability was due to no shows and the sites I visited had very few vacant pitches, I'm sure the cost of living will be the excuse for the downturn but it's obvious the powers that be are starting to realise something has gone wrong.
Posted on 10/06/2023 07:47
The only thing that is wrong is the price, that is what is really driving many away and that is because there is better value elsewhere. Everywhere else charges a deposit (certificated locations can be an exception) often with more onerous terms than the Club is offering but the value maybe better either in terms of price or facilities. What the economic climate and the Club have done is driven more to look at the wider world and many are realising there are sites out there that can offer better value depending on individual circumstances.
peedee
9 people like this
Posted on 10/06/2023 07:47 by peedeeThe only thing that is wrong is the price, that is what is really driving many away and that is because there is better value elsewhere. Everywhere else charges a deposit (certificated locations can be an exception) often with more onerous terms than the Club is offering but the value maybe better either in terms of price or facilities. What the economic climate and the Club have done is driven more to look at the wider world and many are realising there are sites out there that can offer better value depending on individual circumstances.
peedee
Posted on 10/06/2023 09:07
The club has never been the cheapest option but for me personally I was more than happy to pay the extra for the flexible generous terms and conditions before the changes came in to play but now the club has put itself in direct competition with other providers, I have only booked 2 sites this year instead of the usual 5 if there are many more like myself the club is loosing a lot of income as I can see from the many empty pitches.
2 people like this
Posted on 09/06/2023 12:35 by K BrownIs this an indication that the introduction of deposits has not achieved what the club wanted? It would be interesting to have an explanation of what has prompted the change.
Posted on 10/06/2023 09:07 by ArchThe club has never been the cheapest option but for me personally I was more than happy to pay the extra for the flexible generous terms and conditions before the changes came in to play but now the club has put itself in direct competition with other providers, I have only booked 2 sites this year instead of the usual 5 if there are many more like myself the club is loosing a lot of income as I can see from the many empty pitches.
Posted on 10/06/2023 10:02
It’s certainly a shot in the foot out of peak season, when a large proportion of campers, were / are over 60. Now this club charges deposits there isn’t the incentive to pay extra for what were significantly better T&C’s, not when the C&CC offer a substantial age related discount. The reduction to 10% does nothing for us and where as our default goto was CAMC, it’s now C&CC or Another. All dependent on location of course, there’s no point going to a cheaper site if it’s in the wrong place.
As an example recently we wanted to go into London for an exhibition. We stopped at C&CC Kelvedon Hatch, just about on the M25 to the NE of London, currently £23 a night with age related discount £28.20 without. You could use Wyatts Covert for the same purpose, a similar distance outside London. That’s £35.80 plus extra for electric. Reducing the deposit to 10% does little to sell it to me over the opposition.
5 people like this
Posted on 10/06/2023 09:48 by GEandGJEA 70% reduction in cancellations since the introduction of deposits which means more availability for members to book. I call that a win for the club and for the members.
RowenaBCAMC
Trailertenter