Club prices getting silly

richardandros replied on 25/10/2021 14:18

richardandros

Posted on 25/10/2021 14:18

I'm not one who normally complains about site fees. It's quite simple - you either accept them, or you don't! We are both fortunate in that we are retired with good pensions and don't have to count the 'pennies' too much. However, I have just attempted to book two nights at Broadway as a stop-over on our way to Devon, next June. For two people on a normal hardstanding pitch on 5 June (not a peak holiday period), we are being asked to pay £39.40 and for the following night, £35.10 - that's over £74 for two nights. Compare that with 14 nights at the C&CC site at Dartmouth - which is lovely and just as good, if not better than most CAMC sites - for £311.

I think this is ridiculous and will be looking elsewhere.

That said, I am not averse to paying premium prices if it seems justified - we will be paying something like £37pn at Sandringham, this Christmas - but I would expect that at that time of year due to increased demand - but not in what I see as a 'low/mid season' period.

I don't use Club sites very often and if this is the way things are going, together with the threat of introducing deposits I can't see me using them at all in the future.

Rant over - but I think this is a step too far.

27 people like this

293 replies

Tinwheeler replied on 04/02/2023 09:43

Tinwheeler

Campervanner

Posted on 04/02/2023 09:43

....don't forget the purchase of new sites for you members to enjoy, Watto. 👍

3 people like this

SteveL replied on 04/02/2023 10:00

Member

SteveL

Motorhomer

Posted on 04/02/2023 10:00

We had a long weekend in Winchester last month of which most of the 14 serviced pitches were vacant. Nearly all the standard hardstandings were in use in our 5 days there.

Perhaps understandable at this time of year, unless you book close to your trip you have no idea if the conditions will be sub zero. When that’s the case they don’t really work, as both waste and fresh water freeze. In my experience on all sites in the better weather they are well subscribed and often sell out while there are still standard pitches left.

2 people like this

Cornersteady replied on 04/02/2023 10:16

Member

Cornersteady

Caravanner

Posted on 04/02/2023 09:38 by watto64

Its good to see money being put back into the sites, however this usually means standard hard standings being replaced with more expensive serviced/super serviced pitches.

Dulverton service pitches for 2023 new year 1st and 2nd Jan 2024 are just over £50/night..this could explain why only a few service pitches were being used this past christmas and new year. All standards pitches were taken.

We had a long weekend in Winchester last month of which most of the 14 serviced pitches were vacant. Nearly all the standard hardstandings were in use in our 5 days there.

Im looking forward to the refurb of the Pandy site where the high prices have never reflected the outdated facilities and small pitches, however once again apart from a new facilites a large cost is being spent on installing serviced pitches and hence further costs for 'members' holidays.

Posted on 04/02/2023 10:16

That is different to to my experiences where SP are always full while standard pitches remain empty. I suppose it depends upon the site, a serving warden posted that at Seacroft over Christmas all SP were taken while standard one were not.

I was looking at club sites with SP yesterday to extend our stay and noticed that from March onwards SP are marked as low with many days full, in fact you would be hard pushed to get a full week in May and June, while no such problems on a standard pitch. Seacroft is low from March onwards while again plenty of standard pitches or no lows

...and hence further costs for 'members' holidays.

But only if 'members' choose to stay there of course.

It is really very simple, if something is too expensive to someone don't buy it.

Cornersteady replied on 04/02/2023 10:24

Member

Cornersteady

Caravanner

Posted on 03/02/2023 21:12 by biggsy

I agree the prices are going up but the steep increases are making it out of reach I’ve altered or booked other sites.The club is now getting away from the ordinary member and run as a money generating business, I know it’s got to be viable but not an exclusive club for the more well off.

Posted on 04/02/2023 10:24

I know it’s got to be viable but not an exclusive club for the more well off

Well you forgot to add the more well off who already have enough money to have a caravan with suitable towcar, or MH, the money to keep it on the road with servining and/or tax, storage perhaps, extra insurance, and well off enough to buy the extra fuel for their tours.

What you mean is club sites prices doesn't give them value for money and do not wish to spend it on club sites.

It could be said that they are, to many in the UK today, already more well off if they have the means to take a caravan/MH holiday in the first place?

1 person likes this

Burgundy replied on 04/02/2023 10:24

Member

Burgundy

Caravanner

Posted on 04/02/2023 10:24

We were looking at going to Cromer in March and looked at Seacroft, but were put off by the price £35 a night (£36 hard standing). As we use our own facilities not prepared to pay that price. Booked a CS just down the road at £15 a night and hard standing if required.
I saw a reply on Trustpilot saying the club are investing £3.8 million pounds on the network and a further £12 million pounds on refurbishing 12 campsites this year. No wonder the prices are so high.

3 people like this

brue replied on 04/02/2023 11:13

Member

brue

Motorhomer

Posted on 04/02/2023 11:13

Just a suggestion. Bear in mind there are club rallies on sites where pitch fees will be lower, worth a thought if savings are being considered.

DavidKlyne replied on 04/02/2023 12:13

Moderator

DavidKlyne

Motorhomer

Posted on 04/02/2023 10:24 by Burgundy

We were looking at going to Cromer in March and looked at Seacroft, but were put off by the price £35 a night (£36 hard standing). As we use our own facilities not prepared to pay that price. Booked a CS just down the road at £15 a night and hard standing if required.
I saw a reply on Trustpilot saying the club are investing £3.8 million pounds on the network and a further £12 million pounds on refurbishing 12 campsites this year. No wonder the prices are so high.

Posted on 04/02/2023 12:13

If the Club doesn't spend money on it's estate some facilities will become unusable. Also if you are going to invest money it is better spent on upgrading the facilities that the majority of people want. There are always less expensive alternatives available. We also use our own facilities so a serviced pitch is a bit of a luxury as it is easier to keep water tanks full or empty. We spent a week at Seacroft last October and it cost us an extra £35, I spent £20 of fish and chips for three people last night from the local chippy so the extra for a serviced pitch is hardly excessive. We like Seacroft because of its convenience to public transport so we spend nothing for our travelling whilsts staying there. Obviously as sites are upgraded so is the price.

David

2 people like this

TimboC replied on 04/02/2023 13:02

Member

TimboC

Caravanner

Posted on 01/02/2023 12:04 by HazelTaylor

I’ve just tried to book Meathop Fell in April 23, not Easter! £42.50 per night … never! C&CC getting my bookings 90% of the time. Great sites with concessionary rates for us pensioners too. Many commercial sites cheaper than C&MC too. They really need to address their costs to stay competitive for sure.

Posted on 04/02/2023 13:02

Giving concessionary rates to pensioners is a reason NOT to join C&CC in my view, and I say that as a pensioner.

Why should the general membership, many of whom will be struggling with their bills and will be getting below inflation wage rises, subsidise OAP's who will be getting a 10.1% increase this year? If there are benefits to be had, then they should be available to all members, and not the select few. Thats the view of CAMC, and I agree with them.

When it comes to prices, then they are going up everywhere, and we all have the option of where and how we spend our money

2 people like this

replied on 04/02/2023 14:14

Posted on 04/02/2023 13:02 by TimboC

Giving concessionary rates to pensioners is a reason NOT to join C&CC in my view, and I say that as a pensioner.

Why should the general membership, many of whom will be struggling with their bills and will be getting below inflation wage rises, subsidise OAP's who will be getting a 10.1% increase this year? If there are benefits to be had, then they should be available to all members, and not the select few. Thats the view of CAMC, and I agree with them.

When it comes to prices, then they are going up everywhere, and we all have the option of where and how we spend our money

Posted on 04/02/2023 14:14

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

2 people like this

replied on 04/02/2023 15:51

Posted on 04/02/2023 13:02 by TimboC

Giving concessionary rates to pensioners is a reason NOT to join C&CC in my view, and I say that as a pensioner.

Why should the general membership, many of whom will be struggling with their bills and will be getting below inflation wage rises, subsidise OAP's who will be getting a 10.1% increase this year? If there are benefits to be had, then they should be available to all members, and not the select few. Thats the view of CAMC, and I agree with them.

When it comes to prices, then they are going up everywhere, and we all have the option of where and how we spend our money

Posted on 04/02/2023 15:51

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

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