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

DEBSC replied on 05/02/2023 09:36

DEBSC

Caravanner

Posted on 05/02/2023 09:10 by Tinwheeler

Didn't the North Devon dislike spring from having to drive on the congested lanes and meeting crowds of people rather than being due to the camc club site? In which case it would have been the same whatever site you used.

It's a shame you didn't ask the advice of local folk before going as, due to the travel restrictions, that was a particularly busy year with crowds of visitors in popular Westcountry resorts. It was hell at times and not a time to be on the roads of N Devon.🙁

Posted on 05/02/2023 09:36

Let’s be honest Tinwheeler, any school holiday isn’t the time to be on North Devon roads, although that year was, as you say, even worse. During the school holidays we always try to either be at our caravan in Stratford or doing a project at home, anything to avoid going out here in the ‘silly season’. Even driving to the local supermarket can be a trial. Yes we miss the best of the summer but it’s worth it. The statement put out by our local Police Force last year says it all, ‘holidaymakers on North Devon roads might want to practise using their reverse gear before they arrive’.

2 people like this

Tinwheeler replied on 05/02/2023 09:54

Tinwheeler

Campervanner

Posted on 05/02/2023 09:36 by DEBSC

Let’s be honest Tinwheeler, any school holiday isn’t the time to be on North Devon roads, although that year was, as you say, even worse. During the school holidays we always try to either be at our caravan in Stratford or doing a project at home, anything to avoid going out here in the ‘silly season’. Even driving to the local supermarket can be a trial. Yes we miss the best of the summer but it’s worth it. The statement put out by our local Police Force last year says it all, ‘holidaymakers on North Devon roads might want to practise using their reverse gear before they arrive’.

Posted on 05/02/2023 09:54

Spot on, Debsc. We rarely venture out at peak times either.

Tinwheeler replied on 05/02/2023 10:01

Tinwheeler

Campervanner

Posted on 05/02/2023 09:31 by

Willingcott worst thing about the visit. Left early but helpful wardens organised .

Posted on 05/02/2023 10:01

I'm surprised as I've always found the Willingcott site very good and I'm sure you told us it was the crowds made the visit unbearable. I think you likened them to those in Venice🤷‍♂️. I'd not go near the area in peak times. It was hard luck for you.

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JollyKernow replied on 05/02/2023 10:03

Member

JollyKernow

Motorhomer

Posted on 04/02/2023 21:15 by nelliethehooker

Also if you are going to invest money it is better spent on upgrading the facilities that the majority of people want.

David, how do you know that it is those sort of facilities, is serviced pitches, that are wanted by the majority? Perhaps by the most vocal members, but are you sure that is what is wanted by the silent majority?

Posted on 05/02/2023 10:03

Good Morning

I'd honestly like to know what the "silent majority" want NTH. The club offer several non facilities sites that are a reasonable price per night, my site this year is around £20 off the top of my head (computer is down!), yet their occupancy figures show that people are really interested in them. It can't always be the site's location as the figures are pretty mush all the same. CL's local to here are struggling to fill spaces as well. I know two owners who are considering this to be their last year as there's no demand.

1 person likes this

Cornersteady replied on 05/02/2023 10:03

Member

Cornersteady

Caravanner

Posted on 05/02/2023 08:20 by brue

You have misunderstood what I said, basic tax allowances won't increase this year so that extra income from pensions etc will be affected. When I say lower income groups I include many who are not receiving higher pensions and incomes in general but those with middle of the road incomes who have opted to buy leisure vehicles for their holidays.

This is basically about price increases and luckily there are less expensive options out there for LV holidays. If main club sites become expensive there are still good alternatives.

Posted on 05/02/2023 10:03

I really struggle with the concept of a middle of the road income being in the lower income group to be honest.

I know, and see almost on a daily basis now, what a lower income group really is and how they have to live and having an outfit to go away with isn't part of that at all. I've given many examples in the past but I had to help superglue someone's shoes back together this week and even if children were in classes affected by the strike they could still come for their free meals at lunchtime and 98% did. I'll leave that there as it's really off topic.

Yes I've always said that there are cheaper options than club sites, but also of course more expensive ones too which people tend to forget. I've said that is one can find a cheaper site with just as good standards for them then go there. So very simple, just do it.

5 people like this

peedee replied on 05/02/2023 10:06

Member

peedee

Motorhomer

Posted on 05/02/2023 10:06

Last year we were away for around 90 nights, less than 20 of those were on camc sites. Years ago we used to consider camc sites our first choice.

Much the same as J2. we were away 80 nights of which only 11 were on C&MC sites. When we first joined the Club in our caravan ownership days we made use of most of the Club services and apart from travel "over there" we exclusively used Club sites and CLs. With experience and motorhome ownership we have drifted away from using Club services. When you have everything you need in a motorhome Club sites at the prices charged become less attractive especially for short stays where you make even less use of facilities.

At the moment I have no UK sites booked at all but I am planning to be away shortly but not to a Club site.

peedee

replied on 05/02/2023 10:09

Posted on 05/02/2023 10:01 by Tinwheeler

I'm surprised as I've always found the Willingcott site very good and I'm sure you told us it was the crowds made the visit unbearable. I think you likened them to those in Venice🤷‍♂️. I'd not go near the area in peak times. It was hard luck for you.

Posted on 05/02/2023 10:09

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

SteveL replied on 05/02/2023 10:12

Member

SteveL

Motorhomer

Posted on 05/02/2023 10:01 by Tinwheeler

I'm surprised as I've always found the Willingcott site very good and I'm sure you told us it was the crowds made the visit unbearable. I think you likened them to those in Venice🤷‍♂️. I'd not go near the area in peak times. It was hard luck for you.

Posted on 05/02/2023 10:12

It certainly looks as though it would suit us. Plus from the thread title point of view seems a reasonable price at £31.40 throughout most of June and the first part of July.

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Cornersteady replied on 05/02/2023 10:13

Member

Cornersteady

Caravanner

Posted on 05/02/2023 10:09 by

Nah consult your records. Venice comparison was with Dartford and BTW it wasn't school holidays.

Posted on 05/02/2023 10:13

Did TW say it was school holidays?

Tinwheeler replied on 05/02/2023 10:17

Tinwheeler

Campervanner

Posted on 05/02/2023 10:09 by

Nah consult your records. Venice comparison was with Dartford and BTW it wasn't school holidays.

Posted on 05/02/2023 10:17

Nah, no records - why would I keep records?🤷‍♂️ I recall you referring to Ilfracombe and crowds but why introduce Dartford, Kent into the discussion?🤔

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