Email regarding price increases

Posted on 24/03/2022 07:28 by young thomas

A few solar panels on a roof can certainly run lights in an office and perhaps the office equipment but we are talking about electricity prices on the pitch and powering a hundred pitches using heaters etc ain't going to happen with a few panels.

I can be self sufficient but I have 300w of solar. 

If each unit could manage their own power and site costs costs could be virtually eliminated but the club can't provide the sort of power we are talking about without the grid nor is it prepared to give a proper price reduction to anyone who can fend for themselves.

similarly, folk who don't camp off grid and usually arrive at a club site and expect to plug in at a reasonable price aren't going to invest in kitting up their vans as others do who camp at different types of sites/locations.

however, the squeeze is on and ever rising site power prices will gradually kill off customers who can't afford site prices and don't have the inclination/funds to manage their power needs themselves.

so we have the well heeled (in both camps)...those who can afford to continue touring despite higher prices and those who might spend that cash disconnecting themselves from the dependency of a hookup cable.

of course some might just go on a cruise and forget all about it...but there will be many who just have to give up what they are doing as prices spiral away.

the sad thing is that the club could easily provide a non EHU option, allow customers cheaper camping, let the customer take on the responsibility of powering their own unit and reduce the overall cost to the club.

win-win, you'd think?

Posted on 23/03/2022 19:24 by Cornersteady

Does it matter why, ancient history.

And all those complaints you mentioned? I was certainly a member at the time and can't remember any? 

Posted on 24/03/2022 07:28 by young thomas

A few solar panels on a roof can certainly run lights in an office and perhaps the office equipment but we are talking about electricity prices on the pitch and powering a hundred pitches using heaters etc ain't going to happen with a few panels.

I can be self sufficient but I have 300w of solar. 

If each unit could manage their own power and site costs costs could be virtually eliminated but the club can't provide the sort of power we are talking about without the grid nor is it prepared to give a proper price reduction to anyone who can fend for themselves.

similarly, folk who don't camp off grid and usually arrive at a club site and expect to plug in at a reasonable price aren't going to invest in kitting up their vans as others do who camp at different types of sites/locations.

however, the squeeze is on and ever rising site power prices will gradually kill off customers who can't afford site prices and don't have the inclination/funds to manage their power needs themselves.

so we have the well heeled (in both camps)...those who can afford to continue touring despite higher prices and those who might spend that cash disconnecting themselves from the dependency of a hookup cable.

of course some might just go on a cruise and forget all about it...but there will be many who just have to give up what they are doing as prices spiral away.

the sad thing is that the club could easily provide a non EHU option, allow customers cheaper camping, let the customer take on the responsibility of powering their own unit and reduce the overall cost to the club.

win-win, you'd think?

Posted on 24/03/2022 08:28 by peedee

It matters because it reflects on the credibility of the Club. 

CT wan't around in 2004 but there were other forums were complaints were observed. I personally questioned the Club's actions at a Regional Members Meeting.

peedee

 

Posted on 24/03/2022 08:37 by

I do wonder if part of the reluctance of CC Ltd to offer their EHU pitches at an accurate non-EHU price is the fear of their customers realising just how much OTT they have been charging for power through the "back door" route.  Let's face it transparency is not not one of their strong points.

 

Posted on 24/03/2022 08:08 by SteveL

Currently I would be more concerned about the cost of fuel affecting viability of our hobby. A choice is available over which site you use, nobody has to use those of the CAMC, if they can find a non EHU option that they prefer. Unfortunately there is no getting away from fuel. Which for us works out at 7.5 pence a mile more on this time last year. The two tours we did last year would come in at £225 more, equivalent to 90 site nights at the highest rate.

Posted on 24/03/2022 08:46 by peedee

There is no doubt the cost of fuel is a concern but there is little one can do about that other than curtail the distances you travel. On the other hand, if you have off grid capability it gives you the opportunity to cut costs providing suitable non EHU pitches are available but the problem  encountered by motorhome owners with these capablitiies is the lack of hard standing non EHU pitches. These are few and far between and while there are many more grass non EHU pitches there is a risk in using them,  that is if you manage to book them!. In the winter months and early in the season many such pithes are closed and you are only left with EHU hardstandings. Either way unless you can afford the increases, you are screwed unless you resort to using "unofficial sites". It could be there will be a rise in motorhome owners seeking these?.

peedee