Vloggers Experience of Metering

David

From memory, there is no actual difference at the bollard end,you simply plug in as normal,twist plug,all the metering is or was completed on my phone before hand with £10.00 credit.But before you get electric I had to select site (Wyatts Covert) Bollard Number (as these feed say 4 pitches) and importantly the pitch number,from the drop down list,then select,and you are on smart metering.

Note when leaving site,you must remember to press "Refund"  balance to be refunded onto credit card.

The second question about the role out,I just wonder if the Club are waiting for the "results" of site occupancy without smart metering against with it.

I cannot answer the speed of role out,as I am not sure the cost of the metering equipment used at Wyatts Covert.Common denominator between WC and Ashridge farm is both sites have around 50 pitches so on the smaller sized sites.

It does sound like the Club  may have not done too well in negotiating rates per kWh , but business rates do change quickly.  Commercial rates are invariably higher than domestic ones.

OH has just agreed an electricity contract for our local Guide Hall, she is the treasurer.  She has agreed a 12  month contract with Octopus at a daily charge of 66.18 p plus 22.143p per kWh , all plus VAT.   As low users their VAT is only 5%, and they are exempt from the CCL (climate change levy)

The Club will  be paying 20% VAT and CCL.

Interestingly, she first enquired a month back, at that time she was quoted a slightly different, probably higher, amount.....65.42p  per day, but 26.44p per kWh.

Her next task is to get a reasonable gas contract.

In your view would it take a lot to expand the experiment at a faster rate as we seem to have very little information from the Club, not even sure Ashridge Farm is up and running yet?

My understanding is the Club wanted a full year of monitoring the trial and it was important to include the winter months. The trial started in May 2023 so the year won't be up until April 2024. However, it is a little puzzling as to why Asridge Farm has not been added to the trial before the end of 2023  as originally planned. Maybe the trial has thrown up something to change the Club's mind about equipping Ashridge? I cannot believe the act of metering is a problem but has there been problems with the smart phone enabling system or has a better system come to light? April is not far too off to find out. Hopefully the inflation crisis and with it the cost of pitches will not cloud the trial.

peedee

P.S.we have also heard very little about the trial of non electric saver pitches introduced at three sites. It seems to have been a very low key offering.

Someone arrives at Wyatts Covert without a working smart phone - lost, stolen, broken, never had one, etc etc. -  how does their electricity work?

I am sure there will be contingencies in place. However as the roll out takes place (assuming it does?) members will be aware of the need for the App as the best option. Otherwise I imagine it will be trips to Reception with their already limited opening hours which won't be as convenient. I expect the Club have a pretty good idea how many members already use the Club App and what percentage of members book sites via the internet to get a handle on how many members are likely to be left out of the loop by not being willing, or unable, to use more modern means?

David

If it looks like the Club are steering towards a “one size fits all” approach, then I feel this to be unfair. For those who like to feel more frugal, fine, have the choice of none electric or metered pitch. It should be your choice - your money! Personally, I like to rock up, plug in and get on with enjoying my stay without bringing an extra layer of decision making into my plans.  Surely we are all used to deciding and booking what type of pitch, then having a metered (or not) is no different, then we’re all catered for and no one is left out. 

It still seems a cumbersome way of metering to me. They may be able to tell how many members book through the app, but internet usage tells them nothing. I book sites through my desk top. No internet on my phone, have no need of such a contract.

Given these current statistics on smart phone ownership and the prediction that 95% of the population will be using one by 2025, I would think it a very viable option for metering

ET

There was a laptop in reception for that reason.As I had no need to use it,I guessed you set up an account with Meter Macs on the laptop.

Gillway said:- 

If it looks like the Club are steering towards a “one size fits all” approach, then I feel this to be unfair.

Is it not the opposite that is happening? Surely, albeit belatedly, the Club is moving towards giving members more choice rather than a "one size fits all"? The new booking system has allowed the easy booking of different pitch type, surely a win for most members? I would accept that perhaps the introduction of metering for electricity is not going to be universally popular as there will be people who are happy to pay the pitch price and plug in and forget. There seems little evidence that energy prices will be falling substantially any time soon so without metering it is difficult for members to reduce their outlay on site fees if they wish to use Club sites? Many motorhomes and to a lesser extent some caravans can be more or less self sufficient in power. Many use refillable gas containers which reduces the associated costs of using electricity. If as you are suggesting members should have the option of electricity or not how do you police that effectively? 

David