Excessive site fees
Just returned from Chester Fair Oaks site, one night, £31.30 !!, I nearly choked on my dentures, It was our first trip out this year, only able to book something last minute.Ok, apparently, our over night stay was classed as still in the 'High' season,
but £31.30 per night (two adults) to stay in my own caravan is ridiculous. The club is in danger of killing the goose that layed the golden egg. it's easy sometimes to forget that we have also paid a membership fee for the privilege of being charged so much.
Comments
-
Were you not aware of the cost at the time of booking? There are a lot of CLs out there where you could have near enough 3 nights for that price!
We've been away sine the Wedenesday after Easter, still high season, but by staying on CLs and 1 CS, average nightly cost for those was £12.50 a night. Prices on CLs are usually the same whatever the season, so next time perhaps check out one of those.
0 -
Peddim, you're quite new to the forum so you might not be aware that there are already several similar threads running in the UK sites & touring section. One point which comes across very often is that the CC pricing structure, for all its faults, is actually
rather fairer than many alternative organisations offering very good deals away from high season but subsidised by sky high prices during school holidays. In that sense the CC structure is rather fairer. I agree the price you paid is far higher than we'd be
prepared to. At the moment we're at Ferry Meadows, 4 nights for a smidge under £18 a night. Some will say that's still to high but we're satisfied with it. I realise you say you only booked last minute so may have been desperate for a pitch but I'm guessing
there are probably many alternatives in that area to consider.0 -
I don't know about Chester but the schools are still on holiday around here, so it is not surprising prices are high season. If you were to try and book a hotel room I suspect the prices would also reflect this. I am not sure why the fact you supply the
accommodation should mean the price is ridiculous. Granted it is high, but in general in the high season sites are fairly full, so this would indicate the CC are pitching it about right.0 -
just of out interest what price were you expecting?
0 -
I am not saying the price charged is fair or too high however 2 things.
1. You may supply the van but the CC provides the site and infrastructure within it. you can use electric, toilets, dishwash if you want all that have to be maintianed as does the grounds. They have to secure the site and cut the grass, clean toilets etc.
2. Your membership fee does not matter, you join the club to gain access to the facilities, sites and services it provides, you may or may not use all or any of these your choice. The only thing it does do on sies is give you a better price than non members
on those sites that allow non members to stay.0 -
Just returned from Chester Fair Oaks site, one night, £31.30 !!, I nearly choked on my dentures, It was our first trip out this year, only able to book something last minute.Ok, apparently, our over night stay was classed as still in the 'High' season,
but £31.30 per night (two adults) to stay in my own caravan is ridiculous. The club is in danger of killing the goose that layed the golden egg. it's easy sometimes to forget that we have also paid a membership fee for the privilege of being charged so much.Excellent post.
Paying almost 50 quid for the privilege of being charged £31.30 for a space in a glorified field is robbery.
0 -
Just returned from Chester Fair Oaks site, one night, £31.30 !!, I nearly choked on my dentures, It was our first trip out this year, only able to book something last minute.Ok, apparently, our over night stay was classed as still in the 'High' season,
but £31.30 per night (two adults) to stay in my own caravan is ridiculous. The club is in danger of killing the goose that layed the golden egg. it's easy sometimes to forget that we have also paid a membership fee for the privilege of being charged so much.Excellent post.
Paying almost 50 quid for the privilege of being charged £31.30 for a space in a glorified field is robbery.
But of course, there is an obvious course of action if you find that unacceptable! You can even still come on CT for a good old moan, even if you're not a member!
0 -
Just returned from Chester Fair Oaks site, one night, £31.30 !!, I nearly choked on my dentures, It was our first trip out this year, only able to book something last minute.Ok, apparently, our over night stay was classed as still in the 'High' season,
but £31.30 per night (two adults) to stay in my own caravan is ridiculous. The club is in danger of killing the goose that layed the golden egg. it's easy sometimes to forget that we have also paid a membership fee for the privilege of being charged so much.Excellent post.
Paying almost 50 quid for the privilege of being charged £31.30 for a space in a glorified field is robbery.
TB I don't want to get into the pricing argument but I must question how you make 31.30 to be almost 50 quid. It's actually far near to half that amount. 50-31.30 = 18.70. 31.30 - 25 25 = 6.30. If you are going to complain at least get the facts right first.
0 -
Ah, in fairness to the brooms ( yes, really!) I'm guessing they're referring to the membership fee there. Mindvyou, I believe it's still voluntary isn't it? I mean no-one's forced to be a CC member?
Think you may be right there. Apologies if I mis read the quote.
0 -
Just returned from Chester Fair Oaks site, one night, £31.30 !!, I nearly choked on my dentures, It was our first trip out this year, only able to book something last minute.Ok, apparently, our over night stay was classed as still in the 'High' season,
but £31.30 per night (two adults) to stay in my own caravan is ridiculous. The club is in danger of killing the goose that layed the golden egg. it's easy sometimes to forget that we have also paid a membership fee for the privilege of being charged so much.Excellent post.
Paying almost 50 quid for the privilege of being charged £31.30 for a space in a glorified field is robbery.
TB I don't want to get into the pricing argument but I must question how you make 31.30 to be almost 50 quid. It's actually far near to half that amount. 50-31.30 = 18.70. 31.30 - 25 25 = 6.30. If you are going to complain at least get the facts right first.
Did you take into account the membership fee?
0 -
We wouldn't pay that sort of pitch fee either, but as I said in my earlier post, there are alternatives; we've stayed on CLs varying in price from £11 to £15 per night, and those all had toilet and shower(s). All during high season (the last fortnight).
It is not obligatory to stay on the main sites.
0 -
The site is always very near full so it is difficult to say the price is too high as if that were true it would be boycotted. As AJB says the price is there when you book so if you do not like it do not book. If people still book at the current price this
will not go down. The only way prices will drop is if people stop booking in sufficient numbers to hit the balance sheet.0 -
Ah, in fairness to the brooms ( yes, really!) I'm guessing they're referring to the membership fee there. Mindvyou, I believe it's still voluntary isn't it? I mean no-one's forced to be a CC member?
very true, unless staying on club sites has become some sort of comunity service.
However is this a members only site? just checked no, so you don't have to pay the membership fee either to stay on this site. Also I assume the broons know that you only pay this once and not each time you visit a club site?
0 -
The club is in business to make an operating profit which can then be used to invest in new facilities and update existing ones.
If you lowered the cost of staying at sites then there would be no profit, no investment and I am sure that the same posters would complaint that the facilities were not up to the standard required.
Bottom line, if you don't want to pay the pitch fee don't go to the site but find somewhere else cheaper.
0 -
The club is in business to make an operating profit which can then be used to invest in new facilities and update existing ones.
If you lowered the cost of staying at sites then there would be no profit, no investment and I am sure that the same posters would complaint that the facilities were not up to the standard required.
Bottom line, if you don't want to pay the pitch fee don't go to the site but find somewhere else cheaper.
We are paying for the CC buying Alan Rogers without the consent of CC members and they are doing this by hiking up pitch fees. Of course many people are quite happy to allow the club to trample over them and hike up fees.
Why are so many commercial sites profitable who are charging lower fees and they do not have to resort to selling all sorts of insurance etc? Many of these commercial sites are on par with CC sites.
No one is complaining about the actual sites or wardens, but the fees for a night's stay can be rather high in comparison especialy if you use the facilities in your caravan. No wonder many of us prefer to use CLs!
0 -
Well said Surfer. Far too many people seem happy to pay these fee's. I wonder what the prices are going to be like in 5 years time. Assuming they keep the price Hike's it may well drive members away and stop new members from joining. Personally i wouldn'y
pay more than £25 for any site, no matter what time of year.0 -
The club is in business to make an operating profit which can then be used to invest in new facilities and update existing ones.
If you lowered the cost of staying at sites then there would be no profit, no investment and I am sure that the same posters would complaint that the facilities were not up to the standard required.
Bottom line, if you don't want to pay the pitch fee don't go to the site but find somewhere else cheaper.
We are paying for the CC buying Alan Rogers without the consent of CC members and they are doing this by hiking up pitch fees. Of course many people are quite happy to allow the club to trample over them and hike up fees.
Why are so many commercial sites profitable who are charging lower fees and they do not have to resort to selling all sorts of insurance etc? Many of these commercial sites are on par with CC sites.
No one is complaining about the actual sites or wardens, but the fees for a night's stay can be rather high in comparison especialy if you use the facilities in your caravan. No wonder many of us prefer to use CLs!
Write your comments here...so if you prefer to use cl why complain on here it's like me complaining about the cost of dog food and not having a dog!
0 -
Write your comments here...so if you prefer to use cl why complain on here it's like me complaining about the cost of dog food and not having a dog!
ther eis a possibility that you may not understand or it has not occured to you. If the CC made their fees more reasonable then maybe we could use their sites especially during the week. We have just cancelled a 4 night stay on CC sites as other nearby
sites were a lot cheaper savings us in the vicinity of £30 or more.Many commercial sites can offer discounts for stays for several days or longer, but not the CC. Why not? I am guessing it is because many sites are booked full at weekends preventing many people from staying for 6 or more days.
These same sites may have low occupancy during the week so the CC need high prices to jusitify the low occupancy during the week.
0 -
The club is in business to make an operating profit which can then be used to invest in new facilities and update existing ones.
If you lowered the cost of staying at sites then there would be no profit, no investment and I am sure that the same posters would complaint that the facilities were not up to the standard required.
Bottom line, if you don't want to pay the pitch fee don't go to the site but find somewhere else cheaper.
If enough members did decide to find somewhere cheaper there would still be no profit or investment.
Of course if they choose to reduce the pitch fee which in turn attracts more users then profits rise and members are happy. Win win.
0 -
I can't find it now but I seem to remember that prices were 'held' or subject to a small increase last season (obviously to coincide with fairly robust increases in the other club)
As is always the case last years 'skipped' increase seems to have been added to this year's prices.
If it's too much the bookings will be down and prices will be 'held' with much fanfare next year.
0 -
The club is in business to make an operating profit which can then be used to invest in new facilities and update existing ones.
If you lowered the cost of staying at sites then there would be no profit, no investment and I am sure that the same posters would complaint that the facilities were not up to the standard required.
Bottom line, if you don't want to pay the pitch fee don't go to the site but find somewhere else cheaper.
If enough members did decide to find somewhere cheaper there would still be no profit or investment.
Of course if they choose to reduce the pitch fee which in turn attracts more users then profits rise and members are happy. Win win.
as highlighed above, by Broons....the issue is that, at weekends, the club sites are racked with vans....families, weekenders etc....and (in theory) prices could rise, though may not be desirable....
however, during the week (sun-thurs) there are plenty of pitches available (read deserted sites) mainly (imho) due to those midweek prices being way out of kilter with other operations vying for the same business....
these prices could definitely be lowered (at least as a trial....though goodness knows how long this would have to run for cc to make a decision.....book a HS anyone??) encouraging those who 'haven/sandyballs/commercial' to make use of these unused places...
...but £20 wont do it....it needs to be close to a tenner (poss £12 tops) to get customers' attention....
0 -
...but £20 wont do it....it needs to be close to a tenner (poss £12 tops) to get customers' attention....
Hmm, that wouldn't please CL owners. I love CLs and would be sorry if some decided to close down if their (reasonable) pricing came under pressure.
0 -
Just had a look at some of the bookings for the big seaside sites: Looe, Yellowcraig, Incleborough, Freshwater East, Scarborough. Haven't bothered with serviced pitches, as there aren't that many on each site really, but the bookings overall during July
and August are showing pitches available at all the sites, for most days, with the exception of FE. (This is closed until late July for refurbishment, so perhaps is showing a different pattern to usual). Would interesting to know just how many pitches are
actually booked. I checked prices on a couple of the sites, and based on two adults and two children, looking at £33+ per night.0 -
...but £20 wont do it....it needs to be close to a tenner (poss £12 tops) to get customers' attention....
The trouble is because more vans use more consumables, you need significantly more pitches occupied to make a difference.
For instance 10 vans at £20 using £3 of consumables each brings in £170. However 20 vans at £12 using £3 of consumables brings in £180. So you need to double the occupancy to make a small extra profit. Wether doubling the occupancy midweek is likely, is open for debate.
0
