Affiliated Sites

pegwr33
pegwr33 Forum Participant Posts: 39
edited September 2016 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

Have just come home from a weekend away at Stanmore Hall.  Enjoyed the site and have no complaints about it, but as this was my first stay at an AS site, I wondered if it was normal for the site to retain ones Caravan Club membership card as a deposit to
ensure the return of the site barrier key? I felt a little uncomfortable about doing this, but sought to garner a few facts before complaining.  I would have thought a cash deposit was the best, but others may know why the membership card is preferred instead.

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Comments

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited September 2016 #2

    Maybe its their simple method of knowing who had "forgotten" to bring the keys back on departure,why would you be "uncomfortable" about it

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #3

    Possibly not a good idea as the CC card can be used for shopping discounts etc.

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
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    edited September 2016 #4

    If a commercial site ( AS ) asked me to hand in my CC membership card for their convenience  I'm afraid they would be told in no uncertain terms ---- NO !!!

    I don't mind paying a deposit for the use of the barrier card. 

    K

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,403 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #5

    How strange that they should ask for your membership card. What would have happened if you'd wanted to take advantage of any of the Great Days Out offers? You normally need your card as well as a voucher for those. Undecided

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited September 2016 #6

    If you are a couple you surely have  two cards

  • IamtheGaitor
    IamtheGaitor Forum Participant Posts: 529
    edited September 2016 #7

    Wouldnt bother me as we have never used a CC card to get a discount, its another example of affiliated sites doing their own thing- they are basically just commercial sites that get free publicity through being on the CC website/book.

     

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #8

    Just their way of hoping/ensuring to get the key returned I suspect. Wouldn't bother me in the least as I don't put any value on the card anyway and I also wouldn't forget to hand the key back in, so I'd be certain to get the card back.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited September 2016 #9

    Wouldnt bother me as we have never used a CC card to get a discount, its another example of affiliated sites doing their own thing- they are basically just commercial sites that get free publicity through being on the CC website/book.

     

    ...I think AS sites pay an annual fee to be on the "network"

  • IamtheGaitor
    IamtheGaitor Forum Participant Posts: 529
    edited September 2016 #10

    Wouldnt bother me as we have never used a CC card to get a discount, its another example of affiliated sites doing their own thing- they are basically just commercial sites that get free publicity through being on the CC website/book.

     

    ...I think AS sites pay an annual fee to be on the "network"

    To be honest that is worse - they are there because they pay not because they are of a similar quality to CC sites. 

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited September 2016 #11

    Wouldnt bother me as we have never used a CC card to get a discount, its another example of affiliated sites doing their own thing- they are basically just commercial sites that get free publicity through being on the CC website/book.

     

    ...I think AS sites pay an annual fee to be on the "network"

    To be honest that is worse - they are there because they pay not because they are of a similar quality to CC sites. 

    ...They get "visits" from regional managers the sames as other club sites,but then some who post on here "think" they are "better"

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
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    edited September 2016 #12

    Always seemed to me to be a way for the club appearing to have more sites than they actualy have.

    Have to say on the half a dozen i have been on they were probably "better" than the average club site.

    Just a personal and subjective observation

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,155 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #13

    I've found the AS sites I've used to be good, although often pricey. I've never come across the practice of retaining a membership card in the way described and would prefer to pay a deposit.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited September 2016 #14

    North Ledaig is an AS much favoured by a number of posters on here.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,155 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #15

    But they don't even have a barrier .......

  • Vicmallows
    Vicmallows Forum Participant Posts: 580
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    edited September 2016 #16

    Can anyone stay on an AS?  If so,  how do they handle the barrier 'deposit' for other guests?

    (I suspect that leaving your membership card is an alternative to leaving a cash deposit?)



     

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited September 2016 #17

    But they don't even have a barrier .......

    If this is the case, it would seem seem odd that they retain a membership card to ensure the return of a 'barrier key' when there is no barrier.

    I don't doubt what Tinners is saying at all (it's years since we stayed at Stanmore).......but could the op clarify, please?

    Incidentally, my memory of Stanmore is of an extremely pleasant and attractive site that we may well return to. Although I remember the reception staff as being rather officious (that might have changed in the intervening years).

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,155 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #18

    But they don't even have a barrier .......

    If this is the case, it would seem seem odd that they retain a membership card to ensure the return of a 'barrier key' when there is no barrier.

    I don't doubt what Tinners is saying at all (it's years since we stayed at Stanmore).......but could the op clarify, please?

    Incidentally, my memory of Stanmore is of an extremely pleasant and attractive site that we may well return to. Although I remember the reception staff as being rather officious (that might have changed in the intervening years).

    My comment was about North Ledaig in response to CY's post. Nothing to do with Stanmore.

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
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    edited September 2016 #19

    Last time we were at Stanmore they had CCTV in the toilet area. 

    Other half thought that was weird. Not been back so it might have changed by now 

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited September 2016 #20

    But they don't even have a barrier .......

    If this is the case, it would seem seem odd that they retain a membership card to ensure the return of a 'barrier key' when there is no barrier.

    I don't doubt what Tinners is saying at all (it's years since we stayed at Stanmore).......but could the op clarify, please?

    Incidentally, my memory of Stanmore is of an extremely pleasant and attractive site that we may well return to. Although I remember the reception staff as being rather officious (that might have changed in the intervening years).

    My comment was about North Ledaig in response to CY's post. Nothing to do with Stanmore.

    Sorry Tinners, I thought the thread was about Stanmore.

    So, I wonder what happens if you say that you need your card to take up some of tbe Club deals?

  • Unknown
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    edited September 2016 #21
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  • Simon100
    Simon100 Club Member Posts: 666
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    edited September 2016 #22

    I think that it is Morris Leisure policy to retain the CC card as opposed to a cash deposit. I have handed in my card at their other sites as well. I suppose that you could always leave cash instead.

    As for the standard of AS sites, many that I have stayed on are better than CC sites and are often more flowing and less rigid in design. Pitch space can be bigger as well. 

    CC sites are not necessarily the best out there.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,585
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    edited September 2016 #23

    It is a long time since we used the site but I was asked for my membership card which surprised me. I do wonder what they do with non members.

    It did not bother me but it might some people. The discount point never occured to me but as my wife also has a card we could have always used that.

  • IamtheGaitor
    IamtheGaitor Forum Participant Posts: 529
    edited September 2016 #24

    We do use Stanmore - IMO its not as good as a club site - facilities arent as clean and not keen on the excess of rules where you are given a wodge of sheets on arrival or the prescriptive allocation of pitches.  Not noticed CCTV in the toilets - that sounds
    like a safeguarding nightmare!

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited September 2016 #25
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  • Unknown
    edited September 2016 #26
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  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #27

    It is a long time since we used the site but I was asked for my membership card which surprised me. I do wonder what they do with non members.

    It did not bother me but it might some people. The discount point never occured to me but as my wife also has a card we could have always used that.

    Non members had to pay I think £10 deposit for the barrier card. I know that because OH reported that one person checking in, was moaning because the CC member in front did not need to pay the deposit and they did. As you say one card is normally enough
    to secure discounts, however if two are required I suppose you could always exchange £10 for the one they hold.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,872 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #28

    We stayed at Oxon Hall last year and can't remember if we had to surrender our membership card, although I wouldn't have objected. We usually don't accept the offer of a barrier key as we don't ever go off site during a stay. The only issue that might change
    our minds is if it were needed to get out of the site as we leave!!!  Whilst Oxon Hall is a nice site I certainly wouldn't put it as better than a mainstream Club site, for one thing the pitches are not as large unless you pay extra. WiFi is expensive as are
    the site fees even with a Club discount. 

    David

  • Unknown
    edited September 2016 #29
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  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #30

    Ludlow is of course very new. We have not yet stopped there, however, Stanmore and Betws-y-Coed, where we have stayed, seemed similar to  the average CC site in layout. At Stanmore however the campsite grounds were exceptional, lake and Sequoiadendron included.
    However, at both although the facilities were kept equally as clean as the CC the ratio was much lower, and would probably struggle when the sites are full, particularly at BC where there are lots of tent pitches. We would certainly visit both again, however
    not in high season.

  • notite
    notite Forum Participant Posts: 96
    edited September 2016 #31

    We have stayed at Ludlow, Betws-y-Coed, Stanmore and Llanberis and enjoyed all the sites, I agree that the prices are expensive and the wi-fi is also expensive, but like all things you get what you pay for. We will be visiting some of the Morris Leisure
    sites next year.