There is a lot of very unhappy club members
Comments
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So the trend is that motorhomes will become more popular and likely to eclipse the sales of caravans in time as they have in Germany. That is the market that the Caravan and Motorhome Club is after capitalising on and surely that is in all our interests?
Not sure David at the rate we are loosing sites if additional members are in the interest of existing members
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From reading some of the earlier posts on this thread, I suppose that I am to be regarded as one of the much criticised whingers and moaners, although I do not accept or agree with that label, - so let me explain.
Like many others, I have been a loyal member of the Caravan Club for over 30 years. I have always supported the club when in discussion with none caravaners . However in more recent times it is true that I have raised concerns and alarm over the rapidly increasing club site charges, - mainly out of concern that the CC which has always claimed to offer the best value and prices to its members, was now being bettered by many commercial sites, now also offering high standards.
A second cause of my concern was due to a new rigidly enforced pitching policy that removed much of the freedom that was the original joy of caravanning !
However I was willing to accept that my views were not shared by many, so in order to avoid any discord I changed my preference from Club Sites to the excellent CL’s which I now regard as the Jewels in the Clubs crown.
All was well, and then the re-branding of the Caravan Club into a new body came as a horrible shock! Firstly I could see no real reason for it. Motorhomes had long been a feature of the CC, and I certainly welcomed them, and indeed felt that one day I might change over myself. But the change of name in my opinion was not required and must have cost a significant amount to implement. I wonder if that figure will ever be recouped by an increase in membership as a direct result? I very much doubt it.
The new Logo is in my opinion daft beyond belief, it no more represents the apparently desired new lively image, than a discarded Walls Ice cream wrapper.
However of even greater concern to me, as someone who has managed a large public concern in the past, was the total absence of any consultation or communication with the membership (Customers) before the launch. Such action, or indeed lack of action displays a total arrogance on behalf of the board, and was bound to attract a negative response.
In response such concern, I would have expected that a member of the board might have been prepared to come on this forum, in order to explain the thought process behind the re-branding, but no! They would seem to have retreated to the bunker.
But as for me, -No, I will not be stamping off the field carrying my ball, however- very soon now I will have to consider the wisdom of continuing my current membership of both the CC and the C&CC. Retirement now forces greater economy, and I suspect that after July I will reduce to just one. Until these latest changes, the one that I would have retained would have been the CC, but now i think it will have to be the C&CC. I have tried their club sites and have found that due to their “wrinklies” age concession, they are cheaper than the CC, and I find just as good. In addition their CS network is just as good as the CL network although admittedly not so widespread. That may change!
So CC, sadly I think that you are likely to lose at least one long term member . If I go, it will be in sadness, and not because I am a whinger or a moaner.
TF
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A good post TF.
Our renewal is 1 April 😲. We have renewed this year too early to tell how things will develop and we love CL's too. I feel that since we joined just 7 years ago there have been large increases in costs, including the membership fee as well as site pitches. We are now on a more limited income than previously so costs will be given far more consideration than they were.
I too thought that there would have been some high level feedback following the rebrand comments by members and something in the fiasco that has been and continues to be with the website. We may not agree with the reasons or rationalisation but not to be offered a response is frustrating. I certainly think CL's were kept in the dark and some incurred considerable costs because they planned ahead for this season. Reason given appears to be they may have let the cat out of the bag and spoil the BIG announcement. Seems derogatory really as the sign makers, printers etc were in on it and didn't. We had to wait months for the delayed site handbook etc. I believe the sites and wardens will continue to be as they were but if the costs rise much more well consider our position next renewal. But belonging to both clubs gives extra choice. I think we're finding more commercial sites popping up with good standards too.
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I have raised concerns and alarm over the rapidly increasing club site charges, - mainly out of concern that the CC which has always claimed to offer the best value and prices to its members, was now being bettered by many commercial sites, now also offering high standards.
More & more "campers" chasing an almost fixed number of pitches will inevitably push up prices. that's not going to change.
If you find a commercial site as good or better than a CC site at a price you are willing to pay, use it, the "Club" will only understand people voting with their feet.
All was well, and then the re-branding of the Caravan Club into a new body came as a horrible shock!
I have had some horrible shock's in life. You've had a better life than me if inserting the word "motorhome" into the clubs name counts as a horrible shock.
but now i think it will have to be the C&CC. I have tried their club sites
We too have joined the C & CC. I like a lot of their sites & the fact that they take deposits. Now I use some of their sites to the obvious detriment of the CC but I very much doubt they care. Like we shop regularly at Aldi & find a lot of their stuff is better & cheaper than Tesco/Asda etc.
Vote with your feet I'm afraid, that's the world we live in now.....!!
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Great post TF and well balanced which speaks I would think, for the majority of what is the core membership of the cc, and who use the ever diminishing sites network most of the time rather than just when families, because of their ever more tight budgets,who as far as i can understand are now boosting the ccc membership,as Tents are now the families choice,as they can have far more space ,with as good facilities for less than a quarter the price,and the latest "rebrand" and Statements from the "management" personel show just how out of touch and seems indifferent they are to the membership
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I have only ever seen the CC as a leisure business ,who's product is a pitch . if the price and area are what and where I want to go then I will book it , if not I will look at other "clubs" or alternatives , i'm not bothered what they call themselves of what a logo looks like, and yes I will renew my membership as they provide sites in the areas I want to stay
And we all have different views on this ,and that's fine
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Husky I'm with you on your comments. However now we are looking at a more restricted income, unless I return to work which hasn't been ruled out, the cost of membership and sites will be more of a consideration with our trips. If I want something and it's right for me ill go for it regardless of cost BUT I will be doing more looking comparing and sums 😃
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I’m new to the club and I would like to add to this discussion as I too am very unhappy with what I’ve just found.
Having just received all my club information I decided to look at how much I’d save on a ferry crossing next April. I was absolutely gobsmacked to find that a return crossing from 15/4/22 to 22/4/22 would cost me £491 when booking through CAMC.COM/FERRYOFFERSHaving decided to look to see how much it would cost to book directly with P&O ferry’s I was amazed to find that booking the crossing on the same dates and times was only £213!!! Even when I chose the more expensive Flexi option that was still £140 cheaper than booking through the caravan club???
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@ScreenName etc It looks like your screenshot of the C&MHC booking is for a car & caravan while the P&O booking is just for a car. Correct me if I'm wrong.
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I'm a great believer in Tesco vouchers, but unfortunately things no longer look so good. Prices on crossings have about doubled since 2018, but they have not raised the limit on the vouchers you can cash in. You can only have £35 in vouchers = £105 spend against each leg of the crossings.
At present Eurotunnel are offering better prices than P&O on the Calais crossing. DFDS prices have not been released yet but I'm guessing will look favourable compared to P&O. If you can do an antisocial hours crossing then DFDS looks good value on the Newhaven - Dieppe crossing. If you are over 60 then this crossing also attracts a 20% discount but you have to phone in to access the offer.
Colin
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What details and who are you addressing?
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