The increasing cost of site fees.
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A full +1 or even +1.5
The problem arises not from people like us who enjoy club sites but from those that cannot accept that we think club sites are value for money?
I don't personally care what others use their money on as they see fit, but as soon as some of us choose club sites we are frittering our money away and being told how much better other non club sites are?
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We all pay our dues, and each of us have equal rights in either praising or criticising our Club. Any such praise or criticism will receive varying responses depending on quite a number of factors that apply to each individual. At HQ level, the Club makes decisions which are not always beneficial to its members, and all members have a right to question those decisions.
Where site fees are concerned, for example, well-heeled members might be happy with high charges, whereas those who need to watch their spending will be concerned about rising costs. In this respect, my observation of key-operated amenity blocks, and a two-tier charge depending on whether to use them or not, could well help those whose purse strings are a bit tight. Surely there are not any class-conscious, well-heeled members who would rather see high charges to push the less well off members out of the Club??? I don't believe for one minute that Club HQ have any other view than the Club being open to an as wide as possible cross section of the community, so any variables in charges based on levels of use of the site services can only be a good thing.
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The problem with not charging all for showers etc is that whether 50 people or a 150 people use toilets and showers they usually are only cleaned once and heated the same etc and so no saving to CC at all other than a bit less water and water heating - just reduced income. Reduced income would be replaced by charging more for the 'elite' user that does use them. During 15 days of our last 30 days I only used the toilet blocks twice preferring to use the caravan. The twice that I used it was to trim my bears mainly but did use the other facilities whilst there
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In this respect, my observation of key-operated amenity blocks, and a two-tier charge depending on whether to use them or not, could well help those whose purse strings are a bit tight.
I am not sure where the cost saving to the club would come from such a move. The block still has to be built, maintained, cleaned and heated. A few members not using it aren't going to significantly reduce these costs.
Plus of course although it would mean less hot water used. Presumably electricity usage would be higher at the van, as more water would need to be heated there.
Just a thought, would the pot wash also be off limits? I think more hot water gets used there than anywhere else.
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It’s not about the right or wrongs of praising, criticising or suggesting options, LeT, but in this case I think your idea would be extremely difficult and costly to administer. It’s a ‘top heavy’ suggestion which, in my opinion, would backfire on all members. Others have given examples of what I’m talking about.
Very good non-facility sites exist for those who want them and they are very reasonably priced, and let’s not forget CLs.
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We do go for a low facility CMC site if there is one available - Cadeside is one that we have regularly used. But these sites are relatively few and far between. Some private/commercial sites have charging arrangements as I have suggested, and I doubt this would be the case if they did not find them economically feasible. To say that the simple provision of keys to give access to only those who pay for using the amenity blocks is a bit far fetched. Some CMC sites are barrier-controlled, and an access "key" is provided. Separate charges are applied when use of the laundry machines is required. Wardens carry out a wide range of cleaning/site maintenance work, so there would be no point in adjusting any cost assessment based on cleaning the amenity block. At some point it will happen, as will charges for actual electricity used - which already happens at some CLs and commercial sites.
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Ah well, we’ll wait and see but I’m not holding my breath, LeT.
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I say the pricing structure is complicated enough already. Exeter Racecourse permutations look like a child has been active with a pin! And I doubt this is in any way the most complicated.........
The Club are using all kinds of variables nowadays to come up with an overall price, it can work in your favour if you are someone who shops around in a chosen location, but if you don't then you might just pay what the Club deems you should pay. We all have the choice to use Club Sites or not, only the individual can measure what value for money they achieve. You can't compare the Club's provision with private sites, or commercial sites, here or overseas, the variables are just too great. The Club's set up is unique, you either join and use it how you wish to, or not join and go with another business model.
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I realise this might seem a bit irrational but must admit I always feel a bit cheated by a site that has one price all year as I feel that I get no benefit from using the site out of the main season. Sites with that sort of pricing structure have clearly not thought through the possible implications. The only reason I can see for it is if they have a majority of seasonal pitches and touring units just add the cream on top of the coffee?
David
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At £14 per night, and in some instances less DK, I don't feel cheated. It's often cheaper in Winter to use Club Sites than a CL in the same area.
We didn't derive great value for money from York RP on our last visit at £33 per night. It isn't pretty, it isn't quiet, the toilets and showers were closed at a time inconvenient to us, so we used onboard facilities mainly. But the park next door was ideal for dogs, and the event we went to see was a short 15 minute level walk. It allowed us to take our dogs with us, so we were happy to pay, although it's way above our normal threshold. Cheaper than any other form of holiday accommodation in York.
I think as you say, some of the cheaper sites have seasonal pitches, certainly Marazion and Exeter does. They possibly only appeal to those who are happy and content using their own facilities, and don't worry about using grass. They are probably at risk, trends and tastes are changing, leases close to expiring as at Bromyard Downs. But at least at the moment the Club gives us this option, and we are grateful for it.
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I didn't think animals were allowed in the toilet blocks. Must have terrified the other occupants.
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Sounds great, David. Glad you enjoyed it.
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A family owned site I like in Cornwall (an award winning former CS which grew up and now spreads across 5 acres of the farm) charges £17 all through their season for a hard standing pitch with showers and electric hook up - less for grass pitches without electricity, but more for those who want power in their awnings other than for lights. The owner says "As a family friendly site we do not increase prices for the peak summer months" . And yes, dogs are free.
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Sounds nice Et, care to share? We might be heading SW shortly. We like sites close to coast if possible.
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Sorry, that site is inland, 12 miles north of Looe, so not right for you.
But I'm glad your circumstances are allowing you to come back to Cornwall. Might you like Trewithen Farm at St Merryn near Padstow if you want to be near the sea? Not a CL and costing about £13 a night without electrics or £17 a night with. There are reviews on line.
Best regards.
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TDA said "I say the pricing structure is complicated enough already."
totally agree. how about this from the Henley price panel where we were last week....
some might see it as 'penny pinching' by the club, as the price panel for Henley (which shows the next 12months) has 18 different pricing periods, and resultant price switches.
during the year that's a different price charged (approx) every 2.8 weeks!...but sometimes it's far closer than that so as to extract every last cent...
not only that, these bands include 9 different adult prices, some vary by as little as 10p!
an actual example...
period upto 29/09/19 costs £7.00
30/09/19 costs £6.60 (just for this one day)
period from 01/10/19 costs £6.50so three different prices in the space of three days!
why have a seperate band, just for one day, so as to extract 10p per customer......anyone help with this one?
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Some of the pricing is farcical. A none electric pitch, but with an awning, is 2p dearer at Exeter comparing September with October. A pitch with electric is a whole 10p dearer! What the point of that is I do not know!
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Thanks Et. OH managed to get down a couple of years ago, I did the sleeper and joined him for a week. We've been using a cottage on Dartmoor as well each year, but hope to get down to Cornwall next week if all is ok here at home. Probably won't get down to Penwith area, but we love it around Fowey, Lostwithiel. North Cornwall, up above Tintagel and Boscastle is rather unknown territory for us, so might spend a few days there. Golitha Falls is our default wet walk with the dogs, haven't done that for a good few years. Not sure we will get through some of those moorland roads with MH though, we used to get onto Moor by a tiny road up close to Trago Mills. It was a tight squeeze in Range Rover!
If that's the Trewithen Farm that makes ice cream and clotted cream it could prove very tempting! We haven't looked at sites down there yet, just got a provisional for overnight stop in Cotswolds, and possibly Exeter Racecourse if we don't fancy all way down second day. We book nothing prior to day before setting off, anything can happen here at home!
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Have sent you a pm on t 'other forum re CL we're on that should suit!!
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Thank you Nellie, I was going to consult!
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Forgot to add, free WiFi, good phone, poor TV signal.
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