What's the point of the Handbook?
Is anybody else disappointed with the changes to the Club Handbook this year? I have tried to find any other discussions in the members area but failed.
In the past the Club has provided thorough and useful information in the Handbook for the benefit of it's Members. This year it has moved to being more a promotional holiday advertisement for Club sites, and lacking much useful information that many members use. Ok so most members can go online to get some details, but now it seems we have to. Maybe the Handbook is on it's way out?
Specifically there is the ABSENCE OF MAP REFERENCE points. Like so many caravanning people we love to take an Ordinance Survey map everywhere we visit, and check it out when planning a trip, it's so full of information on an area. We like to see precisely where each cl. is to plan out cycling trips to avoid large roads etc.
Another issue is the PRICE DISPLAYED for Club sites. So disappointing that the Club is trying to fool members by putting prices for one adult in the book, and NOT showing the correct FULL PRICE BREAKDOWN! Do most members travel alone? Seems unlikely. The previous handbook displayed a price for unit plus 2 adults, much more representative surely?
In the past the Club has provided thorough and useful information in the Handbook for the benefit of it's Members, and I for one liked it.
Comments
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You are not alone, Dolphin, and the specific points you raised have been discussed several times since the launch of the book. Finding those discussions could well be a tricky task.
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There was a discussion about lack of map references here referring to CL's. I think there were replies from Site Admin giving the reasons but also saying they were keeping an eye on the situation and may reconsider if enough people mention it. Likewise the subject of pricing has also been discussed. I lean towards the idea that prices should be left out of the main Site Directory because we only get the directory every two years so for half that period the prices are out of date anyway! The prices only represent the minimum cost of a site for one person and a pitch. Some say it would be more useful if it was for two people but then families might have a different view point? That's why they should perhaps be left out altogether?
The question of whether the Site Directory is on the way out, well who knows. We certainly use ours a lot less than we did as its easier to use online resources. I don't suppose it will be phased out any time soon but you could imagine a time when everything moves online.
David
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I use my book all the time mainly because searching on the website is infuriating. As far as David K's comment about the book being out of date after a year there is a supplement you can order for the following year.
The book must also be a source of revenue. especially in the commercial section.
As far as the new nightly fees go, after many complaints, I have yet to see an explanation why from HQ
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Initially I use mine as a quick reference for site locations , then I found it useful in many different ways....
#1 To whack the great grand kids if they are naughty.
#2 use as a mug coaster.
#3 use as a throw fetch toy for the dog.
Perhaps one day I'll write a book on this extremely useful item..... thank you
Caravan & motorhome club for supplying this to every member.
Ps... I'm a very lucky camper... I have several now.
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Harryb I have to agree with you, the website is not always the best when searching, especially for cl sites, especially using the map search. And that's assuming you can get online when away on a trip.
David, at least when prices were displayed we can get a general idea of price, as some sites eg. with fewer facilities are much cheaper, and many offer special prices. This really is not clear looking at the latest Handbook.
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We find the handbook useful and far quicker than the internet if you need to search. We have never used the map references so not sure how useful they are but certainly the cost information is not very useful but as there are numerous combinations of people in their units and seasonal changes, nothing works for us all. Possibly simply dividing the sites into low, medium and high cost sites or something similar is the best way forward as that gives us all abetter idea of what to expect.
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We like to keep the handbook in the glove box, OH gets it out when we are about 30 minutes away from our site to check the route instructions, just in case there is something the sat nav is not aware of.
We agree the price for one person is not that useful, especially as it can apply to one day of the year on an economy (no EHU) grass pitch......especially if the grass pitches are not actually bookable at that time of the year!
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Until such time as the website becomes more user friendly then I for one will continue to use the SD. If I want to check on which site,say, in the Cotswolds to stay at whilst already on the road touring them it is a pain to check each site via the website. With the SD I can click through the pages very easily.
In addition the internet connection is still variable around the UK and I always carry my SD with me. It may not be as good as it could be or was but it's still used, at least by me.
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We use ours quite a bit. I recall one rainy afternoon away somewhere, I did find myself reading through quite a bit of the SD. Might be a touch sad, but I learned a lot. Plus I mark CLs we have used, and star a few that might suit a tour plan. It’s still a useful document at the moment.
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"We find the handbook useful and far quicker than the internet if you need to search"
That is not a recommendation of the handbook but a sad reflection of the dreadful website.
Like the phonebook, Kays catalogue, Argos catalogue, holiday brochures, the TV times, and cheque books, all utterly useless in a digital age.
If only the club understood this and monetarised its customer database efficiently through those new magic picture thingys.
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We use ours a lot too. In fact we'd be lost without it.It's much quicker to scan thro' than the web page when searching for CLs, which we mainly use. Don't trust our sat nav anywhere near a site which is the least bit off the beaten track, so we follow the instructions in the SD. I update mine whenever there's a notification of changes either on here or in the magazine, and also highlight CL features that we require as well as making note of site recommendations. Doubt that I could do without it because of poor wifi coverage in certain parts of the country and the uncertainties associated with this web site.
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I use the handbook and map all the time. I have noticed though that the prices for the Club Sites have been changed- for the worse IMHO. As regards the handbook being ‘out of date for half it’s life’ re prices. My advice has always been RING FIRST then you won’t have any nasty surprises waiting for you.
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So from what you Guys have been saying, there seem to be two groups. One lot like me use the Handbook all the time, and maps, and the other group either bin it or don't use it, preferring internet. Here's an idea Caravan and Motorhome Club Staff (anyone listening)? Maybe it would be an idea, to save a lot of money and waste, to make the Handbook OPTIONAL, like the Days Out booklet?. The Handbook could be made THOROUGH again, with all the info it used to have, and the Club would SAVE money!?
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We find all information we need that is up to date on the interweb and do not want to carry a heavy tome that is likely already out of date about. Would be better like the magazine if they made this an option so they saved some dosh and our recycling centre was less used!!!
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The handbook requires neither an internet connection nor batteries. No contest really.
It also swats flies.
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i have not even opened my handbook.
It just lives in the van, just in case it is required. I am a digital member of the C&CC and manage perfectly well without any books. The bigest concern with digital membership is the quality of the Club web sites.peedee
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very rarely unavailable either by the phone or wifi hotspot. Payload not critical however why do I want to fill up a cupboard with a load of paper when its all available on line?
Anything printed is always out of date, it takes lead times to put together the contents, lead time to print, distribute etc. so it is always out of date whereas on line content should be up to date though not always.
Never found it useful.
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