Cost of sites has gone mad
Comments
-
+1, there’s the rub-VFM👍🏻. We each have our own limit that makes us step back & say no more. That for me is the rub VFM.
5 -
Agreed. VFM can’t be quantified as we all have different perceptions of what represents VFM for us individuallly. That's why some pay CAMC prices and some don’t.
3 -
I am also intrigued as to how it can be that inflation has nothing to do with holidays and, as implied, inflation is only relevant to essentials like food and energy. That is simply factually incorrect...
I don't think anyone has said that, I certainly didn't. What I said was that the inflation rate has nothing to do with booking and paying for a holiday. Yes holidays may (I have no idea) drive up inflation but that was not what I said or implied. People post about how the club is setting it's prices above inflation which would be a valid point if club site holidays were a necessity like food heating and there were not any cheaper alternatives. In this case there are plenty we're told.
Also rail fares are a necessity for some to get to work and hence the headlines. Club sites holidays are not so in my view not the same at all
I'll repost again to make it clear:
The ones comparing increases with inflation even more so. We're not talking about some basic need here, like food or energy costs, that are above the inflation rate, we're talking about a holiday. So what has the inflation got to do with it? There are plenty of cheaper sites out there (we are told - and far more expensive ones too) so just choose the one you want for the the price you want.
And again so what if the club sets its prices above inflation? To buy or not to buy that is the question.
0 -
Well said, Graydjames. You've summed up my thoughts perfectly.
Some seem to have forgotten the purpose of a forum is to express and discuss one's (hopefully reasonably fair and factual) opinions, and are rather too ready to dismiss contributions as whingeing and whining.
I can afford CAMC site fees as well as the next man, but I won’t just stump up any old figure they pluck out of the blue. VFM has to come into the equation, so it's surely worth feeding back to the Club when some members feel the pips are squeaking?
The comparison with M&S is a good one. Some of their prices are wince-inducing too.
Those supporting CAMC pitching themselves as the M&S of the campsite world would do well to bear in mind what happened to M&S's bottom line. Their customers deserted and cannot be enticed back, profits on a long downward slope, stores closing...
6 -
MnB, if you mean my earlier reference to doing the weekly shop in M&S, that in no way equates to aligning CAMC with M&S. For one thing, M&S have superb customer service at all levels of their business.
I'm glad you recognise the purpose of a discussion forum because that’s exactly what we’ve been doing here - discussing and debating in good spirit. I don’t think people have been dismissive but have put forward counter arguments and opinions with the result that we agree the perception of VFM is important. 👍🏻
1 -
and are rather too ready to dismiss contributions as whingeing and whining.
Could you provide an example of this?
but I won’t just stump up any old figure they pluck out of the blue
But sorry you wrote: For one particular CAMC night, 6th May, we've had to stump up £56.50
I'm puzzled by your references to M&S?
The difference to trading: overall sales were up 103% year on year in December, M&S said today, as it announced 20 more “bigger and better” stores to open in its 2022/23 financial year.16 Jan 2023 The Grocer.
And good stuff here
And any store closures are due to relocation I thought?
But anyway there is no indication the club is facing any downward turn is there? And as said comparing M&S to the club just is incorrect in my view.
0 -
+1
0 -
I won't point the finger at any particular contributor.
Suffice to say, a page 16 comment refers to both whining and moaning and I'd swear I'd seen some similar references earlier up the thread, probably posts now marked as "content removed".
But let's not dwell on this unhelpful angle. Like you, I'd rather keep the debate healthy, so, If it helps keep things on track, I'm happy to retract that part of my post, apologise and move on.
1 -
I begin to wonder if some have lost sight of the future or are totally blind to it. Now I have been a member for many decades, man, boy and family! Not in that order obviously but In those early days when my children were toddlers we were not that well off but membership and site fees helped us afford some wonderful holidays together as a family. Today my daughter and her partner caravan with their infant but I’m saddened that she cannot any longer afford to continue the membership and site fees and experience those times we all once enjoyed. It’s not like it used to be!
7 -
I seem to remember a few years back you had similar thoughts that any staff member even though we are all paid up members shouldn't be able to contribute to this forum.
Just for information there are many sites that are not part of any "perks" so my contribution is of as good a form as anyone else.
JK
7 -
I believe it is called company loyalty. I felt the same to one of my employers due to the wages, conditions & attitude & support given to their staff. I find it quite refreshing that someone can have that mind set👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻
2 -
Sometimes it’s not necessary to have one of your 'black books' in order to recall very personal and cutting comments.
I find it useful to get the 'real’ view from a man on the ground amidst the speculation we read on here.
3 -
" I find it useful to get the 'real’ view from a man on the ground amidst the speculation we read on here"
second that keep up the good work JK, always good to have somebody at the coal face telling how it actually is.
as for pitch fees as they are now, well only time will tell if they are too expensive, I am sure the club are keeping a watchful eye on bookings and if they fall of sharply then i am sure prices will be adjusted accordingly, I think you call it "Dynamic" pricing, or overheads are reduced e.g. by keeping some sites closed for longer during off peak season.
As for comparisons with overthere and overhere, and i have done both, the business model over there for most sites is totally different to overhere, so serves no meaningful purpose to keep ranting on about it, and we have had one example already this year where several RV's were burnt out at a well known and well used site by Brits, because they have no health and safety rules as such, and the business model is "cram them in and cram them high", and many of the staff work for much less than the UK basic rate.
5 -
Your posts are welcome from me also JK, as are genuine opinions from others on their own take regarding prices. As for the continual attacks on CAMC by the same posters, one wonders why they're still here unless its to cause disruption to a thread again.
5 -
+1, spot on Rufs-comparison of over here & over there has no meaningful comparison👍🏻. It means nothing nor does it add anything to anyone’s knowledge re cost of sites in the UK. I love camping in forestry but that too carries no meaningful comparison-so I don’t compare it👍🏻
2 -
That is your opinion and unlike some who comment on this site, I think that you are entitled to give it, even if I don't share it. My view is that JK is perfectly entitled to make comments on this site and many of his comments are very helpful. Very occasionally I don't agree with he says but few people agree with everything which other people say, as that's life!
1 -
+2
1 -
I certainly welcome the factual information given by JK and hope it continues. Giving facts cannot be cheerleading and I can't recall JK doing that in any case.
2 -
There are always two sides to a story and some like to jump to assumptions or conclusions in order to make a point. Sometimes misunderstandings and incorrect factual information is innocently perpetuated. It is refreshing to have clarification or an enlightened viewpoint from the other side. Like you and me lets not forget that JK is also a fully paid up member too! 👍
4 -
Not us as we think its got too expensive too especially, 2 adults and dogs all very shocked at site prices, we also loved visiting North York Moors site but thinking twice about caravan club sites.
3 -
There are quite a few posters on this forum whose main aim is to find a perceived value for money site. Why not share this site with those like minded folks DD?
JK
4 -
DD wrote:
On arrival the manager showed us the full service. pitch and laughed when I asked if it was okay to pitch to the left to suit our RH door MH. His comment was we don't have pegs you can pitch any way you wish, please try to stay on the gravel but park your car on the grass finger if you want.
This is the absolute antithesis of the kind of site I would want to stay at. I completely respect and understand that there are those who think differently, but I find it slightly amusing that a condition of vans and cars being parked in any fashion that owners desire - and even on the grass strip between pitches - is seen as a positive. I would avoid such places like the plague, and that is why I am content to pay a premium to stay at club sites. I just wanted to make it clear that it is not a given, as DD's post implies, that everyone would regard a pitching free-for-all as a plus point.
4 -
I wonder why pegs and grass fingers are mentioned by the site owner to DD. Those phrases are normally only described by users of club sites at club sites. Unless of course they are condoning parking at an unsafe distance from neighbouring outfits?
JK
4 -
‘On arrival the manager showed us the full service. pitch and laughed when I asked if it was okay to pitch to the left to suit our RH door MH. His comment was we don't have pegs you can pitch any way you wish, please try to stay on the gravel but park your car on the grass finger if you want.’
I too can’t see how a free for all in any respect of a site could be a bonus in any way. A few years ago we stayed on a private site which we had booked in advance only to be shocked on arrival as to how ‘chaotic’ the pitching was. We had booked a non electric pitch (all that had been available). Having pitched up we went out for a walk only to return to find a unit with an awning no more than a metre and a half away for my Eberspächer diesel exhaust. What made it worse was the diesel fumes (they are quite noisy too at the exhaust) was closest to their children’s sleeping component in that awning. To cut a long story very short I then felt I could not have any heating on during our stay. The site management felt it wasn’t a problem but I was concerned.Oh, and you can pitch your van nose or rear in on CaMC sites!
2
