Running a CL
Just came across this nice little video on YouTube where Ted of Cholsey Grange CL is interviewed about his CL. There are some quite interesting observations. See here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW-LBTl9HYw
David
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Yes very interesting, it is certainly run more like a business (in my view and nothing wrong with that as its his to run as he sees fit) than what I would call a 'CL' from I've gained from here, with T&Cs that make the club look very good indeed, 50% non refundable deposits and in, £15 change of booking fee, and a sliding scale of fees due if you cancel from 60% at 42 days, 90% at 28 days and 100% from 7 days. And a two to day five days minimum stay.
Also interesting to see putting and HS and EHU meant more business. And it does look great and about £10 cheaper than a club site but even if it had facilities block the T&C would put me off a booking a long way ahead.
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Interesting watch. It is an impressive CL, and not too many miles from us, so one we would perhaps use, however the price and strict t&c's have put us off using it.
I can totally understand an owner running their cl as a business, and to cover costs, but sometimes complicated t&c's can be off-putting for some. I have just booked a CL all done online, payment at booking, simple refund t&c of full refund, if cancelled up to 24 hours before arrival.
Having said all that Cholsey Grange is a popular/busy CL 🙂
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I read the terms and conditions for that campsite a long time ago and remain astonished that people tolerate them. But I am used to reserving a hotel room on Booking.com and being told No pre payment required and cancellation free of charge up to the day before arrival.
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Thank you foir all your comments. I'm delighted you found the video interesting.
Yes, we run the CL as part of our farm business, and not as a 'hobby'. We therefore work hard to ensure that our guests are happy and many return year after year and are perfectly happy with our T's and C's. Our 180+ reviews speak for themselves.
We have developed the T's and C's (which a good many other CLs have also adapted and adopted) to suit what we think is fair both for us, members staying, and other members who wish to book. They are a 'backstop'. We don't always enforce them, but they are there in case we need to do so.
For example, if a member has to cancel at short notice, we will do our level best to re-advertise and re-sell the pitch. If we manage to do this, we will refund the member (less any admin fees) within a few days.
The proof is in the pudding. Our site is usually full and we get a lot of repeat customers.
For members there are many other CLs that are - perhaps - run as a hobby and will be less worried about 'no shows' etc. and therefore may have a more relaxed attitude - but it's not for us.
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I fully respect any CL owners right to set their own T&Cs Ian, but wondered if I could ask a couple of questions.
If I needed a one night stopover, and you had a space, could I stay?
If I did stay the one night, would I be surcharged the £5?Not talking a pre booked one night, just a call on the day to stop that night.
If you don’t want to answer, I don’t mind that either🙂
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What does the extra £5 buy?
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As you've replied to me, what is your CL?
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One of our favourite CLs doesn't take motorhomers for less than three nights as they are on a water meter and the site owner said that they frequently had motorhomes staying one night and filling their tanks prior to going off grid again. Maybe that is Ian's reason for the extra £5 charge.
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I’d have thought all businesses would be on water meters.
To arbitrarily impose a minimum stay or extra charge will penalise many users or deter them from staying. Say I fill up and empty at my previous stop, do I still get charged an extra £5 or incur a minimum stay without the chance to put my case? Nah, I’d go somewhere else and wouldn’t touch that CL with a bargepole.
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As someone else has said that would be extraordinarily expensive water; it can't be that surely - or, at least, maybe a very small part of it. 100 litres costs a few pence I think.
My guess is that it is because of the hassle and admin meeting and greeting and taking payment from one nighters and the possibility of blocking longer bookings. If they can charge the extra without it materially affecting occupancy, I totally get it. They are bound to aim for longer stays.
Mind you I agree with the comment that it seems unfair to single out motorhomers. Perhaps what he meant was that caravanners would very rarely want to stop for one night only.
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Ian hasn’t come back to me yet, but I merely wanted to know if he would fill the odd unbooked single nights, but at the usual rate, not the £5 extra rate.
We use a few CLs that have a must book in for minimum nights policy, but if times are lean, they are happy to do one night only to fill a pitch, but don’t charge extra.
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