CMC sites and electric metering
A couple of days away and a chance to try out the newly refurbished site Steamer Quay at Totnes in Devon. Previously this was a quaint little site which was in need of a bit of attention. We were concerned that a full refurbishment would take away what made this site so nice but were pleasantly surprised to find it is still a gem of a site. Lovely wardens and a warm weclome on the first night of the Totnes Christmas Market.
The only downside is the new metered electricity. Clearly electric prices have gone through the roof over the past year or so and I'm sure some will abuse the electricity provided elsewhere but I hope this doesn't become the model for all CMC sites.
- Members arrive after a long drive, they want to get set up quickly and get the kettle on. Having to register as a user and pre-load the account in order to activate the bollard is a pain. The site isn't very user-friendly and you have to put the pitch number in twice. There's no guidance how much to load in and on a very cold first night we went through nearly £10.
- Metering the electricity should mean that the pitch price is lower but this isn't so. We are booked on two sites next week both with electric and both are considerably cheaper by at least £8.00 per night. This feels like a rip off. I was told this was due to dynamic pricing yet the site was probably less than a quarter full.
They are testing the model and there was an opportunity to give feedback when we left today. Overall things could be much better. How about a credit of 10KW of electric and, if people are heavy users, they pay for use over and above that? Above all make it easy to arrive and set up quickly without a fuss.
Comments
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Some interesting points.
It was often posted that metering would lower prices and equally there were posters who thought it wouldn't. Personally I thought it a myth, and still do that people somehow 'abuse' the included electricity putting everything on EHU, after all there is a limit of 16A and how many appliances do people carry with them and how many are needed at any one time. Likewise I want to set up asap. But if it goes that way then so be it. I only used what I needed to enjoy my stay.
But there was an interview with the DG (or someone high up) who said that metering won't be rolled out across all sites till the payment system is as easy as 'swiping your bank card' so it's a good year or two, or more away.
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I think your use of nearly £10 per night explains exactly why CAMC is trialling metering of electricity.
Maybe Steamer Quay is dearer than the other sites because it has just undergone extensive refurbishment and I think the pitches are all serviced, aren’t they?
There is another thread about this site somewhere.
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@Andyt21 Price comparisons in terms of how much cheaper Steamer Quay should be when you pay for the electricity by meter is difficult because, as you know, the site previously didn't have an EHU facility. Add to that all the pitches are now hardstanding and serviced its difficult to compare with the old site which was all grass and only had a limited opening period. I don't think there is anyway you can get a real figure but you could compare what you paid with one of the following sites which include EHU, Cromer, Chatsworth or Morn Hill? Also charges per Kwh are usually a bit higher that normal domestic prices which are capped by Ofgem but commercial supplies are not. I think that within the next 2/3 years all Club sites will have metered electricity.
David
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As the site is completely different with far better facilities and hook ups there is no way of knowing what would have been charged had electricity been included. Not knowing what the other two sites referred to is, it is not possible to comment on the charges there.
It does look like a test case for paying for power on site and hopefully once the club see how it goes things will change, as improvements needed are identified. Possibly this is more of a wake up call to the rest of us as to what our use of electricity costs the club.
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Why is it a wake up call for us or why should it be? Surely it may be a wake up call for the club but not for me personally. The club sets the price to include electricity and I pay it and that's the end of the story for me with no further thought.
If the club has got its sums wrong that really is their problem and not mine. I do not see it as my responsibly at all as to how much I use or how much I cost the club. Harsh? Well it's the same approach I use with a holiday cottage or when I use hotels, B&B, airB&B, or in fact any all inclusive holiday - do I worry if I eat or drink too much or have the AC on too much on a TUI holiday?
When and if metering comes I can honestly say it will not change my use of electricity. I'll use exactly what I need to enjoy my time away.
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The price doesn’t look that bad to me. Never been, but I m guess most use Steamer Quay to visit Totnes, as we have used Baltic Wharf to visit Bristol. That’s £10 a night more expensive over Christmas for a standard pitch. Therefore if you take into account the £5 service pitch supplement, that gives you £15 a night to spend on electric.
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- I was told this was due to dynamic pricing yet the site was probably less than a quarter full.
Dynamic pricing should be made a criminal offence…..OH has just returned from Sainsburys and said that Quality Street tins had increase to £6 from £4:50 a couple of weeks ago. (yes we do like them). Fortunately she found the refill bags at £4 😅
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I understand the C&mC has at last decided to roll out metering across the network, not before time. It has been over three years since it was originally proposed, not doubt it will be much longer before all sites are fitted out.
peedee
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@peedee where have you got this from? Has there been an announcement I've missed?
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In the latest Club mag apparently. I've not got it but I've seen it reported twice on other areas of the internet. Maybe someone who has already received the mag can confirm? Nothing about it on the web site either on the news pages or the Smart Metering page.
peedee
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yes. Full article in the magazine. They have a new app which is easier than the previous system. Being used on those sites that already had metered electricity. Looking to see how people get on with it. Doesn’t say what happens if no internet on phone or site or internet is down. I don’t think you preload. I think the decision has been made to spread to other sites. I believe Edinburgh site refurbishment is ready for metering. The article refers to the drop in electricity consumption with metering. There is reference to drop in pitch prices to compensate, but that was a bit fuzzy. In my view article was a bit bland with a lack of practical detail. General conclusion is that metering is here and will spread. I find it interesting that CCC apparently have no such plans.
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@peedee Thanks! It's titled Electric smart metering - next steps
I had a look (my magazine was still unopened under the tree 😉) and it's on page 15 and there's a link to the page that you've given but that link is about the two trial sites and the article is very nebulous, almost non existent about what is going to happen next.
It says the trial was a 'success' and we've rolled out a "simple new system" It talks about how the original system was not well received and a new one has been tested and found to be better. For those that do not have a smartphone there will be a kiosk on site. The prices till 31st March will be 27p per KWh.
It states that there was a decrease of 45% on electricity usage for members over the year (yes but I ask myself what did they spend more on gas?) and lower pitch fees (same question).
However PD don't get your hopes up too much, it mentions nothing about what these next steps will be or when they will be, or which sites they will be on, or what time frame, or even for this coming season. Each site to have all its pitch bollard's adapted and kiosks wired or wified up?
It merely says "Whenever a pitch is equipped with an electric smart smart meter…" so perhaps I wonder what your not doubt it will be much longer before all sites are fitted out actually means?
Anyway Have a good Christmas
peedee
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I find it interesting that CCC apparently have no such plans.
@Hja I would be very surprised if they are not considering it, every other site seems to be with many implementing schemes.
Thanks for your good wishes @Cornersteady heartily reciporcated to you and all using CT. What the Club does in the future is of little concern to me now because I gave up my membership this year.
peedee
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Seems to have gone full circle since I joined the Club in 1981? Back then not all pitches (and probably not all sites) had electricity. You had to book an electric pitch at an extra cost ( long before regulations about the reselling of electricity)
It does seem a sensible decision by the Club and I am sure members will soon get used to it although, I am sure, there will be teething issues along the road? It will also be interesting to see what the C&CC do next. It might depend on what percentage of their customers actually use electricity.
The CMC decision may well have an impact on commercial sites when they see a large organisation go to metering which might act as a green light?
David
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We recently stayed on our first ever metered pitch, on a private site, not Club. We got on with it great, paid a £10 upfront on arrival, meter card into meter, after two nights, and yes it was cold, we paid around £2 per night for our electric usage. This included an air fryer and Truma heating. We used heater site showers. It works for us, we can access reasonable priced pitches (the discount was a lot more than Club Sites) and only pay for what we choose to use. The tariff was explained before we paid, and we got the credit back on departure.
Energy use is down to the individual this way. Frugal users can keep costs under their control, those wanting more will simply pay more for their chosen usage/comfort level. We liked the option of being able to choose with or without hook up.
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£2 a day for leccy is a bargain. We pay £4 a day when we are at home. And we are metered too. Cheaper to go away..
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I find it interesting that CCC apparently have no such plans.
Scanning through their latest magazine I noticed this question was asked on the Q & A page:
Will we see more metered electric hook-up bollards in future?
In answering it, I think it gave the opportunity for the C&CC to state their position, but they ducked the issue and only referred to 3rd parties.
peedee
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We were out for most of the day, hence not connected to bollard, plus it was just a bit of heating in evening, recharging devices, quickly cooking a meal, kettle a couple of times, so it was all we needed. Had we been sat in all day, used more on cooking, drinks, hot water, TV, etc……would have been a good bit more no doubt. Our older MH is a more simple one, no microwave, hot plate, auto heating (beyond a thermostat), so draws little unless we plug something in, or keep the heating/hot water on. It’s how we like to tour mainly, we know we will use more if we sit all day on a site, which we do sometimes.
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