Site fees
Despite inflation running close to zero throughout 2015, We were rather upset to find we have had to pay an average increase of 22.8% for Club sites whilst touring Scotland and The North East during May this year. On every site we visited there was no obvious
evidence of any increased investment, and generally speaking the toilet blocks just looked another year older.
How can The Club justify this excessive increase?
Comments
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I think you need to give us some actual figures to back up that claim, B. When were you comparing costs to? We've been on sites this year and although charges have gone up, nowhere near what you suggest.
As for inflation running close to zero, I'm always a little dubious about that when you look at some of the so called necessary items they usevto judge it by!
Give us some actual figures and the we'll be able to comment.
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The site charges generally increase annually. There has also been a "reappraisal" of what dates constitute the different price bands.
Possibly the OP has inadvertantly been a victim of the re-aligned price bands.
The OP has posted their honest opinion and we should always respect what they have posted. .
K
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I am not a big user of club sites and much prefer the CL network but my understanding of the increase in site fees is not necessarily for improvements to that particular site but is used to benefit the club as a whole.
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I don't know what the competitors to Club sites charge in Scotland and the North east, but here in Cornwall the good quality, small, privately owned, independent sites with full facilities and EHU were charging about £17 for pitches for two visitors in May. How does that compare?
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The site charges generally increase annually. There has also been a "reappraisal" of what dates constitute the different price bands.
Possibly the OP has inadvertantly been a victim of the re-aligned price bands.
The OP has posted their honest opinion and we should always respect what they have posted. .
K
Of course we should, K. But I think it's also fair to ask for some figures to back up the 22.8% claim isn't it, since that's stated as a fact rather than an opinion.
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My figures are based on 3 particular Club sites and are a comparison with what I would have paid for the same period last year. To be specific:
Maragowan £18.00/£21.80. Yellowcraig £18.30/£22.40. Barnard Castle (Teesdale) £19.50/£24.30.
According to me that amounts to an average increase of 22.8%. May be the price bands have changed, but as far as I'm concerned it still represents a big increase.
it is rediculous to mention the reduction in fuel prices which have absolutely no bearing on what I'm talking about, and neither am I aware of any overall improvement in the Club experience as far as I'm concerned. In fact wifi is still generally pathetic
when offered (at a price!)0 -
With respect Bentry if you are prepared to pay whatever the Club asks, then they will just carry on increasing the prices
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My figures are based on 3 particular Club sites and are a comparison with what I would have paid for the same period last year. To be specific:
Maragowan £18.00/£21.80. Yellowcraig £18.30/£22.40. Barnard Castle (Teesdale) £19.50/£24.30.
According to me that amounts to an average increase of 22.8%. May be the price bands have changed, but as far as I'm concerned it still represents a big increase.
it is rediculous to mention the reduction in fuel prices which have absolutely no bearing on what I'm talking about, and neither am I aware of any overall improvement in the Club experience as far as I'm concerned. In fact wifi is still
generally pathetic when offered (at a price!)Not really, it was just a statement of fact that when I compared prices this to last the increase was offset by the reduction. Not saying they are related. However, when we holiday I consider the overall cost not the individual elements. If I am happy with
the overall total we do it, if not we would look elsewhere.0 -
It's a shame that these discussions always end up drifting into irrelevant side issues. I was just making the point that site fees have probably increased far higher than most other things in the past year, and I thought it might be helpful to draw this
to the attention of others as it's still quite early in the season. I'm not trying to make a case for favouring CL's or looking elsewhere.It just MIGHT BE that if enough people complained, The Club just MIGHT give the matter some consideration. Meanwhile I will decide for myself what I shall do in future. Incidentally, site fees appear to automatically increase by 25% during bank holiday weeks.
A bit like the price of fuel on the forecourt, and that is generally perceived as a rip off.0 -
Incidentally, site fees appear to automatically increase by 25% during bank holiday weeks. A bit like the price of fuel on the forecourt, and that is generally perceived as a rip off.
Unfortunately this applies to almost all types of holiday, be it caravaning or hotel. The CC however put their prices up far less than a lot of commercial sites. The only way to register disapproval is to not use them at those times. However, given the difficulty of getting in many of them during these periods, I think they are generally oversubscribed. Can't say I have noticed fuel going up at bank holidays though, not at the supermarkets anyway.
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My figures are based on 3 particular Club sites and are a comparison with what I would have paid for the same period last year. To be specific:
Maragowan £18.00/£21.80. Yellowcraig £18.30/£22.40. Barnard Castle (Teesdale) £19.50/£24.30.
According to me that amounts to an average increase of 22.8%. May be the price bands have changed, but as far as I'm concerned it still represents a big increase.
it is rediculous to mention the reduction in fuel prices which have absolutely no bearing on what I'm talking about, and neither am I aware of any overall improvement in the Club experience as far as I'm concerned. In fact wifi is still generally pathetic when offered (at a price!)
There's really no need to ridicule what another poster has said, Brentry. Steve was telling you how he, personally, offset the price increase.
Judging by the tone of your posts I guess you won't be using CC sites in future.
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I wonder if there has been a commensurate increase in the use of lower priced "no facs" sites against the "full fat" ones. Still sticking with the CC brand but focusing on costs. If that is the case then CC need to sit up and take notice.
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did you note the price increase before you arrived? If so and you paid the new prices then I assume you were happy to do so?
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I wonder if there has been a commensurate increase in the use of lower priced "no facs" sites against the "full fat" ones. Still sticking with the CC brand but focusing on costs. If that is the case then CC need to sit up and take notice.
We often use no facility sites if they are placed conveniently on the tour route as we tend to prefer them. The cost is not an issue in that regard.
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did you note the price increase before you arrived? If so and you paid the new prices then I assume you were happy to do so?
Well that's exactly the point isn't it. As someone has said on another thread, the CC is at least up front about prices. So you know how much you're going to pay the moment you book. And if you happen to be visiting exactly the same sites on exactly the same dates you'll know what the increases are. So you could vote with your wallet and choose an alternative provider.
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Shop around. There are plenty of different providers, some more expensive than the CC, some not. All depends on what you as an individual want and need. The Club pricing policy won't alter until members vote with their feet and their wallets, and that won't
happen while people pay up and then moan! Moan yes, but mean it, go to another provider!0 -
CC is totally out of touch with the competition. and many of us now dont use club sites but go to the commercials. The end is loss of income and from what we see of the club model it will result in even further price rises. When you can get an all singing/all
dancing Euro pitch in the Nationsal Park for £9-90 per night in May its no wonder we dessert.0 -
I agree with Brentry that to say that fuel has reduced is no justification at all for these massive increases in site fees.
When your supermarket or electricity bill goes up for no obvious reason other than profiteering, do you say 'Ah well, at least petrol has gone down so that's alright then'
Whether it's the bands moving or just a straght-forward price increase, either way it isn't justified.
Brentry - suggest that you do as we are doing - use CC sites less and less. It's the only way they will take notice (if they can see through the fog of CC fans saying that nothing they do or how much they charge will ever be wrong).
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The site fees represent the costs incurred in running them and while inflation is a factor the costs of running a site can vary from this. Inflation rates cannot b regarded as the badis for judging fees. One site we have been on appeared cheaper than ladt
year and the only other CC site we visited was only fractionally more expensive.Leases on sites are usually reviewed at five or even ten year intervals so these can suddenly become far more expensive to run and costs go up out of all proportion to inflation over the preceeding year.
Business rates may be a major factor in the increases in Scotland as can employment law generally.
Only the club have the information needed to establish if rises are reasonable and without their figures we cannot know if the rises are justified.
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I agree with Brentry that to say that fuel has reduced is no justification at all for these massive increases in site fees.
When your supermarket or electricity bill goes up for no obvious reason other than profiteering, do you say 'Ah well, at least petrol has gone down so that's alright then'
Whether it's the bands moving or just a straght-forward price increase, either way it isn't justified.
Brentry - suggest that you do as we are doing - use CC sites less and less. It's the only way they will take notice (if they can see through the fog of CC fans saying that nothing they do or how much they charge will ever be wrong).
Nobody said fuel price reductions were a justification for site price increases, Ian. You seem to have misread a post of two.
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Ian, I suspect that Tinwheeler, like me, accepts the CC prices simply because he likes what tey provide at a price he is prepared to pay,
exactly, well put, like me too, I don't base my reason to visit a club site on what the price was last year, I base it on the price I am willing to pay this year in comparison to local non club sites, for what I see as a good product. If you feel one is
being ripped off or its too expensive go elsewhere.Bookings look usually full over the summer so I guess others agree with me, but its your money so spend it where you wish.
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Strange, I don't actually recall passing comment on site prices. I haven't said if I consider them justified or if I accept them. Someone has made assumptions here.
As ever, if it suits me to use a CC site, I will but if it doesn't, I won't. Life's too short to condemn anything out of hand. Balanced judgement is the way to go.
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I don't think your comment is in line with the CT guidlines and there is really no need for ridcule in attempting to make your point -. it is not for you to decide what is reasonable regarding any poster, argue
rationally rather than attacking the poster,but actually no, I base my reasons to use club sites based on the good quality product I believe them to be. This is based on my privious vists to club sites where my opinion is reinforced. Everyone can make their own up
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