Excessive site fees

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  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited July 2016 #452

    If it was the cc site near Portmouth and you were on the ferry pitches after the weather we had recently ,then you were lucky it was only a bit of mud compared to some people in HampshireUndecidedWink

  • tigerfish
    tigerfish Forum Participant Posts: 1,362
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    edited July 2016 #453

    Look guys, I fully appreciate that at this time of the year our sites are fully booked anyway. But I remain worried that our club is not really aware that that Club site prices are getting to the point that many otherwise loyal members are looking elsewhere.

    What the h*** it really doesn't cause me that much indigestion. its just that I don't think that Captain Smith ever realised what he had failed to take into consideration either!

    TF

  • MichaelT
    MichaelT Forum Participant Posts: 1,874
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    edited July 2016 #454

    Look guys, I fully appreciate that at this time of the year our sites are fully booked anyway. But I remain worried that our club is not really aware that that Club site prices are getting to the point that many otherwise loyal members are looking elsewhere.

    What the h*** it really doesn't cause me that much indigestion. its just that I don't think that Captain Smith ever realised what he had failed to take into consideration either!

    TF

    Write your comments here...what bit of sites are full don't you get? As many people have said above for some the cost is high others it's fine, some like cc sites some don't it's all personal choice.  We use club sites as they are generally in a good position
    offer a reasonable standard and in our opinion prices are fine at the times of year we use them. We also use CL'S but not many private sites due to poor quality we have visited but will try some extra mentioned on CT.

  • tigerfish
    tigerfish Forum Participant Posts: 1,362
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    edited July 2016 #455

    Michael, No need to decend into sarcasm! I fully understand just as much as you, what  full site occupation means.

    But whatever you say, there are a considerable number of members who have stopped using CC sites because of the fact that they are now at the higher end of the pricing scale.

    In the past few years many private site owners have cottoned on to the fact that better facilities mean more customers, but in many cases they have managed to control costs better than the club have.

    I have voiced my concern purely because I want to see the CC thrive. That is all.

    There is never any requirement for sarcasm!

    TF

     

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #456

    If i loose a customer in my shop i would want to know why ,was it the service ,the price or the product ,but the CC doesn't seemed bothered if they loose customers

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,303 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #457

    Are they actually loosing numbers? (Less site nights) Or are they just replacing dissatisfied customers with new one, rather than increasing the customer base. Are figures available?

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,427 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #458

    Today it is very often the dearest option

     the fact that they are now at the higher end of the pricing scale.



    So which is it TF? there is a difference between dearest
    option
    and higher end and how do you know this as a
    fact?
    Some figures please?

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited July 2016 #459

    Are they actually loosing numbers? (Less site nights) Or are they just replacing dissatisfied customers with new one, rather than increasing the customer base. Are figures available?

    SL, I think that's more likely than losing custom en masse. The CC could be using the system to ditch the 'poorer' membersLaughing-I'm
    not being seriousLaughing

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #460

    Are they actually loosing numbers? (Less site nights) Or are they just replacing dissatisfied customers with new one, rather than increasing the customer base. Are figures available?

    But Steve ,they are still loosing a customer,wether they replace that member with another one

    Lost one, replaced one ,is that how the CC sees their customers???

  • Malcolm Mehta
    Malcolm Mehta Forum Participant Posts: 5,660
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    edited July 2016 #461

    Surely, commercial sites that have restaurants, bars, takeaways and other entertainment facilities would also have profits coming in from people on site using these additional facilities and so would be able to reduce their site fees accordingly. It's rather like a pub cl allowing you to stay at a reduced price because you will probably have an evening out in their bar/restaurant and buy more drinks, thereby increasing their profits because of not having to drive home at the end of the evening.

    On many caravan club sites, there are none of those additional revenue facilities on offer, so the only revenue is the pitch fee.

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
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    edited July 2016 #462

    Its down to supply and demand. The CC have too few sites for the number of members.  They can charge what they like. With more and more people not wishing to go abroad on holiday, the situation can only get worse,.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited July 2016 #463

    Surely, commercial sites that have restaurants, bars, takeaways and other entertainment facilities would also have profits coming in from people on site using these additional facilities and so would be able to reduce their site fees accordingly. It's rather
    like a pub cl allowing you to stay at a reduced price because you will probably have an evening out in their bar/restaurant and buy more drinks, thereby increasing their profits because of not having to drive home at the end of the evening.

    On many caravan club sites, there are none of those additional revenue facilities on offer, so the only revenue is the pitch fee.

    ..Good post Malcolm Smile

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,303 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #464

    Are they actually loosing numbers? (Less site nights) Or are they just replacing dissatisfied customers with new one, rather than increasing the customer base. Are figures available?

    But Steve ,they are still loosing a customer,wether they replace that member with another one

    Lost one, replaced one ,is that how the CC sees their customers???

    I am not sure Husky, that's is really why I posed the question. I suppose it is possible they have just set a price structure they are comfortable with, in relation to the competion. If that is the case, the same number of customers will bring in more revenue,
    as prices have gone up.

  • tigerfish
    tigerfish Forum Participant Posts: 1,362
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    edited July 2016 #465

    Corners, I am sure you will appreciate that I have much better things to do than go around collecting statistics etc etc.  But that should not prevent me from having an opinion, or stating that opinion.

    I again reiterate, my only concern is that the club,  a quite large and complicated business these days, might just be starting to lose sight of the fact that the leisure world has caught on to the requirement to offer cleaner and better facilities, but
    seems to be doing it less expensively.  Now are you saying that I should not  bother, and that the club has infinite wisdom in such matters?

    You might of course be correct and I would never seek to discourage you from taking a different approach.

    TF

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited July 2016 #466

    Both clubs have a solid customer base and as stated,at times,not enough pitches,and it is banded about by some ,that they and some cl/cs on the network are getting "pricey" compared to some other places, and that inflation is lower than the increases ,the
    supermarkets prices are a leading factor in this and as we know they are doing it by squeezing their suppliers to the point where a lot are now in trouble or going out of buisiness,where as the cost of most things are increasing to us all including  both the
    clubs and cl/cs owners that have to be recovered somewhere,and where some of as stated the "niche" companies who normally have other incomes to offset some of their "off peak  cheapies" the two clubs have not 

  • trellis
    trellis Forum Participant Posts: 1,102
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    edited July 2016 #467

    Surely, commercial sites that have restaurants, bars, takeaways and other entertainment facilities would also have profits coming in from people on site using these additional facilities and so would be able to reduce their site fees accordingly. It's rather
    like a pub cl allowing you to stay at a reduced price because you will probably have an evening out in their bar/restaurant and buy more drinks, thereby increasing their profits because of not having to drive home at the end of the evening.

    On many caravan club sites, there are none of those additional revenue facilities on offer, so the only revenue is the pitch fee.

    ..Good post Malcolm Smile

    Write your comments here... Excellent post Malcolm very well put .

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,427 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #468

     I am sure you will appreciate that I have much better things to do than go around collecting statistics etc etc.  But that should not prevent me from having an opinion, or stating that opinion.

    Of course you can state your opinions but you used the word fact and you said the club was the dearest option, if you don't have any statistics or evidence what are you basing your 'opinions' on?

    Ok as someone will does do their homework before posting things, Troutbeck Head club site is £30 per night, a few miles away is the Quiet Site which is £47,  Fellborrow park is £46, Skelwith Fold is £32, Waterfoot Park £34, Castlerigg is over £40, and most of those charge extra for awnings and dogs. I know this is hardly a representative sample but it does give a rough idea that club sites are not excessive or and certainly not the dearest option as stated

    and where did I say;

    Now are you saying that I should not  bother, and that the club has infinite wisdom in such matters?

     

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited July 2016 #469

    As a business the CC will continue with its strategy(they will have one) until it no longer reaps benefits, then & only then will they change course. I reckon they'll stick to it whilst the coffers continue to fill. The CC isn't a little corner shop on first
    name terms with most of its customers it's a sprawling business aiming to offer a 'product' it seems to be doing that quite successfully.

  • Randomcamper
    Randomcamper Club Member Posts: 1,062 ✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #470

    Thats's a good post Corners......

    I think over the years we have stayed at all of those sites.....

    I personally prefer Troutbeck Head, which incidentally has been close to full the last few times I have been....

    I've said it before on here, I think it is time for the Club to tweak prices up by 50% or so, not unreasonable based on the above, and would give us a better choice of pitch when we arrive....Wink

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,427 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #471

    Thats's a good post Corners......

    I think over the years we have stayed at all of those sites.....

    I personally prefer Troutbeck Head, which incidentally has been close to full the last few times I have been....

    I've said it before on here, I think it is time for the Club to tweak prices up by 50% or so, not unreasonable based on the above, and would give us a better choice of pitch when we arrive....Wink

    Thanks, we're stayed at Castlerigg and the Quiet site has the distinction of being the last site we stayed on as campers and the first site we stayed on as caravaners.

    Troutbeck Head is in my favourite two club sites and the site we've been to more than any other club site over the years

  • Fisherman
    Fisherman Forum Participant Posts: 2,367
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    edited July 2016 #472

    Dont see where "the sites are full".Just looked at next week end and I could get a putch in

    any region.Some have 60+ spaces. However would not pay the premium and would stick to my Cs at these  time.

  • compass362
    compass362 Forum Participant Posts: 619
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    edited July 2016 #473

    at the end of the day it's down to choices , we all like to go away & will book a site that's where we want to be or near by .

    be it CC , Cl or independent the choice is the members choice , we tend to book location regardless of cost , it's doesn't really matter as long as we get the dates / days that are suitable to us . 

    Everyone needs to remember it's a personal choice for the members.......end of

  • tigerfish
    tigerfish Forum Participant Posts: 1,362
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    edited July 2016 #474

    Corners,  You may well be correct,- for in fairness its a very long time since I used any club sites.

    I primarily use CL's today, but also the increasing numbers of small private & commercial sites that offer big pitches with the freedom to park any way about. ( I really dislike the strict club regime of regimented pitches)  Most of the fairly small sites that I choose - 20 to 30 pitches, also provide good clean toilets and showers. Perhaps not up to the latest CC standards but most importantly,- clean.

    Prices range from about £16.50 for a caravan plus two people inc awning etc,  up to £21 for the same outfit  at this time of the year.

    Fine for me, but if members want more, thats fine by me too. I do not now, and never have, - saught to tell others what they should like or do.

    But if no one complains about price rises, what is to stop CC from assuming, -"Well they were obviously happy to pay that, - so lets push it up a bit more!"

    I've made my point, so will leave the subject now.

    TF

     

  • Randomcamper
    Randomcamper Club Member Posts: 1,062 ✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #475

     what is to stop CC from assuming, -"Well they were obviously happy to pay that, - so lets push it up a bit more!"

     

     

     

    When sufficient people start using other sites....??

    Not wishing to get into an argument and appreciating we all have a valid opinion, but CC sites seem much fuller to me nowadays than even 10-15 years ago, certainly out of school holidays. And at 12.01 the rigs, often worth tens of thousands of pounds roll
    in.  I see little evidence of a reluctance to pay CC prices.  Appreciating that is just my opinion !

  • spk
    spk Forum Participant Posts: 406
    edited July 2016 #476

    I can just about see why folk with young kids would pay over twenty five quid a night if there is games room kids playground pool etc BUT thirty odd even fourty quid for a "standard" site is beyond belief.

  • Natasha2
    Natasha2 Forum Participant Posts: 306
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    edited July 2016 #477

     I am sure you will appreciate that I have much better things to do than go around collecting statistics etc etc.  But that should not prevent me from having an opinion, or stating that opinion.

    Of course you can state your opinions but you used the word fact and you said the club was the dearest option, if you don't have any statistics or evidence what are you basing your 'opinions' on?

    Ok as someone will does do their homework before posting things, Troutbeck Head club site is £30 per night, a few miles away is the Quiet Site which is £47,  Fellborrow park is £46, Skelwith Fold is £32, Waterfoot Park £34, Castlerigg is over £40, and most
    of those charge extra for awnings and dogs. I know this is hardly a representative sample but it does give a rough idea that club sites are not excessive or and
    certainly not the dearest option as stated

    and where did I say;

    Now are you saying that I should not  bother, and that the club has infinite wisdom in such matters?

     

    Don't forget that Camping Cheques can be used at the Quiet site outside the peak period, making it a very cheap break for those with some unused Cheques

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,581 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #478

    For most of us Camping Cheques are not an option and the Lake District is certainly one area where the club is good value although even there you might find a site that can beat them.

  • Malcolm Mehta
    Malcolm Mehta Forum Participant Posts: 5,660
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    edited July 2016 #479

    It's high season now and it looks as though there are still some available pitches here on Northbrook Farm if you prefer a basic facility site.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited July 2016 #480

    It's high season now and it looks as though there are still some available pitches here on Northbrook Farm if you prefer a basic facility site.

    ..Areas have a bearing on site capacityWink we are going to Rowen Park to see friends

  • Oldgirl and Staffy
    Oldgirl and Staffy Forum Participant Posts: 414
    edited July 2016 #481

    We have returned to Wales from France for the summer as my husband is due to have a cataract operation some time in August.   We are so used to using French sites and French aires that booking a Club site in the UK has become quite a rarity.  It was therefore
    with some shock that I noticed the fee for one night at St Davids' site this week in the middle of the week before school holidays start came to £26 for a unit and two people on a grass pitch.

    Sorry Caravan Club, but this is one member who is seriously considering ending my membership.  It is getting too expensive for us as pensioners.
    We are also members of the other Club and there are always alternatives.   In the case of St Davids, there are several good sites available - one right next door which has just been redeveloped with new facilities at far less cost.

    So did you book elsewhere instead? 

    Yes, a small site near Ceredigion.