The same Club, just better...
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Just out of interest, does anyone know what the ratio of caravans to motorhomes to others is in the Club? The actual figures, that is, not just guesses.
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Bored with this discussion now as there are far more important issues in the world.
I don't care what the club is called, i don't care what colour uniforms the wardens wear, or the colours of the signs. Nor do i mind who, or what, I pitch up to when i use the sites.
I do mind that when i use the sites, the people are friendly, the sites are safe, the facilities are spotless (some members take note) and that we enjoy ourselves.
We all know a cuppa tastes better made outdoors, whatever we're called and whatever it's made in.
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Rochelle - three questions -
Firstly, in order for people to put this issue into some sort of context, what was the budget that was set for this re-branding and the launch of the new name?
Secondly - what is the additional revenue and profit that the Club has projected will arise from this re-brand each year?
Thirdly, what do we abbreviate the Club to now? It used to be CC and the other lot were C&CC, but I'm seeing CMC, CMHC, C&MHC, CAMC, CAMHC. Surely in order to establish the brand, it needs to be referred to in a common way and not left to individuals to make up their own versions?
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The same Club, just better.., diverse, voyage of discovery, increase price for your own good and moderators keeping us in line. Welcome to your new club!!! Basically there are three types of members. Firstly those that thought they were actually in a Club Caravan, which disappeared many years ago, secondly the "followers" who just can't get enough of rules, rules and more rules and colour coded pegs and more and more signs (this is the club that had to have a two page articular explaining its signs). Lastly the vast majority of members that could not care less about names and the petty goings on of Club HQ, they are just in it for the cheap ferry crossing, insurance, etc and the sites where the grass is cut every day all day!!! I feel much better now. So it was for my benefit after all!!!!!!
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We use a camper van and it would seem that we are now specifically excluded from the club. Before, we thought everyone was welcome but now f we don't use a trailer caravan or a motorhome we are not welcome.Also I have not see anything about how rebranding is going to help me enjoy the great outdoors. Will my new badge help me conquer bigger hills during my rambles?
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Demanding any kind of moneytary figure is fruitless.
If the management thought it necessary to issue some kind of statement regarding figures they would have done it by now.
But the point is they don't need to, they have the last say, they are here to make money the best way they can and if that includes rebranding to appeal to a more diverse group then that's what they'll do.
While at work and your bosses decided to change things. Did they ask for your permission?
Accept it and let it go.
Close this thread
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Well......don't be so certain, David. Stranger things have happened.
Tropicana (the juice drink) changed the look of their packaging in 2009 and the backlash was said to be "immediate and powerful". They quickly changed back to the old look.
The London bid for the Olympics in 2012 launched with a rather odd logo of which their website said "Our emblem is simple, distinct, bold and buzzing with energy......it feels young in spirit, not afraid to shake things up...." (recognise the sort of style?). The typical public reaction was "It's difficult to understand what you're trying to say". They changed it.
Radio Shack tried to change their long-standing name to The Shack. Marketing people said "Why throw away decades of brand value, just to try to be cool for a few minutes?" They changed back.
Pepsi are known for changing their branding. One such change was reported to cost them over $1m just for the new design. Marketers described it as "a real waste of time and money". Coke on the other hand has barely changed its logo in a 100 years. Who knows best?
A little closer to home, in 2001 the Royal Mail tried to change its name to Consignia. That was a decision that was going to be permanent and presumably the bosses there thought it was a good idea. After throwing away millions of pounds, it reverted to Royal Mail.
So, maybe "it ain't going to change" might be a little hasty?
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Even if it changes back and forth 20 times,
WHAT DIFFERENCE WILL IT MAKE TO US ???
Nil, nothing, nada, zilch
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TW, I, also, have not noticed any adverse comments directed at motorhomers prior to the announcement. On this thread, I have seen suggestions that motorhomes should be segregated on club sites, astonishment that they should even allowed in the club and even a suggestion that this whole event was pushed through by "a motorhomer". I'd like to meet that bloke - he must have some clout. The introduction section of this forum claims that this is a friendly club. Let's see some evidence of that, shall we?
TW, you can pitch next to me any time.
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I am on a site now, and the new sign at the entrance to the site looks like you are entering an industrial unit on a back street industrial estate or the Villains layer on 'Thunderbirds'.
Modern management gone mad ! Members don't need mission statements etc. to know how to enjoy themselves. For transparency the 'entire' costs for this exercise must be published !
You can see why nationally there is the beginnings of a backlash against so called people that think they know better than the general public, telling everyone else what they want !
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My main gripe is that the enormous amount of money spent on the re-branding could and should have been spent elsewhere with much greater benefits to all Caravan Club members.
If there is a, (possibly misguided), perception that motorhomes will become more predominant on club sites in the future then a lot of money should be very urgently spent on making pitches hard standing. Many grass pitches are not suitable for motorhomes and many MH owners don't want a grass pitch. With the trend towards a wetter climate grass pitches are even less likely to be wanted or usable. Even the die-hard grass pitch lovers would not want a churned up pitch.
Last year whilst at Crossways site several pitches had to be taken out of use because they were too wet and, in the words of the warden, 'some of them had been churned up by motorhomes so wouldn't be usable again for some time'. Because of this the warden had to start cancelling bookings. This is a scenario that we can expect to experience even more in the future I believe.
I don't think the decision to rebrand will be changed as it will just double the unneeded expense although what could be changed is the Chairman and Committee at the next AGM.
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Having waded my way through this post I feel that nothing new is being said. I'm a caravanner of over 35 years and have nothing against motorhomes. I feel the rebranding is totally unnecessary as my motorhoming friends never felt unable to go on a Club site. The cost involved must be enormous and, IMHO, a complete waste of the Club's funds.
However, looking at this morning's newspapers and watching the headlines on BBC it looks as if diesel engines are once again being further demonised. How long before they're banned or ostracised? This would have a huge impact on the Club - take away all the motorhomes and diesel towcars (I have one myself) off site and what are you left with? Will we have to be rebranded as the Camping Club - oh sorry that's already been done! Perhaps the other Club (of which I'm also a member) will have to drop the word Caravanning from its title!
I haven't yet received the sites book but from this thread I understand that the cover shows a motorhome in the countryside. Presumably it's a diesel vehicle which will go down well with the environmental lobby. Is this the new image the Club wishes to portray?
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Well have been following this thread and facebook with interest and tried to get answers to questions and failed miserably. My observation for what is worth is as follows
I started off in the caravan club 50 years ago as a child in the days of gas mantle lights and no heating and spent many a happy holiday in my parents caravan. My parents liked it because it was a bit more upmarket than some sites, no amusements, club houses etc. Move forward to the early 90's and I took my children caravanning, again using the caravan club for similar reasons, we wanted nice facilities, decent pitch sizes and again no clubhouses, large kids play areas etc. A quite site in effect.
We are now kid free and in the last 5 years have gone back to the caravan club, with a motorhome occasionally towing a motorbike, again for the same reasons as above. However we have on occasion had to stay in late arrivals until a hard standing pitch became available the next day when it had been raining. One of my small frustrations is when kids are allowed to cycle at high speed around the site usually the wrong way with not a parent in site.
We have now gone back to a caravan and I can honestly say I have never felt excluded in whatever we have travelled in.
From the stock answers I have been given (sometimes bordering on rude) from the management, it seems the name has changed and there will be more pictures of things but nothing material is going to alter. And if the key issues are not addressed then any new members wont stay for long
My wish list is fairy simple and it seems mirrors a lot of other members.
1. a booking system that means I don't have to take a day off work to ensure I can get a pitch at bank holiday time (we both still work). Perhaps a rolling 6 or 12 month system may work better.
2. The ability to book the type of pitch surface, instead of getting there and finding there are no hardstandings.
3. Cheaper wifi, if you only go for a few weekends its expensive, this day and age I wont go anywhere without wifi
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2. The ability to book the type of pitch surface, instead of getting there and finding there are no hardstandings.
3. Cheaper wifi, if you only go for a few weekends its expensive, this day and age I wont go anywhere without wifi
I doubt the ability to book hard standing is in the offing sadly. They would be first to go and few would be clamouring for grass.
Regarding wifi. Many commercial sites I have been on wifi charge has been around £3 a day (some free but not always available at the pitch). With that in mind £24 a year seems OK if using CC sites that do have wifi
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Thankyou, SirB, we are of like minds.
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