Loosing More CLs, why?
Comments
-
I have to say that CL's seem the only way to increase the number of pitches available to members. The club close sites rather than openning new ones 😲😔. On this tiny island the opportunity to acquire new large sites for club purposes must be very limited so we need a proactive club! If we want a choice of pitches and where they are we definitely need to encourage CL's as the club seem to want to increase membership without the infrastructure. Oh I think I've heard that in another context before 😉. The club need to see CL'S as the asset they are and assist with their webpages and photos reviews promoting etc etc them not hinder them!
I can say hand on heart we've had lovely welcomes from CL's, CS's commercial and both club sites in this country. I'm happy to be told by an owner to choose where to pitch on arrival and I'll catch up with you during your visit or I'll mark your pitch turn up as late as you want without disturbing others. CL owners especially can't be expected to be ready and waiting to suit our whims and the traffic, they have things to do and a life to live too. I have never not seen someone in charge, if the owners unavailable, during our stays.
We've even had cakes as a welcome. I'd prefer a decent information area about the locality that overly gushing welcomes. It's nice to chat but equally nice to just greet folks 😉
7 -
As a previous visitor to Ted's CL I can only add that it's in a lovely place and we enjoyed staying there. Every CL is unique and having five vans only is a treat for those of us who like it that way!
Thanks for the informative posts Ted, the details were much appreciated, pleased to hear a group of you have banded together.
1 -
Hi Brue. Thanks for your kind words about our CL. We hope to see you again sometime.. The group is going from strength to strength - in fact it has gone up by 30 new Members today.. Best Ted
3 -
What seems to be obvious from these posts is the lack of support the Cls get from the club. As we have seen club sites close and the Cl network is shrinking. Cant those tea drinkers at HO not see that its the basic structure that needs investment, not the fringe things.
1 -
I live in a rural area - small rural schools don't survive, nor small village shops and post offices, and small pubs go out of business too - it's all a fact of life due to lack of customers in every case. They are not what people want. And if the customers are not supporting small rural CLs then they will close too. No amount of support from Head Office will alter the economics.
1 -
Each month in the magazine they do a review of the attractions of a particular area to visit and within it they mention what sites are in the area. Since the rebrand they now review some CL's in the area as well as club sites with some spiel from the owner and people on site so they get the same exposure as the club site(s).
1 -
I agree John regarding the comments about a tap in a muddy field- this sort of comment does nothing to encourage folk to try off grid caravanning- in fact I have never come across such a site! . The club is just as guilty by not doing what a club should do - by supporting ALL its members. By not carrying a decently detailed and unbiased article from a genuine non EHUer, exploring the new opportunities offered by the new technologies and by keeping as quiet as they can about it - they are failing in their duty as a club to inform and educate. Sniping from the side with articles called 'Back to basics' does nothing for the non EHU CLs- in fact it positively discriminates against them. Well done John for your benevolence towards caravanners- you deserve our thanks and gratitude and I apologise for my clubs treatment of you- no wonder we are losing sites!! I will soon embark on a 3 week non EHU visit to Dorset- a period of time that I have never done before- I have absolutely no doubt that I will have all the comforts of home.
1 -
TBH we have no real interest in going back to basics with non EHU as had plenty of that in my youth in the services. We are both retired and now like some comfort in our lives so we support CLs that have EHU that allows us to TV in the evenings as that is our way of relaxation.
We have attended one of two short non EHU rallies, but now prefer to avoid them. However this is our preference and others prefer non EHU CLs.
What we have noticed with some CLs is that a club site nearby is almost as cheap to use and with more facilties. One CL we looked at about 3 - 4 years ago wanted £20 a night. We are happy to pay £12 a night for a normal CL or up to £15 if the pitch is fully serviced.
1 -
Agree Surfer- many don't offer what we consider basic and others price them selves out of the market. Just looking today. web shows £13 (2017) but review indicates they charge £15. Why is their prices not up to date. We have passed that Cl over.
0 -
Surfer, I know exactly what you mean about comfort when older. I feel exactly the same and I am telling you that we are just as comfortable without the orange cable as we were with it. There are NO basics! This is what the great caravanning public don't seem to understand. Or they don't want to understand. We have our television on in the evenings as we prefer to watch DVDs rather that the tripe that is pushed out as entertainment these days however, we also have hot water around the clock at a very reasonable price thanks to Safefill. We have heating if and when we need it. Radio, Phones and tablets charged. We have the microwave, blender, toaster etc- Goodness, we even have electric toothbrushes which are charged by USB!! Please, believe me when I say that we very rarely think about the non EHU status of our van as things have not changed one bit- oh! Yes they have- the bill is about a third of what it was! Technology has moved on a pace and is benefiting those who embrace it. There will always be a place for EHU - even my van is capable of being converted back to EHU with the change of a plug but in three years I have never had to do it.
2 -
Merve we hardly ever watch BBC, ITV or Ch4 because as you say a load of tripe. We use Sky in our caravan and the Sky box would need a 100w panel on its on to charge the spare 110ah battery that we carry if going on a non EHU rally.
In the past we have removed the normal battery and then charged up the spare, but quite a hassle as do not want to buy an additional 100w solar panel. The other hassle is the weight of the spare 110ah battery as it is getting to the stage that even together we have difficulty lifting it into the vehicle.
We did consider a small genny, but again weight ruled it out so easier to stick to EHU CLs although there are many brilliant non EHU CLs around.
0 -
Good one Surfer.
I think some other people are so keen on self sufficiency we will soon be reading about them taking water purication kit or some sort of distillation equipment on board their caravans, so that they don't have to suffer the indignity of relying on water taps. The Bear Grylls style of Caravanning.
0 -
At very short notice I have just booked next week on a CL in Suffolk and the following week on one in Norfolk. Both have EHUs and one has showers and WC. Both appear to be very spacious with 'lawned' grass and both have very good reviews from members. (I just hope the reviews are not fictitious!). Both are £12.00 per night, not that I was going for cheapness. What amazed me when I asked if they had room for us at short notice, they both said yes because they had no other bookings.
So it would appear that it is probably because we as members are not using CLs and hence they close down through lack of support.
0 -
John, please let us know which CLs you visited and what you think of the CLs after you visit, and if the reviews were accurate. Hope that you will be adding a review for each site.
0 -
I was on a CL last weekend, which had EHU but no toilet or shower and both of the owners sites were full .Both sites are 13/night. Mind you they are both non dog and adult only. Obviously if 70% of vanners are dog owners then these CL must be doing something right.
2 -
I would agree Surfer. This age thing is a bummer! Batteries are not light and can be a problem lifting them in and out but that is something that the SP has ended for me too. Running backwards and forwards to the storage facility with a newly charged battery is a thing of the past. I haven't had to do that since the panel was fitted - saving me money, time and a lot of messing around. Li Ion batteries may be the answer to weight but they are so expensive! Yes, I am happy to be self sufficient but I would never rule out the EHU- particularly if winter caravanning and by that I mean dark skies and snow on the ground!!
0 -
1. I'm quite happy to pay whatever it costs to keep the CL going.
2. See above.
3. I agree that a muddy field isn't acceptable, for obvious reasons, but we actively seek out the basic CLs with just a tap and toilet emptying. So, no we don't all seek out the mod cons and no we don't all demand more from a site.
0 -
Hi Nellie. We're enjoying our best month so far as CL owners. Reviews from your self, Surfer and Helen and Trevor, along with many others who've visited us, have helped tremendously. These reviews are very important and give a true reflection of what to expect from us and our site. Also I believe location, amenities, cost, space, hospitality, things to do, places to visit and tidiness are key influences in gaining repeat business. We now take deposits, a great idea! Our income is limited by the 5 van rule, and hope this will change for the better in time, but that's another's story. I don't think I've heard from any of our visitors that they prefer club sites, in fact quite the opposite. We are adult only and dog friendly and have enjoyed the company of many of you CCers. No showers or toilets for us, just EHU's and water to each pitch. This new website is a pain, this is my forth attempt at posting! Also a number of our guests have had no joy with their attempts to post a review. We have not heard from HO, but don't really need to, to be fare. Guests have phoned HO to address the problem but still no joy. We may look at opening a second CL in time to handle the peak booking weekends, again 5 so frustrating at times, but we'll see. I hope this gets through this time, have a great summer. EV emblemvilla.co.uk
1 -
Oh I forgot this bit Nellie. emblemvilla.co.uk. EV
0 -
Hi. As a Cl site owner I have realised you have to promote yourselves. On checking the website entry it wasn't what we thought. I have read about changes to the website and think our write up wasn't transferred to new site... So we have updated Caravan and Motorhome website write up,created a Facebook page,put up new signed and will ask to go in magazine.Please check us out Resthaven Farm North Devon. Our Facebook page is Resthaven Farm Cl site
1 -
Glad that it's going well for you at EV. It would appear that the CC have now corrected the issues with reviews so hopefully members who visit you will be able to add their reviews, as we were.
0 -
Do you really think those are the only two alternatives?
0 -
Surfer, I'm not sure what you mean by being 'Bitten Once' ? However, I'm pleased you have never let down a CL.
Sadly, the Number one issue that CL's face (as evidenced by a Survey done by the Club with CL Owners in 2015) is the 'No Show / Late Cancellation' issue. The research was based on over 1,000 responses.
Only today, a fellow CL owner told me that having turned away many enquiries for this week 2 units that had booked together in January for a stay this week failed to show last night.... The CL Owner had all their details, Club number etc. but the Members denied all knowledge of their booking and said they were staying somewhere else this week. The CL owner has therefore lost 40% of their potential income for this week, and those members that wanted to stay on this CL have been denied the opportunity.
Hence, an increasing number of CL's that are popular have already - or are in the process of - resorting to a Deposit system. No doubt you'll still find CL's that can't be bothered to take a deposit, but I think the number will diminish over time.
CL owners are therefore petitioning the Club to implement the same rules that apply to Club Sites.. If the member is a 'no-show' or late cancellation more three times in a season they can have their membership suspended.
3
