A welcoming arrival does it matter?
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The absolute worst 'welcome' we ever received was back in the day around 1980 when we were younger and lacking in experience of caravanning in general.
OH worked shifts and weekends off were one in four so quite precious.
We arrived at Coniston Park Coppice on the Friday lunchtime to be met by the wicked witch of the north who didn't quite swear at us but told everybody within earshot in no uncertain terms how much of a nuisance 'weekenders' were.
I'd report any site staff on the spot if they spoke to me like that now.
Most times now we get a polite welcome and a friendly smile with the obligatory instructions on how to pitch and that's fine. More often than not, that's the only interaction I have with the staff.
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My son owns restaurants and has made a lot of money. Ask him if a friendly reception of customers pays off ensuring returning business. Some campsite owners know it too.
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Just a "hello" will do for me , or if I walk into the reception and they are on the phone or doing something else ,just an acknowledgement that I am there will be ok ,and i'll wait
A while back I did walk in to a reception and the wardens where having a "domestic", that was a bit awkward
once im booked in I don't really need to interact with the wardens till its time to leave and hand any keys back
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I am one for 'first impressions', I am not looking for an enthusiastic OTT welcome, just a polite friendly one. That sort of mentally imprints the site will be OK, and a helping hand if wanting any information about the area would not be too much to ask for but don't usually bother them once booked in.
Only ever had one *hitty welcome, and that was 'Camping Reutte' last year, Germany/Austrian border. Everything was too much trouble after his 2 hour lunch break with the queue of booking ins, never cracked his face into a smile once, impatient if further explanation needed and walked the site to ensure pitching was as he ordered with no doors facing your neighbours door. Great site, restaurant and area though.
Never had cause for concern in any UK sites as yet.
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When employing front of house staff the rule should always be "Hire for attitude, train for skill". Well run businesses have known that for years. Alas, some don't.
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Some folk just don't like being 'directed' in a friendly manner or otherwise! Sometimes the act of being instructed can stop some doing exactly as they'd hoped to. The 'well, no one told me' excuse is taken away from them and they don't like that! A pleasant, cheery welcome is good for the soul, I hope I reciprocate in equal measure.
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Generally we are happy to be processed book in pay etc. then get to our pitch.
Mostly in the UK that has been the case but like others we have been to sites in France where the owner insists on taking you to the bar and plying you with beer before allowing you to look for a pitch but the majority tell you what pitch is allocated and to have a walk to see if its OK if not choose another and come back to see if its available for all your stay (seems they like to book particular pitches abroad) or like C&MC go and choose one and come back.
Would say though on most sites unless its a very large site they tell you to walk and choose your pitch not drive round in circles,
We have been to a site in France where instead of paying for drinks at the bar and for the morning bread or other shopping the owner keeps a tally then you pay at the end oof the week the evening before you leave, he even buys you a beer while they process the payment.
I think the main difference is many sites abroad are family owned and you interact with the owner/family where as here with C&MC you are interacting with the warder on minimum wage. We have been on larger commercial sites also that are more in line with the C&MC albeit with less rules about where and how you pitch etc.
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Since starting my website about 15 years ago I have visited over 300 campsites both here and in Europe, and many more before that date. The only time I feel the welcome was not up to standard was on a site in France. So I suppose not a bad average? Having said that I am the sort of person who walks into reception and immediately starts the conversation with a cheery hello so I don't give anyone the option to be anything but friendly with me!!!
David
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It's a great relief to know that not only are the sites better "over there", the weather is better, and now the welcome is better........!!
I would never have guessed it......!
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Pay when you leave?
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that's why David started it
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"I guess it was a loaded question to start with"
Sure was. I saw that coming a mile off.😂😂😂
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Never had a bad experience on club site, some more friendly than others but always prompt and efficient service which is all I want or expect.
Having said that one warden did type in £1780 in the card machine rather than £178, but luckily I spotted it before typing in the pin.
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even you noticed that?
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well in which case as the club has probably more return customers (read the reviews, bookings, sites full - can't all be new members) than any other site in the UK then the club should give master classes to others.
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Where we lived in France was an English owned Caravan site, the Guy owning it openly admitted he did not know anything about campsites, he did not like caravanners, he did not like the French, he did not need to like people !! I tried to advise that " everyone that comes through that gate / through that bar restaurant door wishes to give you money ". He'd got more chance having a night out with the Pope than making that business pay, he's not there now,
Having owned a business now for 21 yrs I always advise our guys.
" You get one chance at first impressions ".
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actually I have David quite a few (check my profile), but please remember Ro's post, no need to be nasty if people don't post the way you want
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arrival times?
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