Pricing in the directory and online
Comments
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There would be no great change from present, Steve, other than a bit more paper because someone decided the sites directory is not the correct place to list site prices.
The club sites are the very core of the club’s operations and to not issue a comprehensive publication concerning those sites is beyond my comprehension.
In my view, a price list should be sent to all members as it is an essential piece of information. Let those who don’t require it opt out but the club shouldn’t put obstacles in our way.
Anyway, if sending to all does incur extra costs, these can soon be recouped by shoving a few stair lift ads in with the price lists!
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As posted before the prices in the bi annual book were only valid for the first year of publication and as in 2018 the prices were only available on line or via a hard copy if requested via EGH as can be done for 2019 and after 50yrs membership it suits those of us who do not need to be spoon fed
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There are members out there that do not have internet access at home never mind while they are on the move.
Its been suggested that folk could opt out of having a price list sent to them by including a tick box in their profile, great idea, but it would be as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike if you don't have internet access, to access your profile, if you see what I mean.
I know of 2 couples in our village that have been members for years and do everything using the book. They neither have or want internet in the home, they don't have a smart phone just a mobile that makes phone calls should they need to.
Looking at the new book there could easily be a £10 per night difference between the 'price from' and the actual price they will be expected to pay as some of the 'price from' are only available for a few days a year. For these people a comprehensive price list is essential. As it is they are confused by the many different price bands that have evolved in the last few years.
What's wrong with a simple low, medium and high price band.
DK, if you don't have internet and go by the 'price from' that is advertised in the book then you can well feel 'ripped off' I think its about perception. The book is misleading and for those that don't have internet to see all the 'wise' comments on here the first they are aware of the price differences is when they phone up to book. This could well put many off.
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TG
I think you last para confirms my point I make that there should be no prices in the site directory. Comprehensive price information is available to members who can either write or phone for the price supplement which is clearly what they need if they don't use the internet. Perhaps there is a mechanism available for members to opt into receiving this information but no doubt that is via the internet. To me making a phone call and waiting for a response to order said supplement is a complete waste of time.
I know there are people as you describe who seemingly want nothing to do with the internet. An example is the lady whose job I took on when she retired. This lady is intelligent and was previously the General Managers secretary but to this day shies away from the internet. We met at a pensioners dinner the other day and I tried to show her what my smart phone was capable of. Unfortunately there was a barrier there that would not allow the wonderful world of the internet in. I expect she, and her husband, have the same attitude as the people you mention where you live. Perhaps nothing will convince them but they are the ones with the narrow minded view of life not the rest of us that realise that the internet offers wonderful opportunities. What I don't understand is where they have been for the past 20 years?
David
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"Perhaps nothing will convince them but they are the ones with the narrow minded view of life not the rest of us that realise that the internet offers wonderful opportunities. What I don't understand is where they have been for the past 20 years?"
I can't quite believe you said that, David. Not everyone has had the opportunity to learn how to use a computer, or even to understand what they do. Not everyone lives in areas where fast internet cabling is in place and not everyone wants or needs a computer.
To say they have a narrow minded view of life is inappropriate in so many ways. I think we should be open minded rather than dismissive of other's choices. I have neighbours who choose not to drive a car, let alone have a computer. They are perfectly happy living their lives in the way that suits them. Perhaps one person's wonderful opportunity is another's unwanted stress and hassle.
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I have to disagree with most of your post as my OH is also internet "shy?"as are numerous "older" of the population, as it seems are plenty who live in this area when talking to them, who will have nothing to do with what they see as one of the problems with society these days and is the cause of many of the "problems" that we are now enduring and until that is given the priority it so urgently requires,it will not convince them to take the plunge which can if used correctly be a useful tool
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Perhaps nothing will convince them but they are the ones with the narrow minded view of life not the rest of us that realise that the internet offers wonderful opportunities.
I think that you are showing a very narrow minded view yourself there David
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In the road we live there are at least 15 families who have not and do not want to add to the already overcrowded roads in this area, and as the Engineer from Kelly communications who was working in one of Virgin "high speed ?"internet boxes the internet is going the same way and will not cope for much longer
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DK I take offence at some of your remarks.
To call people narrow minded just because they prefer not to have anything to do with the internet.
To me making a phone call and waiting for a response to order said supplement is a complete waste of time.
How would these people know what the price was if it wasn't in the book and there wasn't a price list available to them. The only option is to make a phone call and ask for it.
I was under the impression that as a member these were the things that I and other members should expect for the £52 a year fee.
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I started making greater use of the internet 20 years ago purely because I was running a singles group and it was useful for event planning.
I now use the internet a lot in my spare time purely because I dislike TV greatly and with just one eye working I find reading books tedious.
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All chocolate log and Christmas trifled out I've just been reading the last few pages on here and wondered if I wasn't an internet user what I would learn about pricing from the new handbook. I began to think it was a lost cause, but several pages in on pages 28/9 under club site pricing it directs non internet users to contact the club for a price list. So all's well, the alternative has been relayed to the readers.
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Well said TW. I still think that there are a lot more members who use the site directory than some members on here think. The SD and map are essential pieces of kit for the touring that we do. It's so much easier to compare what facilities are available and at what price in a certain area without changing continually from one site to another.
I agree that there should be an opt out for those that don't want the SD and map, with a separate price list if that's the way the club wants to go, and not an opt in.
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JVB, I've already ordered a copy by e-mail to the Site Team. I've no idea if either it or the Site Directory has arrive yet as we won't be home until the middle of next month....we our caravanning!!
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David, like TG I take offence at your comments, and I'm not easily offended!
Perhaps it is you that is narrow minded as all you can see is internet, internet, internet!!! Are you frightened if we don't use the internet you will be out of a job?
I do use the internet to book sites and it is immensely useful for changing existing bookings as my plans alter but, initially I like to sit back in my armchair, with the sites directory and a price list in front of me and browse and formulate my next trip in comfort before turning to the internet to book said trip.
The prices should be at least in a separate booklet, (I know the sites price booklet is available to order) but should be sent automatically and for the members who spend 95% of their lives peering into a device of their choice, they can opt out of the separate price list if they so wish!
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Tw, I agree to a point but you should be able to work out the price before you get to the point of booking.
I have to agree about your comments on C&CC pricing (dis) 'structure'
Never had anything to do with the C&CC before but after receiving the new CC directory I had a look on the C&CC website to see what was on offer. I compared a couple of sites of both clubs in close proximity to one another and while generally C&CC sites worked out cheaper, as well as annual membership being less, the pricing structure was such that Einstein would struggle to fathom it out! I have to admit though I have only seen the C&CC pricing structure online. I have no idea what information might be carried in their Sites Directory.
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Bear in mind, BVM, that we were discussing DK's earlier post in which he said "You are only ripped off if you don't know the consequences of the price before you buy" which was why I said we know the price before we turn up to pay. However, I do agree with you.
C&CC - let’s not even think about their minimum stay periods for booking or the complete long winded nonsense of having to deal with the call centre to amend bookings. I do use them on occasion when it suits as their sites can fill in gaps but, generally, you can’t beat this club's booking system. I can’t remember what pricing info was in the last sites directory - it’s in the van and as it's now 10pm on Boxing Day.…😗
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Agree with you once again TW.
I omitted to mention the C&CC minimum stay periods, 'cos I forget about that bit!
Despite my grumbling on this thread I admit my foray into the C&CC website has been a bit of an eye-opener and puts the CC in a good prospective. Don't get me wrong though, I will still 'bellyache' about the lack of transparency of pricing in the new Sites Directory and Handbook and the ever increasing nightly site fees, after all, us troops have to keep the Generals on their toes!
It's now 10:20pm on Boxing Day so TW, get your head down, preferably in your MH, and sleep off the excesses of the last two days!
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No, no, preferably not in my MH which is outside drained and unheated but in my cozy warm house. 😀
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BVM, at first I was a bit confused by the C&CC pricing but soon got my head round it once I got the joining package.
Basically they have 3 levels low, med and high. The sites though are graded from I think 1 - 7 so depending on where the site lies within that you can pay a bit more.
They also have differing dates for holiday periods between England, Wales and Scotland which at times works out really well if you live near one of the borders
for instance this July we went to the Tall ships in Sunderland, we were going to stay at a C&MC site close by but then looked at the C&CC site in the same area and the price difference was about £8 a night. Why, because the greedy C&MC had put their prices up as the Scottish school children had started their holidays, however the C&CC had not because rightly the site /sites were in England and the schools there had not yet broken up for the holidays. So that coupled with the over 60's discount made a fair bit of difference This year we have used more C&CC sites than C&MC ones. I don't personally have a problem with their policy that on some of the sites you have a minimum stay period. It has not affected us, as the sites that has that policy you usually want to stay more than 1 night anyway. If you wait until the last minute though you can usually get in even for just the 1 night. The few sites we have been on we have really liked as they are more open, not covered in massive big trees or in quarries and hollows. Getting a hard standing at booking time is a benefit to.
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Ah, I take it you don't have Alde CH. My caravan is up the drive, and whilst drained down, is hooked up to the mains, the Alde heating is kept low to keep things aired and the Dometic fridge has been pressed into service for the overflow from the house fridge over the festive period. The oven was also on standby just in case, but wasn't needed.
Sweet dreams
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It’s hooked up to keep the batteries charged but there’s no need to heat it. In fact we've found it's better to leave it cold to keep mould at bay.
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"This year we have used more C&CC sites than C&MC ones. I don't personally have a problem with their policy that on some of the sites you have a minimum stay period. It has not affected us, as the sites that has that policy you usually want to stay more than 1 night anyway. If you wait until the last minute though you can usually get in even for just the 1 night. The few sites we have been on we have really liked as they are more open, not covered in massive big trees or in quarries and hollows. Getting a hard standing at booking time is a benefit to."
The minimum stay period has certainly been a problem to me on sites where I've only wanted to stay one night, TG, but I agree you can often get the one night at short notice if you’re prepared to chance it and ring the site on the day. I’ve been doing that for years. Booking a HS is good but why do they make them small so caravanners have to park their cars on the grass? Madness! As for location and natural features, some you win, some you don’t. I’d advise against the Barcaldine site in midge season, for instance. It’s on the edge of a forest in an old walled garden.😧
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Baileyvanman
I have no job to lose, what I do on this forum is entirely voluntary. There are times when being being made redundant from here, if that were possible, might be a blessing
The point I am making about the use of the internet is that wherever you look the internet is quickly becoming the de facto method of communication and source of finding information. It would therefore we wasteful both in money terms and environmental terms to despatch the price list to every membership as a large proportion of members are happy to access price information via the internet. This saves the Club money that can be spent on Club sites etc. If I am correct in my conclusion a majority are happy with using the internet is it unreasonable to ask those that would prefer a paper price list to apply for one? The Club must have information on how many requests they get for a paper copy and this will form their judgement on what basis it is available to members.
David
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My view as well David. As others are very fond of pointing out in relation to other aspects, the club has to move with the times. If it was a totally commercial organisation, rather than a club with membership fees, the option of a printed price list, available on demand, probably wouldn't even be an option. As it is the club is being totally fair to those that still require a hard copy, whilst minimising waste. No one is being excluded.
Edit. I think I have answered your point as well PD. Although it is trying to be a modern business, it is still a club to which we pay a membership fee. So I think it should go the extra mile to cater for those who are not internet enabled.
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Another self righteous narrow minded post to stand alongside DK's post in my view. Some are quite happy with their TV, radio and newspapers to keep in touch with the world. Should we expect them to spend a few hundred pound on equipment and data contracts to access the information for CC sites. In my view no. Each to their own.
I usually request a printed copy of the 'Great Savings Guide' because I find that checking on the net a pita
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Oh dear, goodwill to all men didn't last long, did it.
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