Eye watering price increase

Roadrocket
Roadrocket Forum Participant Posts: 6
edited December 2019 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

I wanted to book a pitch at the Hillhead site for next year but the price has increased by a stagering 35% more than the exact same dates this year. It was already expensive but it's now prohibitive. It's now cheaper to stay in an hotel. This is fast becoming a club for the wealthy.

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  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,146 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2019 #2

    That sounds steep. Could it be that the dates next year fall in the peak rate season but may have been in slower charging band this year?

  • Roadrocket
    Roadrocket Forum Participant Posts: 6
    edited December 2019 #3

    No it was for exactly the same period.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,146 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2019 #4

    Yes, but sometimes the same dates in different years fall into different price bands governed largely by school holidays. Easter is a prime example. It means comparing prices for the same dates may not actually be comparing like with like. 

     

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
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    edited December 2019 #5

    "fast becoming".....?

    probably could be "has become"wink

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,389 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2019 #6

    If it is for dates in early May don't forget the early May bank holiday is later in 2020. I have been caught by this and will probably have to grin and bear it.

    peedee 

  • thebells
    thebells Forum Participant Posts: 365
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    edited December 2019 #7

    We only joined to gain access to the CL network so didn't really know how much club sites cost until now. I've recently booked a club site in a location where previously we have stayed on a CL or used a small commercial site. The club site has cost double the price of the other 2 sites, but we have a gift voucher to offset some of this cost. I'll make a decision as to whether I thought it was worth the price we paid after our stay. However,  as we go away at least once a month for varying lengths of time, I'm not sure I'd want to spend double what we've spent on caravanning trips thus far....

  • Roadrocket
    Roadrocket Forum Participant Posts: 6
    edited December 2019 #8

    No it's for the Christmas period which doesn't change. It works out at £565 for one person in a standard pitch. A serviced pitch is a lot more.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited December 2019 #9

    I get the price to £313.60 for two on a standard Hillhead pitch for seven nights over the Christmas period. I doubt whether you'd find a reasonable hotel in Torbay for that price over Christmas, some charge that amount (and more) per night.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,310 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2019 #10

    It would seem there is a very large increase per night for the Christmas period, this year to next. I work it out at 26%. Pitch plus one adult up from £24.3 a night this year to £30.70 next. Plus two extra days added to the start of the period. Does seem a big increase. I assume the CC knows what it's doing.🤞

    Plus the cost of a child over Christmas has increased from £1 this year to £4.50 next.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,866 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2019 #11

    I was looking at the price of Seacroft as it has similar facilities but it works out a little cheaper but not much. Op doesn't mention whether he has children with him which would take it over £50 a night. Having said that it's the same price as it is in the high summer season. All pricing works on a  supply and demand basis so if people don't book the site the Club would have to reconsider. On the other hand if the price proves not to be a barrier the Club vindicates its decision?

    David

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,146 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2019 #12

    Right, that’s what I was hoping to establish. 

    The Christmas period does change though, as Steve has pointed out, and the peak charges span 2 extra days next year which might explain some of the increase.

    £30.70 P/N for pitch and one person from 18.12.20 to 3.1.21 as opposed to £24.30 from 20.12.19 to 3.1 20. The maths don’t work out to arrive at £565 so I assume there’s more to it than we know.

    It seems a hefty increase, RR, but it is what it is and, as Brue intimated, Torbay is pricey.

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2019 #13

     If it's for 1 person then it must be on a serviced pitch which works out at just over £550 for 16 nights. Not my idea of a bargain but then again I wouldn't be seen on a club site in high season.

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,428 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2019 #14

    I suppose it is only really eye watering (whatever the price) if you decide to pay it when you don't have to, or don't want to. Until that point it's just a price to look at, unless even looking at it makes your eyes water?

    There must be other sites around?

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2019 #15

    Which is determined by a celestial event in the case of Easter!

  • SeasideBill
    SeasideBill Forum Participant Posts: 2,112
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    edited December 2019 #16

    Do it cheaply by staying off-grid at Steamer Quay, Totnes. Much nicer location than the faded glory of Torbay but excellent transport links by boat or bus if you must go there.

     

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,146 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2019 #17

    Hence 'largely' by school holidays. 👍🏻

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited December 2019 #18

    When at Hillhead there is Dartmouth or Brixham also with good transport links starting just outside the sitewink

    Ps in Decembercool

    Pps we are at Hillhead for just before and after Dartmouth regattawink

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited December 2019 #19

    If we're talking Christmas, Steamer Quay is closed and so are many of the local touring parks.

  • SeasideBill
    SeasideBill Forum Participant Posts: 2,112
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    edited December 2019 #20

    I don’t think the op mentioned Christmas - he was taking about ‘next year’.

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited December 2019 #21

    Page 1, post 7! smile

    If I was the OP, I'd be looking at Ross Park, not a million miles away; excellent site with a restaurant and bar on site if that's important. I know they do special deals for Christmas & New Year, not sure how expensive but must be worth a look.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,146 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2019 #22

    "No it's for the Christmas period which doesn't change. It works out at £565 for one person."

    Posted by the OP on page 1.

     

    Oops, we crossed, M. 🙂

  • InaD
    InaD Club Member Posts: 1,701 ✭✭
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    edited December 2019 #23

    Oh yes, (s)he was!!  Sorry, couldn't resist wink

  • SeasideBill
    SeasideBill Forum Participant Posts: 2,112
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    edited December 2019 #24

    Ok, this is the opening post:

    I wanted to book a pitch at the Hillhead site for next year but the price has increased by a stagering 35% more than the exact same dates this year. It was already expensive but it's now prohibitive. It's now cheaper to stay in an hotel. This is fast becoming a club for the wealthy.

    I don’t see the word ‘Christmas’ in there. However, clearly there is something here I haven’t read (can’t be bothered to go through the whole thread) but if my mistake has given you joy then I’m pleased for you.

    PS, my point is still valid for anybody interested in this location.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,310 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2019 #26

    In order to challenge any suspicion of profiteering

    Profiteering is defined as:-

    the act of taking advantage of a situation in order to make a profit, usually by charging high prices for things people need:

    Do people really need to go to Hillhead, surely there are alternatives. Yes the increase does seem high. However, we do not know the reason and can only speculate.

  • davetommo
    davetommo Forum Participant Posts: 1,430
    edited December 2019 #27

    2 choices Book or don't book.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited December 2019 #28

    Just done a quick check for Southport site. 15 nights this year from 13th December leave on 28th. 2 adults on standard pitch about £390. Same dates in 2020 £439. Increase 12.5%

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,389 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2019 #29

    Indeed, and it is worth looking elsewhere for better rates even if you do eventually do decide on a Club site. At least you satisfy yourself about the choice rather than simply coughing up just because you are a Club member.

    peedee

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited December 2019 #30
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  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited December 2019 #31

    Like most businesses, they (the club) will charge what they can get away with , if “club” members looked out the club and started using some of the other options out there ,then the prices will hiked up every year 

    just compare other options