Not moving with the times
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Unless like me you sit outside reading the Guardian in the sunshine! Easier now because it is a more manageable size. The real problem is that fewer and fewer sites are selling newspapers of any variety because they find it difficult to find newsagents willing to deliver to site and do so reliably or so I am told.
David
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Me too. I’ve had occasion to cancel at the last minute, even got to the stage when I received a letter! However, it wasn’t me being irresponsible, but dealing with an elderly mother with dementia who threw my plans into chaos on a regular basis. I’d have felt happier losing a deposit rather than receiving warning letters with all the ‘naughty’ inferences that conveys. I think paying up front or paying a deposit indicates clear intent as opposed to might, might not stick with this arrangement.
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I think the demand for newspapers is lessening and I'm like WTG, I have noticed what pre-ordered papers are on the counter in reception! Alas not now Covid has reared it's head, no orders being taken. Many also read them on line I think?
As for cancelling bookings, I've just done it under the 72 hour "rule" (due to engine problems in the M/H.) I ticked the box for accident/breakdown as in the past couple of years I've had to tick the box for illness. Deposit or no deposit I had no option. I don't cancel without a good reason, I expect some do but I'm sure most want to stick to plans made.
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I would agree with the comments on the website, it is painfully slow and why are there no replies on members issues posted here, from a club representative.It would also be nice to have interesting letters in the magazine instead of the heavily "sanitised" published ones
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David, you newspaper concerns sum up the original question posed by the OP.
The reason you struggle to get newspapers is that there is no economic model whereby the vendor of the newspaper can make money by selling so few newspapers due to the changing demographic of its audience. As newspaper readers die the next generation do not read newspapers so newsprint is in terminal decline of about 10% per year.
The ones that survive will have a really good digital offering and learn how to monetize their content which is appropriate to their audience.
This applies to all institutions including the club, the only thing that is changing is the rate of change which is getting faster.
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The problem with that theory is that a newspaper can be digitised, that is it's form can be changed from paper to a digital copy and people will buy it.
At the end of the day the club sells pitches and however much I try I cannot imagine how a digital copy of a club site can be made and made appealing?
You do keep mentioning the website side of things but really it is merely a means to getting your LV on a pitch. And it would appear from all the threads about not being to get a pitch atm that it is even doing this very well indeed?
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but newspapers can be made into a e-format while campsites cannot. So I'm not sure of the relevance of that to the club?
CT is only a means to an end, and that end is to book a club site. That's what people want and do so in large numbers.
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I've had to cancel last minute too Bill, for good reason. I've also changed sites. In each case I've always managed to do it outside the 72 hours so haven't had a letter. The letters are an automatic mailing and I can appreciate may upset some in sensitive cases. Fortunately/ Unfortunately I have never seen one of the letters. I just wondered if any tweaking to the wording may help to ease any ill feeling. I can appreciate the necessity for the automated system in keeping down cost/ time.
On a slightly different subject, we're thinking of possibly taking the caravan out next Sunday for a few days. No idea where. Haven't yet booked - won't do it until at least Wednesday. Don't want to travel more than 100 miles or thereabouts. I'll be wanting a serviced pitch. What are the chances? I'll keep you posted.... 😀
David
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One of the most frustrating things for me is that a lot of sites have a minimum two day stay which I find really disappointing. Especially when there is plenty of empty pitches available.
I know its about generating income but surely it needs to be about serving members needs as well.
The website is painfully slow and unfortunately I utilise a lot of non club sites due to this as Apps such as SearchForSites are easy to access and give you links to alternative sites.
The issue about feedback is a good one. I dont think it is possible to submit a negative review on a club site or that is the way it appears to me as my last review wasnt published. It did provide both positive and negative comments.
Surely the only way we can improve as a club is to listen to our members and non members, reflect on the feedback and provide updates. Even if nothing is being done. To ignore members is a shocking indictment of any organisation that they dont value their members. It is really important, especially in the current environment, to recognise members have a choice and unfortunately the OP has decided to take his custom elsewhere which is disappointing but understandable
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the OP has decided to take his custom elsewhere which is disappointing but understandable
I must say that I could not see a good reason amongst his complaints for taking his custom elsewhere.
One of the most frustrating things for me is that a lot of sites have a minimum two day stay which I find really disappointing. Especially when there is plenty of empty pitches available.
I know its about generating income but surely it needs to be about serving members needs as well.
None of the CMC's own sites have a minimum stay
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Club sites do not have minimum stays, MFMC. Some CLs do and the few affiliated sites might but these fall outside of the normal arrangements and rules of CAMC. Main club owned/operated sites do not have such a restriction. That is one area where this club scores over C&CC in its total freedom of booking.
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I have just checked your profile and as far as I can see you have only submitted one review which was published and is there for all to see, Cobbs Meadow. Even if a review is Deleted User or hidden it still leaves a trace but I can see no evidence of that. Could you give us more details? Reviews are not removed because they are not positive but they are removed if the review does not meet the requirements of the T&C's. It is a requirement for all reviews that the reviewer has actually stayed at the site or CL.
David
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We have been members for 5 years at first it was good nice clean friendly sites, at the time of the name change it started to become the miserable old fogies club so we started not using club sites as much, we have just come back from a club site & my first job Monday morning is canceling my membership.
I presume the camping & caravanning club call themselves the friendly club because the Caravan & Motorhome club is so miserable.
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You’ve not really said what your issue is, Autoes, or what was wrong with your recent stay which makes for a bit of a strange post.
Why cancel? You won’t get a refund so you might as well see your current year out.
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Having been a member of the C&CC for quite a few years now I can only conclude from my own personal experience that the use of the term "Friendly Club" is just a windup to score a point from the CMC. Nothing from my membership has ever given me the impression that the C&CC is any more friendly than the CMC, it is just a publicity stunt.
I am not altogether sure for your reasons for leaving the Club but that is your decision. I hope it all goes well for you.
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It would be interesting to know who you are referring to? The people on site? the wardens? And what behaviour did you encounter?
Also if it is just based on one site (is it?) why apply that across the whole club?
Personally I judge sites not by those I'm sharing a site with (they are temporary anyway) but the site's facilities, isn't that more important?
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Being a member of both and having used a few sites of each, whilst it is anecdotal, I do get the impression that C&CC sites are a bit more laid back.
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Very strange post ,what has made you decide to cancel your membership ,apart from the change of name and logo?to a wall ice cream copy
There has been it seems a big increase in membership and where possible , new sites added also upgrades to many sites the membership is as for many years a broad spectrum of people
We have tried the ccc and not sure that the "friendly club" is correct
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I have to say, only on the very rare occasion do I find someone unfriendly on any site! More often than not, folk are only too happy to chat, smile and pass the time of day. There are always going to be folk who are more private than others and, in my opinion, this is absolutely nothing to do with if it's a CAMC site, a C&CC site, or a privately owned site..
Just my personal view, of course...
David
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