Joining different clubs
Hi all
I have been a CAMC member since I bought my van in 2013 and I have yet to stay on a site which I didn't like so I am not thinking of leaving the Club. A few years ago, I joined the CCC as well for 12 months, but left as when I joined, I was not aware that many of their sites have a minimum of 3 nights and as I was still working midweek at the time, found that it was not very suitable. I am now retired so thinking of rejoining, however, after reading on this discussion group about many bad reviews on Trustpilot, I had a look at some of them and was very surprised as they appear at odds with the reviews of their sites on their web page. I know that many of you are members of both Clubs and was wondering what your views about the "other" Club are
Comments
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Absolutely fine in the Camping Club. All the tents provide a bit of variety. I'm more interested in where the site is located and the view from the pitch than the things complained about in reviews, which I think are very seldom taken up with the particular club at management level anyway.
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In fairness to the C&CC I don't think the bad reviews on Trustpilot are much to do with their campsites but more to do with the organisation itself. They came in for a lot of criticism on the way they handled the pandemic, at least initially. They are not, it seems, as professionally run as the CMC and their online operation leaves a lot to be desired. However none of that should impact on staying at their campsites. Whilst we have been members of the CMC for about 40 years we have only been C&CC members for 11 years. The last two years we have not used any of their sites but have recently booked a couple which are in good places for a tour we have planned. If they have sites in places you would like to visit why not rejoin and give it a go.
David
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Trustpilot reviews are usually about the organisation as a whole, and will include stuff unrelated to the actual Sites in a lot of instances. So whilst giving peoples thoughts about the organisation in general, they might not reflect the experience of being on an individual Site.
It depends what you consider important to you at the end of the day. If it’s just Sites, then I personally would go with Site reviews rather than TP. You also need to pick out the dross reviews (and there will be some) and the overpraising “can do no wrong” types and make an informed decision for yourself.
Both Club’s have Sites reviewed elsewhere (UKcampsites, PitchUp, etc…) and these can often be slightly more objective.
That said, if an organisation is going to commit to Trustpilot, it does need to put some effort in! One Club clearly does, the other doesn’t appear to have embraced the idea yet!😉
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Until the Trustpilot reviews were mentioned by DK in another thread I've never given them much attention. It's a pity the C&Cc haven't either! I look at reviews elsewhere. We joined both clubs at the same time, years ago, they're different but compliment each other. The minimum stays are a bit of a drawback but the Temporary Holiday Sites are a bonus so it just adds choice being in two clubs.
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vbfg,, I agree with other comments - two Clubs gives you more choice than one. And as soon as you look beyond the Club networks you have even more choice still. SearchFor Sites, Campercontact, PitchUp, and UKCS will all give you ideas where you might go.
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My gripe with C&CC is their restrictive booking practices but the sites themselves are, on the whole, as good as CAMC. Some are a bit quirky and old but, as with this club, they have a refurbishment program ongoing.
Two clubs certainly give you a better choice of site locations, especially in Scotland.
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We only joined when we switched to a MH 3 years ago. Mainly to give us some fill in sites, as we were moving on a lot more frequently than we did with the caravan. So far we have stayed on about 8 sites and have liked them all, we would use each of them again. The three days clearly does not apply to all sites, or perhaps all times of year. We stopped for 2 nights at Salisbury and Dingwall and 1 night on a camping in the forest.
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I reckon for quantity and range UKCampsite.co.uk probably offer the best review database. Seems to me review sites have an optimum size. Too few and they’re no use, too many and the moaners and weirdos have too much say. Tripadvisor is a good example, it was brilliant when first introduced, now it’s useless. Trustpilot, as good as it is, isn’t really relevant here.
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The best thing about the other club are the THS, these are great value and in good places. Their restrictive booking process and less than useless booking system are what lets it down but age discounts plus other discounts such as 30% off grass pitches make their sites a lot more affordable than the C&MC who seem to be pricing themselves out without any premium coming up for the latest energy hike.
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Age concession rate makes joining C&CC a non-brainer for me. If you use a fair number of sites outside of high season then you get your money back while simultaneously extending your range of options. What’s not to like?
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We have found that they are better value for money than CMC
During the pandemic we have found their changes to be much better than CMC
They have done remote check in from day one, they extended the membership to cover the closure of all sites, their cleaning of facilities when allowed to open has been excellent
Overall we have been very impressed with them
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We have happily used both CAMC and C&CC sites and Cls/Cs over the last 17 years. Sites differ in degree of regimentation eg at Sandringham, where the C3 site is the more varied pitch layout.
C3 caters for families and hikers/bikers in tents large and small. Folks in tents rely on toilet block facilties more than caravanners, so at busy times queueing may be necessary. Muddy boots in the shower block (and in the showers!) is another minor irritant.
However, on C&CC sites people seem to be less stressed , and unconcerned about being sited next to two old duffers in an old 02 reg motorhome
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We are members of both the CAMC and C&CC. There are advantages and disadvantages of both, but generally prefer CAMC sites. It does sometimes depend on location. We generally find the toilet block a little more spacious on CAMC sites and the hardstanding pitches are sometimes a little smaller e.g at Conkers C&CC site the caravan and awning fits on the hardstanding, but the car has to be parked on the grass. The CAMC tend to have more Serviced pitches overall.
When you arrive at a CAMC site, you are given the option of available pitches. On most C&CC sites you are directed to a pitch, and although you can ask for a different pitch, you are 'directed and escorted'. Generally, C&CC pitches are a little cheaper and there are more grass pitches.
You can book a surface type and have to pay a deposit for a C&CC pitch, but the CAMC are due to do this anyway.
If I think of other things, I'll add them later...
David
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I for one like many of other clubs sites, not as regimented or samey samey, as the Caravan and motor-home club
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Unless they acted contrary to their T&Cs isn’t that what you’d expect? As we’re constantly reminded that situation doesn’t (yet) operate with CMC so a comparison isn’t possible.
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I have been a member of both clubs for over 10 years and, as has been said by others, they both have their own strengths and weaknesses.
One unique feature offered by the CCC which I find extremely useful is the ability to book a non-electric pitch. My MH is completely self-contained for off-grid use and I resent having to pay an electric "surcharge" at CAMC sites when I don't need EHU.
With the massive increase in energy prices just announced, the CAMC are going to need to address this issue if pitch fee increases are to be contained.
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Jim, there are a few CMC sites offering a so called ‘eco pitch’ but they are few and far between. I agree, about time they built more capacity for those who aren’t bothered about electricity, let alone full service pitches. It’s never made more sense than now. I tend to use non EHU on C&CC sites - soon recover the cost of a big solar panel (or two).
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Good point Brue, forget about Steamer Quay - great little site. However, I think the absence of EHU is more about lack of investment pending local planning rather than any strategy on the part of CMC?
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From my experience of both clubs ,how friendly a site is, is not down to the clubs, but the mangers of the sites
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No sure what quality has go to do with it
On the clubs sites many of the sites sites are that samey, that if you did not venture of site, you could be confuse that site ,for many others0 -
I have been a member of both Clubs for over 20 years and while I mainly use C&MC sites I quite often prefer to use a C&CC site for a variety of reasons. I don't recognise many of the TP complaints and concur with the comments already made previougly.
peedee
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Thank you all for your comments and helpful advice so I will most probably be rejoining the CCC this year.
I have to admit that I don't like having to have a pitch chosen for me or not having a TV booster, although of course not all CMHC sites have the latter anyway, but as I usually visit midweek, the age discounts would be very useful. I don't have anything against none Club sites but don't usually use them, as being a single tourer, often with my dog/s they usually work out more expensive.
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Don’t worry, vbfg, you don’t have to accept the pitch they take you to and can ask for something different.
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I joined the CCC on acquisition of my third motorhome in 2010, but I stayed for only two, or maybe three, years; I cannot remember exactly now. I might have been unlucky, but the sties I stayed on were just not to my liking, mainly because they felt cramped with pitches too close together, and I found myself avoiding them when choosing sites. It became pointless to renew.
I often think about trying again, but I feel I don't need to pay two subscriptions. The CMC has everything I need and you can, for the most part, rely on knowing what you will get.
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Last year I stayed 7 times at C&CC sites plus 1 THS but none CAMC sites. Apart from C&CC sites being, mostly, in less remote locations with better access to public transport, pubs, towns etc. the ability to chose non EHU meant it was substantially cheaper than CAMC.
However, to address the issue raised by the OP, I managed to book a 'one-nighter' notwithstanding the blanket 'two night minimum' criteria. I'm not aware of any that require a three night minimum unless that is an, understandable, bank holiday period.
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