CL Price Rises
Comments
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Agree Nevers, back when we started you were ruddy glad to have a tap rather than a foot pump, and then the revelation of a working shower, inside your van! I can remember our friends coming round to use our onboard shower, and making sure next van they got had the same. EHU was the price changer, once the bollards went in, then vans became miniature houses with all mod cons, TV’s, fridges, hot plates, microwaves, etc….. no longer simple, cheap camping.
Things for many are going full circle, but a whole lot easier to do nowadays. 😁
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A lot of discussion has taken place since I first posted 2 weeks ago.
Just to add another massive hike in a cl price.
2019 a new cl with ehu and water hook plus drain opened not to many miles from me and it took my interest because it was near to friends. It started life at £18 per night and we said we would book on sometime. Obviously 2020 took a hit because of Covid and in late 2020 after lockdown we decided to try to book on. Looking at their entry on the club website there was a bold headline stating, "This cl is not taking any bookings until further notice". I have checked back periodically only to find the same notice.
Just tonight I have checked again and it has reopened on the 15th June this year so we would go to book on. The new price is now £25 per night. So we haven't.
The cl only opened 3 years ago and had been closed for at least half of that time so I find it unexplainable as to the reason for such a massive 39% increase. All facilities are the same.
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Harry, I can see a scenario where they had a certain period in which to recoup their outlay before starting to make a small profit, say 3 - 5 years.
Obviously Covid put paid to Plan A and maybe now they are under pressure to repay any money they borrowed to start the project so Plan B is to charge more and hope customers turn up.
It would have to be special to get away with that price tag particularly if it has competition at a lower price but there may be a genuine reason for the hike, in their view at least. Best let the market decide if it's reasonable or not.
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While I agree it is an increase (and 39% sounds large but in money terms it's just an extra £7 per night) but why does it need explaining? It's an independent business and that's the price the owner wants to balance the books and/or make a profit according to some (I assume) business plan and it either attracts people or not.
It would appear that CL prices are going up as club prices are, if more and more people want to use them then prices will go up?
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Yep, supply and demand.
As the demand for CLs increases, so the prices will rise.
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It is there staring us in the face-we are in an unprecedented time of rising costs. No one is immune from these rises & business owners are facing rises as are we. I’m thinking that they have it worse & an easy way to lose the added burden(if it becomes a loss) is to drop it/close it. Then there are less of them which creates TW’s supply & demand-less supply=more demand that creates even higher charges. If we want these CL’s to be there then we pay a decent rate. It’s sad to see them pressured to deliver more for less. It’s a mutual benefit that deserves support.
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What I always find puzzling is the preponderance for 'sooper-dooper' vans with massive end bathrooms that remain unused whilst the owner insists on a fancy facilities block. All that duplication of facilities costs money.
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Well Cy, that's because the end bathroom is just an en suite and dressing room for the OH.
As said many times in the past, the main thing is that members continue to use CLs of their chosen type, be it basic or full facility. The price they pay per night is something for individuals to decide.
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+1👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻. I no longer need a pick up truck to pull a big old log trailer & carry a vast array of tree work gear. Yet I bought a new pick up because I like their utility, solidity & safety-individual choice see👍🏻😊
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Have you posted in the wrong thread, this is the CL one?
Apart from choice, are you saying that large bathrooms are causing higher prices in CLs?
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I suppose it depends on the motivation of the site owner in terms of whether the CL is their main source of income? Even if full every night of the year at £25 a night it would only gross about £45000 a year. If we assume that 50% occupancy is more likely you are down to an income of £22500 a year and by the time you deduct all the running costs that figure will diminish further. There does seem to be an expectation that CL's should be run on a sort hobby basis by the owners but I suspect that new to CL owners will look at it very differently. £25 a night only seems expensive because up until now the majority of CL's have cost less, by some margin it seems? Would I pay £25 a night for a CL. The answer to that is yes if it met with my location requirements and location is always my overriding key decision maker.
David
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I can agree on your comment about costs appearing expensive to what they were some years ago.
However my overriding factor is solely my budget and these new prices in the mid £20's do not fit in with that.
I may sound over critical of cl prices but the end result is if I want to maintain this pastime my objective in doing so is the cost of my holiday. The cheaper the cl the more money I have to enjoy my time away.
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My nearest farm field CL has managed to collect just three reviews in ten years. (Two liked it, one didn’t) . That response doesn’t imply he is getting many visitors, and it doesn’t strike me that the owner is making very much money - even though some members will say on here that the prices should be cheaper.
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Harry
The problem I see for the future is that if members are going to limit themselves to lower priced CL's it doesn't bode well for the future especially if we want to encourage new CL's to open. Newcomers to operating a CL are far more likely to look closely at the set up and operating costs which shouldn't be underestimated. The solution is in our own hands we either bite the bullet and pay, we cut back on the time we spend away or we give up I think it is as simple as that. Even if you spent all your time away on Club sites its still likely to be more economic than other forms of holidays. A 10 day Cruise for both of us is likely to cost as much as 60/70 nights away in the motorhome in a year?
David
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That might be the location more than anything. Most folks, particularly those new to Cornwall, are more likely to choose a coastal location, rather than an inland moorland one. We love Bodmin Moor, but it won’t suit everyone. If it’s a farm, owner might not be that bothered as it’s diversification from main business. If it’s a quite old CL, then maybe some of the things in the reviews need addressing, as it might be a bit dated in some aspects? If it’s under £20 a night, let me know as it could be one for us😁
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There are some lovely looking CLs around the Bodmin/Launceston area! We need to get down and explore more!
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But you don't have to buy the cruise ship first. 🤣🤣🤣
The idea that owning a leisure vehicle means cheap holidays went out the window a long time ago.
The cost of new units are eye watering, I doubt we would ever consider buying new again.
The cost of maintaining them isn't cheap either, so it stands to reason that enjoying them isn't going to be.
However you can try to reduce costs by shopping around and using the non facility type sites and CLs.
Everyone will take a different view on these things, some go away for less time, some go away less often. I don't think it will stop altogether for a long while yet, at least I hope not.
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I don't subscribe to the 'it must be cheaper' rather the price should be commensurate with the facilities provided and the desirability of the location. A basic farmer's field in the back of beyond does not warrant prices that are in pursuit of CAMC pitch prices.
How much marketing does the CL you mention do? Is the owner pro-active?
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CL price rises, phew! We just had to gulp a bit at one we were interested in next year in Cornwall for June. We saw it was £25 a night but it was hardstanding (which we prefer) and fully serviced, lovely view so all good. It appears that they don’t have the dates we were interested in but a few days in one block but the price is now £30 a night and a 50% deposit on booking! Ouch! At our age who knows what may happen in nearly a year. So unfortunately it’s not for us.
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Aye, they have gone up a bit😁 I can recommend this lovely CL
https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/certificated-locations/england/cornwall/camelford/venndown-farmhouse/
You will find our review, and Nellie’s on page 2 of reviews, if you want to know about surrounding area etc….. We thoroughly enjoyed the pool and spa pool, and I has two loo and shower blocks. Pitches aren’t serviced, but it’s not far to tap. We stayed for a mere £12 a night probably because of time of year. The only busy traffic is when the Club’s nearby Site enjoys the race to be on by opening time🤣.
I found a very nice CL near Launceston for only £9 per night yesterday. HS, but no hook ups or facilities. Looks very neat and tidy, adjacent to a farm letting six holiday cottages……with a swimming pool, clay shooting, other activities. Definitely our kind of place for a few nights, and Bodmin Moor to explore on the bikes, away from the crowded coast.
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We would definitely go back. You have Tintagel and Boscastle on your doorstep, brilliant beach at Porthcothan. OH went cycling, but in true Cornish fashion, the hills are lung busters. That said, the Camel Trail isn’t far away. Something else you might be interested in, worth researching is Royal Cornwall Show. I am a bit out of touch with Agri Shows nowadays, but it might well take place in June, at Wadebridge. Again, not far away. Tinny will know more about the show than I do👍
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The Royal Cornwall Show is 8-10 June 2023.
Porthcothan is hardly on the doorstep though and, to my mind, isn’t worth the journey from Venndown. There are good and better beaches around Bude, Polzeath and the Padstow area, in my opinion.
Don't forget Port Isaac is close - Port Wenn of Doc Martin fame.
PS. The site is listed as from £20 p/n this year plus £1 per shower and a charge for the pool.
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Sorry Tinny, I might have got my beaches a bit mixed up👍
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Mmm, I think so 😂
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Definitely, just checked on map🤣🤣 I am out of practice sadly on Cornwall. Although we aren’t that familiar with North anyway.
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Just an update on my original post.
I am at present on a cl at Wisbech, Cambs. It is a level hard standing with ehu. Toilet and shower are designed with disabled in mind, very wide entrance doors and large floor area. Shower is a wet room. Washing up area inside a laundry, with would you believe it a free washing machine. Also free wifi near the house. Price £17. The owner has apologised because next year she is putting the price up by £1
So you see not all cl owners are hell bent on large price increases.
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Sounds good, harry. Enjoy your stay.
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I know the one you mean, harryb, Common Right Barn, we stayed there back in May for 9 days. Teresa is lovely, site is lovely with big pitches. We had the bikes with us and really enjoyed all the cycling we could do in every direction. Not surprised the price is going up next year, £17 for all that is fantastic. Enjoy your stay.
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