A Conversation at the NEC
I’ve just returned from the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show Athena NEC. While there, I visited the CAMC site and asked if there was an Executive Committee member available for me to meet. I was introduced to such a person and I explained I had some concerns which led me to be dissatisfied with the Club
Although in the course of the conversation I was able to raise several moans I have about the CAMC, it was the first issue that we discussed that I found most interesting. This is the cost of staying on CAMC sites which, I feel, is very high. I learnt that the cost of electricity and, more especially, the considerable amount been used by members is a real issue at the present time. If I understood correctly, last year there was a significant loss running sites due to this. Apparently folk are consuming a lot of electricity during their stay. An example that was referred to is the heating of awnings. I suggested that if the cost of pitch fees was high, then people staying on sites were going to feel incentivised to use a lot of electricity. Maybe, I also suggested, if the expense of staying was reduced and a reminder or campaign to drive electricity use down was put in place a 'sweet spot could be achieved. (“Sweet spot” seemed to become my word of the day!) I did suggest that aim of a ‘club ethos’ over such a matter is possible, although I felt that my interlocutor felt I was rather naive. I’m left thinking that site fees include an element a premium to deal with the loss I’ve mentioned earlier.
My other issues are those others have raised: the disincentive provided by the new booking system and the new payment of a deposit.
In the course of the conversation I was told I was the first person to have raised any issues about the Club since the show had opened which was three days ago. I also learnt that this particular committee member believes that there are about forty regular critics of the Club who use Club Together. With over 3500,000 members the voice of so few doesn’t carry much weight. That was my impression.
I am grateful for the discussion I had and I hope I have not misrepresented what as said.
Comments
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The club mentions in the March magazine where / when the trials will be held. However, you can’t book a metered pitch at WC currently for the proposed dates, and will have to wait until nearer the time to find out how the trial will operate.
Metering
Many members have asked when the Club will introduce on-pitch electric metering. We have spent the past 12 months researching the market to find a metering solution and we are exploring two options that we will trial this year.The first trial will be carried out at Wyatt’s Covert Club Campsite in Buckinghamshire from late spring. The second site is Ashridge Farm in Hertfordshire – the trial is expected to take place during the latter part of 2023. These trials will help us understand how easy the metering solutions are for members to use and importantly how much this helps reduce the use of electricity. More information will be provided ahead of the trial.
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GoneRovin. You can try metered electricity now and see if you like it - there are independent sites and CLs already with that facility. Alternatively there are similar sites where electricity is an optional extra at £5 or £6 a night . You yourself can do your own trials of these systems now and let us know whether they suited you. The options are already out there for you.
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I’m pleased to see the trials, but it is unclear how long each will last. I would have thought that it was vital to include early spring autumn and winter in their trials (I have no idea without looking it up whether the sites are open all year) because that surely is when the high electricity usage is.
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"Apparently folk are consuming a lot of electricity during their stay. An example that was referred to is the heating of awnings."
when ever electricity consumption is mentioned the folk heating awnings almost always get dragged into the equation, i have a blow heater that we use in the awning and a similar model to boost the heat in the conservatory at home.
This fan heater at home uses approx 4-5 pence of electricity per hour, we normally only heat the awning for a couple of hours in the evening whilst we eat, i should say we do not have a TV so never sit in the caravan watching television, have no idea how much electricity a TV uses per hour but some folk seem to have them on from dawn to dusk.
not against metering, most sites in Spain have metering but many provide 5-7kw per day free, not a lot if you should need the heating, but dont most caravans/MH's have gas fires ?
"I also learnt that this particular committee member believes that there are about forty regular critics of the Club who use Club Together. With over 3500,000 members the voice of so few doesn’t carry much weight. That was my impression."
why am i not surprised !!! for much of the time i dont think CT is monitored by CAMC staff
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Dont be fooled, the club will almost certainly have spent a good deal of monies investigating various systems, this is a trial that eventually be rolled out across the system, certainly on the more popular sites, best hope that whatever they put out there is fit for purpose, e.g, on the larger sites in Spain you can call at reception and ask for a print out of just how much electricity you have used, very useful if you are going to be on site for a long period, and of course if a limited free usage is avaliable you can see immediately if you are exceeding this llimit.
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Hja
My guess would be that once they have gone to the trouble on installing metering I reckon it will be unlikely to be uninstalled? With the two sites mentioned by Steve they have not exactly been adventurous or are they perhaps being clever? Perhaps the idea is only to try it on a couple of non-seasonal/non holiday sites just to check that it works? What will be interesting is to see what sort of price reduction is applied at these two sites when the metering is in place.
Good to see that the Club are at least trying metering out. Tend to agree with Peedee in that there should be no daily allowance. If they did that it would mean a much smaller reduction in the site fee.
David
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My point is an observation about Club sites and their cost. Apart from rare exceptions, I don’t use Club sites and use CLs and Search for Sites.
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Here's an example of a site that has gone down this route. Interesting to read about the pricing and how the meter is used.
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That’s a cracking link you have posted thanks Brue👍 Lovely cottages, and the Site looks nice as well. Could be one for us this year.
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" Good to see that the Club are at least trying metering out. Tend to agree with Peedee in that there should be no daily allowance. If they did that it would mean a much smaller reduction in the site fee."
Ummm!!! would they reduce the price if they installed metering, somebody has to pay for the installation , but am in agreement with you and Peedee , except, a daily allowance would be more attractive to low users of electricity and would perhaps encourage folk to be more frugal which would be beneficial for carbon footprints etc ...
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The "conversation" referred to shows that the Club Executive has no idea of the displeasure with the New Booking System made by a large swathe of usual non posters on CT and Trust Pilot, not to mention Facebook.
He/She arrogantly assumes that it was just a small % of "regular critics" that was displeased by it. Just goes to show that they haven't been bothered to read the threads related to it or to take any notice of why their TP rating has plummeted or to talk to HO Staff about the increase in members having to contact them instead of using the new system etc. etc.
Once again they have demonstrated the arrogance that these days seems to pervade this club at the Executive level.
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What's that phrase? Something like "You said, we listened"🤣🤣🤣
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I don't disagree with the drift of your post. I am not quite sure whether the OP spoke to an Executive or Non Executive member. Why should that matter? Well I think the paid Executive will do what they think is best (in their view) for the Club come what may. However one would expect the Non-Executive member to have more sympathy with members because by and large they are ordinary members. However in a conversation with the Chairman several years ago I got the distinct impression that they did not rate the opinions of people on Club Together. OK so sometimes the comments can be a bit OTT but on balance there are lots of sensible conversations on here with good ideas. It's always interesting that when you get major changes, the name change and the change of booking system are the major two, you always get dozens, if not hundreds of unfamiliar posters suddenly appearing on Club Together. If you add to that the outcry of Facebook and other forums you get a pretty good representation of feeling which it seems the Club is happy to ignore?
David
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I have on occasions wondered how many members the club ‘listened to’ out of the whole membership but think decisions are predetermined by HO.
Sorry to be off topic – Ref - the site Westgate Carr Farm they’ve certainly done a lot of work on the site with far more H/S since we were there 2019 ‘ish no holiday lets then that I recall. I remember the chickens roaming and seeing the chap walking the site with the German Shepherd (I think at the time there were 2 of them) It was a fair walk to Pickering all on tarmac unfortunately.
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If you add to that the outcry of Facebook and other forums you get a pretty good representation of feeling which it seems the Club is happy to ignore?
They cannot be happy with all the complaints, but do they ignopre it in the knowledge that some of the complaints are driven by a reluctance to accept change and that while it was a pigs ear to start with, it will be improved with time and the complaints will fade away.
peedee
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"it will be improved with time"
I admire your optimism. This forum for example has lacked certain aspects of functionality since it was originally launched and even now is not without its glitches and idiosyncrasies.
As for metering, the test will be how much is the reduction in fees? Given their concern regarding usage, why are they so reluctant to offer a non EHU option?
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Unlike the booking section of the site, the forum is not revenue earning and is a cost to the Club and apparently, if you believe the conversation, it is of little use to the Club? I am sure the Club must have conversations over its value but I don't think it is totally ignored.
As for a none EHU option the Club has consistently refused this option as do many other sites. I can only think it would leave them open to being challenged over how they are exactly charging for electricty with respect to the Ofgen rules. i.e is there a hidden profit on electricity usage in the current inclusive pricing?
peedee
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I think that's a good assumption about the members who contribute on here and elsewhere plus non members who take an interest.
The club is committee run, not the easiest of tasks. There is the exec committee plus eight more, the committees possibly come from centres and centre membership runs at 12% so there is very limited representation from the rest of us. Which is why voices need to be heard on social media and not dismissed.
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Yes great that they have decided to reduce their prices, was a bit shocked at £20 apprx per day max usage, but i can imagine on dreck day if you are stuck indoors it would be possible.
read the instructions for using the meter with interest, on first read it appears a tad complex, however, i am sure it is quite easy, but i do wonder how many trips will be made to reception because somebody does not quite understand or the meter is acting up, and what do you do after hours if you run out of lecce. ?
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We have used a CS with metered electric. Been there a few times now in the last couple of years. usually works out about £2 a night. the dearest was last October £8 for 3 nights. Pitch fee was £12. Tap on pitch, run waste into hedge, serviced pitch for less than £15 per night. Quite happy with these prices
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We've used metered CLs, no problems although not all systems are the same. We used a payment meter on one of them, we used up a small amount left over from a previous user then paid our way without excessive spending and left a bit for the next user.
I prefer all in prices but not if it's costing more due to excessive use or rising utility costs which I could control a bit on my own pitch.
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Members on the forum pay a membership fee and produce an income for the club, they also book holidays, use insurance and travel options etc. So indirectly the forum represents a revenue stream alongside opinions on the "value" of membership.
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Do the CAMC have plenty of pitches available for the more conscientious self generating power folk?. If they do then that is proof they are self aware👍🏻
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Are all the CAMC FB contributors not important too? 
