No club cards.

Teljen
Teljen Forum Participant Posts: 5
edited September 2023 in Club Membership #1

Hello, I am not very happy about not receiving any new club cards with my renewal, I have tried to order them on line but it keeps saying that the service is not available, I have tried telephoning, I keeps saying leave a message I have not received any reply, I have been in the Club for over 25 years, I am not happy with the way the club is going at the moment, not all of us have expensive phones with apps on! 

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Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2023 #2

    You could try making a complaint via the Contact us button at the foot of the page. 

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,856 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2023 #3

    When my renewal was due I received an email saying they were no longer sending out membership cards as standard but there was a link, which I followed, to order them. They arrived about a week later. I do have the App on on my phone as well.  Do you renew by Direct Debit or do you send the payment each year? Also are you signed up to receive emails from the Club? 

    David

  • Teljen
    Teljen Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited September 2023 #4

    Hello David, thank you for your reply, I pay for my club renewal on line ,I do receive email from the club, I'm a bit old fashioned, and like to have a club card, don't do electronics very well. 

  • Arch
    Arch Forum Participant Posts: 347
    edited September 2023 #5

    You should have received an email saying thank you for renewing further on down  there will be an explanation saying your membership card has gone digital almost at the bottom of this is Order a physical card here click on this link and you can order cards, I've received mine today.

  • JollyKernow
    JollyKernow Forum Participant Posts: 2,629
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    edited September 2023 #6

    Evening

    It's just like Arch describes above as I've had my renewal this week. At the bottom of the email it says if you'd like a physical card click on the link on the first day of the following month. I'm presuming everyone gets that? I too like to have a card as I don't possess a phone of any sort.

    Like it or not the digital age is upon us, apparently it's the way of the world now you knowwink

    JK

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,856 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2023 #7

    If you go to this link https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/membership/my-membership/ You have to be signed in, there is an option to order membership cards. (It's in your Profile)

    David

  • Longtimecaravanner
    Longtimecaravanner Forum Participant Posts: 642
    edited October 2023 #8

    I too prefer a card so tried to order them via the link and it didn't work. Rang HQ and was quickly answered and dealt with but she did say the sending of cards normally takes a week but owing to so many requests there is a backlog and may take longer.

    Seems there are more of us old timers in the club than they realised.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,856 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2023 #9

    Jenny

    I have both. In the past when you paid for sites when you arrived it seemed to make sense to have the cards with your payment card as it was better than looking in two places. Now, of course, if we choose to, we can agree to pay on day of arrival automatically. So in that case its as easy to get the phone out as the wallet? I help run the email comms for our ex works pensioner group and I come up against quite a bit of resistance to using electronic communication but with the price of postage, more reluctantly agree to use it, but I digress.

    David

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,383
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    edited October 2023 #11

    I am quite happy to use the card in my Google Wallet but I have noticed that the card has a list of phone numbers on the back of where to ring various departments. In the abscence of where else I can find these numbers, I have kept the old card in my wallet. Is there a list anywhere else?

    peedee

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,856 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2023 #12

    Peedee

    The contact us button at the bottom of this page covers most of them but they are not in the same order as the card and I suspect you would have to delve into each heading to find everything. As a quick aide memoir the card is probably easier?

    David

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,383
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    edited October 2023 #13

     Thanks David, hadn't thought of looking down there. You are right the card is easier and is useful just in case there is no internet connection.

    peedee

  • vbfg
    vbfg Forum Participant Posts: 504
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    edited October 2023 #14

    Modern technology is obviously very useful in many ways but I think that it is a mistake to rely too much on a phone as what happens if you mislay, lose or have your phone stolen, or it has a fault and stops working, as my old phone did?   Also, what happens if, as Peedee says, there is no phone connection?  

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,425 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2023 #15

    I have arrive twiced without my card and provided you give some basic details like name and address and can prove who you are with your driving licence the wardens can check you are a member. This was a few years ago but I'm sure it must still happen nowadays and there are ways around it?

    I suppose you could log on to their or a computer and show your card that way?   

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,856 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2023 #16

    Jenny

    I think there is still a divide in the Club between those members that want to do everything by the App and those who perhaps prefer the more traditional methods like having a card. The Club obviously like the App people because its less cost. I suspect they will be supplying cards for some years to come. It could be a good exercise for the Club as the next thing they want to stop is the printing of the Site Directory and perhaps the divide between those wanting to use the App and those wanting a printed copy will be similar to the split those wanting membership cards?

    David

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,299 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited October 2023 #17

    I don’t have any issue with digital cards. If saved in your wallet no internet signal is required. What annoys me is the back door way in which they have been introduced. I will certainly be requesting physical cards. If the club want to market a digital subscription at a reduced price, as with the other club, I will be. more than happy to sign up. 

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,636
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    edited October 2023 #18

    as the next thing they want to stop is the printing of the Site Directory 

    David, that could be a game changer. There are very many who rely on the site directory and the associated map, particularly those that use CLs, and not having a paper SD could very well mean a large loss of membership. The app does not display CLs very well especially if using it on an iPhone or similar.

     

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,299 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited October 2023 #19

    I haven’t looked at the App lately. Have they developed a version that runs offline? Until they do I don’t see how they can realistically claim it can substitute for the site directory.

  • Surfer
    Surfer Forum Participant Posts: 1,302
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    edited October 2023 #20

    Today I received my reminder to renew my CMC membership however on the reminder it states;

    Membership cards have gone digital.  Inspired by member feedback and supporting the journey of acting responsibly to protect the environment and the great outdoors for future generations.

    I do not recall being asked for feedback regarding going digital?  Mayne others think it is a great idea and are quite happy to go digital, but in a way we are still in the dinosaur age with some things.  Anyway the last time we attempted to use their app it was a total disaster and we removed it from our phones.  I am guessing this is another " we ignoring members and going ahead anyway" scenario and also a cost cutting exercise?  We are also wondering how going digital is going to save the environment and great outdoors?

    We have now requested that we have physical cards sent out so instead of one envelope, there will now be two lots of wasted paper!  If they can send out emails regarding cost of pitches dropping, why didn't they send an email first asking for your preference on whether you want a digital or physical card?

    On requesting the physical cards on the website I get a message stating that my request cannot be processed at this time.  I guess that says a lot!

     

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,029 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2023 #21

    If you are using CT, then you have a digital card. As for not having a signal, simply bring up your digital card on say an IPad, take a photo of it with your phone camera, store it with your other photos and it’s there, no need for a signal.

    Unless your phone dates back to before cameras were included of course.🤔 

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,856 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2023 #22

    Surfer

    Did you use the link I posted on page one of this discussion? 

    I wonder if there is a difference in the letter people get who pay annually or by Direct Debit. I have always paid mine by DD and my email welcoming me to another year of membership had a note explaining how to order cards if required. 

    Whilst I have the paper cards I did use the wallet on my phone, to which I have added the digital card, last week to show reception my membership card for the first time. 

    David

  • Surfer
    Surfer Forum Participant Posts: 1,302
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    edited October 2023 #23

    We now have to order the physical cards for both of us and this requires two letters with the accompanying bumf plus two lots of postage so how is that saving money and being environmentally friendly.  Not everyone has or wants a Smartphone.

    The CAMC can send lots of emails regarding this and that, but cannot send a simple email asking whether the member wants a physical or digital card.

    In addition, Mayday send out cards which are not plastic and they sit in my wallet all year and are very useable after the year.  Why couldn't the CAMC have used a similar material for their cards years ago?

    I am also wondering about the so called "feedback" from members regarding the change.  I have yet to read about anyone being consulted?

     

     

  • GTrimmer
    GTrimmer Club Member Posts: 169
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    edited October 2023 #24

    I py by DD and have done for years.  My renewal is due in September each year..

    I have received NO  email so far this year.  I presume I am still a member, because they were happy to take my Red Pennant premium earlie this week .

     

     

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,856 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2023 #25

    Are you signed up to receive emails from the Club? I just had a thank you email for continuing my membership and part of the email said that membership cards were going digital but if you wanted an actual card there was a link. See photo below

    David

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,663 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2023 #26

    I have just attempted to order cards, using the link David posted, and it says my request cannot be processed, I have to phone.

    Why are the Club offering on line ordering of cards if they  cannot do it?

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,666 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2023 #27

    For the first time, recently, I have not been asked for a membership card on arrival at a CAMC site.  You need to be a member in order to book on line, so when you arrive on site and pay with a card with the same name as the booking, and turn up with a car with the same registration number, and the same caravan as is booked in, there doesn't seem a lot of point in worrying about a membership card, IMHO.

    This year, when turning up at a C&CC site, I have been met at the barrier (having paid the balance the night before) and haven't even got out the car, let alone having to search for a card.

    For me, personally, it isn't a problem.

    David

     

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2023 #28

    Providing the site accepts non-members, David, they can book on line. I’ve just done a dummy booking at Bolton Abbey for tomorrow and the price varies by £15 depending whether I tick the member or non-member box. Maybe the site you stayed at is member only which would bear out your theory.

  • InaD
    InaD Club Member Posts: 1,701 ✭✭
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    edited October 2023 #29

    David

    We don't pay for our membership by DD; to date we have received no less than 3 emails in the space of 10 days urging us to renew membership!  It's due on the 1st of November.  I can't recall ever getting more than the 1 email reminder, this time the 1st came on the 7th, followed by the 2nd on the 14th, and the 3rd on the 17th.

    In the email it states also that, if you want a card, you can request one after renewal by following the link in the email.

    Of course, whether that link works is debatable, having read experiences described further upthread by some members wink

  • Surfer
    Surfer Forum Participant Posts: 1,302
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    edited October 2023 #30

    I have tried several times to request physical cards Online, but link does not work.  I think it is a very underhand way of forcing people to have the digital card which they do NOT want.  Going on past experience it takes forever for them to answer the phone, then you have to go through all the security questions etc. which is understandable, but could be avoided if the link worked!

    Although we have renewed our membership for another year and it starts on 1st Nov, we are seriously considering if we can cancel and get a full refund?  We have not used a CAMC site in years due to cost, we can get the same breakdown cover with Green Flag and plenty of commercial sites around offering better facilities at a lower price.  It will be sad to not be able to use CLs, but we are now wondering why we are paying £59 just for that facility as that will be the only thing we will really miss.

     

  • Goldie146
    Goldie146 Club Member Posts: 2,448 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2023 #31

    I'm just reposting David's post from 29th December - and having tried the link it definitely works.

    It brings up your mebership details etc. with an option to order a card. No error messages. Maybe use that link, rather than the one in the email.