Vloggers Experience of Metering
Comments
-
H&T
We don't know what the plans are yet for the Club to roll it out to the whole network. People like your good selves will have the experience of use elsewhere as you note. What will be interesting is the reaction of those that currently don't pay much attention to electricity usage when they are away. I wonder if it will be the next "Tin Hat" explosion on CT? Obviously the Club could temper the reaction by having realistic reductions in site fees and I suppose it could be a non event. We will all, no doubt, wait with baited breath!
David
0 -
Maybe electricity costs will nudge things towards the way campsites operate in France - where nine out of ten sites without meters close for the winter and caravanning is purely a summer sport.
And separate Aires for motorhomers with built in gas tanks just have one or two metered socket outlets for a hour or so of battery charging.
Is the Club vainly trying to make one size fit all?
1 -
And separate Aires for motorhomers with built in gas tanks just have one or two metered socket outlets for a hour or so of battery charging.
Not on the camping car park network, which has expanded rapidly over the last few years. The majority have unmetered bollards for most of the pitches, although they are restricted to 6 and occasionally 4 amps.
0 -
Of course the camperstop in Spain don't close over winter but they do charge extra for ehu. Some have meters some just charge a fixed rate usually €6. We have used a few of this type but prefer the metered ones as we know we don't use €6 worth of electric a day. Maybe over winter you might if you run your heating and water on electric but most Europeans use gas.
I like the convenience of electric when stay for a few days but quite happy to go without for a night or 2. We also have refillable gas.
Given the way some campers use electric I think many are going to be in for a big shock if pitch prices are not reduced sufficiently.
0 -
We were on a CL last summer that had metered electric, with a £3 pn allowance in the site fee - anything above that to be chargeable. The owner didn't actually charge anything in the summer months, cos he reckoned the hassle of getting the readings and billing was not worth it as most vans used £3pn or less.
Said he had a group of 3 motorhomes in one March. Two were 'normal' size. One was massive, all bells and whistles. Reckons that one he billed for £50 for 3 nights electric ...
0 -
We saw someone using one of those clothes driers that have a heater underneath the clothes airer then a cover goes over it all. My words to OH was would they be doing that if they were on a meter. It was good weather and the clothes would have dried fine outside.
1 -
While ever the Club doesn’t control individual usage on its sites, this is the sort of thing that will be going on. We have said for years that the Club is pricing out more frugal power users, as it’s policy is to blanket charge across all users. It’s reaping the seeds it has self sown now, there will be a good few who won’t be tempted back to Club Sites even if metering comes in, unless the option not to plug in is very worthwhile. Metering gives everyone the option to choose how they want to holiday. It is after all, what we all do at home……….
3 -
The area where it is not a level playing field is our domestic charge is around 28p per unit,yet when I visited Wyatts Covert back in the summer each unit then was priced at 42p ( or around that ).
No matter how careful you are with the usage,you are still charged more.
I think the vlogger mentions similar in his vlog.
0 -
Fozzie
I assume that is because they charge commercial rates, which are not necessarily cheaper than domestic ones? Before we cancelled we had intended to stay at Cofton Holiday Park near Dawlish earlier in the year. They run their electricity through a meterage system and use the same people the Club do. From memory it was about .35p Kwh, that is more expensive than I pay at home by about .07 Kwh. No doubt all camping organisations have different contracts unlike our home one which is still governed to some extent by the regulator?
I do have a question for you as you seem to be one of the few that have actually used metering on a Club site. Can you tell us what extra infrastructure was in place at the bollard to accept the metering option? In your view would it take a lot to expand the experiment at a faster rate as we seem to have very little information from the Club, not even sure Ashridge Farm is up and running yet?
David
0 -
David
From memory, there is no actual difference at the bollard end,you simply plug in as normal,twist plug,all the metering is or was completed on my phone before hand with £10.00 credit.But before you get electric I had to select site (Wyatts Covert) Bollard Number (as these feed say 4 pitches) and importantly the pitch number,from the drop down list,then select,and you are on smart metering.
Note when leaving site,you must remember to press "Refund" balance to be refunded onto credit card.
The second question about the role out,I just wonder if the Club are waiting for the "results" of site occupancy without smart metering against with it.
I cannot answer the speed of role out,as I am not sure the cost of the metering equipment used at Wyatts Covert.Common denominator between WC and Ashridge farm is both sites have around 50 pitches so on the smaller sized sites.
1 -
It does sound like the Club may have not done too well in negotiating rates per kWh , but business rates do change quickly. Commercial rates are invariably higher than domestic ones.
OH has just agreed an electricity contract for our local Guide Hall, she is the treasurer. She has agreed a 12 month contract with Octopus at a daily charge of 66.18 p plus 22.143p per kWh , all plus VAT. As low users their VAT is only 5%, and they are exempt from the CCL (climate change levy)
The Club will be paying 20% VAT and CCL.
Interestingly, she first enquired a month back, at that time she was quoted a slightly different, probably higher, amount.....65.42p per day, but 26.44p per kWh.
Her next task is to get a reasonable gas contract.
0 -
In your view would it take a lot to expand the experiment at a faster rate as we seem to have very little information from the Club, not even sure Ashridge Farm is up and running yet?
My understanding is the Club wanted a full year of monitoring the trial and it was important to include the winter months. The trial started in May 2023 so the year won't be up until April 2024. However, it is a little puzzling as to why Asridge Farm has not been added to the trial before the end of 2023 as originally planned. Maybe the trial has thrown up something to change the Club's mind about equipping Ashridge? I cannot believe the act of metering is a problem but has there been problems with the smart phone enabling system or has a better system come to light? April is not far too off to find out. Hopefully the inflation crisis and with it the cost of pitches will not cloud the trial.
peedee
P.S.we have also heard very little about the trial of non electric saver pitches introduced at three sites. It seems to have been a very low key offering.
0 -
Someone arrives at Wyatts Covert without a working smart phone - lost, stolen, broken, never had one, etc etc. - how does their electricity work?
0 -
I am sure there will be contingencies in place. However as the roll out takes place (assuming it does?) members will be aware of the need for the App as the best option. Otherwise I imagine it will be trips to Reception with their already limited opening hours which won't be as convenient. I expect the Club have a pretty good idea how many members already use the Club App and what percentage of members book sites via the internet to get a handle on how many members are likely to be left out of the loop by not being willing, or unable, to use more modern means?
David
0 -
If it looks like the Club are steering towards a “one size fits all” approach, then I feel this to be unfair. For those who like to feel more frugal, fine, have the choice of none electric or metered pitch. It should be your choice - your money! Personally, I like to rock up, plug in and get on with enjoying my stay without bringing an extra layer of decision making into my plans. Surely we are all used to deciding and booking what type of pitch, then having a metered (or not) is no different, then we’re all catered for and no one is left out.
0 -
It still seems a cumbersome way of metering to me. They may be able to tell how many members book through the app, but internet usage tells them nothing. I book sites through my desk top. No internet on my phone, have no need of such a contract.
0 -
Given these current statistics on smart phone ownership and the prediction that 95% of the population will be using one by 2025, I would think it a very viable option for metering
1 -
Gillway said:-
If it looks like the Club are steering towards a “one size fits all” approach, then I feel this to be unfair.
Is it not the opposite that is happening? Surely, albeit belatedly, the Club is moving towards giving members more choice rather than a "one size fits all"? The new booking system has allowed the easy booking of different pitch type, surely a win for most members? I would accept that perhaps the introduction of metering for electricity is not going to be universally popular as there will be people who are happy to pay the pitch price and plug in and forget. There seems little evidence that energy prices will be falling substantially any time soon so without metering it is difficult for members to reduce their outlay on site fees if they wish to use Club sites? Many motorhomes and to a lesser extent some caravans can be more or less self sufficient in power. Many use refillable gas containers which reduces the associated costs of using electricity. If as you are suggesting members should have the option of electricity or not how do you police that effectively?
David
0 -
If as you are suggesting members should have the option of electricity or not how do you police that effectively?
This is what it says about the trial of non electric saver pitches:
We're trialling Non-electric Saver pitches at three Club Campsites; Clumber Park, Chatsworth Park and Burrs Country Park. It's part of our sustainability focus, giving members a choice of whether to use electricity when staying with us. By choosing to not use electricity, you can save up to £6.50 on any pitch type.
Simply book and pay for any pitch as normal. When you arrive, let the site team know you'd like to be part of the trial. They will lock off the electricity socket on your pitch and arrange for a refund to be made.
Please note: this is a trial with limited availability and is based on zero usage of electricity during your stay. You must be able to remain off-grid for the full duration of your booking.
Has anyone used these yet ?
peedee
0 -
Has anyone used these yet ?
Isn’t it restricted to the winter months? We could manage fine in summer, however not so much in winter with limited solar. Particularly as lights and fans on the boiler would be in use more. Plus more likely to be using the TV. Might be OK for an odd night but not much more. We usually stop 2 / 3 or 4.
0 -
Those people that have smart phones and don't have internet will be a very small minority. Even that minority will reduce every year as the Luddites will literally die off.
Anyone who wishes to spend £25 plus per night on a Club site can certainly afford a £6 per month phone contract.
The Club needs to plan long term and not be held back by short term difficulties to a few members.
1 -
You can also use a smart phone on the internet by connecting to the sites free WiFi. Personally I would rather use my much more secure 4/5G data, but that option is available and would have to be used at a few locations where there is no mobile signal. As to difficulty, I would certainly be happy to help someone having a problem with it on site and I am sure many other members would be also.
0 -
There’s an interesting tale of someone’s experience of the App and metering at Wyatt’s Covert HERE.
Generator next time. Woo-hoo!
0 -
I think the number of times you would find yourself in that situation would be pretty rare, especially in built up areas and near major roads. Usually the problem I find is inside buildings like our local Waitrose but they do have WiFi so it switches automatically to that. I must say I have become quite a convert to the Smart Phone over the last few years. Almost to the point that when we are away in the van it is now my preferred communication tool. I rarely use my van laptop for banking any longer would be one example. My wife did not naturally convert to the idea of a Smart Phone but she has gradually come over to them and now appreciates the convenience. For the best part of the last year she has been using Libre blood sugar sensors and with her Smart Phone she can take blood sugar levels with ease and it keeps track of trends and is a guide to how much insulin she needs to use. If we are to have ever more electronic ways of doing things on campsites a Smart Phone comes into its own. All Apps do is to break down what might be complicated computer tasks into easy bites.
David
0 -
OH has just bought a new phone, a Nokia. £25. Just does calls and texts, not even a camera. That is all he uses. Why pay for something you don’t use. He too does Libra sugar testing, with a device supplied, doesn’t need a smart phone. We rarely use our mobile phones at all, our mobile bill is a couple of pounds a month, for both. Why pay out £6 a month for the possible use of a metered CAMC site?
0 -
It’s a lifestyle choice is embracing smartphone technology, but it’s one we are just so happy we did. I wouldn’t be without mine now, we use so many useful Apps and features. We only have one family member now who doesn’t participate in any way with her mobile, other than we can call her in an emergency. She misses out on a lot, but we try and keep her in the loop other ways.
Edit….. I might be sitting on some very useful items, four old Nokia phones, and three BlackBerrys🤔 I loved the Blackberry phones, such a shame they got left behind with the rise of better technology. Nokias free to a good home…….if I can find the chargers😁
0 -
Isn’t it restricted to the winter months?
There is no indication that the non electric saver offer is for only the winter but there is no discount shown for the summer months. It does not make sense to only have it in the winter months so I think that is more of an omission rather than and indication that it will not be available in the summer.
peedee
0
