A letter to clubs about site prices

[Molly A]

Thankfully we are all different of what we want.This is your opinion of what you want. Many members, myself included, want a decent pitch,with hook up and decent facilities.

Which you can find in France for half the price.....

 

[Nirvanauk]

Which you can find in France for half the price.....

Well, I’m presently down the Vendee for a month and not too impressed by the facility’s up to now

 

[PhilMary]

Same here …now sitting on an independent site outside Ely Cambridgeshire with ehu, full services, free WiFi , visiting food vans , onsite pub for £22 pn on a bank holiday weekend …..go figure…

P
Ok, but which independent?

 

[Molly A]

Well, I’m presently down the Vendee for a month and not too impressed by the facility’s up to now

Where in the Vendee? We used to spend each summer there and stayed at some cracking sites....

 

[Nirvanauk]

Where in the Vendee? We used to spend each summer there and stayed at some cracking sites....

Left Batz sur mer yesterday day. Very windynow at la flotte. Then on to Saumur.

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[Harrogate motorhomer]

Beautiful day in La flotte today spent most of it dodging the sun. 19 euros a night or nothing for the FLT’S 100 yds up the road. Been coming for 11 years & still as good.

 

[JockandRita]

We have 10 days free in early July and I'm seriously thinking of just hopping over to France as it would be cheaper, we normally do long vacations but I'm not sure I can face the way we have to plan our holiday in the uk like we own a caravan.

Absolutely Gareth & Phillip/Philip.

There are so many lovely Aires in towns and villages, plus any France Passion locations, vineyards, chateaus, etc, etc, as well as the opportunity to pick up some of you favourite wines.....................again.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

Which you can find in France for half the price.....

But it’s not half price if you take into account the tunnel and if you have dogs that cost also.
Cost me £440 for the tunnel with the pups included!
Ok for a longer trip but not shorter ones….

 

[SpeedyDux]

It’s a platinum pitch, the drive way is located just by the pond and has a small calm slow flowing river (no sewerage) just sparkling water suitable for Ducks, the pond has fresh duckweed in prime condition. For members of the duck family who may like the odd 75cl bottle of Bollinger this can be supplied at £75

Parking on the drive way is a steal at £150 per night it’s a concierge service, you pull up we plug your lead in, open the grey tap your grey waste will just empty in to the gully and water our plants. The Black waste you can dispose of in the black waste point. A personal Chef is available at extra cost along with a house keeper their daily charges are extra but worth every penny. Should you also wish a butler to prepare coffees etc they are also available at a reasonable charge.

When would you like to book for and once we agree a date I can send a payment link so you can pay upfront and none of us will have any worries, oh just one point none of the upfront costs are refundable.

Bargain! Super-excellent for any passing Duck.

 

[Mister_G]

Was a CAMC member until this year
Pitch inflation was one of three reasons I didn't renew

Castleton
April 2019 = £11.70/nt
Jan 2023 = £23/nt

Nearly 100% in less than 4 years

Try £25.50 at the mo for 1 person. For a couple it’s £37 a night and the cheek to have raised it to £45.70 for the bank holiday weekend!

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[Camper Sue]

Just come back from Cornwall. Sites are quiet in Fowey - Falmouth area. Interesting pricing. Site one: tap and disposal £24 per night, CL. Site two: independent £21 per night. Great showers and hook up. Fabulous Site with sea views. Site three: very basic shower and loo no hook up £25.

Price jumps are cheeky. Charging high unless the owner is down to earth and not a rip off merchant.

 

[Broadway]

Currently on a CL in the Derbyshire Peaks. No facilities apart from waste disposal. Friendly and welcoming farm owner, great views, hard standing £15 per night including electricity. What’s not to like?

 

[Bigboy]

I think one issue is the fact that, when both the CCC and the CAM were ‘clubs’, they were run for members.

Now they are multi million pound businesses.

 

[rls106]

A number of people who frequented the tea tent at the Newbury Show were commenting on the rise in pitch fees. I don't stop on many sites so can't really comment.

If this is the case I thought I'd write to the two big clubs and try and get some reasoning for this. I know we have some wages inflation as well as higher electricity costs, but I suspect, like a lot of industries there might be a bit of "Greedflation" in their prices.

To give my letter some legitimacy it would be nice to know what proportion of our membership are their members, so please choose an option above.

Also can you let us know about some of the increases you have seen. Thanks

I’m in CCC and haven’t noticed any increase in site fees so far this season. I do benefit from aged person discount and usually qualify for either Midweek or Grass pitch discounts. Just had 5 nights at East Horsley Club site for £

A number of people who frequented the tea tent at the Newbury Show were commenting on the rise in pitch fees. I don't stop on many sites so can't really comment.

If this is the case I thought I'd write to the two big clubs and try and get some reasoning for this. I know we have some wages inflation as well as higher electricity costs, but I suspect, like a lot of industries there might be a bit of "Greedflation" in their prices.

To give my letter some legitimacy it would be nice to know what proportion of our membership are their members, so please choose an option above.

Also can you let us know about some of the increases you have seen. Thanks

 

[Dickie0121]

Although we belong to both clubs wecwill be dropping the Camping & Motorhome club this summer when it runs out. They are too expensive and we only use the CS & CL's from both clubs, most don't care if you are a member or not.

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[Pausim]

Although we belong to both clubs wecwill be dropping the Camping & Motorhome club this summer when it runs out. They are too expensive and we only use the CS & CL's from both clubs, most don't care if you are a member or not.

We used a CS and a CL earlier this month and both asked for our membership number.

 

[Snowflakes]

We were members of both clubs a few years ago, then dropped one as we did not use it as pitch prices hiked up unexplainably, this year will not be renewing the other.
Main reason cost of sites, the increases and more rules than their should be, we joined the caravanners and MH fraternity for fun and relaxation with like minded people, not to pitch up and spend a week adjusting to some little Jobsworth's interpretation of the rules. We now just find sites with no affiliation to the clubs, and if we make a mistake its down to us, and we can move on without much loss.
But paying through the clubs and greasing some administrators palms with silver is not my idea of what the freedom and fun of being on the road is all about, sad to see it going that way but greed brings out the very worst in people, and to be honest we all lost something in the pandemic, but we should not now be paying through the nose to fill someone else's pockets with our cash.
Yes all prices rise, but to the percentage extent we are being expected to pay, it is certainly not on, and I hope the greedy B's soon fall foul of their need for greed.

 

[Fragle]

Just cancelled my cmc they said on the phone thanks for being a member for the last 15 yrs bye and that was that ,

I've just called and cancelled direct debit when it runs out in July.

Very nice lady on the phone. Very apologetic that we feel the need to cancel. I requested to give feedback and that it is passed on as to why we have cancelled after nearly 30 years and proceeded to give my reasons.

She said all calls are recorded and she will forward this to the relevant person.

Away tomorrow for 100 nights. 10 days here then 90 in Europe.

5* site booked for 3 weeks in August in SW France direct beach access 30 euros p/n. The rest will be mostly wandering around free aires and Camping Car Park aires.

If you don't like it. Leave it.

Happy to rejoin if they change to a more motorhome friendly model. I won't hold my breath.

 

[Tude]

Try £25.50 at the mo for 1 person. For a couple it’s £37 a night and the cheek to have raised it to £45.70 for the bank holiday weekend!

Absolutely scandalous just jack them all in

 

[Tony50]

I think one issue is the fact that, when both the CCC and the CAM were ‘clubs’, they were run for members.

Now they are multi million pound businesses.

And every time I go to the Nec shows I tell them that, but, they don't give a sheet!

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[Molly A]

But it’s not half price if you take into account the tunnel and if you have dogs that cost also.
Cost me £440 for the tunnel with the pups included!
Ok for a longer trip but not shorter ones….

Ahh, you see, we never use the tunnel as it is too expensive and puts miles on our journey, the ferry from Newhaven does us nicely and can cost a very modest sum . We don't have dogs....we usually pay around £80.00 each way so not very much, probably the equivalent of 3 nights in an extortionate campsite in the UK...

 

[Molly A]

I've just called and cancelled direct debit when it runs out in July.

Very nice lady on the phone. Very apologetic that we feel the need to cancel. I requested to give feedback and that it is passed on as to why we have cancelled after nearly 30 years and proceeded to give my reasons.

She said all calls are recorded and she will forward this to the relevant person.

Away tomorrow for 100 nights. 10 days here then 90 in Europe.

5* site booked for 3 weeks in August in SW France direct beach access 30 euros p/n. The rest will be mostly wandering around free aires and Camping Car Park aires.

If you don't like it. Leave it.

Happy to rejoin if they change to a more motorhome friendly model. I won't hold my breath.

Sounds fab, have a great time!

 

[SpeedyDux]

Left Batz sur mer yesterday day. Very windynow at la flotte. Then on to Saumur.

Very nice. I am looking forward to visiting Saumur and its tank museum in June. https://www.museedesblindes.fr/

 

[Molly A]

Left Batz sur mer yesterday day. Very windynow at la flotte. Then on to Saumur.

Yeah, but Batz isn't exactly the Vendee, it's Loire Atlantique. We used to stay at various places between Bretignolles and Jard Sur Mer....hope you enjoy the rest of your trip .

 

[mikeg40]

I think one issue is the fact that, when both the CCC and the CAM were ‘clubs’, they were run for members.

Now they are multi million pound businesses.

but clubs designed for tents and caravans, not self contained M/H's with people who stay for a week or two not just overnight. until one or other changes their approach to cater mainly for motorhomes we will see no change

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[nickq]

I get that. But right on the river, mainline station walkable, 2 fantastic pubs nearby, bank holiday weekend, good luck finding a similar site much cheaper.

Lymington CCC THS. Pubs nearby, town short walk, train short walk. £10 per night for the bank holiday weekend.
THS are the best option for a motorhome in the UK imo. (Unless the grass is saturated!)

 

[j8snl]

Wow this thread has generated some responses

Currently a member of both but have found ourselves using more caravan parks and private sites which seem to offer us more value. I don't mind paying when the facilities are nice but so many of the toilet / shower facilities especially on CAMC sites are just lacking investment.

My wife went with 2 friends for a Friday / Saturday night in the Moho to Melrose CAMC club, my wife being a member and her two friends being guests and the cost was £110 for 2 nights. The previous weekend we were at Maragowan at £70.20 for two of us for Friday / Saturday, Maragowan has always been a goto site for us but seems they don't even bother to cut the grass there now and the toilets cleaning seemed to involve adding new toilet paper.

Our recent weekends off sites have included Nethercraig - £68, Ardtower - £70, Greenacres - £58, Oakwood - £54, Mossyard - £42 and whilst some of these are not significantly less in price the experience was just much nicer, very well kept and maintained, some offering food / drink options and most important for us, clean toilet / showering facilities.

As we find ourselves using more non club sites I may review at least one membership.

 

[Libellula]

Have not joined a UK based ‘club’ yet, but intend to do so next year when we do a grand tour of the UK. However, reading comments about a similar association in France, on vlogs, there are similar increases on French sites, and lesser quality sites being given to club subscribers. When questioned by bloggers about this they were told the Association has been increasing costs to the sites.

 

[Pausim]

Maragowan has always been a goto site for us but seems they don't even bother to cut the grass there now

The CAMC is taking part in “No Mow May” which is an annual campaign to allow plants and nature to thrive.

Caravan and Motorhome Club supporting ‘No Mow May’

www.caravanclub.co.uk

Plantlife's No Mow May Movement

No Mow May is Plantlife’s annual campaign calling all lawn owners not to mow during May. Let your wildflowers grow this summer.

www.plantlife.org.uk

 

[Fragle]

Wow this thread has generated some responses

Currently a member of both but have found ourselves using more caravan parks and private sites which seem to offer us more value. I don't mind paying when the facilities are nice but so many of the toilet / shower facilities especially on CAMC sites are just lacking investment.

My wife went with 2 friends for a Friday / Saturday night in the Moho to Melrose CAMC club, my wife being a member and her two friends being guests and the cost was £110 for 2 nights. The previous weekend we were at Maragowan at £70.20 for two of us for Friday / Saturday, Maragowan has always been a goto site for us but seems they don't even bother to cut the grass there now and the toilets cleaning seemed to involve adding new toilet paper.

Our recent weekends off sites have included Nethercraig - £68, Ardtower - £70, Greenacres - £58, Oakwood - £54, Mossyard - £42 and whilst some of these are not significantly less in price the experience was just much nicer, very well kept and maintained, some offering food / drink options and most important for us, clean toilet / showering facilities.

As we find ourselves using more non club sites I may review at least one membership.

Yes and it makes you think.

Having just done Scotland We just refused to give in and pay what we personally consider extortionate rates to park for less than 24hrs

Clachan near Killin wanted £20 for a non electric pitch no toilet or showers there. We parked in car park near the new Coop. We did 2 nights at start and 1 on way down. Very quiet toilets and fresh water £0
We did 3 walks past the site at Maragowan it was reasonably full and good luck to them. If I had a Caravan as we once had I'd use that site. But I don't have a caravan and I choose views and freedom like this.

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