Caravan and Motorhome Club Price increases

[DuxDeluxe]

I bet you don't use £3 + of electric per day in your house either I know I don't and I've a lot more electrical items on in there than in motorhome

.....unless you are a tugger who keeps a big heater going in the awning even when out

 

[Northernraider]

Must be doing something right...

News item>
Caravan and Motorhome Club sees increase in campervan members

The Caravan and Motorhome Club is seeing a significant increase in the number of campervanners becoming members. It reports that it now has 30,000 campervanning members.

The Club’s Marketing Director, Harvey Alexander, believes it’s the spontaneous nature of campervanning that has seen the Club witness a surge in bookings during the winter months, with more and more of its members preferring to enjoy shorter breaks at home rather than heading off for some winter sun. He says this spontaneity is typical of campervanners.

“They don’t like to plan, they just jump in and head off wherever the mood takes them,” he says. “Last winter was our best-ever for winter sites booking.” The Club has responded by extending the seasonal opening times of many of it sites so that members can enjoy more of its sites over the winter period.

The club has also invested £14 million this year in campsite renovations; adding more hard-standing pitches and more electric hook-ups for the benefit and comfort of its winter motorhomers and campervanners!

It is

Its working with local authorities to make everywhere else to park a motorhome near impossible so many are left with no choice but to use the concentration...I mean camp sites

 

[Lenny HB]

“They don’t like to plan, they just jump in and head off wherever the mood takes them,” he says. “Last winter was our best-ever for winter sites booking.” The Club has responded by extending the seasonal opening times of many of it sites so that members can enjoy more of its sites over the winter period.

So how does that work then, everyone appears to complain they can't book anywhere all booked up in advance.
They are giving the impression I can just turn up for the night, so will work if I do?

 

[Lenny HB]

the concentration...I mean camp sites

First description was correct.

 

[MichaelT]

210 quid a week ?? 840 a month?

Think of the lovely big house you could buy for that mortgage

That's all in remember, my energy bill is £100, council tax over £200, water is £60 and I have to clean myself so that's about half of the cost. Not sticking up for them as we do not use them much either but they do offer a quite high standard in general, well maintained and safe sites that we will use if in an area we want to visit, and sometimes its nice to have more than a dribble of water when you shower and not have to cart a container full of sh1t to empty every morning

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[eddie]

Our electric bill in the Winter is approximately five times that of the Summer, to such an extent, that when we get an extended "really" cold spell (January this year for example) we would be better off closing and sending everyone away, it is eye wateringly expensive!

A couple of 2Kw radiators, Truma on electric for hot water, electric kettle, electric toaster, electric blanket, Charger working its socks off for lights, TV soon eats into £18 a night for a hardstanding including electric. We will be converting the pitches over to metered pitches in the Spring as people in the main just have no idea how much electric they use!

 

[iandsm]

Our electric bill in the Winter is approximately five times that of the Summer, to such an extent, that when we get an extended "really" cold spell (January this year for example) we would be better off closing and sending everyone away, it is eye wateringly expensive!

A couple of 2Kw radiators, Truma on electric for hot water, electric kettle, electric toaster, electric blanket, Charger working its socks off for lights, TV soon eats into £18 a night for a hardstanding including electric. We will be converting the pitches over to metered pitches in the Spring as people in the main just have no idea how much electric they use!

I Think that's fair, it gives people not only a choice as to whether they use electricity but also, if they do, how much.

How will you manage payment, slot meter, prepaid card, up front deposit etc?

 

[eddie]

I Think that's fair, it gives people not only a choice as to whether they use electricity but also, if they do, how much.

How will you manage payment, slot meter, prepaid card, up front deposit etc?

Slot meters will just be smashed open, prepaid card means people potentially pay more than they use, so probably just make people pay for what they have used when they leave. Possibly take Credit Card in advance if people need to leave early before the office is open

Still looking into all of it, or just open in the Summer

 

[mitzimad]

Slot meters will just be smashed open, prepaid card means people potentially pay more than they use, so probably just make people pay for what they have used when they leave. Possibly take Credit Card in advance if people need to leave early before the office is open

Still looking into all of it, or just open in the Summer

remote metering is the norm on the continent they read the meter from the office when you check out

 

[Tony50]

I have emailed them saying in these uncertain times for UK I don't think they should be putting up prices , rather , they should look at reducing their costs, for all the good this message will do ,It's just a big business

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[DC4JC]

Eddie, just out of interest, when these are installed what happens to the current pitch rate? Does it stay the same, increase or what?
Realise theres an investment here.

 

[Paul and Kate]

Must be doing something right...

News item>
Caravan and Motorhome Club sees increase in campervan members

The Caravan and Motorhome Club is seeing a significant increase in the number of campervanners becoming members. It reports that it now has 30,000 campervanning members.

The Club’s Marketing Director, Harvey Alexander, believes it’s the spontaneous nature of campervanning that has seen the Club witness a surge in bookings during the winter months, with more and more of its members preferring to enjoy shorter breaks at home rather than heading off for some winter sun. He says this spontaneity is typical of campervanners.

“They don’t like to plan, they just jump in and head off wherever the mood takes them,” he says. “Last winter was our best-ever for winter sites booking.” The Club has responded by extending the seasonal opening times of many of it sites so that members can enjoy more of its sites over the winter period.

The club has also invested £14 million this year in campsite renovations; adding more hard-standing pitches and more electric hook-ups for the benefit and comfort of its winter motorhomers and campervanners!

I'm sure I saw a dealership at the NEC giving 12 months membership with each unit sold.
May explain the increase in members.

 

[MichaelT]

I have emailed them saying in these uncertain times for UK I don't think they should be putting up prices , rather , they should look at reducing their costs, for all the good this message will do ,It's just a big business

Hard to reduce costs when the majority of staff are on minimum wage? However as some others have said turning off lights after say 1AM to 5AM, solar panels and solar hot water heating, lowering thermostat in toilet blocks so its not like a sauna would take some costs out but obviously would require some initial capital outlay.
Maybe lowering some costs at HO as well, and stop sending the stupid magazine and offer digital membership like C&CC does.

 

[eddie]

Eddie, just out of interest, when these are installed what happens to the current pitch rate? Does it stay the same, increase or what?
Realise theres an investment here.

These are the things that we are looking into? We spent hundreds of thousands on the site prior to our opening in 2005 and invested in really good quality equipment, but office controlled metering wasn't an option then, and everything else has a downside or inconvenience. Alternatively, we are continually being pressed to filling the site with park homes and doing away with touring pitches, more money and a lot less hassle

 

[DC4JC]

These are the things that we are looking into? We spent hundreds of thousands on the site prior to our opening in 2005 and invested in really good quality equipment, but office controlled metering wasn't an option then, and everything else has a downside or inconvenience. Alternatively, we are continually being pressed to filling the site with park homes and doing away with touring pitches, more money and a lot less hassle

That seems to be the way more sites are going. Seen many in France and Spain especially convert to either all or 80/90% mobile/park homes.

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[Mikey RV]

We love the CMC and are working for them next year so that’s proberly why the prices have gone up. We have standards to keep you know.

 

[Petehvan]

We have been members of both clubs for over 25 years and these days very rarely use the sites of either any more because it is near impossible to be spontaneous. ( something I was looking forward to once I retired)
We all loose sight of the fact that both clubs are big business and are there to make profit out of members. I remember some time ago when there was an attempt to encourage councils to provide continental type Aires, the clubs reaction was that they would not support the campaign as it was not in the interest of the club. No one asked me as a club member if I thought it would be of benefit.

 

[scotjimland]

Alternatively, we are continually being pressed to filling the site with park homes and doing away with touring pitches, more money and a lot less hassle

yes and it's happening to many touring sites.. campsites are first and foremost a business, not a service or a charity.

so if for example if you could make more money with a lot less hassle renting out the land to bee keepers and filling it with hives ,

win win.. no more EHU points, toilet blocks, ground work and Jo public to deal with

 

[Tony50]

Hard to reduce costs when the majority of staff are on minimum wage? However as some others have said turning off lights after say 1AM to 5AM, solar panels and solar hot water heating, lowering thermostat in toilet blocks so its not like a sauna would take some costs out but obviously would require some initial capital outlay.
Maybe lowering some costs at HO as well, and stop sending the stupid magazine and offer digital membership like C&CC does.

You are right about HQ. when the Annual financial report comes out Salaries are lumped together, yes they are lovely sites in the main but a lot are OTT.Less posh saving members more dosh ,as I said big business both C&MC and C&CC. I was at the Nec 2 years ago on C&MC stand asked what do you do with stand at end of show , answer put it in a Skip as not worth taking down and storing they must cost £1000's

 

[Lenny HB]

We love the CMC and are working for them next year so that’s proberly why the prices have gone up. We have standards to keep you know.

My niece works for them, they don't mess about when it comes to salaries she is on a nice little earner.

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[Puddleduck]

I I think one of the reasons given for the increase, the claim of 25% increase in electricity is exagerated

Or maybe their bill has increased by 25% (rather than the tariff has increased) as more people have electric heating and / or air conditioning in their units.

I am not excusing the increase just suggesting a reason for the 25% claim.

 

[iandsm]

Or maybe their bill has increased by 25% (rather than the tariff has increased) as more people have electric heating and / or air conditioning in their units.

I am not excusing the increase just suggesting a reason for the 25% claim.

Yes it could be but the way it reads is that they said the COST had gone up along with other utilities. Nothing about greater usage. In any case like any business they should incorporate utility costs in the cost of the product they are selling so if more people use a site and use more utilites they will have greater income from fees in any case. Their costs should be proportionate with the amount used by their customers.

 

[Spriddler]

News item>
Caravan and Motorhome Club sees increase in campervan members

The Caravan and Motorhome Club is seeing a significant increase in the number of campervanners becoming members. It reports that it now has 30,000 campervanning members.
........it’s the spontaneous nature of campervanning that has seen the Club witness a surge in bookings during the winter months, ........

Aha! So it's winter campervanners who have put the electricity uusage up by 25%

 

[spitfire]

Thanks for a good reply. I have often wondered why they don’t charge a reduced rate for people who do not use all the facilities.some people don’t use the toilet blocks so they could benefit by a reduction while those that do could be given a key on booking in. I don’t that would happen because they don’t just want to sell pitches, they want to sell them at the highest price they can achieve.

Probably because they can't be sure they won't use the facilities. Let in by someone with a key by ' oh sorry forgot my key so don't let the door go ' !! etc

 

[Ismbardbrunel]

My home electric has also risen..OFGEM only allows a certain amount..so instead of excess price rise, we are now fiddled with standing excess....

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[PeteH]

My home electric has also risen..OFGEM only allows a certain amount..so instead of excess price rise, we are now fiddled with standing excess....

I have long thought that the "Standing" charge is just robbery. Yest there are infrastucture costs INITIALLY, but making a Charge for NOT using, like when we where in the US for 6 months!. Is nothing short of highway robbery. (Dick Turpin, at least wore a mask!) Meter the usage properly and things happen 1) People know just what it costs 2) They reduce their consumption, 3) the planet benefits? (if you actually believe the "Green Hype" of course).

 

[Theonlysue]

The cl I stay at has metered elec. Up from 14p to 18p a unit. They have to pay commercial prices.
As previously said, some say they are paying for it, so theyll use it.
I too have seen heaters in awnings in the evening while the campers are inside watching tv. A complete waster.
Everything has gone up. Wages, costs, maintenance, called cost of living.

 

[Mr Chrysalis]

Also from the end of 2018, being a member of CMC will no longer get you the discount on the M6 toll. That alone has paid for my membership for the last few years

 

[scotjimland]

The cl I stay at has metered elec. Up from 14p to 18p a unit. They have to pay commercial prices.
As previously said, some say they are paying for it, so theyll use it.
I too have seen heaters in awnings in the evening while the campers are inside watching tv. A complete waster.
Everything has gone up. Wages, costs, maintenance, called cost of living.

It was metered and charged at 14p when we stayed on CL back in 2009

Prior to installing the card meters, the owners almost went bankrupt with huge electric bill they got .. it was thousands of pounds for a winter quarter .. that was what prompted them to fit the meters, they also discovered a 'long termer' had a full sized domestic fridge/freezer, toaster, kettle, and 3 kw heater in his awning, just like home and all for the princely sum of £12 a night...

That is taking advantage, and after the meters were fitted they left the site ..

 

[ramsthom]

Up until a few years ago the CMC had the Yorkshire Showground site at Harrogate but the showground took it over as I believe the CMC did not renew the lease. It was closed for a while and then the toilets and pitch standings were updated. Pitch prices were cheaper than CMC. This year they increased prices for bank holiday, summer holidays and weekends but kept them the same Mon- Friday. The warden explained they had done this to increase the occupancy rate during the week as it was always full at other times. It resulted in an increase of 50 to 70%. For next year a proposal is going forward to offer : book 5 days get 1 free : Mon to Friday. Lovely site and a pleasant walk into Harrogate.

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