Disgruntled CAMC Warden Joining Here!

[Janine]

Try parking across the back of the pitch, much nicer if you want to sit out under the awning.

I tried that once!
I had been into Looe for the New Years Eve shenanigans and didn’t want to wake the whole campsite levelling up on my ramps so I parked my little van sideways on.
I had a visit from the warden the next morning asking me to turn the van round although I was still within the gravel pitch.

 

[JockandRita]

I've been pitching either way around since September 2014 and never been "challenged" once.

At Chapel Lane CAMC Site whilst waiting for Tappers to arrive, we pointed out the continental door to the lady warden, however, she was adamant that we WILL pitch according to the peg regulations. It meant that when we opened the hab door, we were about 3 x feet away from the blooming hedge, with a huge gap on the other side of the MH, so I moved the peg one vehicle's width the other way, and lined up with that instead. No one said a word to us.

Try parking across the back of the pitch, much nicer if you want to sit out under the awning.

We did that at another CAMC Site, as the pitch was much wider that it was deep. Again, not a word was mentioned..........................but I did get told off for allowing my fresh water to run from the (new) MH dump area, across the road to a kerb drain. The dump area wasn't wide enough to allow a vehicle on with all drain taps draining into the same single drain, smack bang in the middle. A grid across the full width of the dump area would have been more practical, allowing all water to drain away.

A friend of ours when training with the CAMC, was told that if he caused damage to someone's unit whilst grass cutting and strimming, ie, a stone thrown up, not to own up nor admit liability, unless clearly witnessed by others.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[63720]

Stupid question alert - what is wrong with parking along the back of the pitch if you remain within the hard standing footprint?

 

[JockandRita]

Stupid question alert - what is wrong with parking along the back of the pitch if you remain within the hard standing footprint?

Nothing as far as I am concerned.
I am of the opinion that I have paid for/rented that pitch, and providing I am complying with the rules regarding safe distancing, I should be able to pitch as I feel necessary for my size of outfit.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[glenn2926]

I'm enjoying the bulletins from the front too. If your bored with it look at something else; don't spoil our fun.
I can see why they'd think deposits are a good thing but I think one of the plusses to C&MC for us this year is that they weren't charging deposits. We booked a few campsites with every intention of going to them, then had to change twice due to covid. It was easy and we gave fair warning so other people could have the spaces. It would have been a terrible faff to sort out refunds or lose the deposit if they wouldn't do that.

We are the other way when going away we don’t like to book too far in advance and people that have booked and don’t turn up are very annoying. Charging a deposit stops this to a degree.
If I have booked a site then don’t go that’s my problem and I don’t have any problem with losing my deposit.
The c and cc take deposits and the no shows don’t seem to happen as frequently on their sites.

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[Janine]

Nothing as far as I am concerned.
I am of the opinion that I have paid for/rented that pitch, and providing I am complying with the rules regarding safe distancing, I should be able to pitch as I feel necessary for my size of outfit.

Cheers,

Jock.

Exactly! If you think how much room a caravan plus full awning plus car takes up, we are often much smaller whichever way round we park!

 

[Gellyneck]

people that have booked and don’t turn up are very annoying.

Agreed, however do it more than once on C&MC sites and your membership rights are impacted.

 

[glenn2926]

Agreed, however do it more than once on C&MC sites and your membership rights are impacted.

Rightly so, there should be a financial impact as well. Losing money generally makes people think twice before either making the booking or just not using the booking.

 

[Gellyneck]

Rightly so, there should be a financial impact as well. Losing money generally makes people think twice before either making the booking or just not using the booking.

Personally I don't support the "deposit" argument for the reasons outlined in #418 above.

If a blanket deposit scheme is introduced it will only benefit those who don't want to \ can't book well in advance to the detriment of those who do want to \ can. Personally, I think the majority currently sits with those who can however until the Club publishes the data it's only anecdotal.

 

[glenn2926]

Personally I don't support the "deposit" argument for the reasons outlined in #418 above.

If a blanket deposit scheme is introduced it will only benefit those who don't want to \ can't book well in advance to the detriment of those who do want to \ can. Personally, I think the majority currently sits with those who can however until the Club publishes the data it's only anecdotal.

We have been on the opposite side of this at Berwick site. We were on our way North and decided we would like a night in Berwick. Rang the site only to be told they were full. We did find a pub stop and in the morning decided to have a quick walk round the site. Had a word with the man on duty and he said they had three empty pitches as three units hadn’t turned up. Therefore the club lost three nights takings and we had to find elsewhere for the night.
Had the club taken deposits they would have at least covered the pitch fees for the night, more probably though either no shows wouldn’t have booked and simply not turned up. Or we would have been able to have a pitch for the night.
If one has no intention of not turning up then paying a deposit at time of booking makes no real difference to the one making the booking, just paying at a different time.

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[L' Hobo]

Stupid question alert - what is wrong with parking along the back of the pitch if you remain within the hard standing footprint?

Today, when more of us have MH/Vans etc, it should make no difference BUT when most of the units on site were Caravans, in case of a FIRE, the regulations stated that ALL the drawbars pointing outwards (towards the access road) so they could be quickly hitched up and moved.

 

[NorthernSoul]

We have been on the opposite side of this at Berwick site. We were on our way North and decided we would like a night in Berwick. Rang the site only to be told they were full. We did find a pub stop and in the morning decided to have a quick walk round the site. Had a word with the man on duty and he said they had three empty pitches as three units hadn’t turned up. Therefore the club lost three nights takings and we had to find elsewhere for the night.
Had the club taken deposits they would have at least covered the pitch fees for the night, more probably though either no shows wouldn’t have booked and simply not turned up. Or we would have been able to have a pitch for the night.
If one has no intention of not turning up then paying a deposit at time of booking makes no real difference to the one making the booking, just paying at a different time.

The three pitches weren't available as the site didn't know that the people weren't going to turn up. So it wouldn't have helped you. We don't know why the three parties didn't turn up and one or more have them may well have intended to get there but didn't make it for valid reasons - Covid, breakdown, illness etc.

The loss to the Club is pretty small. There are 95 pitches. At say £31.50 per night (pitch + 2 adults) that's total takings on 92 pitches of £2900 for one night. If deposits were £25 (as per CCC) then they might have recovered £75. Return one or two for valid reasons and you could be looking at £25. It doesn't sound to me like such a small amount would justify the change to taking deposits. Any additional income would be very quickly swallowed up in additional Admin costs. So I think your example actually demonstrates why deposits are not worthwhile.

 

[Gellyneck]

If one has no intention of not turning up then paying a deposit at time of booking makes no real difference to the one making the booking, just paying at a different time.

But if a deposit is paid, say six months in advance and subsequently gets cancelled say 3 months in advance? Lost deposit when the Club will almost certainly re-let the pitch? How is that fair for members?
I think there are other means of curbing the instances of no-shows rather than impacting those members who can \ will book in advance (the majority?) just because another member (the minority?) wish to have flexibility up to the last minute. Under your scenario I would be, potentially, outlaying >£1,000 in advance because I can \ want book in advance to accommodate members who want to turn up on the day and want a pitch.

As an example, if a process was put in place where members had to arrive before, say 17:00 unless they requested a later arrival in advance (perhaps with a deposit?), lost their pitch that would give the opportunity to those who wish maximum flexibility. Not proposing that as it would take a lot of further thought but may meet both criteria, basically "standby" as in the transport industry? Curbs on membership for "no-shows" still to remain in place as is.

 

[EzeeRider]

But if a deposit is paid, say six months in advance and subsequently gets cancelled say 3 months in advance?

Any reasonable commercial site would refund the deposit with a cancellation that far in advance or at least allow you to carry it over for a later booking. C&CC will make a refund up to 30 days before arrival.

ezee

 

[glenn2926]

But if a deposit is paid, say six months in advance and subsequently gets cancelled say 3 months in advance? Lost deposit when the Club will almost certainly re-let the pitch? How is that fair for members?
I think there are other means of curbing the instances of no-shows rather than impacting those members who can \ will book in advance (the majority?) just because another member (the minority?) wish to have flexibility up to the last minute. Under your scenario I would be, potentially, outlaying >£1,000 in advance because I can \ want book in advance to accommodate members who want to turn up on the day and want a pitch.

As an example, if a process was put in place where members had to arrive before, say 17:00 unless they requested a later arrival in advance (perhaps with a deposit?), lost their pitch that would give the opportunity to those who wish maximum flexibility. Not proposing that as it would take a lot of further thought but may meet both criteria, basically "standby" as in the transport industry? Curbs on membership for "no-shows" still to remain in place as is.

I understand all of your argument but the other club manage it. The c+cc take deposits.
The no shows at Berwick probably had numerous sites booked as not paying a deposit makes this easy to do. With no financial lose for not turning up. Just preventing others booking. They then probably decide which to go to dependent on the weather. A deposit would make this less attractive to the ones that do this.

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[Gellyneck]

Any reasonable commercial site would refund the deposit with a cancellation that far in advance or at least allow you to carry it over for a later booking. C&CC will make a refund up to 30 days before arrival.

ezee

"A non returnable deposit will be taken with the option to pay in full or pay the deposit on arrival ." from post #198 (the OP) [italics my change] however not totally clear on the sentence.

Even if it is refundable I'd still be outlaying (potentially) >£1,000 in advance.
There are also a considerable number of commercial sites who don't allow this or booking has to be in same season \ year.

 

[Gellyneck]

I understand all of your argument but the other club manage it. The c+cc take deposits.

I'm not saying that the other Club doesn't do it but just because they do doesn't make it the right thing for all. That's the reason I am not a member of C&CC.

The no shows at Berwick probably had numerous sites booked as not paying a deposit makes this easy to do.

Have you tried to book multiple C&MC site for the same period or part thereof?

With no financial lose for not turning up. Just preventing others booking. They then probably decide which to go to dependent on the weather. A deposit would make this less attractive to the ones that do this.

What about the other points I made? Are they not workable or are you not prepared to consider other options.

 

[glenn2926]

Have you tried to book multiple C&MC site for the same period or part thereof?

Yep. One in my name, one in wife’s name. Easy.
It was a bit of a mix up as we were both looking to book a couple of nights. We were not at the same house whilst we were doing this.

 

[glenn2926]

What about the other points I made? Are they not workable or are you not prepared to consider other options.

If I wanted to be that planned I’d probably give up motorhoming. For us it’s the flexibility that makes motorhome trips fun. Not knowing when we get up where we’re going to finish the day. We’ve been known to end up in countries we had not thought about visiting.
Been heading to southern France from Chamonix but on the morning of departure decided instead to go to Germany.

 

[Gellyneck]

Yep. One in my name, one in wife’s name. Easy.
It was a bit of a mix up as we were both looking to book a couple of nights. We were not at the same house whilst we were doing this.

So you didn't but two different members did.

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[glenn2926]

So you didn't but two different members did.

Which is, I’m sure what quite a few couples do to maximise their options. A £25 deposit would stop this.

 

[Gellyneck]

If I wanted to be that planned I’d probably give up motorhoming. For us it’s the flexibility that makes motorhome trips fun. Not knowing when we get up where we’re going to finish the day. We’ve been known to end up in countries we had not thought about visiting.
Been heading to southern France from Chamonix but on the morning of departure decided instead to go to Germany.

However we are all different and, as stated previously, for personal reasons and to ensure we get the sites we want we do prefer forward planning \ booking.

 

[Gellyneck]

Which is, I’m sure what quite a few couples do to maximise their options. A £25 deposit would stop this.

If this is the case, and I'm surprised you're sure it is, would it also then stop individual memberships?

And I take from your selective response you are unprepared to consider any alternative options?

 

[glenn2926]

However we are all different and, as stated previously, for personal reasons and to ensure we get the sites we want we do prefer forward planning \ booking.

At the moment the club is run to favour you but I do think the deposit system will be brought in. Then the less planed, flexible type of members will have more chance of getting a pitch on the day.
We’ll see.

 

[Gellyneck]

At the moment the club is run to favour you but I do think the deposit system will be brought in. Then the less planed, flexible type of members will have more chance of getting a pitch on the day.
We’ll see.

But are you prepared to consider other non-deposit options?

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[glenn2926]

If this is the case, and I'm surprised you're sure it is, would it also then stop individual memberships?

And I take from your selective response you are unprepared to consider any alternative options?

It would appear we are both unprepared to see the other ones style of motorhoming.
I don’t tend to plan or book very much. Just go where we fancy on the day, usually decided over morning coffee.
We do have a tunnel booking next month and for the first time a return as we have an event to be back for. Normally we don’t have a clue when we’re coming back.

 

[glenn2926]

But are you prepared to consider other non-deposit options?

If they prevent people making bookings then not using them. The only way I can see this stopping this practice is if their is a financial loss to the member .

 

[NorthernSoul]

It would appear we are both unprepared to see the other ones style of motorhoming.
I don’t tend to plan or book very much. Just go where we fancy on the day, usually decided over morning coffee.
We do have a tunnel booking next month and for the first time a return as we have an event to be back for. Normally we don’t have a clue when we’re coming back.

But you're catered for - just look at the Late Availability on the CAMC website. https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/uk-holidays/uk-search-and-book/late-availability/

 

[cyberyacht]

This is a perennial issue on the Club Together CAMC Forum, with for and against being split roughly down the middle. I have in the past, suggested a number of tweaks.
1. Weekend bookings being limited to a month in advance. (This was countered by some who said that a week+ could be booked and reduced later by the unscrupulous)
2. Increase the cancellation period to a more realistic 5 days giving a greater opportunity for late availability to be taken up.
3. Members Credit Card details to be held with a signed agreement that any fee due will be taken if booking regulations not complied with.

It has gained no traction.

 

[glenn2926]

But you're catered for - just look at the Late Availability on the CAMC website. https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/uk-holidays/uk-search-and-book/late-availability/

We’re usually looking for a pitch very near wherever we happen to be. Not interested in pitches anywhere else. It’s just annoying if we either ring or as we sometimes have done, just turn up only to be told the site is full but can see empty pitches. This is generally late afternoon time so there is a good chance the empty pitches will be no shows.
The C+CC, because they take deposits have to a large degree eliminated this. So they are generally our first port of call if we’re near sites belonging to both clubs.

I must admit that since the growth of the likes of searchforsites, Britstops etc we have found that they suit our type of touring much better.

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