Camc Charges

[Otter Spotter]

I overheard an interesting conversion yesterday at a CAMC site near Abergavenny, where the current warden was giving 2 newby wardens a tour of the site.
He said that ‘the club’ treat sites like hotels and the different pitches they call ‘rooms’ the idea is they a number of rooms to suit different occupants and the job of the wardens is to get at least 70% occupancy rate in each of the different types of rooms. The booking system will steer people to fill the most profitable rooms by only offering the room types that are low occupancy.

I did notice after this that I had been only offered a standard hard standing pitch with or without awning, but on arrival there were a good number of grass pitches unused which should have been offered on the website and in theory would have been cheaper than the Standard which was a hard standing.

My concern after hearing this, is that not only is the ‘club’ being down right mercenary about forcing members to pay the highest rate for the room/pitches and not being fair in offering all the available rooms/pitches but also that they are hiding their profit driven business model behind a ‘club’ title which is not member friendly.

Its as though the website booking system manipulates the rooms/pitches offered depending on how much money the site is going to make each day.

Am I being too cynical or has this warden let the cat out of the bag?

 

[PP Bear]

Easily done to manipulate the online booking process. It does explain how when the online booking says it’s full, that they can easily squeeze us in on the phone. Makes sense now but down right dastardly why to run a busy that’s supposed to be for the members.

 

[Chocy boy]

Left the CAMC three years back.

 

[wiljoy]

I overheard an interesting conversion yesterday at a CAMC site near Abergavenny, where the current warden was giving 2 newby wardens a tour of the site.
He said that ‘the club’ treat sites like hotels and the different pitches they call ‘rooms’ the idea is they a number of rooms to suit different occupants and the job of the wardens is to get at least 70% occupancy rate in each of the different types of rooms. The booking system will steer people to fill the most profitable rooms by only offering the room types that are low occupancy.

I did notice after this that I had been only offered a standard hard standing pitch with or without awning, but on arrival there were a good number of grass pitches unused which should have been offered on the website and in theory would have been cheaper than the Standard which was a hard standing.

My concern after hearing this, is that not only is the ‘club’ being down right mercenary about forcing members to pay the highest rate for the room/pitches and not being fair in offering all the available rooms/pitches but also that they are hiding their profit driven business model behind a ‘club’ title which is not member friendly.

Its as though the website booking system manipulates the rooms/pitches offered depending on how much money the site is going to make each day.

Am I being too cynical or has this warden let the cat out of the bag?

You've discovered the real C&MC. Always been greedy and worshipped money.

 

[Fragle]

My concern after hearing this, is that not only is the ‘club’ being down right mercenary about forcing members to pay the highest rate for the room/pitches and not being fair in offering all the available rooms/pitches but also that they are hiding their profit driven business model behind a ‘club’ title which is not member friendly.

Not been member friendly for quite a while

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[Spriddler]

I did notice after this that I had been only offered a standard hard standing pitch with or without awning, but on arrival there were a good number of grass pitches unused which should have been offered on the website and in theory would have been cheaper than the Standard which was a hard standing.

I've had the same experience (I prefer grass) and been told that grass isn't offered on the website as in prolonged wet weather on some sites the grass pitches become unusable due to (mostly) m/h's getting stuck and churning up the pitch.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Oh good, yet another let's criticise the CAMC thread...
Wonderful country, Britain
Freedom of choice.

 

[Otter Spotter]

I've had the same experience (I prefer grass) and been told that grass isn't offered on the website as in prolonged wet weather on some sites the grass pitches become unusable.

Even in a heatwave

 

[Otter Spotter]

Oh good, yet another let's criticise the CAMC thread...
Wonderful country, Britain
Freedom of choice.

Only passing on what I heard, I can assure you I will be using my freedom of choice, assuming the website offers it and guess what, you don’t have to read the thread

 

[Gerby]

Sorry to say but I use CAMC sites regularly and when looking at a pitch with awning I have never had to select grass or hard standing when booking as they are the same price and the same goes for pitches without awning, pitches are generally priced in 3 bands these being fully serviced, with awning or without awning and selection of hard standing or grass is made by you when you get there

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[Spriddler]

Even in a heatwave

The website isn't able to tell when there's been heavy rain or a heatwave. That's why the wardens can decide and offer grass when you arrive.

It's also my experience that they don't differentiate in pitch price between hard standing and grass or 'with awning' or 'without awning'.

 

[Gerby]

Sorry to say but I use CAMC sites regularly and when looking at a pitch with awning I have never had to select grass or hard standing when booking as they are the same price and the same goes for pitches without awning, pitches are generally priced in 3 bands these being fully serviced, with awning or without awning and selection of hard standing or grass is made by you when you get there

Just been corrected by SWMBO (who does all the booking) apparently with awning and without awning prices (at CAMC sites) are the same.

 

[Mikey RV]

Just been corrected by SWMBO (who does all the booking) apparently with awning and without awning prices (at CAMC sites) are the same.

Just the non awning pitches are normally smaller.

 

[Gellyneck]

Sorry to say but I use CAMC sites regularly and when looking at a pitch with awning I have never had to select grass or hard standing when booking as they are the same price and the same goes for pitches without awning, pitches are generally priced in 3 bands these being fully serviced, with awning or without awning and selection of hard standing or grass is made by you when you get there

At least one C&MC site has "composite" pitches (Tewkesbury) where the vehicle is parked on a block paved area and the awning goes on the grass area next to it.
But, as you say, fully serviced, awning or non-awning is the normal selection available.

 

[maison]

I overheard an interesting conversion yesterday at a CAMC site near Abergavenny, where the current warden was giving 2 newby wardens a tour of the site.
He said that ‘the club’ treat sites like hotels and the different pitches they call ‘rooms’ the idea is they a number of rooms to suit different occupants and the job of the wardens is to get at least 70% occupancy rate in each of the different types of rooms. The booking system will steer people to fill the most profitable rooms by only offering the room types that are low occupancy.

I did notice after this that I had been only offered a standard hard standing pitch with or without awning, but on arrival there were a good number of grass pitches unused which should have been offered on the website and in theory would have been cheaper than the Standard which was a hard standing.

My concern after hearing this, is that not only is the ‘club’ being down right mercenary about forcing members to pay the highest rate for the room/pitches and not being fair in offering all the available rooms/pitches but also that they are hiding their profit driven business model behind a ‘club’ title which is not member friendly.

Its as though the website booking system manipulates the rooms/pitches offered depending on how much money the site is going to make each day.

Am I being too cynical or has this warden let the cat out of the bag?

Twice, on our recent tour of Wales, we could only book grass pitches.

On arrival I asked if there were any hard standing pitches available and was told that cancellations had made one available. We accepted at the extra cost of £1.35pn.

We considered it worth it as the hard standing pitches were level so no need to get out the levelling blocks. But, there again, I can be a lazy ba#5ard at times.

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[cyberyacht]

Pitch surface is going to become an available choice soon when booking. "Soon" however currently seems to be a moveable feast as they can't get the IT sorted - what a surprise!

 

[Gellyneck]

Twice, on our recent tour of Wales, we could only book grass pitches.

On arrival I asked if there were any hard standing pitches available and was told that cancellations had made one available. We accepted at the extra cost of £1.35pn.

We considered it worth it as the hard standing pitches were level so no need to get out the levelling blocks. But, there again, I can be a lazy ba#5ard at times.

First I've heard that C&MC have different pricing for hardstand and grass pitches.

 

[Gellyneck]

Pitch surface is going to become an available choice soon when booking. "Soon" however currently seems to be a moveable feast as they can't get the IT sorted - what a surprise!

Last I've heard is out to August now.

 

[Land Yachties]

Currently on the Brecon CAMC site. Same price for grass or hardstanding pitch. Take your pick of what ever is unoccupied we were told when checking in. Only the Red service pitches were more expensive

 

[Mikey RV]

Currently on the Brecon CAMC site. Same price for grass or hardstanding pitch. Take your pick of what ever is unoccupied we were told when checking in. Only the Red service pitches were more expensive

That is at the moment, I am sure when the new system comes in there will be plenty of threads on here for and against.

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[Neil S]

First I've heard that C&MC have different pricing for hardstand and grass pitches.

They don’t but the C&CC definitely do
I was at Cardigan Bay C&CC site and swapped from grass to hardstanding through a cancellation.
The warden appeared later and said there would be an extra charge and could they use the same card number on file which I had made the original booking with

 

[Spriddler]

...... and could they use the same card number on file which I had made the original booking with

Card details held on file...........hmm?

 

[Neil S]

Card details held on file...........hmm?

I think they keep your details for a limited time

 

[Verteuil Man]

After speaking to a warden at the Southport CAMC site he said the reason for the high number of none awning pitches was the spacing rules have been enforced. In the older section the pitches alternate between with or without awning. On the new extension they are set out differently so they all can have awnings.

When I have booked things over the phone when it comes to the payment the operator presses some buttons to make the line secure and they cannot see any of the numbers.

 

[maison]

First I've heard that C&MC have different pricing for hardstand and grass pitches.

Looking back at our receipts it was the C&CC not C&MC that was involved. Apologies.

However, since it happened twice I assume that it is standard practice for C&CC. I have no objection to that. You pays yer money and makes yer choice.

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[Sagalout]

I overheard an interesting conversion yesterday at a CAMC site near Abergavenny, where the current warden was giving 2 newby wardens a tour of the site.
He said that ‘the club’ treat sites like hotels and the different pitches they call ‘rooms’ the idea is they a number of rooms to suit different occupants and the job of the wardens is to get at least 70% occupancy rate in each of the different types of rooms. The booking system will steer people to fill the most profitable rooms by only offering the room types that are low occupancy.

I did notice after this that I had been only offered a standard hard standing pitch with or without awning, but on arrival there were a good number of grass pitches unused which should have been offered on the website and in theory would have been cheaper than the Standard which was a hard standing.

My concern after hearing this, is that not only is the ‘club’ being down right mercenary about forcing members to pay the highest rate for the room/pitches and not being fair in offering all the available rooms/pitches but also that they are hiding their profit driven business model behind a ‘club’ title which is not member friendly.

Its as though the website booking system manipulates the rooms/pitches offered depending on how much money the site is going to make each day.

Am I being too cynical or has this warden let the cat out of the bag?

Good morning to you all ,
I am a new member ,although I have looked at joining for some time and this is my first comment ( moan !)
I have been a member of the Caravan Club ( as it used to be known ) for around 30 years ( yes thirty ) and their prices have bothered me probably for around the last ten and has become something of a bee in my bonnet. In January I looked at my bank statement to see that I was being overcharged for my membership and had been as far back as my account allowed me to view . I got on to them and over a few days they made an offer to me which I found acceptable .............but then the refund .......it went on for weeks with all sorts of blah blah blah to resolve.
Today ,as I sit here on the Costa Blanca on a most beautiful tranquil campsite with swimming pool ,wifi etc which is costing 20 euros per night plus electricity I said to my wife ,"fancy a few days in Brixham at the end ish of the school holidays "?
So I priced Hillhead for 10 days ,end of August ish ...........£51 per night !!!
Yes fifty one pounds per night and to my surprise plenty of availability for the remainder of July/August.....shock, horror !!! Whereas local privately owned sites have little until last weekend in August .
So ,at the end of the year that's me done with what was to start ,a club for members but now for profit !
Sorry I've gone on a bit but it has become a pet hate !

 

[Otter Spotter]

I suspect that the CAMC are going to go down the route of pricing themselves out of the touring market so they can convert the pitches for Lodges and glamping for which they can raise the profit on each plot. Even a glamping pod or Yurt cost twice as much to rent as a touring pitch.

Only a written request for information on pitch costs and occupancy rates will prove anything, but they are not likely to provide it.

 

[Janine]

I stayed at Blackmore C&CC site last week and, unusually, grass pitches with no ehu were not available to book on the website.

When I queried this on arrival, the warden said that due to soggy pitches after rain, only hardstanding with ehu are available for motorhomes.