Rally Chat Warner's show restrictions (1 Viewer)

[Emmit]

We promote Warners shows a lot here and around 750 of us pay them £60 a weekend. so I thought we had a pretty good mutual understanding but I got frustrated with Warners last week. I'll set the scene.

Marshal allocation at Warners is a little strange, if you take just 5 ralliers you get a free Marshal slot. Then there is a scale; 20 ralliers you get 2 marshals, 40 ralliers you get 3, 80 ralliers you get 4. etc

I'd allocated three marshals for the almost 70 ralliers attending Shepton, sent Warners the names and they had refunded them their pitch fees.

Then I got an email from Emmit, saying, I'm not on the list, you told me I could marshal Shepton, and he was marshalling a follow on rally. Bugger, Warner bookings were closed so we were stuck.

So I dropped a line to Warners explaining my predicament.



I got this reply the next day

Now I don't know what "problem" that extra marshal causes, but it does apparently. And while I did offer to pay, given our relationship I thought they'd only be too happy to help.

Then a few days later they threatened to pull Emmit's tickets with this email..




What a bloody cheek, like I can't be trusted to owe them £50.

Jim,

Im truly sorry and somewhat embarrassed that you have been given a slap by Warners for what was a simple oversight.
As it is, I can confirm that at least THREE Funsters paid for a pitch and did not attend Shepton so it is not like they are in any way, out of pocket.
Regards
Derek

 

[James-Alex]

As my post above I’m not sure there problem. When you book they advise if you book a club pitch and go in general you must pay the difference. They charge you less for club pitch so not sure the logic if you bought a general pitch. That is in an additional box you have to agree too.

 

[RobbyMClark]

Stocked up on the things I wanted at Peterborough, no need for an other slightly disappointing imho but would love an other chance to meet even more Funsters.
So if a "rival" do is sorted I'm up for it.

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[NicandJay]

I say go for it. At least any on site toilets and showers would be only for our use as those here at Shepton are truly disgusting..( the downhill orange block) beyond belief ... and not a cleaner in sight this morning

 

[Lenny HB]

As long as there's a dance floor I'm in.

 

[Silver-Fox]

I was at the time, but forgot all about it till this thread cropped up

Ooops

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[Silver-Fox]

As long as there's a dance floor I'm in.

Same as that

 

[cliffanger]

Stratford racecourse, Shrewsbury showground and Stafford showground I think are all suitable venues and central ( and local for me )..

Don’t forget Bath Racecourse (local to us) …

 

[meanders]

I say go for it. At least any on site toilets and showers would be only for our use as those here at Shepton are truly disgusting..( the downhill orange block) beyond belief ... and not a cleaner in sight this morning

To be fair, the cleaners were doing a great job yesterday. They do each block many times a day, and to be honest, how do supposedly intelligent people get them in such a mess? They can't be everywhere all the time.

The Orange block gents were blocked yesterday first thing with water and excrement well up the pans but folks simply crapped on top.

Once I reported it to Warner's, it was sorted in 15 minutes. However, there are two other blocks within 3-4 minutes walk so there was no excuse.

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[Lenny HB]

I say go for it. At least any on site toilets and showers would be only for our use as those here at Shepton are truly disgusting..( the downhill orange block) beyond belief ... and not a cleaner in sight this morning

To be fair, the cleaners were doing a great job yesterday. They do each block many times a day, and to be honest, how do supposedly intelligent people get them in such a mess? They can't be everywhere all the time.

The Orange block gents were blocked yesterday first thing with water and excrement well up the pans but folks simply crapped on top.

Once I reported it to Warner's, it was sorted in 15 minutes. However, there are two other blocks within 3-4 minutes walk so there was no excuse.

I don't see the point of those comments what's wrong with using the bog & shower in your van.

 

[Abacist]

I don't see the point of those comments what's wrong with using the bog & shower in your van.

Given the choice we would always prefer the van to public toilets! My wife won’t even use a shower block if we are on site, Caravan Club included and those are pretty clean!

 

[MisterB]

After the orange toilet block was cleaned, did the cleaners say " it's ok now, you tango back in " .....

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[meanders]

I don't see the point of those comments what's wrong with using the bog & shower in your van.

It's a long walk to empty the cassette.

 

[Peter and Julie]

Don’t forget Bath Racecourse (local to us) …

How about Aintree Racecourse?

 

[Silver-Fox]

Given the choice we would always prefer the van to public toilets! My wife won’t even use a shower block if we are on site, Caravan Club included and those are pretty clean!

Is she related to my wife as she’s the same

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[Lenny HB]

It's a long walk to empty the cassette.

Keeps you fit.

 

[peterc10]

It's a long walk to empty the cassette.

Usually no longer than the walk to empty your bowels in a toilet sat on by hundreds of other bums. No thanks, I will stick with using our facilities which are only used by two bums and cleaned regularly.

 

[Jim]

so it is not like they are in any way, out of pocket.

They are never out of pocket with us as we promote the shows so much here on the forums. And it's not just the direct promotion in Newsletters or the forums.

Let's say someone searches Google for anything motorhome related, say buying a motorhome. Google will return a page full of search results, at the top will always be adverts (we don't advertise anymore) Then below the adverts are the actual search results. In July, 310,000 clicked through their search results to read stuff written here, tons of those are newbies, many will only learn that the shows exist when they read about it here.

We are an asset to them, but sometimes you wonder that they think we're an irritant. Re this opening post.. Any other show organiser, if a Funster turns up with a general ticket asks to park with us, we will be asked over the radio if we have the room, if we have, they will send them over, if we don't have the space, they trust our marshals will say so. Why all the fuss, I don't see a problem.

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[marchie]

After the orange toilet block was cleaned, did the cleaners say " it's ok now, you tango back in " .....

And did you reply, 'I will when you pith off'? ... 'And, yes, I do have a lisp ....'

Steve

 

[toledo]

Have no problem with appletree they can pay on the gate and ask for fun especially Stratford it saves funsters money

 

[dulvil]

They've been having a good old moan about us lately. Seriously considering giving Warners shows a miss next year and organising something ourselves on their dates.

I think it would be a good idea. Warner’s over the last 5 years have been making the shows less attractive

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[eddie]

We (Van Bitz) haven't attended an open air show since 2016 (I think)

Poor facilities, over charging the public, over charging the trade, draconian rules and they wonder why the numbers are dwindling and the gate receipts are falling

Why the hell should it matter where someone parks up if they have paid to overnight, petty rules with no point

Before big brother (Warner’s) took a Monopoly, Stone Leisure used to run the best shows, Shepton Mallet used to be the season finale and was an excellent show, and Stratford was also an amazing show, both ruined and now a Shadow of their former glory.

Peterborough Warner’s started to be fair, was good, eventually ruined in my opinion by greed trying to open Thursday afternoons. The argument was Peterborough couldn’t be fenced off to keep the public out of the show area, the show area they designed.

Most smaller traders have few staff or are one man bands, shows put enormous pressure on small businesses, adding an extra day away from base is a real challenge. The trade have real life thing to deal with such as children, pets, mums, dads as well as the public.

Warner’s decide to open Thursday, and tell the trade you have to be on your stand by Midday as we can‘t have vehicle movement when the public around, Health & Safety! ‘OK, what happens if we’re not in by midday?’ We and many other traders asked.

You’ll be allowed in after Six, “What about the Public?

”They’ll all be back at their vans getting pissed by then, you know what their like!” Was the answer!

I am happy never to do another show.

 

[Jim]

I think it would be a good idea. Warner’s over the last 5 years have been making the shows less attractive

I haven't got a problem with their shows at all, I think they put on a pretty good motorhome show. Lots of big dealers though have removed outdoor shows from their marketing strategy and all shows are poorer because of it.

 

[Wendo55]

I can’t believe they wanted that extra £50 off you Jim . They should have said no problem, we'll add another marshal. They've certainly shot themselves in the foot.

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[MisterB]

And did you reply, 'I will when you pith off'? ... 'And, yes, I do have a lisp ....'

Steve

Big Breaths, Yeth and Im only thictheen ..... classic Carry On line ....

 

[cliffanger]

How about Aintree Racecourse?

But that’s nowhere near us!

 

[Brains]

They've been having a good old moan about us lately. Seriously considering giving Warners shows a miss next year and organising something ourselves on their dates.

I think trying to compete with the big boys, you are unlikely to win.
The traders are one of the big draws, they can only attend one show, they have to attend the biggest one that will earn them the most money.

However to have a Motorhome Fun Rally, the week before one of the big shows, in the same area (roughly the middle of England) and attract as many traders as possible by offering trader pitches at break even rates.

I'd start off small, aim for 100 van's, but ensure it's in a place than can take 1,000, so that it grows year on year.
Show number one will run at a loss, show two might break even, the profit starts at year three or four.

Don't underestimate the size of the job, it's probably a full time job for one person and a part time job for many.
There may be a way of piggybacking onto an existing festival of some type, music, produce, county shows atc.
Which could solve the entertainment issue.

Make it the 'Must attend' event for motorhomers of all types and it could work.

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[NicandJay]

I don't see the point of those comments what's wrong with using the bog & shower in your van.

Whether you see the point is irrelevant. I attempted to use them ...they were unusable due to, as meanders correctly said, supposedly civilised people mistreating them causing an inconvenience for those of us who can use facilities properly. My point was that I sincerely hoped it wasnt fellow Funsters either causing or adding to the problem and that with a MHF organised show this could hopefully be managed better.
There must also be funsters I guess that have PVC's that at best have limited showering capacity that would choose to use on site facilities and/or those who struggle to keep refilling their onboard tanks or can be bothered to keep moving their van each time to do so.
I wasn't just thinking of myself.

 

[Ivory55]

I think trying to compete with the big boys, you are unlikely to win.
The traders are one of the big draws, they can only attend one show, they have to attend the biggest one that will earn them the most money.

However to have a Motorhome Fun Rally, the week before one of the big shows, in the same area (roughly the middle of England) and attract as many traders as possible by offering trader pitches at break even rates.

I'd start off small, aim for 100 van's, but ensure it's in a place than can take 1,000, so that it grows year on year.
Show number one will run at a loss, show two might break even, the profit starts at year three or four.

Don't underestimate the size of the job, it's probably a full time job for one person and a part job for many.
There may be a way of piggybacking onto an existing festival of some type, music, produce, county shows atc.
Which could solve the entertainment issue.

Make it the 'Must attend' event for motorhomers of all types and it could work.

And I would put money on it that soon as it starts making money the venue puts its price up.

 

[Brains]

And I would put money on it that soon as it starts making money the venue puts its price up.

Nothing wrong with that, the cost of the venue is only one of many costs.

The bottom line is:
Is the team running the event trying to make as much money as they possibly can, (like Warners).
or
Is the team trying to run an event that entertains and makes sure there is a bit left over each year (like Glastonbury).

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