C&CC getting on my nerves

Tip: park up, then move the peg.

PLOUGHLIN wrote:Tip: park up, then move the peg.

Ha ha, did that on a CC rally, first and last, the marshal said I wasn't on the peg, 'what peg' was my response as this was our first CC rally and I didn't know what was what. 'This peg ' at which time he was pointing to a six inch length of stick about 15" from the 'correct' corner of the van. So, In a bit of a huff I picked up said stick and stuck it in the ground next to van. 'Happy now'? Said I, no he wasn't but there you go 

I must admit that I was only once asked if 'I would like to move my van over a bit?' I just looked him in the eye and said 'no, its fine where it is'. He walked off and that was that
Wasn't a rally though, it was a C&CC site.

Frank

I think someone doing the pricing at the CC club has been at the cooking sherry.  Scottish schools (mostly) are closed on Easter Friday and Monday, then they are on holiday for two weeks from the 4th April.  I've just priced a few sites up here for this weekend, from the 18th. CC are at peak season prices which equates to £26.40 per night. C&CC, on the other hand, works out at £14.60 per night 

On the 4th April, when the kids are off, the CC prices drop again  

So...... £26.40 for a cold March night,..........no, me neither

I think both clubs now look at their members rocking up in a motorhome or caravan/car upwards of ￡40k and think they are afluent/stupid enough to pay whatever we ask! Asking upwards of ￡30 to park overnight in a muddy field perhaps we should make the point of telling them No! and explain why...

Kaspian, I have emailed the CC to ask about the pricing policy, particularly in relation to low season (when we're more likely to use sites). I will not hold my breath on getting a reply that goes beyond lip service.

At least with the CC the prices are on the website.
With the C&CC it might cost this, it could cost that. If you book now it will be this much, if you book later it could be more - or then again it could be less? If we're busy it will be £XX extra etc. etc. etc......
Which is why I dropped out.

Frank

Thank goodness we only use CL's and CS's 

With you there Jaytee!.....

Rarely use the big sites unless there is a very good reason.... having said that trying the CC site near Hereford soon.

Re CC&C

I was once standing in line waiting to book in at a CC&C site and the two chaps in front of me were both charged an extra £5 each due to booking in at 11.55am!!

The very,  I think not, friendly CC&C warden did not mention, if you wait sir for 5 mins you will save £5.

When it was my turn I was ok, that is until he took us to our pitch, he complained I was not square on, now I must say the pitches were not marked out, only a number on a stick. I was just about to say here are the keys you park it you so and so. This did cause other campers to have a good laugh, not at me as the warden concerned is well know for this treatment, as some had met him on another site in past years.

I now really only use private sites, who seem to go out of their way to please you.

rgermain wrote:I now really only use private sites, who seem to go out of their way to please you.

A surprising [to me] amount of people will only use sites owned or controlled by the two companies clubs. I have found that many private sites are as good as, if not better than club sites. Many, [for a couple] are cheaper than clubs sites even as a member of that club, and if you compare non-member rates with commercial site rates the amount the clubs charge is way over the top.
As for being friendlier, yes, that is usually the case. The people you deal with are probably the people who own the site and it's their bread and butter. They want you to be happy so that there is a good chance you'll come back whereas wardens are on a wage and it doesn't really matter to them whether you come back or not.
I will say, before anyone else does, that not all wardens are uncaring or little Hitlers and not all commercial site owners are welcoming angels.

Frank

I'm with Frank on this, only I'd go further. I have no interest in joining any club. It seems to me that, as Frank says, they only offer a discount off sites which are more expensive than the nice independent ones which we go looking for. Also, if you're a member, I'd imagine you tend to modify your plans to use club sites so as to 'make the most of' the membership.

I could see the point years ago, before the internet, but now it's so easy to find a small independent site before you set off or even on the road on your smartphone that it seems pointless.

For example, this is one of our favourite sites:
http://www.glan-y-mor.co.uk/

It's closer to St Davids than the others and cheaper. There's a lovely view. The facilities are basic but clean and functional - with a motorhome you don't need any more than that. But what I like best is the lack of daft rules. Turn up, park wherever you like, sometime in the next 24 hours a nice guy will stroll in for a chat and to apologetically take a small amount of money. It has gone up from £12 to £14 this year mind you, but it's been £12 for as long as I can remember.

There are loads more like that of course (like this one on the Lizard for example: http://www.campsiteslizard.co.uk - cheap out of school holiday season), and these days they're pretty easy to find. So why would you join a club?

Answers on a postcard please... 

I am a member of the C&CC because of the better deal I get with the RAC , plus cheaper sites if with another MHClub.

You know the old joke when some give you a card that says "how do you keep an idiot happy, PTO" and it says the same on the other side  

I've been trying to book a C&CC site and am flexible about which dates we can go on. The problem is the booking system (unlike the CC) does not inform you of availability, just what you requested is not. After spending well over an hour trying various combinations I gave up and booked private site on line which (sensibly) provided what they had free for the dates I wanted. I will be thinking seriously  before renewing my membership, of both clubs. Off peak is fine but over £30 a night in peak is getting into joke territory IMHO.

A few years back, the cost of CC&C sites were printed in the big site book.....it was great, you could plan ahead, and know the cost.......no minimum nights stay, except min: of two on a bank holiday. Now, I can't work out a damn thing........I'll not be paying for membership next time, for sure.

Last Thursday I tried to get two nights Thursday and Friday at Keswick.
Was told at CC&C HQ that I had to have 3. 2 nights only possible on grass but not yet possible due to the winter floods.

Had two nights 'wild' in D&G instead. I'll try to write this up soon.

Next trip will be with CC&C on a temp holiday site so I'll keep my membership.

I don't feel the need for either. Joined the C&CC last year which was our first year and cancelled the renewal which was about now. I google where we want to go and book. There certainly must be advantages but I couldn't see them. ACSI on the other hand is a must for us. It depends I suppose on our useage patterns ?

Our van door is on the opposite side and I was asked to turn around to give the neighbours their privacy, I replied that I wanted the sun not the shade in my door.  That was the last straw, we left last year and didn't regret it.
Rich..
.. and don't start me on about water buckets...

For a positive slant, being a member of the C&CC got me a reduction in my van insurance and has been saving me 10% on a fair few purchases as have a Go Outdoors near me and so would shop there anyway. At the moment it's 20% off so saved a load this weekend on a new pair of walking boots.

So far the membership has pretty much been free just from the savings I've made, I've been lucky at the C&CC sites I've visited so far and never experienced the issues mentioned above, so been pretty good so far.

Do agree with Noggin so swings and roundabouts really 

Noggin wrote:For a positive slant, being a member of the C&CC got me a reduction in my van insurance and has been saving me 10% on a fair few purchases as have a Go Outdoors near me and so would shop there anyway.  At the moment it's 20% off so saved a load this weekend on a new pair of walking boots.

If you have a Mountain Warehouse nearby, check them out. At the moment they have up to 50% of everything (own label) and you get an extra 15% C&CC or CC discount. They seem to change their offers frequently but always worth checking. Free delivery from website at the moment but I think that ends tonight.

oldfred wrote:Last Thursday I tried to get two nights Thursday and Friday at Keswick.
Was told at CC&C HQ that I had to have 3. 2 nights only possible on grass but not yet possible due to the winter floods.

Had two nights 'wild' in D&G instead. I'll try to write this up soon.

Next trip will be with CC&C on a temp holiday site so I'll keep my membership.

Nice CC&C site here in Ravenglass Fred, near the coast with 4 pubs ,what more could you ask for.
Boaby

burlingtonboaby wrote:

oldfred wrote:Last Thursday I tried to get two nights Thursday and Friday at Keswick.
Was told at CC&C HQ that I had to have 3. 2 nights only possible on grass but not yet possible due to the winter floods.

Had two nights 'wild' in D&G instead. I'll try to write this up soon.

Next trip will be with CC&C on a temp holiday site so I'll keep my membership.

Nice CC&C site here in Ravenglass Fred, near the coast with 4 pubs ,what more could you ask for.
Boaby

Yes, nice site Ravenglass. Have been on Lil (La-al) Ratty ? Whitehaven nice town with harbour and sea-lock worth a look.

Paulmold wrote:If you have a Mountain Warehouse nearby, check them out. At the moment they have up to 50% of everything (own label) and you get an extra 15% C&CC or CC discount. They seem to change their offers frequently but always worth checking. Free delivery from website at the moment but I think that ends tonight.

Nice to know - we don't have one nearby, but if out and about and I spot one i'll remember they have a discount with the C&CC too :)

2 branches in Essex, Braintree Freeport and Colchester.