How much!!!

We want to buy some bed linen from a shop in Braintree, no postage available, these would be the four most expensive pillow cases in the World if we drove to get them so thought even though it is the other side of the country maybe have a night or two in the van over that way. Checked a site which looked nice, all services closed of course and it was £75.50 for two midweek nights. How much!!! No wonder wild camping is getting popular. Meanwhile if you happen to be shopping in Braintree let me know please  otherwise it is back to the straw bales for Lady G.

groundhog wrote:We want to buy some bed linen from a shop in Braintree, no postage available, these would be the four most expensive pillow cases in the World if we drove to get them so thought even though it is the other side of the country maybe have a night or two in the van over that way. Checked a site which looked nice, all services closed of course and it was £75.50 for two midweek nights. How much!!! No wonder wild camping is getting popular. Meanwhile if you happen to be shopping in Braintree let me know please  otherwise it is back to the straw bales for Lady G.

A significant point Hog.

Likewise with fly tipping around us!!

In their infinite wisdom the local tips have decided to charge for several categories of household waste that could previously be taken and dumped for nothing.

What a surprise then, that the hedgerows and lay byes are suddenly full of rubbish!! 

Simple joined up thinking seems to be as rare as rocking horse sh . . .  these days!

Yep, looked at a site in Wareham, non club site, min 4 nights £178 inc 1 small dog!

No mention of facilities, but I see no tents, so I assume toilet blocks are shut.

Just 400 yds away over the road CL site still £11 a night!
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Richard

I recall, when was it (aging brain fog) two of three years ago reading the CAMC AGM which stated that 36% of the overall pitch occupancy was achieved for that year when ever that was. With prices ever increasing, thought about possible two price option say use of facilities and non use as most vans now have shower/toilet provision. How such a system would be viable I don't really know. My thinking is more bookings would be taken up so yearly  income would likely increase? Or is my proposal the thoughts of a skinflint?  ,

Paramedic wrote:I recall, when was it (aging brain fog) two of three years ago reading the CAMC AGM which stated that 36% of the overall pitch occupancy was achieved for that year when ever that was. With prices ever increasing, thought about possible two price option say use of facilities and non use as most vans now have shower/toilet provision. How such a system would be viable I don't really know. My thinking is more bookings would be taken up so yearly  income would likely increase? Or is my proposal the thoughts of a skinflint?  ,

The nearest I've come across to such a system is a small commercial site in Nantwich which had a CL attached. If you wanted to use facilities you could go on the commercial part or the CL (same cost) or if you didn't want the facilities, you went on the CL. You weren't given the pass code to the facilities and you saved £4 per night.

Whilst on the subject of prices, I've seen no indication of any of the vat reduction being passed on to customers. It does seem like some site owners have decided to make up some of their losses by cashing in on the overall dearth of vacancies in popular places and bumping their prices up.

Tony: I stayed at a CAMC site [Gowerton] and had booked for 3 nights. The first night was the last day before vat was reduced. I was pleasantly surprised to be told that I would have to pay for night 1 (vat at 20%) and then come to the office to pay for nights 2 and 3 at the reduced vat rate.

I didn't expect the Club to be so on-the-ball! Hats off!

Cymro

Same as Cymro, saving immediately passed on.

Neither of the sites we were on passed the saving on, they are both affiliated to the CAMC so not bound by the club rules. Having said that, I thought their high season prices were ok. We also ate in the restaurant on one site and, again, no reduction in the bill.

I guess it's also to the benefit of the exchequer if traders don't pass the VAT saving on.
5% of a 15% higher than necessary bill has to be worth having.
Al.

Interesting to read in August issue of CAMC magazine, comment from Director General Nick Lomas. "Interestingly, whereas historically about 20% of members said they exclusively used their on-board facilities (the rest using a mix of their own or on-site facilities), our recent survey showed that over half intended to use their outfit's amenities". Linked to my earlier post, I wonder if Nick appreciates that over 50% of members are prepared to pay over the odds on site fees not to use the facilities?

Cymro wrote:Tony: I stayed at a CAMC site [Gowerton] and had booked for 3 nights. The first night was the last day before vat was reduced. I was pleasantly surprised to be told that I would have to pay for night 1 (vat at 20%) and then come to the office to pay for nights 2 and 3 at the reduced vat rate.

I didn't expect the Club to be so on-the-ball! Hats off!

Cymro

The C&CC are not being quite so generous. I've got a booking at one of their sites at beginning of September which I made and paid deposit before the Vat decrease was announced. So I wondered if the outstanding balance would be reduced. No chance......
"What if I’ve already booked a stay between now and the 12 January 2021?
The rate decrease applies to bookings made on or after 15 July only.

If you have already booked a stay with us and either paid in full or a deposit, we’re sorry but we are unable to offer or process retrospective discounts or refunds. If your balance is due to be collected upon arrival the amount taken will be as per your original booking confirmation."

Thanks a bunch!

So much for the Friendly Club.


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Richard

"If you have already booked a stay with us and either paid in full or a deposit, we’re sorry but we are unable to offer or process retrospective discounts or refunds. If your balance is due to be collected upon arrival the amount taken will be as per your original booking confirmation."


So by that logic, you should be able to book now at 5% for dates after Jan 2021 and pay the reduced rate on arrival. 

Post duplicated.

Tinwheeler wrote:

Tinwheeler wrote:"If you have already booked a stay with us and either paid in full or a deposit, we’re sorry but we are unable to offer or process retrospective discounts or refunds. If your balance is due to be collected upon arrival the amount taken will be as per your original booking confirmation."


So by that logic, you should be able to book now at 5% for dates after Jan 2021 and pay the reduced rate on arrival.  

Mmm.

That's also covered in their FAQ's , answer NO! They say 'booked and taken by Jan'

Pah, it was worth a punt! 

I’ve heard it said that they have to pay for the membership extension somehow.