Booking difficulty for pre covid members

Redzed32 replied on 30/08/2020 10:25

Posted on 30/08/2020 10:25

With the onslaught of the covid virus and the massive restrictions on foreign travel , it appears not only that the existing membership are filling up club sites , but I suspect also a large influx of new members are too . This is great for the campsites , as they have all faced a very difficult season this year . However , I am experiencing that finding pitches now is very difficult , and a great deal of the sites that could be booked a month in advance previously are full to the end of the season . This obviously makes me question whether membership is actually worth it now , as so far this summer after about  6 weekend breaks , I have realised that none of these were possible through the club . 

This is obviously very disheartening , but there is a much bigger concern at play here , and that is next years bookings . No one has a crystal ball regarding the impact of covid , and we cannot predict what will happen next month , far less what will happen next year . We have the possibility of much of next years sites being booked up by people who would normally holiday abroad , and taking advantage of the booking system . If this occurs , and next year we have little or no travel restrictions , we will end up with a situation again where pre covid members cannot get pitches , and the sites will have a whole load of pre-booked vacant pitches . 

Can I ask ; are other members here experiencing this as well ? And Also ; Does the club itself have concerns about the possibility of the above situation occurring , and how to address this ? 

Wherenext replied on 04/09/2020 21:27

Posted on 04/09/2020 20:03 by Tinwheeler

I think, WN, that most of us accept that there are non-club sites out there that are both cheaper and dearer, better and worse than club sites. M summed it up well.

We use what’s best for us on the occasion whether it be a CAMC site, CL/CS, C&CC site, commercial. Surely, that’s what choice is all about.

Enjoy your stay. 

Posted on 04/09/2020 21:27

TW, I think the pertinent part of your post is "most of us". As I said I don't mind using any type of site, bit like yourself.smile

Tinwheeler replied on 04/09/2020 22:02

Posted on 04/09/2020 21:27 by Wherenext

TW, I think the pertinent part of your post is "most of us". As I said I don't mind using any type of site, bit like yourself.smile

Posted on 04/09/2020 22:02

Good point.👍🏻

'Most' with a few firmly planted on each side of the fence😃

DavidKlyne replied on 04/09/2020 22:14

Posted on 04/09/2020 13:17 by SeasideBill

OK, take at look at Old Oaks Glastonbury an award winning site, masses of positive reviews. Contrast that to nearby CMC in Cheddar, a nice site, but very ordinary in a popular location.

Random pricing example; 20/21 October (2 nights)

Old Oaks: super pitch (serviced) £51, standard pitch £47

CMC Cheddar: standard pitch £54.60

Not a massive difference, but don’t need to pay £64 membership to use the former and if I did I’d expect a discount. There are other examples, but hopefully that illustrates my point - CMC are expensive and not good value for members.

Posted on 04/09/2020 22:14

I am sure the Old Oaks site is very nice and I have heard it being spoken of highly.  Am I likely to use it, probably not. Why not, simple because its too remote for my needs. It's a two mile walk each way into the town (no sign of transport as far as I can see) which would be a bit much for us. I have used the Cheddar site. I accept it's pretty ordinary but it is within easy walking distance of the town. From that perspective any cost difference makes no difference to me. You mention further on the Lost Gardens of Heligan site which I would probably use as we like the gardens but I don't imagine cost would come into it. 

What really puzzles me is why are you a member of the Club when you are continually saying how pointless it is being a member?

 

SeasideBill replied on 04/09/2020 22:53

Posted on 04/09/2020 22:53

“.....What really puzzles me is why are you a member of the Club when you are continually saying how pointless it is being a member?...”

Next renewal date I won’t be.

peedee replied on 05/09/2020 06:53

Posted on 05/09/2020 06:53

Haven are one of the more "rip off sites" with their prices at peak and then do loss leaders off peak which have been "subsidised" by family peak prices

It obviously works for them and the customers that use it.

peedee

replied on 05/09/2020 07:12

Posted on 05/09/2020 06:53 by peedee

Haven are one of the more "rip off sites" with their prices at peak and then do loss leaders off peak which have been "subsidised" by family peak prices

It obviously works for them and the customers that use it.

peedee

Posted on 05/09/2020 07:12

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

Extugger replied on 05/09/2020 07:43

Posted on 05/09/2020 07:43

 

Does anyone ACTUALLY know if t'other Club has such limited availability as CAMC? Not wanting to bring up the deposit conversation, I simply just wish to know if there is more availability?

 

SteveL replied on 05/09/2020 07:48

Posted on 05/09/2020 06:53 by peedee

Haven are one of the more "rip off sites" with their prices at peak and then do loss leaders off peak which have been "subsidised" by family peak prices

It obviously works for them and the customers that use it.

peedee

Posted on 05/09/2020 07:48

It's a business model and in normal times it has worked very well for them. They can just about give away the pitches off peak, hoping folk spend money in the bars etc. Unfortunately that sort of model does not work as well at the moment, with social distancing reducing capacity. I've not looked but I would assume they will struggle to offer these going forward anything like as much as previously.

replied on 05/09/2020 08:11

Posted on 04/09/2020 22:53 by SeasideBill

“.....What really puzzles me is why are you a member of the Club when you are continually saying how pointless it is being a member?...”

Next renewal date I won’t be.

Posted on 05/09/2020 08:11

Do we cry 'hallelujah he has seen the light and been saved' or just shrug  our shoulders? wink

 

 

replied on 05/09/2020 08:16

Posted on 05/09/2020 07:43 by Extugger
 

Does anyone ACTUALLY know if t'other Club has such limited availability as CAMC? Not wanting to bring up the deposit conversation, I simply just wish to know if there is more availability?

 

Posted on 05/09/2020 08:16

I have read such statements on here but no idea. 

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