Membership fees and request by Club to continue

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

I suspect the Club management are looking at the bigger picture. They have seen a situation where four months site fees have gone down the drain. In the scheme of things extending membership which in reality only saves members a few pounds is hardly worth the administration involved. They have introduced a discounted voucher scheme which saves members 20% off of site fees. There has been some disappointment that an expiry date was introduced after the first month. I do wonder how many members are investing enough in site vouchers to take them beyond the 2021 season, I expect fairly few? I think what I would be more concerned with is the way that members have been treated who have booked ferries through the Club and have struggled to get refunds. Likewise those that have purchased travel insurance from the Club, which cannot be used,  and have had to accept a reduced refund. So setting aside about £12 to extend membership for a few months seems to pale into insignificance in the real world?

David

It doesn't bother me either David.  If the Club decide to give us a 'free few months', then that's really fine my me, but I'm not going to lose sleep over it.. .  I've ordered some of the discount vouchers, which will be used by the end of 2021 without a problem (probably several times over!).  Out of 6 sites we've booked for our July & August jaunt, only 2 are CAMC sites this time. Out of season though, we use almost exclusively CAMC sites.

David 

Not particularly bothered about the membership fee...only a few pounds more than a decent single malt. A tad disappointed though regarding the enforced and reduced (75%) refund for an Annual Multi Trip travel policy....taken out only a  couple of weeks before lockdown and not used (and of Gov.Uk advice, could not use). 

Like others the vouchers work for me....have purchased enough to pay for bookings in 2020 & those in 2021. Whats not to like about 20% discount...although the business (sorry club) will almost certainly reclaim some cost by site fees increase for 2021/2022....and I do think these vouchers should have been e-vouchers....attached to an email..Simples !!

It's not about the money (<£15), nor a lack of support for CAMC, but the all too common attitude that "once I have your money I'll do as I like despite any previous commitment".

Lots of businesses (banks, utilities, etc) rely on the fact most people are too busy to insist on what they paid for, or it will cost them disproportionate amounts to appeal. Hence the saying, possession is nine tenths of the law. 

I'm not surprised when a bank, insurance company, utility provider, etc. tries to shaft me; I'm old enough to expect it. I am surprised when a club that depends on the good will of its members does however.

How does this decision protect the club? I gather many members feel CAMC has unilaterally decided to continue charging for a service they didn't provide. How can that be right, when even insurance companies are offering refunds.

I responded to this in your other thread, SC.

I guess you must feel really strongly to say it in two threads.

I am not sure you can compare the Club with banks and insurance companies. Any profit made by the Club is ploughed back into facilities for Club members. Talking of profit, or surplus as the Club calls it,  I suspect there will be very little of it this year and more than an even risk the Club will go into the red on its annual accounts. The Club have asked members to be understanding about the decision not to extend membership and explained the reason for that decision. The Club have introduced the discounted site voucher scheme, which in terms of money saved, far outweighs  the small amount of money lost by not having the membership period extended. It seems to me that people that are getting so wound up on this issue are only taking a narrow view of things and perhaps need to look at the bigger picture?

David

I agree with you about the substance, just not the approach. 

Legally (as has been pointed out), you can't charge for a service you can't provide, and therefore a refund is payable. If a member doesn't want a refund, and I'm probably one of them, then fine, but that should be the choice of the member, not the supplier.

It leaves a bad taste that one's club decides its going to keep your money when it failed to provide what was promised (contracted) in the 12 months agreed.

All other services were available. Sites were closed by law - it was not of the club's making and I think it's rather petty to demand a refund/extension on that basis.

I’ll say again, the membership fee is just that, a fee which entitles you to membership of a club and you got that.

I guess a very large majority of members join to use the sites, and although it's not the clubs fault the sites aren't open, the government has provided grants, furlough schemes, and other financial dispensations to help cover those loses.

As I've mentioned, gyms, the camping and caravanning club, and even insurance companies have compensated clients for the services they've not been able to provide.

Why should the CAMC not do the same? If only out of a moral obligation to stick the letter of their T&Cs, the management seem to have scored a home goal.