Not moving with the times

Del Sandy replied on 21/08/2020 12:37

Del Sandy

Caravanner

Posted on 21/08/2020 12:37

This club could be fantastic, if only it was to listen to its members, some reasons below;

1. Very slow website, cannot find a website as slow as this one, even ones you do not have to pay for!

2. Inability to search for fully serviced pitches (perhaps because they do not have many)

3. Being superseded by free forums such as Adults only caravan sites on Facebook

4. Wasting money, why does the club not ask all members if they need a magazine, I would have been happy to have an electronic version, also helping the environment

5. With all my posts asking for reasons for these issues not being addressed and approaching the site directly no action has been taken, or even reasons why they cannot

I have enjoyed the discussions on the site and interestingly my concerns have been covered several times by others. Note the times I go on the website has to be on off peak times due to the slow website.

It is sad that I will not be renewing my membership, as I do not intend to pay for membership where there is no official feedback from the club when issues are raised.

Hopefully I will rejoin when basic issues are sorted out.

Kind Regards

Derek

9 people like this

305 replies

replied on 31/08/2020 08:37

Posted on 30/08/2020 23:25 by SeasideBill

Just booked 16 sites in September/October, about 13 of them non-CMC. In all cases I had to pay the full fees in advance or 50% with balance a week so before arrival. I did ‘reserve’ a few CMC sites when I was struggling to meet my specific requirements, cancelling the CMC site when that was achieved. I guess if lots of us do that (why wouldn’t we?) it takes a chunk of potentially available pitches out of the system at any given time. Certainly wouldn’t do it if a fee was involved.

Sorry, don’t accept the EHU point, I’m a fan of the Club’s eco pitches, I don’t need mains electricity, or serviced pitch for that matter - just give me a tap and some sunshine. Each to his/her own.

Posted on 31/08/2020 08:37

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

JVB66 replied on 31/08/2020 08:37

Member

JVB66

Campervanner

Posted on 31/08/2020 08:24 by peedee

Don’t forget the other side of the coin, PH. There are many people who don’t even want EHU,

I certainly don't for one or two night stays.

The other side of the coin regarding bookings is not everyone will wait for cancellations and if they cannot get bookings they will look elsewhere and might even eventually decide membership is not worthwhile.

peedee

Posted on 31/08/2020 08:37

Which is why with the this club there is the opportunity to book a year in advance and still without a deposit,so why the need to wait for a cancelation? it is called planning

1 person likes this

SteveL replied on 31/08/2020 08:37

Member

SteveL

Motorhomer

Posted on 31/08/2020 08:24 by peedee

Don’t forget the other side of the coin, PH. There are many people who don’t even want EHU,

I certainly don't for one or two night stays.

The other side of the coin regarding bookings is not everyone will wait for cancellations and if they cannot get bookings they will look elsewhere and might even eventually decide membership is not worthwhile.

peedee

Posted on 31/08/2020 08:37

On the other hand there are quite a few like us that want to move on every 2 / 4 days, so it is easy enough to work round any potential blockages. Since getting a MH we have increased the number of clubs we belong to, adding the C&CC. Gives us plenty to go at. However, when looking for a site, as in the case of Malvern, where CAMC and C&CC are next door to each other, it's this club every time, simply because of the ease of booking.

1 person likes this

Tinwheeler replied on 31/08/2020 08:38

Tinwheeler

Campervanner

Posted on 31/08/2020 08:38

"Just one question though. Why would the CAMC want to remove one of its major selling points and sink down among the rest of the industry?"

Exactly, I thought the thread was about moving ahead, not backwards.

peedee replied on 31/08/2020 08:38

Member

peedee

Motorhomer

Posted on 31/08/2020 08:34 by

No idea how hard it is to get bookings during August School holidays normally.

Posted on 31/08/2020 08:38

I haven't had any problem this year using CLs.

I just been looking for a booking for 6 weeks time, no chance and looks like it will again be a CL or commercial.

peedee

JVB66 replied on 31/08/2020 08:46

Member

JVB66

Campervanner

Posted on 31/08/2020 08:37 by

Our van was packed and ready to go when the latest Covid problems caused another change of plans and now plan E is going to be a few days in the UK. Over the years the continual posts about weekend "blocking" and speculative booking have been a matter of indifference to me. However in trying to get a couple of visits booked it was quite obvious that they are justified. A month showing availability every day suddenly (around 15 mins later) lost all weekend space. 2 days later several of them are again available. I have now for a two site trip got a little pile of booking printouts where extra days have become available and enabled us to get 5 days at one and 6 at another.

It bothers me not I hope this is a temporary aberration. Having recently done quite a bit of booking and cancelling for sites to and from ports for now abandoned trips it suits me personally there were no deposits but the problem is there for those trying to get a holiday booked and no amount of denial is going to alter it, the system encourages it.

Posted on 31/08/2020 08:46

But also as posted there are many reasons pitches will become available not at short notice the fifteen minutes? later could mean that some one else beat you to the ltast pitch (remember it is LESS than 5 pitches shown available when hovering over the availability)

Tinwheeler replied on 31/08/2020 08:47

Tinwheeler

Campervanner

Posted on 31/08/2020 08:35 by peedee

But it was only £10 when the Club abandoned deposits.

peedee

Posted on 31/08/2020 08:47

And equated to about one night's site fee. The figure of £10 is meaningless now all these years down the road. I could fill my fuel tank for £30 and get a meal out for two for £15 etc etc.

JVB66 replied on 31/08/2020 08:49

Member

JVB66

Campervanner

Posted on 31/08/2020 08:49

Most sites that are open by then ,show availability in six weeks time

replied on 31/08/2020 08:52

Posted on 31/08/2020 08:35 by peedee

But it was only £10 when the Club abandoned deposits.

peedee

Posted on 31/08/2020 08:52

With the inflation that would be closer to £20 now but most sites ask £25 to £30. As I have said before, I suspect that most folk wishing to cancel would not be put off cancelling, and especially if just a weekend booking with torrential rain forecast. OK you loose £25 but spend an additional £50+ in fuel and pitch costs to be confined. Far better to loose the deposit for me.

JVB66 replied on 31/08/2020 08:54

Member

JVB66

Campervanner

Posted on 31/08/2020 08:35 by peedee

But it was only £10 when the Club abandoned deposits.

peedee

Posted on 31/08/2020 08:54

As our grandkids say these days "its only £10" was worth a lot more when deposits were done away with

Book a late escape

There's still availability at many popular UK Club campsites - find your perfect pitch today for a last minute trip!

Book now

Woman sitting in camping chair by Wastwater in the Lake District with her two dogs and picnic blanket

Follow us on Facebook

Follow the Caravan and Motorhome Club via our official Facebook page for latest news, holiday ideas, events, activities and special offers.

Photo of Wast Water, Lake District by Sue Peace

Visit Facebook