Pricing is a minefield

BertyMH replied on 13/02/2023 12:55

Posted on 13/02/2023 12:55

Comparing Club sites to CL sites from a pricing angle can be very misleading. Don't be fooled by the prices on the club site like I was. It looks like the club, or "massive holiday corporation," as I now like to call it, is trying to lure members to its club sites (which of course is good for their revenue) by advertising the lowest possible price for a club site pitch.


The headline (advertised) prices for club sites assume that we punters are travelling alone, don't need electricity or an awning, and are happy with a grass pitch. I know that some people are OK with a grass pitch, but in my experience the vast majority would rather have EHU, and unless they are just stopping for the night, many want to set up an awning or canopy of some kind.


But what really bothers me is that 95% of members travel with another adult rather than by themselves. So, basing the price of a pitch for a club site on a single adult sounds like something Ryanair would do. Even worse, it's very unfair to the CL network, which usually has a simple "Pitch Price" based on two adults and rarely charges extra for things like awnings, children, etc.


For example, I wanted to stay in Dorset for a week. We are a couple of adults who prefer EHU and, now that we are older, a Serviced pitch on hardstanding. Hunters Moon says it is 'From £21.50 - but  in reality in June, a serviced pitch with an awning at the Club's Hunters Moon site costs £43.20/night.


By comparison, a serviced h/s pitch at Cherry Cottage CL in Dorset costs just £21 for two adults (and 2 children). Even though we'd have to pay for extra EHU (unlikely in June), the facilities are almost the same and cost only HALF as much as the club site.


I think it's unfair that Hunters Moon pricing is advertised as £21.50 per night, when it should really show pricing starting at £31.40 per night for a couple.


Looking at TrustPilot it seems I’m not the only one who thinks this way. Perhaps it’s time for the club to be a bit more transparent with its pricing.

 

Steve and Lynne P replied on 15/03/2024 16:38

Posted on 15/03/2024 13:05 by Tinwheeler

I’m sure it’s already been covered in this thread or the other one you instigated or the one you were directed to but an extra person equals extra water, extra use of all facilities, extra electricity etc etc. it’s absolutely down to common sense.

The prices and terms are clearly displayed for folk to see before they join.

Here are the previous discussions -

https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/club-together/discussions/steve-and-lynne-p/why-do-you-pay-extra-at-club-sites-for-2-people/

https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/club-together/discussions/club-talk/club-membership/adding-partner-hikes-up-price/

 

Posted on 15/03/2024 16:38

Extra electricity. On what ?

How much extra water. £13 worth ?

Common sense tells you that charging that much extra for another person is a con

Tinwheeler replied on 15/03/2024 17:11

Posted on 15/03/2024 16:38 by Steve and Lynne P

Extra electricity. On what ?

How much extra water. £13 worth ?

Common sense tells you that charging that much extra for another person is a con

Posted on 15/03/2024 17:11

Just think about it. Boiling the kettle for 2 cups of tea instead of 1 uses more water and more electricity. Using a hairdryer, razor, or any number of things doubles for 2 people.

And, no, common sense does not tell me it’s a con.

If you have concerns about the charges and their structure, perhaps you should address them to CAMC to establish the reasons behind the policy. We on this forum can only apply our own logic. 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

Steve and Lynne P replied on 15/03/2024 17:36

Posted on 15/03/2024 17:11 by Tinwheeler

Just think about it. Boiling the kettle for 2 cups of tea instead of 1 uses more water and more electricity. Using a hairdryer, razor, or any number of things doubles for 2 people.

And, no, common sense does not tell me it’s a con.

If you have concerns about the charges and their structure, perhaps you should address them to CAMC to establish the reasons behind the policy. We on this forum can only apply our own logic. 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

Posted on 15/03/2024 17:36

The extra charged for 1 more person far exceeds the actual cost of the extra person.

I, like many others on this thread, show my concerns by avoiding club sites. I'm sure many others vote with their feet and actions also.

Tinwheeler replied on 15/03/2024 18:00

Posted on 15/03/2024 17:36 by Steve and Lynne P

The extra charged for 1 more person far exceeds the actual cost of the extra person.

I, like many others on this thread, show my concerns by avoiding club sites. I'm sure many others vote with their feet and actions also.

Posted on 15/03/2024 18:00

Do you know the actual cost to CAMC of each person on site or are you speculating and have you raised your concerns with CAMC?

Irrespective of that, you get the value of your membership by using CLs which means you must be happy to be a member.

You may have noted that I voted with my feet but it had nothing to do with prices or the charging structure which I perceive as perfectly reasonable.

Cornersteady replied on 15/03/2024 18:03

Posted on 15/03/2024 17:36 by Steve and Lynne P

The extra charged for 1 more person far exceeds the actual cost of the extra person.

I, like many others on this thread, show my concerns by avoiding club sites. I'm sure many others vote with their feet and actions also.

Posted on 15/03/2024 18:03

How do you know what an extra person costs in terms of all extras, not only electricity for you outfit but what about the extra showers? And perhaps you don't but others do.

Common sense tells you that charging that much extra for another person is a con 

A con is a trick played on someone without their knowledge? At least that's how I see a con yet the prices are clearly set out so how can it be a con?

I, like many others on this thread, show my concerns by avoiding club sites. I'm sure many others vote with their feet and actions also

Many others do post about club prices but not about the extra cost of an extra person being so important, in fact I can't think of anyone but yourselves that post about it? (might be wrong here but the numbers are very small)

Many do indeed go elsewhere yet club sites are still showing good to excellent occupancy.

At the end of the day, if anyone thinks it's a con or not good value then the answer is simple.

There is no common sense here or indeed a pricing policy to worry about, only if one wants to pay the (clearly displayed) price.

eurortraveller replied on 15/03/2024 18:23

Posted on 15/03/2024 17:36 by Steve and Lynne P

The extra charged for 1 more person far exceeds the actual cost of the extra person.

I, like many others on this thread, show my concerns by avoiding club sites. I'm sure many others vote with their feet and actions also.

Posted on 15/03/2024 18:23

Steve and Lynne, So you think the price for a single person should be raised to make it closer to the price for a couple? Is that the idea?

Steve and Lynne P replied on 15/03/2024 18:49

Posted on 15/03/2024 18:03 by Cornersteady

How do you know what an extra person costs in terms of all extras, not only electricity for you outfit but what about the extra showers? And perhaps you don't but others do.

Common sense tells you that charging that much extra for another person is a con 

A con is a trick played on someone without their knowledge? At least that's how I see a con yet the prices are clearly set out so how can it be a con?

I, like many others on this thread, show my concerns by avoiding club sites. I'm sure many others vote with their feet and actions also

Many others do post about club prices but not about the extra cost of an extra person being so important, in fact I can't think of anyone but yourselves that post about it? (might be wrong here but the numbers are very small)

Many do indeed go elsewhere yet club sites are still showing good to excellent occupancy.

At the end of the day, if anyone thinks it's a con or not good value then the answer is simple.

There is no common sense here or indeed a pricing policy to worry about, only if one wants to pay the (clearly displayed) price.

Posted on 15/03/2024 18:49

Obviously, some are pleased to pay the displayed price. I accept you are happy with paying extra for 2 people. That's your choice. I don't use the club sites due to pricing. That's my choice. My membership gets me access to CL sites, all of which I have found excellent value, with very good facilities.

We are all happy with the way we take our trips away, and long may it continue.

eurortraveller replied on 15/03/2024 19:39

Posted on 15/03/2024 18:49 by Steve and Lynne P

Obviously, some are pleased to pay the displayed price. I accept you are happy with paying extra for 2 people. That's your choice. I don't use the club sites due to pricing. That's my choice. My membership gets me access to CL sites, all of which I have found excellent value, with very good facilities.

We are all happy with the way we take our trips away, and long may it continue.

Posted on 15/03/2024 19:39

Steve and Lynne,   Thank you for telling us your plans.

 But comparing the price of a CL with the price of a ful fat Club site is simply a comparison of apples and pears. They differ in terms of staffing, equipment, capital investment, quality of amenities, etc, etc. So it’s hardly a  surprise they differ in price too. 

Cornersteady replied on 15/03/2024 20:10

Posted on 15/03/2024 18:49 by Steve and Lynne P

Obviously, some are pleased to pay the displayed price. I accept you are happy with paying extra for 2 people. That's your choice. I don't use the club sites due to pricing. That's my choice. My membership gets me access to CL sites, all of which I have found excellent value, with very good facilities.

We are all happy with the way we take our trips away, and long may it continue.

Posted on 15/03/2024 20:10

I accept you are happy with paying extra for 2 people.

Where did that come from? I never said that did I? Did I mention myself paying for anything in my replies?

That aside what exactly, in your view of course as stated, am I paying extra for? I'm paying nothing extra at all. I'm paying for myself and however many people are staying with me, I see that as perfectly fair to myself and to others.

It could be said, to turn thing around, that the extra costs for any additional people above one staying in an outfit, no matter how small, should be for free? Why should others subsidise that? Is that fair?   

mickysf replied on 16/03/2024 13:22

Posted on 16/03/2024 13:22

I too, cannot see that the extra charge for additional occupants is a con. To be honest, I’d find it difficult to on those ‘singleton’ members if our club charged by pitch alone. Now charging for a dog and additional dogs I’d agree to that too.

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