flicka Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 I don't see a problem with no return of deposit when close to the actual date or there is notification. Booking a Club site IMHO is very similar to if you are booking a holiday via any organisation. Package Tour Operator, Cruise line, Holiday Cottage, some Private Sites, Hi-Di-Hi Camps, Flights, etc.. The only difference is the people booking these usually take out Insurance to cover themselves in the event of Cancellation. Even some Dentist will charge for missed appointment, if not cancelled within a specific period before it's due time / date. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 747 - 2010-10-29 3:46 PM Last year while between motorhomes, we spent a night on a private site (recommended by the C&CC and in their big sites book). When have C&CC started recommending sites? Members can recommend sites and sites can apply to be listed, but AFAIK club do not inspect sites lisenced by local authorities, or do you mean a CS which will have been lisenced by C&CC? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
747 Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 Hi Colin, If you look in the C&CC Big Sites book, you will find that probably most of them are private and they even include Scottish Council run sites (quite cheap if you are over a certain age). The site I am on about is Aberlady Camping and Caravan Park. It is either in East Lothian or possibly Haddingtonshire. These private sites have a board at the entrance with the C&CC logo on, saying it is an approved site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 747 - 2010-10-29 8:16 PM Hi Colin, If you look in the C&CC Big Sites book, you will find that probably most of them are private and they even include Scottish Council run sites (quite cheap if you are over a certain age). The site I am on about is Aberlady Camping and Caravan Park. It is either in East Lothian or possibly Haddingtonshire. These private sites have a board at the entrance with the C&CC logo on, saying it is an approved site. Does the sign say it is an 'approved' site, or does it just say it is a 'listed' site ? (?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
747 Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 I cannot remember exactly how these sites are described, my book is in the van. I can dig it out tomorrow and check. I have only spent 3 nights on sites in the past year. One at Luss and two just recently on the new C&CC site at Dunbar. I prefer freestyle to organised. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosbotham Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 Bold font, page 10 of the Big Sites book that dropped through my letterbox yesterday : "Please note the Club is not in a position to approve or recommend any of these Listed Sites." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 The latest C&CC sites book I have dates from 2005-6 which I cadged off stand at NEC, it's my standard referance book to find sites, some sites have a red * which indicates member recommended, aside from this there there is no 'approval' of comercial sites that I know of. There is one site I use nearly every year and I know that it has sign 'C&CC listed' at entrance (how I long for next easter when he reopens :-( ), I've never noticed any 'approved site' signs, and pretty certain C&CC don't do them. That site from the listing in my book appears to be quite small and would be one I would look at, but sometimes that means you get to stay at some that are, how shall I put it, not as well kept as one would like :-> p.s. "please note .a site assessment officer visits every listed site once every other year to ensure the facilities are satisfactory and correctly listed, but the club is not in a position to approve or recommend these sites" That seems slightly contradictionary, but I suppose it depends on what you consider 'satisfactory' to mean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terryW Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Hi Keven Just got back and seen this thread. After many years we have just ended our CCC membership, not because they are worse or better than the CC but simply that our needs have changed and the CC better suits us. When we had a caravan and annual holidays the CCC was our main provider of sites but not now. I may be wrong on this point but I suspect that the opportunities to use the age concession rate are slowly being eroded or it seems that way to me. This all came to a head when we decided to tour Devon and Cornwall. Though we were going low season we thought it necessary to book sites near where we wanted to visit. The restrictions on single night booking made it very difficult and each night/booking required a £25 deposit even if the the fee was going to be lower. By the time we had paid out all the £25's we were heavily in credit. Apart from them holding my money the refund rules are such that a refund is only at the clubs discretion and if not used within a certain period will be forfeit :'( On top of all this the sites we do like to use are normally fully booked. Chichester being one. Looking at next year we only expected to use a CCC site for one night, Canterbury when coming off the ferry and we can use that as a non member anyway. The point of this is if you want one night stops the CCC is not the club for you. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayjsj Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 terryW - 2010-10-30 10:09 AM The point of this is if you want one night stops the CCC is not the club for you. Terry What a shame that a 'Touring Club' that was formed all those years ago, should almost actively discourage Touring (..why not buy one of our luvverly Holiday lodges instead !! ) I must admit to being annoyed at all the 'bed-blockers' on Caravan Club sites who book a year in advance (because they DON'T have to pay a deposit) then change their plans at the last minute. BUT a £25 almost 'Non-returnable' deposit is a bit too much in the other direction.. surely there can be a 'happy' medium. These Clubs are MEANT to in existance for the benefit of their membership arent they ???? Ray *-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel wood Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 I may be wrong on this point but I suspect that the opportunities to use the age concession rate are slowly being eroded or it seems that way to me. The restrictions on single night booking made it very difficult and each night/booking required a £25 deposit even if the the fee was going to be lower. By the time we had paid out all the £25's we were heavily in credit. Terry THIS INFORMATION IS INCORRECT. You pay 25% of the total fees when you book with a minimum charge of £25 OR the total cost of the booking, WHICHEVER IS THE LOWER. Thus a booking for a single night, where possible, would mean paying the full amount for that night NOT £25. Terry, I cannot understand why you feel that opportunities to use the age concession rate are "being slowly eroded". As with many other folks, there are some things about CCC I do not like BUT I consider it important that we present FACTS when commenting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Hunt Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 What a shame that a 'Touring Club' that was formed all those years ago, should almost actively discourage Touring (..why not buy one of our luvverly Holiday lodges instead !! ) I must admit to being annoyed at all the 'bed-blockers' on Caravan Club sites who book a year in advance (because they DON'T have to pay a deposit) then change their plans at the last minute. BUT a £25 almost 'Non-returnable' deposit is a bit too much in the other direction.. surely there can be a 'happy' medium. These Clubs are MEANT to in existance for the benefit of their membership arent they ???? Ray Whilst I agree with Ray with on both counts, (I am reading the difficulty and cost of assuring of an off the cuff, drop in single night accommodation in both 'clubs' ) I think these outcomes are the result of responding in a market driven way to the needs of the majority of users. 'Camping' in all its guises seems for many to be an alternative to the hotel, holiday package and the touring element seems to be a decreasing proportion of usage. The stationery holiday may well be a better earner encouraging the business side to develop and promote this further. Given that many want to take all the comforts of home with them, the lodge, is a logical progression to the mobile palace. Perhaps this split will widen in the future with new developments for the travellers amongst us such UK aires, specialist rallying and nightstops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
747 Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 I humbly apologise if I used the word "approved" incorrectly in my post. I will plead insanity (I have a strong case :D ) It is extremely rare for me to look in the big sites book as we usually wildcamp. What I will say in defence of the C&CC is that we used a number of Temporary Holiday Sites on our Southern tour earlier this year. I found it strange that a club with fewer permanent sites gave us plenty of options for a THS. None of the CC temporary sites were any good for us, especially as we covered a great deal of ground in the South and South West. There was a good mix of motorhomes and caravans and we both enjoyed our stay on them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Re weekend bed blocking, it is common to both clubs, and could relatively easily be discouraged by inflating the price of a pitch booked for the weekend only (say Friday and Saturday nights). If booked in conjunction with weekdays, the normal charges would apply. (The rate of the extra cost, and the number of weekdays necessary to avert the weekend supplement, would need tweaking, to discourage those who would undoubtedly add an extra day to get the weekend at reduced cost, and then leave Sunday mid-day, but in principle it should work.)This is so starkly obvious the only reason I can see for it not having been tried is that too many members of the various regional committees are bed blockers, and want to retain the advantage. Turkeys and Christmas etc. :-) After all, nearly all club sites are heavily booked at weekends throughout the year, but run well below capacity weekdays. Spreading the demand better by pricing variation should improve overall usage, and so increase revenues.I'd even suggest that standing the above on its head, and giving a reduction for weekdays, to include weekends taken in conjunction with weekdays, might have an even more beneficial effect on revenues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redpen Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Went to C&CC site in January this year, not having booked in advance and paid for 2 nights. On that evenings weather forecast there was a severe weather warning of heavy snow due the following afternoon. Decided to leave for home the next day and informed reception and was told I would not get a credit or similar but I could try C&CC itself. Left for home the following morning and got home just before most of Southern Counties were coverd by 12" snow. Most of the roads were impassible for 2/3 days, as you may remember. Had I stayed at the site I would have been stuck there for goodness knows how many more days. Wasted a number of letters to C&CC who would not budge on the rules regarding refunds. I found their response to be totally inflexible and couldnt accept that my reason for leaving was valid. So much for the 'Friendly Club'! My crime was to pay in advance instead of paying one day at a time. Its not as if I had prevented someone the opportunity to book a pitch, the site was 75% empty, as you would expect in the first week in January I have told the C&CC what to do with their membership and am now ex-C&CC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Not sure why this entered twice, spooky! Bas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Camping Club will refund any unused portion of fees paid in advance with no question asked, although we have had a Warden say I hope we have not done anything to make you leave early. Bas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin hawkins Posted October 31, 2010 Author Share Posted October 31, 2010 Thanks for all the correspondence regarding the CCC. I am now more confused than ever. Please can someone answer these basic questions: a) Is it possible to purchase the Big Site Book without being a member of the club? b) Am I to take it that a lot of these sites are privately owned and would I be able to just turn up and stay and pay for just one night on these sites as opposed to having to pay for a two nights (ie Friday or Saturday)? c) How would I know that it is a private site? Does it have some kind of indicator to show this? General After reading everyones correspondence I can't really see the point in joining as we just want to stay on a site, which has clean toilets and showers, for one night whilst touring around. Thanks again for all the correspondence. It has been truly fascinating. Kath & Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 Hi Kevin, Answers to your questions in order... a) No. It states on the front cover "Exclusive to Club Members". b) The CS's listed are all private sites and are only licensed for the use of Club members (to the best of my knowledge). If you were a member then you would normally be allowed to stay for only one night at the site owners discretion. c) They are identified by a small sign at the entrance saying C&CC Listed site (or something similar). In other words if you want to use the C&CC CS's or CC CL's then you will have to join that club. It looks like you'll have to use commercial sites if you're not prepared to join either club but there are lots of them around, try using the site search on this website for examples. HTH, Keith. Edit. I've just re-read my post and it sounds a bit harsh, sorry if it comes over that way but those are the facts as I see them. In defence though there are other benefits of joining a club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawki Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 kevin hawkins - 2010-10-31 5:25 PM Thanks for all the correspondence regarding the CCC. I am now more confused than ever. Please can someone answer these basic questions: a) Is it possible to purchase the Big Site Book without being a member of the club? b) Am I to take it that a lot of these sites are privately owned and would I be able to just turn up and stay and pay for just one night on these sites as opposed to having to pay for a two nights (ie Friday or Saturday)? c) How would I know that it is a private site? Does it have some kind of indicator to show this? General After reading everyones correspondence I can't really see the point in joining as we just want to stay on a site, which has clean toilets and showers, for one night whilst touring around. Thanks again for all the correspondence. It has been truly fascinating. Kath & Kevin a) yes b) yes c) the private sites are called listed sites in the book Cheers Dawki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin hawkins Posted October 31, 2010 Author Share Posted October 31, 2010 hi dawki thanks for your reply were can i get the big site guide even a old one would do kind regards kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawki Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 Ebay £5 Cheers Dawki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casey Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 Kath and Kevin, Hi again, great how you get conflicting answers isn`t it? 1) you can purchase a new ccc book for £15 2) you can use both cc and ccc sites without being members but you pay a su pplement. casey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel wood Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 casey - 2010-10-31 6:52 PM Kath and Kevin, Hi again, great how you get conflicting answers isn`t it? 1) you can purchase a new ccc book for £15 2) you can use both cc and ccc sites without being members but you pay a su pplement. casey Indeed it is! The CCC "Big Sites Book" cover states that it is "exclusive to members". It also states: "First copy free to members. £15 where sold" I assume that means that as a member if I lose my copy I can have a replacement for £15. Kevin - sorry to hear that you are confused. As a non-member you can stay on a CCC Club site if you pay an additional £7.10 per night non-members' fee. The private CS sites for 5 vans/caravans + tents are for CCC members (as in The Caravan Club, CL sites are restricted to members). Forest Holiday sites give a discount to CCC members but are open to all. All of the above sites are now included in the new Big Sites Book as are other commercial, privately owned or Council owned sites. Such sites are likely have a CCC "Listed site" sign at the entrance. I take it that this means that they are listed in the Big Sites Book. Such sites are, of course, open to all. As I have mentioned elsewhere, despite the problems encountered I still think membership of the CCC is worthwhile. Other good points are the Temporary Holiday sites and weekend meets organised and run by members for members. They offer excellent value and often no advance booking is necessary. Continue to enjoy your motorhome however and wherever you use it. Best wishes. Mel Other sites that are listed in the Big Sites Books Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyishuk Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 And do not forget the Campsite locator on the home page of this site. Linky Link Rgds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 kevin hawkins - 2010-10-31 5:25 PM b) Am I to take it that a lot of these sites are privately owned and would I be able to just turn up and stay and pay for just one night on these sites as opposed to having to pay for a two nights (ie Friday or Saturday)? Rough figures from my 2005/6 book 100 club sites 1400 CS's 5000 private sites Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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