Just tried to book at a campsite in Padstow, Cornwall where we go for every year. The cost for two adults and two children electric hook up for four nights £136, not too bad for August but the killer was £5 per night for the dog . No dog walk, or field, dog on short lead etc. I thought for that much money somebody took them for a walk for you or picked up their mess. Now I call that being ripped off too.
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
Quote: Originally posted by Tristin H on 16/5/2008
Just tried to book at a campsite in Padstow, Cornwall where we go for every year. The cost for two adults and two children electric hook up for four nights £136, not too bad for August but the killer was £5 per night for the dog . No dog walk, or field, dog on short lead etc. I thought for that much money somebody took them for a walk for you or picked up their mess. Now I call that being ripped off too.
I would suggest that these people don't want you there with your dog at that price, especially if they are offering no facilities for dogs.
------------- May/June - Spring Valley
Aug/Sept - Leekworth
I've just had a lovely conversation with c&cc the lady there was brill. We've had a really rough deal with a camp site ( to remain unnamed until we return the read the review!!) this bhol (read thread "no pitches reserved !!") and having spoken with c&cc this am I'll defo be joining as soon as their stuff drops through the door
its my understanding that CS is a certificated site via the caravan and camping club. The site is not owned by them but has been checked by them and endsored.
These sites tend to be quieter and smaller sites
You need to be a member of the C&CC club to use these sites. A maximum of 5 caravans is allowed on a CS. We've just renewed our membership £35. Worth it for good quality sites that don't charge for dogs, have lovely clean loos and often have parent/child bathrooms. Not to mention the network of CSs that mostly charge under £10 a night.
------------- Angie ~~
~ If you see someone without a smile give them one of yours ~
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
Quote: Originally posted by tracy35 on 15/5/2008I can't really understand how extra costs can be applied for bank holidays, although perhaps staff are paid a higher rate of pay for the actual bank holiday. However, I can't imagine this would'nt apply to the other days over the weekend.
I hate to feel ripped off, I'm always happy to pay the 'going rate' for a a good site, but why pay more for a Fri and Sat night of a bank holiday weekend?
Perhaps there some site owners/managers out there who could explain? I'm always happy to be proved wrong!
You don't need to be a site owner to understand the simple laws of supply and demand.
Of course site owners are going to charge more for the BHs and for the school hols - they will raise their prices to the point that they start to have empty slots at BHs - otherwise imo they aren't very good business people.
They are not ripping you off - they are just making sure that they make enough money in their busy periods to offset the losses in the off-peak. Its exactly the same principal as paying more for theatre tickets in the evening rather than the matinee, or paying more for a Manchester United game than an MK Dons one. The more people want your product the more you can charge.
The 5-day minimum also makes some sense as long as it doesn't leave them with empty pitches. This bank holiday is also half-term so a lot of families will be able to take an extended break. I agree it doesn't make sense on the first May Bank hol when the kids have to be back at school as only adults would be able to stay that long, however by imposing a 5-night minimum they are likely to be full for 5 nights instead of 3 - its better to be 3/4 full for 5 nights than totally full for 3! and you could argue that the place will be more pleasant for the punters if it isn't chocca.
If I were a campsite owner I would probably start off with a 5-night policy and if I wasn't full after the first May BH I would relax it to 3 nights and then fill any empty slots with shorter bookings closer to the time...might even be tempted to reduce the prices for last minute bookings or for advance bookings paid in full - anyone for EasyCamp?? LOL!!!
I see what your saying and we all have a choice wether to book with these sites.
As you yourself reviewed "Pear Tree site" and you put in your review "We would definitely go back, but as there is now a 5 night bank holiday minimum at Whitsun we are restricted to the first May bank holiday."
We all have a choice but for me campsites that charge for 5 nights minumum will not get my business during their quiet times either.
Quote: Originally posted by geordie77 on 16/5/2008
I see what your saying and we all have a choice wether to book with these sites.
As you yourself reviewed "Pear Tree site" and you put in your review "We would definitely go back, but as there is now a 5 night bank holiday minimum at Whitsun we are restricted to the first May bank holiday."
We all have a choice but for me campsites that charge for 5 nights minumum will not get my business during their quiet times either.
Yes, Pear Tree is an interesting one. I don't actually mind that they have the 5-night minimum as I understand why it exists, and if I wanted to go I would probably chance my arm nearer the time to see if they had spaces and would waive it.
In fact, when I looked at their website this year I noticed they had a 5-night minimum for both BHs so I called them and pointed out the error of their ways, and while I was on the phone they amended the website to change the policy and also made some changes that I suggested would make the pricing clearer! I am expecting a discount next time I go as I reckon if I hadn't got them to change the policy they would have had very few booking for the first May BH and I normally charge for "business advice" LOL!
Christine
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
I understand peak prices at bank hols for the 3 nights (4 at easter) and accept the minimum 3 night bookings over bank holiday but I really think they are takin the pee with a 5 night minimum booking. Yes its half term but I think its just rude!! It alienates those without kids, those who cannot afford 5 nights at peak rates - thats almost the same price as a weeks holiday in August - what happend to a little get away at other times of the year in addition to your main holiday. I thought that was part of the joy of camping.
The way its going 5 years from now it will be minimum 7 nights booking on a bank holiday!!
Any site demanding more than 3 nights booking from me wont be getting my business FULLSTOP!!
How does it alienate those without kids? surely those without kids are not tied to bank holidays as much as those who do have kids?
Its like everything else, there will always be things that people can't afford and thats just life. No worse than some campsites charging £15 a night and some charging £30 - you pays your money and takes your choice.
At the end of the day not all campsite owners are running campsites to enable families to have holidays cheaply, or to allow people to experience the 'joy of camping' - they are running them to make money so that their own families can enjoy a quality of life.
You have to get your head away from thinking that you are doing the campsite owner a favour by going. They couldn't care less whether you turn up or I turn up, or Fred Bloggs down the street turns up - they just want SOMEONE to turn up and as long as their pricing means they still get the occupancy they want then that is fine. In fact, they may even DELIBERATELY put prices up and put a minimum nights because they believe they will get a 'better class' of clientele. (However, this will probably backfire as it always appears the so-called middle classes are very canny with their money and likely to balk at being 'ripped off' whereas chavvy types always seem to have plenty of readies for their "luxuries").
Before I had my kids I worked in ajob where my bank holidays were very important to me. Infact we used to go away on nearly every bank holiday. I didnt take a full weeks leave on those weeks (easter,whitsun and august bank hol) because I would rather have a full weeks break away from other peoples kids, plus the fact without kids it was near impossible to get any school holidays off work if you wanted them cos the parents were fighting over those weeks. So yeah - I do think that mr and mrs 9 to 5 with no kids are being alienated with the 5 night minimum booking at bank hol as they prolly have to be back in work on the Tuesday as all the parents have booked that week off work!!
But yeah I do get your point that campsite owners just want to maximise their earnin potential whilst they can.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Bank Holiday 5 nights min!!
