I don't think any of us are pushing ACSI over Camping Cheque, just pointing out that lots of sites are leaving Camping Cheque, and the quality of sites replacing them is not what it was and those sites are not getting good reviews. I pointed out something similar, years ago, when 'Touring Cheques' were losing sites.
I was one of the biggest fans of Camping Cheques, as you are probably aware. We used to go to the NEC and help out on their stall year after year, and met a lot of site owners. I spent lots of time promoting them on forums such as this one, and being users ourselves used to sing their praises whenever I could. I used to compile lists of sites which took them in the school holidays, as my son was a teacher and used my list to pick his holiday sites, and I was happy to pass these on to anyone who asked for them.
However, there is no doubt that something happened, and the organisation took it's eye off the ball some years ago and started losing sites to the competition. I think this was when it became an international 'Corporation' rather than a consortium of site owners.
ACSI is easier to use and site owners prefer it. The Camping Cheque organisation should have listened to their site owners. When Camping Cheque became a 'corporation' sites stopped having as much influence. If only Camping Cheque paid sites more of the fee they charged the customers, and paid up more quickly when sites tried to reclaim what they were owed in exchange the the 'vouchers' or electronic versions of Camping Cheque they may have kept more sites on board. Apparently they reduced the rate repaid to site owners, by a considerable amount, a few years ago, and then tried a further reduction last year. We heard that sites can receive as little as six euros per night per Camping Cheque - and this from a site which cited that as their reason for leaving and going over to ACSI where they get cash in hand as the customer pays the site fee at the end of their stay.
It's sad, for me, probably as much as, if not more than anyone, because some of our favourite sites were Camping Cheque sites. Fortunately, for us, all of them have now moved over to ACSI, at a similar rate. However, another sad thing is that I think that ACSI rates will start to go up if Camping Cheque lose more sites, because there will be no more competition.
We started using ACSI about five years ago, when we were given a free guide and card at the NEC. We (unfortunately for Camping Cheque) use more and more ACSI sites these days. However, like a lot of others we used municipal sites, and other cheap commercial sites and A la Ferme sites too.
Post last edited on 07/10/2016 22:44:00
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
"However, another sad thing is that I think that ACSI rates will start to go up if Camping Cheque lose more sites, because there will be no more competition."
That was what I was trying to point out Val
------------- Mother Nature always wins in the end.
Trouble is, I don't think there is anything we, as users, can do to encourage more sites to accept Camping Cheques, because from feedback the more Campng Cheques campsites take, the more the organisation 'squeezes' them on amounts paid back in return.
A quick glance tells me there are 313 sites in France accepting Camping Cheques, 1338 accepting the ACSI Camping Card, but 9308 sites altogether., many of them very pleasant and very affordable.
i travelled Europe long before either of the two big marketing schemes for campsites were devised and I won't lose sleep if one of them fades away. There are other fish in the sea.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
I've never used Cheques but I am a huge fan of ACSI. However competition is good for consumers and ACSI has been raising prices more than inflation recently which is a worry.
Saying that, ACSI is still vgvfm.
I wish we had a lot more ACSI sites in the UK especially up here in Scotland.
When you get used to €12/14/16 per night on superb quality sites with pool, restaurant, free wifi etc - it's a bit tough forking out £25 or more for a night in the U.K. where all you get is a patch of grass or gravel, and less quality sanitary facilities than Europe, and nothing else.
The weather difference is also a factor😁
Quote: Originally posted by Suzac on 07/10/2016
"However, another sad thing is that I think that ACSI rates will start to go up if Camping Cheque lose more sites, because there will be no more competition."
That was what I was trying to point out Val
The advantage of ACSI is that they offer a range of prices so that allows a greater variety of campsites to join the scheme. Many campsites in Germany would not join Camping Cheques as the price is too low. Having a range of site night prices encourages a far wider variety of campsites to take part. To only way that I can see that Camping Cheques will survive is for them to change their business plan. For a start cheques should be available over the counter at face value rather than adding surcharges.
Quote: Originally posted by David Klyne on 08/10/2016
Quote: Originally posted by Suzac on 07/10/2016
"However, another sad thing is that I think that ACSI rates will start to go up if Camping Cheque lose more sites, because there will be no more competition."
That was what I was trying to point out Val
The advantage of ACSI is that they offer a range of prices so that allows a greater variety of campsites to join the scheme. Many campsites in Germany would not join Camping Cheques as the price is too low. Having a range of site night prices encourages a far wider variety of campsites to take part. To only way that I can see that Camping Cheques will survive is for them to change their business plan. For a start cheques should be available over the counter at face value rather than adding surcharges.
David
David the ACSI price is determined by the campsites pricing for a standard pitch,car,couple and 6 amps electric at low season.So a 4 star site doesn't get rated for all the extras like pool,restaurant etc in the price structure of ACSI.So the campsite falls into the 12,14 or 16 Euro rate depending on the ACSI formula.
The campsite doesn't get to decide which rate to charge.
KW
I understand how the system works but the most sites would be better off at the lowest ACSI rate than belonging to Camping Cheques. The range of ACSI rates also allows those sites that charge higher rates to belong to the scheme so we all benefit.
I don't know why everyone is so concerned. If Camping Cheques are losing customers its up to them to sort out the reasons. That's a fundamental business trading problem. If the sites aren't getting enough of the price deal then CC's need to sort it.
Meanwhile at £14-95 a pitch for a night for two, electricity and good facilities is a good deal compared with UK prices.
If the poor exchange rate at the moment continues into next year then ACSI prices will be as dear if not more than that price.
Post last edited on 09/10/2016 20:59:10
------------- Mother Nature always wins in the end.
As SG Thomas says, the advantage of C C's is that you can buy them in advance,so spreading the cost of the holiday;this is princpally why have used them for a number of years now,however,it does limit our choice of sites.Will have to possibly do a re-think. By the way David, you were right about the owner of La Source!
John.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by JohnB600 on 10/10/2016
As SG Thomas says, the advantage of C C's is that you can buy them in advance,so spreading the cost of the holiday;this is princpally why have used them for a number of years now,however,it does limit our choice of sites.Will have to possibly do a re-think. By the way David, you were right about the owner of La Source!
John.
John
I was worried it was only me!!! Have you to had a bad experience?
Hi David,
When we went to pay the owner told us in no uncertain terms that he had finished with Camping Cheques, he was very abrupt and told us brusquely we would have to pay the full rate,Eu36 ! which we thought was excessive for the facilities on site.We paid up and left, vowing never to go there again.
John.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Camping cheque sites going
