Dog charges I'll try again.

[Steve L]

I've reposted this topic to try to get some constructive comment and involvement in a subject that undoubtedly causes a lot of people to re-think their holiday plans.

So far John L has made the most constructive comments to this subject. 602 started to, but sucummed to the off topic slant on the original theme. which in the past has been frowned upon by the mods and raps on the knuckles sent out.

Anyway, back to the matter in hand. Here's the original cover sheet and I'll post John's original reply as well.

steve in Leo Dog charges ??

26 Oct 2009 07:05 AM

Last week I was staying at at a well known static caravan site on the hillside of sandy Woolacombe. We had a great time and I noticed there were several gravel hardstanding pitches giving tourers the same panoramic views of Woolacombe and out to Lundy island.

Having found the brochure I was pleasantly suprised to se that at this time of year we could have a pitch with electric and free awning for £5 per adult. Then came the dampener!

They wanted £5 a night for our dog. I enquired what facilities were available for the dog as we humans got free electricity and awning with our fee. Perhaps there was a free dog day care unit or a day kenneling facility, but there was nothing avaiable.

So what was the fiver for other than to desuade people with dogs from going there at all. Oh by the way they do offer dog accomodation in the static vans at no extra charge, you get the older vans on site though.

So I wonder if the office of fair trading or trading standards have set any presidents for this, as it clearly looks more like a peunative charge rather than a charge for a facility or service to the touring caravanners but not so to people who pay for a doggy static van.

Usually I don't mind a reasonable charge for our chocolate Lab, but this site seems to want you but not your dog. A pound or two would of been more than enough for the invisable facility for our pooch.

Steve L.

 

[Steve L]

John L

26 Oct 2009 10:58 AM Hello Steve,

As I am sure you know the vast majority of caravan sites are in private ownership. That means the site owner can charge basically what they like for any of the facilities they offer there is no such thing as regulated site charge.(with the exception of electricity which is regulated).

Caravanner's will vote with their feet and sites that charge too much will eventually see trade drop off.

Posted by John L 26/10/09

I don't think there is a case for fair trading to investigate. There are many different site owners, with no one having a a massive market advantage or monopoly. No one is forced to use a particular site, and in general a caravanner can usually find an alternative site within a reasonable distance.

Sadly I think its a case of like it or lump it.

 

[Damian]

I fail to see what constructive comments you want.

The simple answer is site owners can , and do , set charges to suit them.

If a site owner wishes to dissuade dogs on site, set a high price.

To think the OFT would get involved is nonsense, it is a business in private ownership with terms and conditions clearly stated.

If one does not want to pay that price for their dog, go to another site.

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Once they told me it was

 

[ValA.]

Steve in Leo - if you can go outside peak season, think about taking your chocolate lab. to Europe. You can use Camping Cheques which for the current price of

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Steve,

We still live in a democracy where if you don't like it you can leave it.

As John L points out the site owners can do what they want. They are inviting you to spend time at their property but subject to their rules.

There are no Statutory Instruments, as far as I know , that Govern in any way what charges an owner can make for dogs on site. I exclude "assistance dogs" and dogs described in the Dangerous Dog's Act.

The odd site has charged us

 

[LMH]

Personally, I think

 

[MikeyW]

Perhaps the

 

[path20]

Just been to the site at Moreton on the Marsh.Very doggy friendly. Lots of bins round for dog poo.The dog exercise area is a large field, fully fenced. Our little dog loved it.BUT guess what?! Despite there being three doggy bins in the field some owners were too lazy to pick up their dogs poo.They were big dogs too!!! These are the sort of dog owners who spoil it for everyone else.

 

[trevor123]

Yes we was staying at Incleboro Field C.C Site in June/July this year, as I was walking toward the toilet for a morning shower, A guy let this dog do this mess right in front of a Motorhome, I just look at him, he got hold of the dustbin lid and fill it up with water to flush it away I look at him and called him a right &6*(%$ you are, Funny that we did't see him for the rest of the hoilday, But I told the motorhome couple what happen that morning,We all away carry doggy poo bags in all our coats pocket, Trevor

 

[Damian]

This topic is beginning to wander off topic.

It is NOT about who lets their dog dump anywhere, or who does not pick up.

It is about prices being charged by site owners.

Please keep to the subject.

 

[Steve L]

While I agree with LB, Dusty & Damien that we can easily vote with our tow hitches and go else where, I do think it is high time this practice of charging for a service that is not provide is high lighted and brought out into the open.

One dosen't mind paying for a pitch or electricity or even an awning as for those cost's you clearly get a service/location/facility that is benificial to you. Whereas, a charge for a dog that stays in your own caravan and has to be walked, fed and toileted by you the owner of the animal doesn't actually cost the site owner anything. Infact, I've even been to sites where they charged for the dog (

 

[Steve L]

While I agree with LB, Dusty & Damien that we can easily vote with our tow hitches and go else where, I do think it is high time this practice of charging for a service that is not provide is high lighted and brought out into the open.

One dosen't mind paying for a pitch or electricity or even an awning as for those cost's you clearly get a service/location/facility that is benificial to you. Whereas, a charge for a dog that stays in your own caravan and has to be walked, fed and toileted by you the owner of the animal doesn't actually cost the site owner anything. Infact, I've even been to sites where they charged for the dog (

 

[Dustydog]

Steve

The problem you have is that Trading Standards cannot force a site owner to exclude dog charges.

TS mission statement is :-

" The trading standards service enforces consumer related legislation as set out by central government. This legislation is vast and always evolving. TSI aims to influence that evolution."

As I said before there is no legislation that says a site cannot charge for dogs.

Hence we are careful in our site selection.

Isn't 40kgs a bit on the heavy side for a Lab, I say that in the nicest possible way. Don't hit me!!

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[jacky3]

hi,

dogs!!!___theyre always at some time a topical discussion.don't dislike dogs,and havn't got one personally but!!! why shouldn't you pay for a dog,some small children are also walked,fed and toileted by parents,live in the caravan and have to be paid for and are not able to use the full facilities of the site,similar to a dog really______not saying it should be the full supplement as you would for a child but i do think it should be paid for.

 

[Steve L]

Steve

The problem you have is that Trading Standards cannot force a site owner to exclude dog charges.

TS mission statement is :-

" The trading standards service enforces consumer related legislation as set out by central government. This legislation is vast and always evolving. TSI aims to influence that evolution."

As I said before there is no legislation that says a site cannot charge for dogs.

Hence we are careful in our site selection.

Isn't 40kgs a bit on the heavy side for a Lab, I say that in the nicest possible way. Don't hit me!!

Cheers

Dustydog

We thought that too Dusty.

Took him to the vets and they are happy with his weight and say he is big boned. I reckon he's part shetland pony myself.

I too choose most of my sites based on dog charges/facilities. I don't mind paying a reasonable cost for facility, and often will use the site next to my original one and go to the over charging site and inform them that I have chosen their competetor purely based on the dog charges in the hope that they might re-think their stratergy.

Steve L.

 

[Dustydog]

We thought that too Dusty.

Took him to the vets and they are happy with his weight and say he is big boned. I reckon he's part shetland pony myself.

I too choose most of my sites based on dog charges/facilities. I don't mind paying a reasonable cost for facility, and often will use the site next to my original one and go to the over charging site and inform them that I have chosen their competetor purely based on the dog charges in the hope that they might re-think their stratergy.

Steve L.

Steve

In our travels this year I think most caravanners had dogs. This was certainly the case with CC sites.

So why are the minority against our furry friends and started this stupid survey by the CC.

A while back someone was even moaning about what the ladies wear to the showers! Get a life I say!

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[VIP640]

Dont have a dog ourselves but I tend to agree with the majority, a reasonable fee for a dog is Ok but when the site seems to be ripping you dog owners off, find another site.....

 

[Guest]

I've no idea why you should pay for a dog, they get nothing from sites apart from the odd bit of waste land that can't be used for gain.

A lot of caravanners are caravanning because they have dogs, if the didn't have dogs sites would get less trade.

Just another rip off by site owners. And we're not dog owners!

 

[SteveW77]

If you don't want to pay for your dog, don't go to sites that charge, leave them to people like me that object to yapping dogs barking half the day and night.

Steve W

 

[jacky3]

I've no idea why you should pay for a dog, they get nothing from sites apart from the odd bit of waste land that can't be used for gain.

A lot of caravanners are caravanning because they have dogs, if the didn't have dogs sites would get less trade.

Just another rip off by site owners. And we're not dog owners!

lol!!__ thats utter crap___theyd probably get more people on site if they did away with dogs altogether.

 

[Dustydog]

Klarky and Steve W

I don't want a yellow card from Mr Mods but you are making me barking mad. I obey all my master's commands. I fetch for him, guard the house, keep the cats out of the garden so why can't I have a no charge holiday??

I haven't bitten anyone yet.

I say don't charge my master for my stay, I do no harm to anyone.I don't bark day and night. What's the problem??

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[Parksy]

We don't have a dog but many caravanners do and the dogs form an integral part of their general caravan experience.

By charging such a hefty sum per dog the site that Steve in Leo writes about are clearly trying to discourage dog owners from taking their dogs when staying there.

I can't say that we've ever had any bad or negative experiences concerning dogs or their owners wherever we have stayed, dogs are just part of the background to us.

If I was staying in a five star hotel and dogs barked I'd probably complain but in a tin box in a glorified field??

If I was a dog owner I'd vote with my feet or the dogs paws anyway and make sure that my chosen destination was dog friendly before parting with my money.

 

[SteveW77]

If I was staying in a five star hotel and dogs barked I'd probably complain but in a tin box in a glorified field??

Hi Parksy.

As far as I am concerned my van is better than any five star hotel, but what difference does it make whether or not you are in a field. A nuisance is still a nuisance. I am not talking of the occasional bark or growl but the type of dog that just goes on and on all the time, half the time the owners are not even there.

This happens quite often in my expierence and to be frank I get bl**dy fed up listening to it.

Steve W

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Could Steve W and Klarky post a list of the sites they use please because I would also hate the noise of barking dogs. We usually go to, on average, 15 sites a year, mainly CC but have never heard this nuisance thankfully. Perhaps we are just lucky. Then again perhaps were not looking for something to moan about :O)