Site Charges

[pensioner]

We have been using camping sites for several years as campers, but are new to using them as caravaners.
So we were a bit surprised when we went to the latest one last week and were charged extra for putting up an awning.
Are we being a bit naive or Is this unusual to be charged extra,,as apart from a one night stop over we wouldn't dream of not using the awning.

 

[Parksy]

Hi Pensioner
Some sites charge for awnings, dogs, visitors, extra vehicles and anything else that they can think of.
It's always a good idea to check and agree on the overall pitch price before your stay and internet forums and websites such as PCv are full of information about various sites.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Pensioner,

Further to Parksy's comment, it may be of interest to know with the exception of electricity and I think water there is no set of statutory regulations about how much to charge and what for. It's entirely in the hands of the site operator.

There does tend to be some convergence of charges as any operator that sets their charges way above the average will tend to lose customers.

As Parksy suggests in most cases you can look up a sites charging tariff before you book, and if you don't like the charges vote with your wheels and go elsewhere.

Just a suggestion, if every one who rejected a site because of their charges, were to let the site operator know they have chosen to go elsewhere, it might alert the site to how much trade they have lost, and they may review their charges accordingly.

 

[SheffSean]

We USED to stop on a cl in East Yorkshire until the owners started tagging on all sorts of extras, one of which was to charge us extra because our son had reached 16 years of age, come on, he was only using the same things he had been using before he was 16, so yes charging extra for an awning is quite normal on a lot of sites

Sean.

 

[SteveW77]

As you rightly say your son uses exactly they same facilities regardless of his age, so why do you expect to pay less for children?
In my experience children take more clearing up after, make more noise and cause more nuisance to other campers.

 

[Raywood]

I tend to think charging for an awning is a bit of a con as there is no extra cost to the operator by you putting one up so there is no basis for it other than to boost the sites income.. You should always check the sites charges before booking and if you do not like them go elsewhere as there are plenty of sites who will not charge you the extra.
Both clubs make no charge for awnings or dogs for that matter so you may want to look at them.

 

[pensioner]

Thanks for the comments folks,,we have so far used C&CC sites for each of our caravan trips, as we know they are a good standard,,but not for the last one,,hence the surprise, as we knew C&CC don't charge extra, and we've been using their sites when camping,for years
We used the other one this time for the convenience to the location we were visiting.
Believe me,,as a Scot and careful christian,,I always check site details before booking but this one slipped through the net.

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Pensioner.
As Raywood said and you have found yourself the Clubs offer an all inclusive no extra charges.
We do use other sites from commercial to private and CLs but always check their websites and look at
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/
Should a 16 year old pay the full wack? Absolutely YES.

 

[SheffSean]

I suppose it depends on the children, we never allowed our kids to cause upset/annoyance to other people on site, if they just charged for the outfit it would be fairer to all, also with regards to an awning charge, in most instances I agree it is a bit much to charge but the farm we stop on is a breathable ground sheet site but it doesn't stop people using non breathable sheets which in turn can cause damage to the grass.

Sean.

 

[saint-spoon]

It reminds me of the carry on camping film where Peter Butterworth plays an unscrupulous site owner and everything is an extra “quid”.

As for children, some sites charge others don’t, my 4 and 6 year olds arguably cost less in facility usage than say a 16 year old but they are all children and tied to their parents and they are potentially the next generation of campers/caravanners so sites that charge extra for them are discouraging their parents from using the site (this may be deliberate) and are therefore missing out on the good memories that will bring those children back as adults. Just a thought.

 

[Parksy]

A large number of certified sites / certified locations charge per unit per night based on 2 adults and 2 children.
As I mentioned earlier, a quick phone call before your stay is always best so that you know exactly what you will be paying before you agree to stay.
There's a certified site that both Deli Dave and myself use every year which looks to be owned by the lady, but the husband always collects the money.
The trouble is that he always tries to add a bit more to the price than the price advertised and agreed in advance. :dry:
He doesn't get away with it. :evil:

 

[SteveW77]

It reminds me of the carry on camping film where Peter Butterworth plays an unscrupulous site owner and everything is an extra “quid”.

As for children, some sites charge others don’t, my 4 and 6 year olds arguably cost less in facility usage than say a 16 year old but they are all children and tied to their parents and they are potentially the next generation of campers/caravanners so sites that charge extra for them are discouraging their parents from using the site (this may be deliberate) and are therefore missing out on the good memories that will bring those children back as adults. Just a thought.

Would you care to explain your assertion that younger children cost less.

 

[saint-spoon]

For starters they won’t be going to the shower block on their own and I am sure that I am not the only one who has witnessed kids standing in the showers for far longer than is absolutely necessary. It can be a problem on busy camp site when I have been camping in tents. When I take either of my children across for a shower it is minimum time under the shower to get the job done and back over to the caravan.

 

[Parksy]

For starters they won’t be going to the shower block on their own and I am sure that I am not the only one who has witnessed kids standing in the showers for far longer than is absolutely necessary. It can be a problem on busy camp site when I have been camping in tents. When I take either of my children across for a shower it is minimum time under the shower to get the job done and back over to the caravan.

I wouldn't have thought that they'd use the car park, clubhouse or on-site restaurants much either. B)

 

[SteveW77]

For starters they won’t be going to the shower block on their own and I am sure that I am not the only one who has witnessed kids standing in the showers for far longer than is absolutely necessary. It can be a problem on busy camp site when I have been camping in tents. When I take either of my children across for a shower it is minimum time under the shower to get the job done and back over to the caravan.

I wouldn't have thought that they'd use the car park, clubhouse or on-site restaurants much either. B)

But then neither do I. Are we really saying that because some people do not spend long in the showers they should get a discount. What about people like me who use their own shower.
I also I do not use the playing area, or the dog walk, can I get a discount?

 

[saint-spoon]

How has a surcharge suddenly become not getting a discount? Please explain exactly how not charging someone for having children on their pitch equates to you not getting a discount? I have no axe to grind regarding sites charging for children, I have after all two options... take it or leave it.

We have children and we take them away in our caravan, prior to this we took them away in our tent(s). We enjoy it and they enjoy it. They make temporary friends with other children, some of which are away with their parents, some with grandparents or a combination of both. We chat to the parents. If you think that you are being seen off by us not being charged more then only choose sites that do charge more for children, or indeed find child free sites to be absolutely certain. I would suggest that there are not many sites that make a loss because they allow children which subsequently USE more of the facilities; if my own experiences are anything to go by the on site shop (if they have one) normally does very well out of us in the way of sweeties, overpriced toys and so on.

 

[Dustydog]

As young parents with only one income the only holidays we could afford were camping and then latterly caravans.
Back in 1978 choices were less and facilities basic compared to today.
Today there are numerous specialist sites catering for families children adult only. The choice is simple imo. Vote with your feet.
We have dogs so avoid sites who charge for them.

 

[saint-spoon]

It is as simple as that really isn’t it; I don’t look at a family with a dog and ask why I am not getting a discount because I am not utilising the dog walking facility, neither did I look at the sign on the door of the bar at the last site on which we stopped and ask why, if children under 16 were not allowed in the bar, I wasn’t getting a rebate for them not being able to use all of the facilities on site.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Please calm down!

The villains here are the site operators who try to add all the extra charges, not the people that choose to use them.

As customers you have the choice whether to use a site or not, and if you do choose a particular site then you agree the terms before you book or use it.

If you don't like the tariffs then you have three choices, you can:-
1. vote with your wheels and look elsewhere
2. try and negotiate a special rate as tariffs are just an offer, and the owner of the tariffs can if they choose vary or waive them (if you don't ask you won't get)
3. put up accept the rates and then get on with your stay.

As I suggested above, if you don't agree with a charge, then by all means go elsewhere but do take the time to let the site operator know why you have rejected their offer. When they see how much trade they are losing they may reconsider their rates.

 

[SteveW77]

It is as simple as that really isn’t it; I don’t look at a family with a dog and ask why I am not getting a discount because I am not utilising the dog walking facility, neither did I look at the sign on the door of the bar at the last site on which we stopped and ask why, if children under 16 were not allowed in the bar, I wasn’t getting a rebate for them not being able to use all of the facilities on site.

My answer was in response to the post that complained be their son had reached 16yrs of age they where charged more.. My point remains why should children be charged a cheaper rate than adults, we all have the same basic needs regardless of age.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Steve,

You should be asking the site operator, as they are the ones who set their scale of charges,

In the same vein, why do children have lower charges than adults at cinema/theatres, buses/trains, Vat on shoes, etc.

 

[Parksy]

Swings and roundabouts. C&CC sites give an over 55 age discount and charge more during school holidays, and generally speaking most commercial and club sites increase overall prices during the school holidays.
Sites set their own prices and it's up to us to decide which sites to use. Price is often a factor in the decision making process but it's never the sole consideration for me personally.

 

[SteveW77]

Steve,

You should be asking the site operator, as they are the ones who set their scale of charges,

In the same vein, why do children have lower charges than adults at cinema/theatres, buses/trains, Vat on shoes, etc.

I personally do not choose sites by their charges, but by their location.
As for the fact that other places charge less for children, it has always been a mystery to me why this happens.
One does not get groceries cheaper at any supermarket because you are over or under a given age.
A child on a bus or in a cinema takes up 1 seat just the same as an adult, yet they travel/ watch for less,.
makes no sense at all.
As for VAT on shoes, while a Childs feet are still growing, they have to change their shoes regularly to avoid damaging their feet, so anything that would discourage people from doing this should in my opinion be avoided.

 

[Dustydog]

A 16 year old is hardly a child unless they have medical issues.
At 16 I was away around the County on my motorbike having a whale of a time.
And my friends even went to Devon camping. In those days there were no ID cards so it was easier to get a pint in a local

 

[Jules_ht]

Pricing structure is a matter for the provider of a service to set, and for users to accept or reject.

We don't know what the daily rate before or after awning cost was, so the cries of "rip off" are somewhat premature - if the site has an underlying pitch fee half that of anywhere else, and then adds bits for extras like awnings, what's the problem? It's the same as charging more for an EHU, or showers, or hardstanding, or for being a non-member, or even for twin axle (which has been known).

Easyjet and Ryanair have adopted the "pay only for what you use" model and it has very successfully reduced the cost of air travel for all consumers- it would be a bit silly to say it's a "rip off" to have to pay to put a case in the hold, or have a legroom seat, or priority boarding, or a meal, when it's half the cost of BA even once you've selected all the extras.

Only scenario I'd be annoyed by it is if you'd asked for a quote and been given a price, and only once you're there do all these extras come out of the wood work. If they gave you the price without asking about an awning then when you arrive start adding it, that's out of order.

The child rate debate is a bit bizarre. It's not about reflecting the cost associated with the child staying there, it's a marketing tool used by the site to entice/facilitate families to stay. They have to draw a line somewhere age-wise, otherwise you'd have smarty pants 70 yr olds with their 40yr old "children" taking the mickey trying to claim the discounted rate.