I think the difference in reviews could largely be due to the fact that the IT magazine’s can afford to buy products for tests which compared to caravans or motorhome are relatively low cost. Also IT mags have a far larger spectrum of advertisers too The club mags as well as Practical Caravan are relatively gentle on reviews as their circulation is probably small compared to IT magazines and their main product review source and advertisers are very limited.
I wasn't disputing that they are very gentle - I'm suggesting they have no value.
Firstly I took Roger L’ s “That” as referring to my posts explanation, it wasn’t a justification. But I do recognise the realities of navigating a course when in business.
Surely the industry swim in the same sea as the clubs and the users. So if the industry cannot recognise the concerns voiced re quality and image is it really practical to expect the clubs to exert influence. After all an industry able to sell increasing number of products isn’t going to be swayed by mere words. It’s the buying public that exerts pressure. But what evidence is there of such pressures at a level that will effect the changes desired?
Agreed but let’s not lose sight of other aspects of their activities that differentiate them from a business. They organise rallies, temporary holiday sites, district association meetings, volunteers run some sites, overseas rallies, national rallies, maintain a library of technical help bulletins, magazines, Club sites, five van sites, focused insurance and recovery services etc. Local Annual General Meetings are held which can give voice to members interests and concerns right through to the main AGM. But like attending the annual shareholders meeting for a company not all views can, or should be accommodated by those who are responsible for the performance of the whole enterprise.
30 years is a long time. But why not cast your net at DVSA too and their reluctance/ refusal to do anything when more recently alloy wheels were coming off, or axles failing, or mandate a recall system. Who was you case against, the dealer or manufacture. But irrespective I would not expect either of the clubs to help me take up a case. You clearly had a unsafe caravan as inspected by DOT. Why didn’t you sue whoever was deemed responsible. The Sale of Goods Act 1979 was extant as was the Small Claims Court if the value being disputed fell within its jurisdiction at that time. If not the normal civil process would be available. I’ve successfully used both. Civil court in 1971 against GKN, and small claims court against a private individual who sold me a duff motor circa 1977
These days Boundless is little more than a lifestyle magazine pushing sales of products and services. Although it’s membership fee is compensated fir by savings on specific items. Britannia Rescue was always a good service at a very reasonable price. But for caravanners Green Flag is probably a better option.
I do not disagree with that list of activities, but that does not make them uniquely a club. There are many commercial organisations whose job is to do or organise very similar things, so the difference is very blurred.
In 2016 we bought a brand new caravan which turned out to be a load of poo. Initially I consulted CAB, but quickly realised that they never really had a good understanding of CRA 2015.
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