Message Forums

Has anyone else noticed some of the more imaginative ways in which certain campsites are introducing 'extras' into their pricing structures?

 I spent some years in international commerce and I know how prices are calculated and also what tricks are sometimes played to bump up the price a bit, but some of the campsites I've recently investigated through UKCS are on the verge of taking the mickey. One site (which will remain nameless, though I'm certain it isn't unique) charges extra for a larger tent and then also charges for additional persons. Shouldn't that be either one or the other. Some charge for extra persons and then have additional charges for using basic facilities.Another site charges extra for each person and then advertises their facilities as being 'free'! (It ought to read 'at no extra cost' because it's already charged for through the individual tarrifs. If it were truly free then the tarrif would be comparable with sites that have no facilities).

I'm not sure whether UKCS would condone a naming and shaming campaign (after all, it's up to individuals to make up their own minds about whether or not they're comfortable with the tarrifs they pay), but does anyone have any frightening or amusing examples of 'imaginative' tarrifs (without libelling oneself, of course)? 

When towing a wreck of a car back from Devon for restoration I stopped at a site that wanted to charge me extra for the trailer and wanted to charge me for the car on it. Talk about wanting two bites of the cherry.

I dislike all these extra charges extra people, dogs, trailers etc.

We refuse to stay on any sites that charge more than £2.50 per night for our dog.  Do they get to use the facilities? NO!  Some of then don't even have dog walks or poo bins on them.  We all have a choice at the end of the day and we choose NOT to stay on any site that we feel are ripping us off!

Kernow Camper

I totally agree with you kernow camper. I get really annoyed at the charge of £2.50 or 25p for my little jack russell. She sleeps in MY van, I clean up her mess and like you say she does not use any of the facilities. I will not go to any site that charges for the dog unless I am desperate.

                                                Sue 

Quote: Originally posted by send in tank on 14/8/2007

---

I think it would be much better if site owners increased there charges to include all the extras and then gave a discount for say not having an awning , that would save me money as I dont have one , also I would get a discount if I did not take my dog

---

How far do you want this idea to go?

Charging for each tent as if it's 12-berth (many have a surcharge for large tents)...

Or is it just the pyschology of getting something cheaper than a "standard", an hence a "good deal" ?

S

Having recently acquired a small trailer I have this year been very shocked to notice how many  sites charge extra for one. As much as £3 or £4 per night for the pleasure of parking behind my tent!!!

Then also the has anyone sle notice more and more sites have intoduced a booking fee. I have noticed these come in the last year or so - anything from £1 to £7!!!

Seems there are some sharp practices going on.  I can't believe the price of campsites now compared to even 10 years ago.

Ali

I agree. I like to do lots of short breaks and think camping is a great way of keeping the children having fun and on the go (plus being educational, planning the trip, different areas, blah blah blah!) but when I start totting up the cost I find myself wondering just how rich you need to be to camp these days!  For a lot of families, it was a great economical way to have a holiday, now with the spread of consumerism, it's staggering when you look at the variety & cost of tents, caravans etc. And no, I'm not looking back fondly to the 'good old days', I'm only 38 (not old to me, stop sniggering!!).

If a standard pitch charge is for a tent or a caravan, surely my little campervan should be included too. No. I get charged the extra fee for having a vehicle even though I don't have a tent or a caravan on the pitch already. What's that all about.  I'm talking about Trevornick by the way.  I love that site but that drives me mad.  

just came back from a site in scotland, (not very good at that) charged us £1.50 p.n. for porch awning, and despite weather making ground waterlogged, told us under no circumstances are we allowed to put groundsheet of any type down, of course the advice fell on deaf ears, would rather face the wrath of an irate site owner, than that of the missus for fetching muck into van.