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Quote: Originally posted by D S B on 24/3/2010

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I haven't researched this but I suspect the sites that charge for awnings would probably need/choose to increase the cost of their pitch/people rate if they didn't choose for awnings. 

e.g. if a site reckons it needs to get approximately £30 for a pitch, they have several options.  They could charge £30, irrespective of the number of people, cars and awning.  So one person in a ridge tent without a car would be charged £30, and a family of six with a double axle caravan, a large awning and two cars would also be charged £30.

In reality, most sites break down the cost so as to make it fairer, in relation to the number of people and the equipment you use.  Sites will do this in different ways.  The fairest way woul be to charge for every single thing.   This could mean that the man with the ridge tent might only pay £5, but the family of six might end up by paying £55.  I suspect sites steer the middle path to make their income more predictable.  If they have 100 pitches all taken by ridge tents with one person, their income for one night will be £500, but if each pitch was occupied by a family of six, there income would be £5,500.  They are looking for an income of about £3000, so in reality they charge the ridge tent more and the double axle less - they make a compromise.  This means that some will include the awning in the cost of the pitch, others will not.  In the end of the day, the site is happy if it gets approx. £30 a night.  As a consumer, we have the choice of going to a site that charges for seperate people/services etc and those that try and lump them together. 

It could be that more sites are breaking down costs into smaller units because they feel that it works better for them and is what the customer wants.

Whatever the case, if a site wants the equivalent of £30 a night for a pitch, it has to organize pricing in such a way to ensure this is what they get, whatever the detailed structure of their pricing policy.

All this, of course, is just my own thoughts and is not based on detailed 'inside' knowledge of any sort.  Just my way of saying... I don't think it makes a lot of difference... they are going to try and get their money one way or another.

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Quote: Originally posted by Rune Caster on 27/3/2010

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Another post I read on a thread just further down the page could be a little closer to the truth.

You are charged for an awning because you tend to heat it and use more electric

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Campers are a very varied group. A charging system that suits single\couple's is unlikely to be good for families and vice vera. Free fishing might attract me and no charge for dogs others. Whereas those that don't have a dog or fish might see it as paying for services they don't use.

All you can do is read their T&C's and price structure carefully, price up, know in advance what it is going to cost you and vote with your feet if you don't think it is good value for your situation.

Quote: Originally posted by ghosty on 29/3/2010

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i am fuming , we payed for a seasonal pitch on a well knowned Haven site in 10b this year and when we went to set up the caravan they said we have to pay £3 a night or £200 a for the season EXTRA for the dog, this is scandalous , we can have upto 8 people on our ticket { only 4 of us } but pay extra for the flippin dog , anyway the only option we got is to put the dog down { only joking } how can they charge for this as the dog doesnt use the facilities .  Be warned anybody going to 10b.

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