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Camping

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Original poster

camping at Easter are we mad!?!

56 replies

victoriasmith · 04/03/2013 11:09

Just beginning to wonder whether we are mad! We have planned to go camping over Easter near Scarborough, my husband, me - 6months pregnant and our son who is 2. The only thing i am worried about is the weather it is still so cold at night! Are we all going to freeze, is anyone else camping over Easter?

OP posts:
foreversunny · 25/03/2013 15:47

"the grass in a campable state"

Could you elaborate on this?

I've read in past reviews that this particular site doesn't have the best drainage in the camp field and it's flooded on several occasions.

So.....knowing that, if we go there and the tent pitch is too wet, where to we stand? (other than in a lot of water Grin ).

By paying for a tent pitch, if they can't provide a decent one, do we have legal rights to a refund/exchange? Surely there's some sort of trading law that the item you pay for has to be in good, working order so to speak? (something about being "fit for purpose" or something?)

The camp site itself isn't too far away (we tent to stay reasonably local to save on petrol).

Actually, thinking about it, we might actually go and see if we can find a ground to stand on to fight back. By simply not turning up, it's like we're just allowing them to keep our money.

Irony is, we really want to go! Sad

EggBasket · 25/03/2013 16:00

That's crap. We couldn't make it to Center Parcs one year in Jan when the weather was atrocious and they did at first say we wouldn't get anything back. We kept trying their customer services people (ask to be referred up the chain) and eventually they capitulated and let us rebook for another date.

If all else fails, maybe you could recoup some of your money by selling the pitch half price on ukcampsite??

millimat · 25/03/2013 17:56

Forever if its a big chain, does it mean they have lots of facilities? If there's indoor things you'll have more to do / keep you warm.

I also think you need to name and shame them on here, I don't want to support a site with that attitude. Forums have a lot of power - tell them you're naming them on here and they'll soon climb down. i remember it happening with someone else - though unhelpfully can't remember who it was. It was definitely a company but think it sold camping gear - they definitely backed down once named on here, all to keep their reputation!

millimat · 25/03/2013 17:57

Oh and would definitely demand a phone number for head office and speak to the person at the top. Keep giving them grief until you achieve Grin

DeepRedBetty · 25/03/2013 18:01

Agree with millimat. I've been supporting name and shame of Asda and DM through this site in the past 24 hours and will happily add your evil holiday park company to the list!

foreversunny · 25/03/2013 21:42

Thanks all.

I'm still currently fighting it out with them this week. Once it's well and truly over, I will name and shame.

MrsHoarder · 25/03/2013 21:52

Haven't made the final call yet, we're booked with the camper van for mid-Wales but its starting to sound cold. Will ring Thursday morning and ask if they're open.

hillbilly · 25/03/2013 22:34

foreversunny - which campsite is it?

hillbilly · 25/03/2013 22:35

sorry cross post foreversunny - will wait until you out them!

llynnnn · 26/03/2013 03:03

We have cancelled our touring caravan pitch Hmm unsure if its the same company, foreversunny, but they also wouldn't give us a refund. Confused They have allowed us to change the booking to one of their static caravans and just pay the difference. It's not the same, but at least we will be more comfortable, still get a break away, and not have the worry of towing (for the first time ever!) in these windy, icey conditions!

Quenelle · 26/03/2013 08:12

I'm really angry for you foreversunny. I hope you can get most of not all your money back. Sounds like they don't care about return business.

Lynnnn glad to hear you managed to get some sort of resolution. Hope you have a good time.

Original poster
victoriasmith · 26/03/2013 12:52

That is awful Foreversunny, it really is heart braking when the holiday you planned and saved for is taken away from you. If they are a large company with a head office as previous poster said I would take it as high up as possible and keep pestering them relentlessly, also seek advice from Citizens Advice Bureau who can be really excellent in such cases and advocate on your behalf - often a letter from them really shows people you mean business and aren't just going to go away.

I spoke with our campsite today who although wouldn't agree to a refund which I understand, they need to make money as well, they have changed our dates for us.

I agree with previous posts that often naming and shaming on mumsnet, particularly if the thread has many followers and posts, can have some influence i'm sure i remember last year someone having problems with a featherdown farm holiday where two family groups were split up on site after specifically at time of booking saying they needed to be camped next to each other and the rumpus it caused on mumsnet helped their case.

Good luck let us know how you get on.

Is anyone out there still camping this weekend?

OP posts:
cyclecamper · 27/03/2013 12:59

Yes, we are, unless the meet is cancelled. My main worries are getting there (it is fairly hilly at that end and could be dicey) and using a bigger tent than usual because of my pregnancy - a cycle camping tent is nice and warm with 2 people in it, but less so a bigger one. (It's still pretty small, just bigger than normal for us). We missed out on our March trip due to my work and my Husband's chest infection, so I'm looking forward to it Smile.

We do have a bail out option of going to my in-laws, but hopefully we won't need to use it.

DrGoogleWillSeeYouNow · 27/03/2013 14:04

We are cheating caravanning in our tourer at Haven Pwllheli from Friday to Monday. Not to fussed about the cold as we have heating, electric, etc, and there are plenty of activities and things to do nearby if it's really cold and wet, but DH is a bit worried about towing in this weather, and whether the roads will be passable.

Good luck to everyone that is braving it!

millimat · 30/03/2013 08:21

Forever, how have you got on? We need updates!!

Blu · 02/04/2013 14:53

Yes, I have been wondering how the easter Campers were getting on.

No rain, but it did snow overnight where I was. Brrrrr.

cyclecamper · 02/04/2013 22:07

It was lovely. The weather was much better than expected and it is a lovely area. The only downside was that the drive was very uncomfortable for me. Smile

millimat · 03/04/2013 07:59

Cycle camper, where did you go?

MrsHoarder · 03/04/2013 09:43

We were in wrapped and it was lovely and sunny in the daytime but we were glad of being in the heated van overnight.

MrsHoarder · 03/04/2013 09:44

Wales! Southern half...

colleysmill · 03/04/2013 21:06

We took the camper to Chester - very nice sunshine during the day and dry but twas a bit nippy at night, especially Saturday. Iced up on inside Sunday morning. lots of people under canvas too.

Apart from the obligatory AA call out on Sunday night jolly good weekend in all.

serin · 03/04/2013 22:18

We went down to Glastonbury, quite a few hardy types in tents and they all seemed to be having a good time. Weather was much better there, and we were shocked to get home and see the same snow lying on the ground here as when we left.

We were in the van, so toasty warm but honestly I would not have liked to sleep out, too old!.

foreversunny · 04/04/2013 12:21

Sorry for not coming back to update Blush

Well, have finally won my battle and took it as high as I could (which involved actually driving to the site itself and seeing the manager face to face)......but I'm pleased to report that they agreed to move the dates for us Smile

Am annoyed that we had to fight so hard but pleased that it's been moved and we can still enjoy a family holiday.

Blu - I did what you suggested and called anonymously to "book" and I was told they were fully booked all Easter. When we got to the site, there were only two caravans there. TWO! Fully booked my arse Hmm

Quenelle · 04/04/2013 13:43

Glad you got satisfaction in the end forever. What a shame it was so much hassle though. I would think twice about booking there again.

Do you think they were saying they were fully booked so they didn't have to say they were closed due to the weather?

Blu · 04/04/2013 14:36

Really pleased they have agreed to move your dates, ForeverSunny - I was looking at the ice on our pind and worried about you!

Cheeky bastards. 'Fully booked' indeed!

Anyway, at least you can look forward to your holiday, if summer ever arrives.

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