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Tent hire package for family holidays
- Thread starter wmrcomputers
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wmrcomputers
Stafford PC & laptop repair specialist
Love that episode!! 
We actually looked closely, and even the smaller 6 man one is around the same size and weight. The air beam tents are therefore just looking like a complete no go. The more manageable option is (as pointed out already) the kind of sized tents that they might initially purchase as a first tent themselves. However, this defeats what we actually hoped to achieve so we might just give up on the idea. Nothing has been spent & lost right now (other than a domain name for a few quid) so no harm done in thinking about it.
We actually looked closely, and even the smaller 6 man one is around the same size and weight. The air beam tents are therefore just looking like a complete no go. The more manageable option is (as pointed out already) the kind of sized tents that they might initially purchase as a first tent themselves. However, this defeats what we actually hoped to achieve so we might just give up on the idea. Nothing has been spent & lost right now (other than a domain name for a few quid) so no harm done in thinking about it.
wmrcomputers
Stafford PC & laptop repair specialist
Can I ask for some opinions again please you lovely people.
We've potentially organised a season pitch for one of the huge air beam tents, at the lovely seaside resort of Mablethorpe.... not just because I personally love the place, but because the site in question has the benefits of countryside camping whilst being only 1.5 miles from the beach, funfair and arcades and less than a mile to the nearest supermarket.
The camping site has clean toilet and shower facility and also a washing up area. Farm animals can be seen along with plenty of local wildlife, and there's a small play area for children which includes an old tractor to climb around on.
We would essentially be offering the following holiday package.
* 7 nights in a spacious pre-erected tent with very adequate space to sleep 6 persons (not a tent that just claims to be a 6 man)
* Solar lighting system
* 6 camp beds (proper beds off the ground and not air beds) - people would be required to take own bedding & pillows
* 4 folding chairs in the living area, and use of an A-frame bench outside the tent
* Small table with gas ring and kettle for making drinks (no serious cooking facility so advised to eat out)
* Use of toilets and showers
The above would be fully inclusive of pitch fee AND equipment hire and we would be looking to charge a total of £299 for a week during the main school summer holiday period, with a week or two possibly being available either side for around £249. We would charge a £20 cleaning deposit which is returned at the end of the stay if the tent is left as it is found. If new guests arriving find the tent unsatisfactory, then we would ask for pictures, withhold it and pass onto the new guests as an inconvenience discount.
Any thoughts please on what we are thinking to offer and also the pricing? As a guide, a main season pitch on the haven site is currently £220 for a week for those pitching their own tents. Admittedly that also provides access to on site pool & facilities which we couldn't offer - but I think the price point would sell it?
As well as wanting opinions, if anyone on here would be seriously interested in this family holiday then make sure you give me the heads-up in advance, because if it does go ahead then it would only be a single pitch for this year so will be very limited availability while we test the water.
Thanks
We've potentially organised a season pitch for one of the huge air beam tents, at the lovely seaside resort of Mablethorpe.... not just because I personally love the place, but because the site in question has the benefits of countryside camping whilst being only 1.5 miles from the beach, funfair and arcades and less than a mile to the nearest supermarket.
The camping site has clean toilet and shower facility and also a washing up area. Farm animals can be seen along with plenty of local wildlife, and there's a small play area for children which includes an old tractor to climb around on.
We would essentially be offering the following holiday package.
* 7 nights in a spacious pre-erected tent with very adequate space to sleep 6 persons (not a tent that just claims to be a 6 man)
* Solar lighting system
* 6 camp beds (proper beds off the ground and not air beds) - people would be required to take own bedding & pillows
* 4 folding chairs in the living area, and use of an A-frame bench outside the tent
* Small table with gas ring and kettle for making drinks (no serious cooking facility so advised to eat out)
* Use of toilets and showers
The above would be fully inclusive of pitch fee AND equipment hire and we would be looking to charge a total of £299 for a week during the main school summer holiday period, with a week or two possibly being available either side for around £249. We would charge a £20 cleaning deposit which is returned at the end of the stay if the tent is left as it is found. If new guests arriving find the tent unsatisfactory, then we would ask for pictures, withhold it and pass onto the new guests as an inconvenience discount.
Any thoughts please on what we are thinking to offer and also the pricing? As a guide, a main season pitch on the haven site is currently £220 for a week for those pitching their own tents. Admittedly that also provides access to on site pool & facilities which we couldn't offer - but I think the price point would sell it?
As well as wanting opinions, if anyone on here would be seriously interested in this family holiday then make sure you give me the heads-up in advance, because if it does go ahead then it would only be a single pitch for this year so will be very limited availability while we test the water.
Thanks
Perrier
Banned
Love Mablethorpe
We have stayed at the Haven site you mention quite a few times .
Although the main attractions are as you say about 1 mile away , the beach itself is literally a few minutes away ( unless they have blocked that entrance to it off now.)
Really clean sandy beach thats not crazily full of people at all so perfect for a quiet chill
Theres even a cinema about 1/2 mile away on the same road and a general shop for essentials such as milk , bread etc.
From the pricing of the caravans and passes prospective , i think you have priced to book easily considering you would be paying at least double that price for what is in reality a glorified pub inside the complex and a few other bits and pieces that in my opinion doesnt justify the high prices they ask.
... most of this can be enjoyed in Mablethorpe itself a lot cheaper.
Only thing i would recommend is that other than school hols when you would easily book 7 day breaks is the option of say 3 day breaks when quieter as sometimes a week can be too long for some people.
If the place is how i remember it about 10 -15 years ago , you could be on a winner .
We have stayed at the Haven site you mention quite a few times .
Although the main attractions are as you say about 1 mile away , the beach itself is literally a few minutes away ( unless they have blocked that entrance to it off now.)
Really clean sandy beach thats not crazily full of people at all so perfect for a quiet chill
Theres even a cinema about 1/2 mile away on the same road and a general shop for essentials such as milk , bread etc.
From the pricing of the caravans and passes prospective , i think you have priced to book easily considering you would be paying at least double that price for what is in reality a glorified pub inside the complex and a few other bits and pieces that in my opinion doesnt justify the high prices they ask.
... most of this can be enjoyed in Mablethorpe itself a lot cheaper.
Only thing i would recommend is that other than school hols when you would easily book 7 day breaks is the option of say 3 day breaks when quieter as sometimes a week can be too long for some people.
If the place is how i remember it about 10 -15 years ago , you could be on a winner .
Thehooperman
Well-Known Forumite
Your proposed price seems reasonable to me for the time of year.
Not sure about Mablethorpe but only because of journey to get there and back. Only been once and that was at a colleague's caravan but enjoyed the location.
Might be worth arranging a deal with some local establishments/shops for your customers.
When I rented accommodation such as caravans or cottages previously I've always found it helpful if you can book a pre shop so that you don't have to faff around after a long journey, not sure of that's something you may be able to offer as well.
The other things you could perhaps offer would be disposable bbqs, cool bags, etc.
Good luck in your venture anyway, hope it goes well for you.
Not sure about Mablethorpe but only because of journey to get there and back. Only been once and that was at a colleague's caravan but enjoyed the location.
Might be worth arranging a deal with some local establishments/shops for your customers.
When I rented accommodation such as caravans or cottages previously I've always found it helpful if you can book a pre shop so that you don't have to faff around after a long journey, not sure of that's something you may be able to offer as well.
The other things you could perhaps offer would be disposable bbqs, cool bags, etc.
Good luck in your venture anyway, hope it goes well for you.
wmrcomputers
Stafford PC & laptop repair specialist
@Thehooperman - huge thanks for your time. Yep - definitely needed to add a coolbox and ice packs to the list - the site has a shared freezer for campers to re-freeze them. Thanks for that thought!
Disposable barbecues and such like are all things that just about every place on the high street sells there, but we'll put together our own guide of suggestions, things you might want to take with you, places to go, things to see and do etc. Having holidayed there for the past 7 years ourselves this should almost be my specialist subject!
Thank you for the good luck wishes. It may not even happen yet pending our final discussions - but this is why I thought I would ask for feedback here as it can make all the difference and allow us to consider things we may have forgotten. I mean - a coolbox..... how on earth could I forget that!
Disposable barbecues and such like are all things that just about every place on the high street sells there, but we'll put together our own guide of suggestions, things you might want to take with you, places to go, things to see and do etc. Having holidayed there for the past 7 years ourselves this should almost be my specialist subject!
Thank you for the good luck wishes. It may not even happen yet pending our final discussions - but this is why I thought I would ask for feedback here as it can make all the difference and allow us to consider things we may have forgotten. I mean - a coolbox..... how on earth could I forget that!
wmrcomputers
Stafford PC & laptop repair specialist
@perry081064 - thanks mate this is the stuff I love to hear. You're so right about the beach, the place in general and everything else you say. I doubt anything has changed much in the 15 years as I know for certain it hasn't in the past 7 that we have been going.
I'm also chuffed to hear that you think our pricing would sell it. We've also spoken about shorter break options at £199 for the Monday to Friday, and £149 for the weekend Fri to Mon. I totally agree that a week is too long for some people, especially when they might be testing the water themselves too. We would also have the option to easily add weeks at either side of the main holidays and extend the overall booking according to demand (at slightly reduced prices to our campers just as most places would do).
Again, as above, thank you so much for you time and thoughts mate. It's very very much appreciated!
I'm also chuffed to hear that you think our pricing would sell it. We've also spoken about shorter break options at £199 for the Monday to Friday, and £149 for the weekend Fri to Mon. I totally agree that a week is too long for some people, especially when they might be testing the water themselves too. We would also have the option to easily add weeks at either side of the main holidays and extend the overall booking according to demand (at slightly reduced prices to our campers just as most places would do).
Again, as above, thank you so much for you time and thoughts mate. It's very very much appreciated!
Perrier
Banned
The place will sell itself i think , its what you can offer that will place you above the list when you start to advertise.
Also guys , its only 15 mins down the road from Skegness and theres also a bus service to get you there should you not want to take the car.
i'll keep an eye on this thread methinks
Also guys , its only 15 mins down the road from Skegness and theres also a bus service to get you there should you not want to take the car.
i'll keep an eye on this thread methinks
Thehooperman
Well-Known Forumite
Thehooperman
Well-Known Forumite
The place will sell itself i think , its what you can offer that will place you above the list when you start to advertise.
Also guys , its only 15 mins down the road from Skegness and theres also a bus service to get you there should you not want to take the car.
i'll keep an eye on this thread methinks
On a more serious note, it is also down the road from Cadwell Park and BSB is there on weekend of August 19th.
Plus accommodation is limited in that area so may be worth getting in touch with the circuit to let them know what you can offer for other meetings as well.
Frontal
Well-Known Forumite
Seems a bit pricey to me, tbh.
For £350 at that time of year you can get a 6 berth Chalet in that area
Proper Yurts can be gotten in other locations for £300 a week peak season
I mean, it's a good idea, but you are hitting the low end glamping level of prices here, so you should probably be looking at cheap ways to add to the experience (bottle of fizz on arrival, for example)
For £350 at that time of year you can get a 6 berth Chalet in that area
Proper Yurts can be gotten in other locations for £300 a week peak season
I mean, it's a good idea, but you are hitting the low end glamping level of prices here, so you should probably be looking at cheap ways to add to the experience (bottle of fizz on arrival, for example)
wmrcomputers
Stafford PC & laptop repair specialist
Thanks for this... not disagreeing with you but can you show me some examples please for comparison purposes. Everything i'm looking at for main season is typically £200+ for a camping pitch at seaside areas (based on family of 4), glamping things at around £600+ and caravans at £600+ also. If there's way better alternatives for people then I will be very glad to know before proceeding.
wmrcomputers
Stafford PC & laptop repair specialist
Sorry I missed the linked text
wmrcomputers
Stafford PC & laptop repair specialist
@Frontal you were way off I'm afraid. For the first link you had quoted the week before main season. That can typically be half the price of main season. The second link you should try adding 2 or 3 children on and the price rockets
A family of 5 in the yurt becomes £531 for the dates you selected, and I can't quote a main season week for the other as there's no full week availability
A family of 5 in the yurt becomes £531 for the dates you selected, and I can't quote a main season week for the other as there's no full week availability
Frontal
Well-Known Forumite
Still, comparing to your pre-season price of £250, it's £100 more for a full on Chalet in that area (Not familiar with the area, so just went off the first 6 person place on the site for comparison - there are probably better deals to be had).
The Yurt with 2 adults 2 kids is £450 which I think is a typical size family. I'll grant you the hop up by £80 for a 3rd child is steep (and I'd likely quiz that one directly with the owner - I assume it's as they'd have to supply another bed as it's a 4 person yurt).
I dunno, I remember going caravanning and camping with the family, £15 a night got you access to site amenities and Electric in most parts of the country - though that was a decade ago
I do think if I paid £300 for a tent, I'd be expecting access to all amenities on the site.
From my quick perusal earlier, I did notice it common to offer bolt on 'add-on' options - both for extra amenities, food drink, etc, when booking. Would you be able to give access to the other amenities on site on that sort of arrangement?
The Yurt with 2 adults 2 kids is £450 which I think is a typical size family. I'll grant you the hop up by £80 for a 3rd child is steep (and I'd likely quiz that one directly with the owner - I assume it's as they'd have to supply another bed as it's a 4 person yurt).
I dunno, I remember going caravanning and camping with the family, £15 a night got you access to site amenities and Electric in most parts of the country - though that was a decade ago
I do think if I paid £300 for a tent, I'd be expecting access to all amenities on the site.
From my quick perusal earlier, I did notice it common to offer bolt on 'add-on' options - both for extra amenities, food drink, etc, when booking. Would you be able to give access to the other amenities on site on that sort of arrangement?
Thehooperman
Well-Known Forumite
Still, comparing to your pre-season price of £250, it's £100 more for a full on Chalet in that area (Not familiar with the area, so just went off the first 6 person place on the site for comparison - there are probably better deals to be had).
The Yurt with 2 adults 2 kids is £450 which I think is a typical size family. I'll grant you the hop up by £80 for a 3rd child is steep (and I'd likely quiz that one directly with the owner - I assume it's as they'd have to supply another bed as it's a 4 person yurt).
I dunno, I remember going caravanning and camping with the family, £15 a night got you access to site amenities and Electric in most parts of the country - though that was a decade ago
I do think if I paid £300 for a tent, I'd be expecting access to all amenities on the site.
From my quick perusal earlier, I did notice it common to offer bolt on 'add-on' options - both for extra amenities, food drink, etc, when booking. Would you be able to give access to the other amenities on site on that sort of arrangement?
A pitch on Grange Leisure park for 2 adults and 4 children Inc electric is £185 in August. The site has a bar, golf and an aqua park according to their website.
So the question I would ask myself would be is it worth the extra £114 to save the hassle of carting all the gear and having to pitch it myself on a site with less facilities?
Honest answer I would probably pay say £50-60 on top but not £114. As Frontal suggests there are probably other forms of accommodation available for a little bit more and I would go for those.
Having said that I wouldn't have been in a position to pay the extra for other accommodation when my kids were growing up but would have been prepared to pay a little extra for something already set up for me.
wmrcomputers
Stafford PC & laptop repair specialist
@Frontal and @Thehooperman thank you both for the continued discussion.
The site I'm in discussions with has no other amenities to offer and is very basic, but has everything within easy reach when leaving the site. I agree that the chalet that Frontal pointed out is extremely good value - but I wouldn't think of that as competition as it's a one off and is already booked for most of the main season dates.
I've just looked at grange leisure and for a main season week it has given a price of £144 for up to 5 persons non electric and £164 with electric. Seems lower than what you've quoted for some reason, but nonetheless I see your point about "is it worth the extra".
Assuming I've found accurate pricing for grange leisure, lets suppose £144 for a week non-electric. Therefore for £155 more they are hiring a tent probably far bigger than they would ever dream of owning and couldn't possibly fit in the family car, all set up and ready to just enjoy their holiday, with more comfortable beds than what they could fit in the car too (just for reference we've since talked of having a double sized actual bed rather than camp beds for mum & dad). As it's been mentioned already in this thread, yes there's a golf club, a water park of sort etc on the site. However these are all things that can be enjoyed very close to the site I'm looking at and there's a whole bunch of stuff to discover in Mablethorpe anyway, from a Sand Train ride along the beach up to the Seal Sanctuary, a beautiful and clean water park for the kids (free to use), a boating lake with great little diesel boats to hire at just £5 for 20 minutes, and of course things like funfairs etc etc.
To myself personally, and even if I owned a typical tent and airbeds etc., I honestly believe I'd happily pay the extra for the extra comforts and convenience. But not only that, we are still focusing on the fact that the alternative main options (not one off private chalets etc) such as haven caravans etc. are FAR more pricey and not everyone can afford to rush out and buy a tent and all of the equipment they might need on top of paying the pitch fees. Please bear in mind that initially this will be a single tent this year if it does happen. We aren't looking at competing with the big players as we wouldn't need to sell very many holidays at all. The question that I suppose I am asking myself really is "Can I convince 6 families that it's a reasonable deal?". If those families are looking at the other options they know such as Haven, and see prices like I'm now looking at (a standard caravan, lowest category, main season 6th august to 13th at £786) then surely so. And those haven prices will continue increasing as we get closer to the summer whereas our weeks will stay at the same price until they are sold - even if that's right up to the week before the holiday.
Maybe it all comes down to family types and budgets, but I imagine a scenario where a family on a low income are looking for a cheap UK holiday. Haven, £786 but they only have a budget of £600 including spending money. Lets then suppose they see that they can get a pitch at the Grange for £144 and their car IS big enough for all the gear. By the time they price the gear up it leaves them no spending budget! There must be so many families that go through a similar process every year. Then an option pops up on their Facebook feed or through a friend tagging them in a post. A huge tent, comfy beds, already pitched at a lovely seaside place for £299 for 1 week with none of the hassles..... we think it would sell, or at least sell easily enough to the extent that we require as a very small venture. But please do keep on your arguments for and against anything I've said please as it's everything I hoped for when starting this thread. If you talk me out of going ahead then it will be for the best no doubt, and even if you don't then at least you will have made us consider the negatives before we jump in at the deep end.
As always, cheers guys for taking the time to read and think and give your comments.
The site I'm in discussions with has no other amenities to offer and is very basic, but has everything within easy reach when leaving the site. I agree that the chalet that Frontal pointed out is extremely good value - but I wouldn't think of that as competition as it's a one off and is already booked for most of the main season dates.
I've just looked at grange leisure and for a main season week it has given a price of £144 for up to 5 persons non electric and £164 with electric. Seems lower than what you've quoted for some reason, but nonetheless I see your point about "is it worth the extra".
Assuming I've found accurate pricing for grange leisure, lets suppose £144 for a week non-electric. Therefore for £155 more they are hiring a tent probably far bigger than they would ever dream of owning and couldn't possibly fit in the family car, all set up and ready to just enjoy their holiday, with more comfortable beds than what they could fit in the car too (just for reference we've since talked of having a double sized actual bed rather than camp beds for mum & dad). As it's been mentioned already in this thread, yes there's a golf club, a water park of sort etc on the site. However these are all things that can be enjoyed very close to the site I'm looking at and there's a whole bunch of stuff to discover in Mablethorpe anyway, from a Sand Train ride along the beach up to the Seal Sanctuary, a beautiful and clean water park for the kids (free to use), a boating lake with great little diesel boats to hire at just £5 for 20 minutes, and of course things like funfairs etc etc.
To myself personally, and even if I owned a typical tent and airbeds etc., I honestly believe I'd happily pay the extra for the extra comforts and convenience. But not only that, we are still focusing on the fact that the alternative main options (not one off private chalets etc) such as haven caravans etc. are FAR more pricey and not everyone can afford to rush out and buy a tent and all of the equipment they might need on top of paying the pitch fees. Please bear in mind that initially this will be a single tent this year if it does happen. We aren't looking at competing with the big players as we wouldn't need to sell very many holidays at all. The question that I suppose I am asking myself really is "Can I convince 6 families that it's a reasonable deal?". If those families are looking at the other options they know such as Haven, and see prices like I'm now looking at (a standard caravan, lowest category, main season 6th august to 13th at £786) then surely so. And those haven prices will continue increasing as we get closer to the summer whereas our weeks will stay at the same price until they are sold - even if that's right up to the week before the holiday.
Maybe it all comes down to family types and budgets, but I imagine a scenario where a family on a low income are looking for a cheap UK holiday. Haven, £786 but they only have a budget of £600 including spending money. Lets then suppose they see that they can get a pitch at the Grange for £144 and their car IS big enough for all the gear. By the time they price the gear up it leaves them no spending budget! There must be so many families that go through a similar process every year. Then an option pops up on their Facebook feed or through a friend tagging them in a post. A huge tent, comfy beds, already pitched at a lovely seaside place for £299 for 1 week with none of the hassles..... we think it would sell, or at least sell easily enough to the extent that we require as a very small venture. But please do keep on your arguments for and against anything I've said please as it's everything I hoped for when starting this thread. If you talk me out of going ahead then it will be for the best no doubt, and even if you don't then at least you will have made us consider the negatives before we jump in at the deep end.
As always, cheers guys for taking the time to read and think and give your comments.
Carole
Well-Known Forumite
@wmrcomputers
Would you consider paying someone to go in and clean the tent in between guests?
One can't assume that everyone will leave it as they find it.
You mentioned in an earlier post that if someone finds it not clean, then they should take photos and they will get a £20 inconvenience fee.
Personally when I arrive somewhere I expect it to be immaculate and to start a holiday clearing away someone else's mess would mar it for me, and a £20 inconvenience payment wouldn't cut it.
Perhaps you could source a local person to go in once a week to clean it and perhaps unpack a shopping order that someone else suggested.
This would have to be factored into the price obviously. However not everyone wants everything dirt cheap, some people are happy to pay more in the knowledge of getting something decent.
You will also have to factor in any damage to the tent. Again this is a good reason to have a weekly check on the place. If a tent is damaged will you have another tent to immediately replace it with? If you've got bookings throughout the season you will need an immediate replacement should something go amiss.
For what it's worth it's not something that I'd personally be interested in, that's not because I don't think it's a good idea, it's just because I'm not really a camping person.
Would you consider paying someone to go in and clean the tent in between guests?
One can't assume that everyone will leave it as they find it.
You mentioned in an earlier post that if someone finds it not clean, then they should take photos and they will get a £20 inconvenience fee.
Personally when I arrive somewhere I expect it to be immaculate and to start a holiday clearing away someone else's mess would mar it for me, and a £20 inconvenience payment wouldn't cut it.
Perhaps you could source a local person to go in once a week to clean it and perhaps unpack a shopping order that someone else suggested.
This would have to be factored into the price obviously. However not everyone wants everything dirt cheap, some people are happy to pay more in the knowledge of getting something decent.
You will also have to factor in any damage to the tent. Again this is a good reason to have a weekly check on the place. If a tent is damaged will you have another tent to immediately replace it with? If you've got bookings throughout the season you will need an immediate replacement should something go amiss.
For what it's worth it's not something that I'd personally be interested in, that's not because I don't think it's a good idea, it's just because I'm not really a camping person.
Thehooperman
Well-Known Forumite
@Frontal and @Thehooperman thank you both for the continued discussion.
The site I'm in discussions with has no other amenities to offer and is very basic, but has everything within easy reach when leaving the site. I agree that the chalet that Frontal pointed out is extremely good value - but I wouldn't think of that as competition as it's a one off and is already booked for most of the main season dates.
I've just looked at grange leisure and for a main season week it has given a price of £144 for up to 5 persons non electric and £164 with electric. Seems lower than what you've quoted for some reason, but nonetheless I see your point about "is it worth the extra".
Assuming I've found accurate pricing for grange leisure, lets suppose £144 for a week non-electric. Therefore for £155 more they are hiring a tent probably far bigger than they would ever dream of owning and couldn't possibly fit in the family car, all set up and ready to just enjoy their holiday, with more comfortable beds than what they could fit in the car too (just for reference we've since talked of having a double sized actual bed rather than camp beds for mum & dad). As it's been mentioned already in this thread, yes there's a golf club, a water park of sort etc on the site. However these are all things that can be enjoyed very close to the site I'm looking at and there's a whole bunch of stuff to discover in Mablethorpe anyway, from a Sand Train ride along the beach up to the Seal Sanctuary, a beautiful and clean water park for the kids (free to use), a boating lake with great little diesel boats to hire at just £5 for 20 minutes, and of course things like funfairs etc etc.
To myself personally, and even if I owned a typical tent and airbeds etc., I honestly believe I'd happily pay the extra for the extra comforts and convenience. But not only that, we are still focusing on the fact that the alternative main options (not one off private chalets etc) such as haven caravans etc. are FAR more pricey and not everyone can afford to rush out and buy a tent and all of the equipment they might need on top of paying the pitch fees. Please bear in mind that initially this will be a single tent this year if it does happen. We aren't looking at competing with the big players as we wouldn't need to sell very many holidays at all. The question that I suppose I am asking myself really is "Can I convince 6 families that it's a reasonable deal?". If those families are looking at the other options they know such as Haven, and see prices like I'm now looking at (a standard caravan, lowest category, main season 6th august to 13th at £786) then surely so. And those haven prices will continue increasing as we get closer to the summer whereas our weeks will stay at the same price until they are sold - even if that's right up to the week before the holiday.
Maybe it all comes down to family types and budgets, but I imagine a scenario where a family on a low income are looking for a cheap UK holiday. Haven, £786 but they only have a budget of £600 including spending money. Lets then suppose they see that they can get a pitch at the Grange for £144 and their car IS big enough for all the gear. By the time they price the gear up it leaves them no spending budget! There must be so many families that go through a similar process every year. Then an option pops up on their Facebook feed or through a friend tagging them in a post. A huge tent, comfy beds, already pitched at a lovely seaside place for £299 for 1 week with none of the hassles..... we think it would sell, or at least sell easily enough to the extent that we require as a very small venture. But please do keep on your arguments for and against anything I've said please as it's everything I hoped for when starting this thread. If you talk me out of going ahead then it will be for the best no doubt, and even if you don't then at least you will have made us consider the negatives before we jump in at the deep end.
As always, cheers guys for taking the time to read and think and give your comments.
Whilst there were elements of my earlier post that may seem like negatives I do believe you are offering many pros and it's good you are listening to opinions before just jumping in.
The price I found was just straight off the web based on a family of 6 in August. There's probably better prices for the same place if you search hard enough.
I would seriously work out your lowest price you can go to for the first few bookings to get them through the "canvas" door and build up the reputation and business from there.
The subsequent post by Carole is a really good point. You need to make sure the tent is spotless for following guests. This can be a make or break for many guests and a few negative feedbacks will put off the majority of customers.
wmrcomputers
Stafford PC & laptop repair specialist
We are certainly going to try and find a local person to do a quick clean & check on changeover days if we can. I totally agree that a messy tent could make or break it's success. The initial deposit idea was more of a last resort one - although I would personally be happy enough to be credited £20 in such a situation myself I agree that a clean tent in the first place is a far better option.
@Carole - regarding damage to the tent, between myself & possible business partner we would be quite capable of doing repairs albeit a 3 hour journey to do so. In an absolute emergency we've looked into fast repair services in that area and are looking at insurance options as well. Hopefully it won't come to that as these tents are far more superior at standing up to high winds etc than traditional pole tents - but we accept that it's not guaranteed to be that straight forward.
@Thehooperman - thanks for continuing the chat, and please don't think for one second that I have any hard feeling about the few negatives you'd previously mentioned. It's the whole point in this thread, so thank you.
At the current pricing idea, we would only be set to break even this year, and that is assuming no urgent trips and repairs etc. Although I do see your point that at least the first couple of bookings might be more easily obtained at a lower price, so I'll speak to the guy with the funds and see what his thoughts are about deliberately running at a guaranteed loss in order to get the interest going. My only concern with this is that it becomes harder to justify a sudden price increase the following year if customers wish to return. I made that mistake when I first ever started computer repairs.... I realised I'd priced myself in wayyyy too low, and then as soon as I put it up to what was still a very fair price, people moaned! You've definitely given me another conversation point for us to consider though, thanks.
In general, I think the approximate pricing I have given will sound expensive to any existing campers out there who own their own camping gear and are used to finding good cheap sites etc. To our target customer, lower income families that can't quite afford the £700+ caravans they have looked at, I can't imagine that the difference of £50 or so would change their mind much. We're basing it on the fact that many parents (including ourselves, I admit) have for years taken cheaper holidays by taking their kids out of school for a week - but the fines etc are forcing them to try and find cheaper main season holiday alternatives. It's about what they can afford within their budget this year, so buying all of the camping gear doesn't become viable either. If we can appeal to them AND make the whole experience a very enjoyable one, then there's a chance of a repeat booking as they might decide it works better for them.
It's not about being the cheapest, nor the best. If we were looking at setting up a massive business with a dozen or so units, then it would be important to be competitive. It's about appealing to a select few families that maybe leave things a bit "last minute" and are just happy to find something within their budget, and then hopefully making them enjoy it enough to do it again. We've done it the Haven way for 7 years or so now. We enjoyed it the first time, so we booked it again. The prices creep up every year, and we know there would be cheaper alternatives if we looked around. However, we are used to the site and have our bearings on the place so we just accept the prices and book again. I believe that if we can GET them to book with us, we can do enough to keep them or at least get good feedback or a recommendation out of it.
Final thought for now - and sorry for the extremely long posts - but what seems expensive to one couple might not be expensive to another. A low price might sell it out for the required weeks, but then would we ask if it might STILL have sold out at the higher price regardless? When my computer repair fee was £25, I had people try to banter me down to do it for £20 saying that it was expensive, whilst others paid me as much as £80 on one occassion and insisted that I should value myself more and I'm worth every penny. One of them that used to argue my price was of the posher side of town, and one of my best ever tippers lived in a council house at the other! Sometimes it literally just comes down to "can you do it today?" or "is it available?". Would we get better clients at the higher price than the lower? Would those that jump on a lower price deal treat it any worse? There are no correct answers I'm sure.
Thanks as always for letting me ramble on. It really does help me to think!
@Carole - regarding damage to the tent, between myself & possible business partner we would be quite capable of doing repairs albeit a 3 hour journey to do so. In an absolute emergency we've looked into fast repair services in that area and are looking at insurance options as well. Hopefully it won't come to that as these tents are far more superior at standing up to high winds etc than traditional pole tents - but we accept that it's not guaranteed to be that straight forward.
@Thehooperman - thanks for continuing the chat, and please don't think for one second that I have any hard feeling about the few negatives you'd previously mentioned. It's the whole point in this thread, so thank you.
At the current pricing idea, we would only be set to break even this year, and that is assuming no urgent trips and repairs etc. Although I do see your point that at least the first couple of bookings might be more easily obtained at a lower price, so I'll speak to the guy with the funds and see what his thoughts are about deliberately running at a guaranteed loss in order to get the interest going. My only concern with this is that it becomes harder to justify a sudden price increase the following year if customers wish to return. I made that mistake when I first ever started computer repairs.... I realised I'd priced myself in wayyyy too low, and then as soon as I put it up to what was still a very fair price, people moaned! You've definitely given me another conversation point for us to consider though, thanks.
In general, I think the approximate pricing I have given will sound expensive to any existing campers out there who own their own camping gear and are used to finding good cheap sites etc. To our target customer, lower income families that can't quite afford the £700+ caravans they have looked at, I can't imagine that the difference of £50 or so would change their mind much. We're basing it on the fact that many parents (including ourselves, I admit) have for years taken cheaper holidays by taking their kids out of school for a week - but the fines etc are forcing them to try and find cheaper main season holiday alternatives. It's about what they can afford within their budget this year, so buying all of the camping gear doesn't become viable either. If we can appeal to them AND make the whole experience a very enjoyable one, then there's a chance of a repeat booking as they might decide it works better for them.
It's not about being the cheapest, nor the best. If we were looking at setting up a massive business with a dozen or so units, then it would be important to be competitive. It's about appealing to a select few families that maybe leave things a bit "last minute" and are just happy to find something within their budget, and then hopefully making them enjoy it enough to do it again. We've done it the Haven way for 7 years or so now. We enjoyed it the first time, so we booked it again. The prices creep up every year, and we know there would be cheaper alternatives if we looked around. However, we are used to the site and have our bearings on the place so we just accept the prices and book again. I believe that if we can GET them to book with us, we can do enough to keep them or at least get good feedback or a recommendation out of it.
Final thought for now - and sorry for the extremely long posts - but what seems expensive to one couple might not be expensive to another. A low price might sell it out for the required weeks, but then would we ask if it might STILL have sold out at the higher price regardless? When my computer repair fee was £25, I had people try to banter me down to do it for £20 saying that it was expensive, whilst others paid me as much as £80 on one occassion and insisted that I should value myself more and I'm worth every penny. One of them that used to argue my price was of the posher side of town, and one of my best ever tippers lived in a council house at the other! Sometimes it literally just comes down to "can you do it today?" or "is it available?". Would we get better clients at the higher price than the lower? Would those that jump on a lower price deal treat it any worse? There are no correct answers I'm sure.
Thanks as always for letting me ramble on. It really does help me to think!