"We will respond within 5 days"

That's what the automated response says to a query sent via the website of the Camping and Caravanning Club. 
30 days it took them to reply blaming exceptionally high levels of queries. 
I've been a member of both major clubs for well over 20 years. Both clubs have had exactly the same problems over the past 18 months. They have handled the problems differently,  I know which one I believe has done much better.

Paul,

I’ve been disappointed with the C&CC in recent weeks, specifically their continental travel service. We used them to book our Eurotunnel crossings in order to get the 10% discount offered to members. 

The first problem is that you cannot reach them by phone at present, apparently due to the pandemic. Communication is by email instead so there is inevitably a lag in response times. Most of the time that may not be a problem but it’s not great when you need to chase them for your travel documents on the morning of departure.

My main concern however is that the booking reference they provide is not recognisable by Eurotunnel’s online system. Consequently we were unable to log our Passport details with Eurotunnel before travelling outward, and neither were we able to submit online our passenger locator form and vaccination details before returning today. This meant we had to queue in the terminals to be processed manually.

OK, none of it was a showstopper but we were left with the feeling that the C&CC are operating their booking service in a vacuum and didn’t help ease the stress of travelling in this current climate. I think we’ll use the C&MHC next time. At least their call centre staff are on the end of a phone.

Tim

When we were at Bude site, I spoke to the wardens about the query I had sent and that I'd not had a reply. When we got home I got an email from the wardens telling me that they had had a surprise visit by a director and had told the director of my query the director asked them for my membership number and told them the club would contact me to discuss it. I'm still waiting for that conversation.

I have been trying to renew our membership with CMC, no luck, spoke to lady online and said cannot take your money, problems with system. She said I could send the form back in the envelope supplied, but I had to put a stamp on it, What after being asked for £54!!!
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Richard

It seems to be the way of the world these days.
After eventually (40minutes) getting through to our doctor's surgery, my wife was told to expect a telephone consultation at 2pm, well 2pm has come and gone five times now and still no call.
Another example, I emailed my mobile phone company with a query regarding my contract, and according to their automated reply they value my custom and I will receive a specific answer in two days, that was two weeks ago. They're now going to lose a customer, but do they care? I doubt it..
Al.

rgermain wrote:I have been trying to renew our membership with CMC, no luck, spoke to lady online and said cannot take your money, problems with system. She said I could send the form back in the envelope supplied, but I had to put a stamp on it, What after being asked for £54!!!
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Richard

I had an email today asking me to login to renew my membership.

Their web site simply refused to accept my password, I tried on my phone too in case it was a browser issue.

In despair I clicked the "lost password" link, even though it it the correct password.

No email ever arrived 

We only joined C&MC for this year to be able to use CL's.
Haven't done any!
Did on night at York, that's it.
TBH I don't like either club, but that's just me, others swear by them, or at them as above!!

I have read recently, not sure where, that you can run into complications if you book the tunnel through the clubs, as they don't work weekends and Eurotunnel cannot see your ref No. as Tim says.

This could be a problem if you wanted to change a return booking while away. So it went on to say is it worth the 10% discount, saying that we have always booked with a club and had no problems, but that was before Brexit and Covid.
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Richard

IanH wrote:We only joined C&MC for this year to be able to use CL's.
Haven't done any!
Did on night at York, that's it.
TBH I don't like either club, but that's just me, others swear by them, or at them as above!!

We also joined the CMC to use CL's, so far this year we have spent 25 nights at £11 x 20, and £12 x 5 nights, never use site or commercial ones, so have made a great saving :smile!:Also when we did go abroad always used Red pennant ins, may be next year, planning in my head.

Also belong to CCC, but thinking of not renewing next time as we never use any of their sites etc.
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Richard

Part of my query was about whether sites still had to be prebooked and whether they accepted drop ins. Their receptions remain closed and payments taken directly from your bank on morning of arrival. This system takes away any impulsive ideas you may have of touring. The reply I eventually got today was that all current procedures are remaining for the time being 'to protect their staff and members'. 
The CAMC opened their receptions,  and in many cases their shops, ages ago. The staff accept payment by card or cash, all safely behind screens, something the C&CC never installed as they haven’t opened the receptions.

I’m with the C&CC and I’ve had reason to ring them several times over the last few weeks, mainly to change existing bookings.  I was also ringing them a month or so ago for similar reasons.

I have to say that I’ve had no problems getting through to them by phone on each occasion.  Yes, I’ve occasionally had to wait on hold for a short while, but nothing much.  Then they’ve immediately helped.

Perhaps it makes a difference the day and time we ring.  Or I’ve just been lucky.  Who knows.