The major caravan parks have had it themselves and are operating as groups to dictate prices and whims at their fancy , is it time for us as "grey nomads "to introduce, a similar card to the major system that entitles us to real discounts s a group ,not just advertised promotions with strings or don't exit.
We tried to set one up years ago in S.A. Real Estate Industry..the support base must be massive to appeal to Business.....costs in time and money were enormous ...it flopped big time....Grey Nomads?..who?....and you want a discount for what? and why?......and you do what?.....and you do it full time?....<likely Business reply> ..well if you travel full time you obviously need us more than we need you so why give you a discount....especially when our Industry is hell bent in restricting your alternative options all over Australia....Hoo Roo
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The older we get the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.......
We've had discounts because of membership of NRMA, and seniors card and occasionally a pension card. I reckon most Grey Nomads would have a seniors and/or pension card or Automobile Club membership.
As GDN said, businesses have to believe they will benefit before giving discounts, they don't just give them from the kindness of their hearts!
Caravan-Park memberships work well for some, we have a Top Tourist membership, and it has saved us a lot more than it cost.
There is businesses, caravan parks, etc out there that will give discount for RACQ, Seniors, Pension, whatever cards. Seek them out. Avoid the ones that don't.
Thanks for your replies and I agree with all your comments and we all know we seem to be overwhelmed by cards of all shorts. But it appears to me that caravan parks need our patronage in the "off" periods to make ends meet , this is backed up by the noise they generate when a free camp is located within their vicinity, personally we prefer a caravan park and don't mind the charge. However when push comes to shove it seems that the "Grey Nomad " who has supported them thru their leaner period is the one to be "shoved ".
I have just posted this as I feel we provide an major part of the caravanning industries income and should be respected for it and have a voice of some kind. Thanks .
Many caravan park owners are either filthy rich or poor business people!!
We have been staying in Kalgoorlie, WA, for the past week. They have 4 parks here, plus 2 free city 24 hour stops, dump points, water etc provided by the Council as well as a long term free camp about 10-15 mins out of the city.
We looked on-line before we came here and the Acclaim Group (who own 2 parks) where doing off season prices - we stayed a week and saved ourselves 2 nights.
We are about to return to Perth for Xmas and inquired with the Merriden C/P. $35 a night - no discount for off season or holding a seniors card or whatever. The only thing they do all year round is the 7th night is free. Heres the rub - when I asked about site availability, the email reply was "we're nearly empty so youre welcome to choose your own site". Dumb, huh??
If they discounted to say $15-$20 in their quiet time (as most C/Ps have), then Grey Nomads would make a point of going there. Surely that sort of discount will still cover the power and water we leave as well as help pay their other costs like council rates, the ATO, maintenance etc rather than just having an empty Park
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
If they discounted to say $15-$20 in their quiet time (as most C/Ps have), then Grey Nomads would make a point of going there. Surely that sort of discount will still cover the power and water we leave as well as help pay their other costs like council rates, the ATO, maintenance etc rather than just having an empty Park
Bruce and Bev, they only have to cover costs at the off peak times as the best form of advertising is satisfied customers and word of mouth on forums like this.
I'm going to be the odd man out here - I do not like discounts. Someone has to pay for the discounts offered by various groups and the someone is generally the easygoing take it as it comes grey nomad.
I do not see why belonging to a certain group deserves a discount. Nothing bugs me more than being at a counter - chemist/spare parts/Bunnings, and the person in front of me has a special card that magically allows them to buy the same product as I do for 20% or whatever less.
The other problem with a discount card for grey nomads is that who do caravan park operators associate with "free camping"?, why grey nomads of course. Why give a discount to the enemy.
This is what was is happening on the Sunshine and Gold Coast at present some are charging for a site the same price as Motel per night and they would only have 20-30 % occupancy ,
Waste of time IMHO, as we can't agree on anything it seems. About 5 years ago (or thereabouts + or - a couple years - yep I have the seniors card,,lol) there was a push to unite caravan owners, motorhome groups and camper groups before I was on grey nomads. No one could agree on ANYTHING and self interest groups, led by (IMHO only) the motorhome group(s) appeared to sabotage it.
Anyway I have a 2nd wallet full of discount cards, all are about 100% useless and anyone can get the discount offered if you ask.
Just my humble opinion and it's worth at least 5 cents now.
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Why is it so? Professor Julius Sumner Miller, a profound influence on my life, who explained science to us on TV in the 60's.
Anyway I have a 2nd wallet full of discount cards, all are about 100% useless and anyone can get the discount offered if you ask.
Just my humble opinion and it's worth at least 5 cents now.
Baz - I sometimes ask if there is a discount - seniors, concession card, RACQ etc but never get one, so I don't know how you do it.
Regards
If you know what discount is offered and to who, just brazenly ask, other do.... I don't bother usually as the discounts/products are not good overall IMHO.
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Why is it so? Professor Julius Sumner Miller, a profound influence on my life, who explained science to us on TV in the 60's.
Not sure that politely asking for a discount is a brazen act, depending on the store I'm shopping in I will often ask, sometimes the answer is no, however I am frequently pleasantly surprised.
Do I feel we need a GN discount card? no, if a business is prepared to offer a discount they will do so regardless, don't need another card in my wallet.
I generally ask "what is the best they can do" on bigger ticket items or multiple purchases, and quite often get a better deal than the ticketed price. When my old man was a salesman, selling everything from carpet to caravans, he'd always "see if we can do a better deal" to persuade an undecided customer to make the purchase. In fact they always had a little bit of leeway built into the ticket price back then.
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<<The major caravan parks have had it themselves and are operating as groups to dictate prices and whims at their fancy , is it time for us as "grey nomads "to introduce, a similar card to the major system that entitles us to real discounts s a group ,not just advertised promotions with strings or don't exit.
Any IDEA"S >>
No I dont think we need one but it is always interesting to read the comments by others
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Cooee
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it into a fruit salad.
