Booking Fees for the Honeypots
Comments
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I fear that would not work effectively, CY. Cards expire and can be cancelled as you well know. Admin would be a headache as would the ensuing arguments.
Anyway, I don't want my card details held by CC's computerised systems. There's no point in inviting trouble!
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Whilst that seems a fairly straightforward idea I expect the Club would be concerned about data security of such information. We hear all the time about such events where credit card details are compromised when systems are hacked. Perhaps the Club would not be worthy of such attention by the people that do these things but you never know!!!
Whilst I am sure many of the suggestions are made with good intent people do need to look at the administrative impact and the associated costs.
David
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If you store CC details then you have to adhere to a whole raft of security regulations and of course it is a risk of hacking or insider stealing the details.
I booked a ferry last week over the telephone and when it came to payment I had to input the number via my phone pad so the operator did not get to know the details which I thought was very secure.
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Which 'club figures'?
The 'Club' do not release figures about cancellations.
Why is it complicated to take deposits? Thousands of other companies somehow seem to manage it.
As I said before, there is no advantage to me personally in paying a deposit. I am only commenting on what is good business sense.
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The 'Club' do not release figures about cancellations
I think you have not read my post accurately . I said late cancellations, these are the ones after the 72 hour cut off and the club does record these as you well know.
These (late cancellations) have been discussed on the club magazine, and in the Chairman's report.The club has stated that when deposits were removed the number of late cancellations and indeed no shows (that's people not turning up without notice) went down significantly.
As for business sense, I have less experience in business and therefore leave that to the club. (did you run a business or have experience in running a large successful organisation like the club btw?)
However I can only discuss what I see. I would think that as some sites are already full for July and August, and not just the honeypot sites (details on demand if you wish but you know I would never post anything without being able to substantiate it). I noticed in booking a week in Melrose next month that some weekends have already gone that the club appears to doing quite well so I let them get on with.
Thousands of companies do indeed charge deposits, but I can't see that a reason for the club to do that? I assume you want the club to carry on with it's child friendly fees, and the reduced fees (kids for a pound) as thousands of companies do the same? Quite of lot of the package deals even give free child places away. I think the club may wish to follow that
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We know/accept the rules of the club when we join & I personally would not want to see deposits introduced for any reason. IMHO it would probably be disadvantageous to members with a tight budgets who having booked use the lead up time to save for that holiday.
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The CC certainly are very good at getting weekend bookings. The lack of any commitment from those booking does that.
Whether those bookings all show up (or cancel just outside the 72 hour cut-off) is a very different matter. Eye witness evidence of many sites would indicate that they don't.
The CC of course, refuse to release figures for these cancellations. I wonder why?
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Your assumption Ian. I have no idea how honest an assumption but I personally doubt that to be the reason that many do not wish for deposits.
There I several reasons why I do not wish to see deposits which would have to be significantly high to be worthwhile.
I think that they are unnecessary as I think that levels of intentional abuse are low.
I see it as a needless faff and would not wish for a website run by CC to hold my details as I do not think that their site is at all likely to be well maintained and secure given the levels of IT competence that seem apparent.
If necessary I would pay deposits. I can afford to have my money tied up but some may be less able. Particularly so at certain times of year.
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Personally, I've nothing against deposits. In fact I've already paid two deposits, one for a CL and one for a commercial site. The CC has for many years had a different non deposit booking system which it reckons works to the benefit of the club as a whole and members individually. I can see no reason to dispute this, any more than I would dispute paying a deposit for a site which wanted one. Since "honeypot" sites have, presumably, a higher occupation rate than others I feel the argument for having deposits for them is rather weak.
I have agreed several times in the past with CY's suggestion and still see it as a fair way to maintain the non-deposit system while allowing penalties for the very small number who abuse it.
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Just agreeing that it's a better alternative than going for deposits, Alan.I think there'd have to be a considerable beefing up of security before going own that route. At the end of the day I'm happy to accept that the club have far more evidence and business acumen than any of us on which to base their decision, so I'm happy with the status quo.
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Just checked again, 21 - 26 dec is available as is 20 - 23, OP stated he wanted 2 nights, as suggested Beechwood Grange has plenty, I'd be tempted to book that and keep an eye on RP just in case. OP is a motor homer so setting up for 2 nights isn't a problem. We are at another honeypot site BW we arrived today at 1.30 and leave Friday at 12.00 a couple of nights is a favorite for MH's don't weekends consist of 2 nights.
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2 nights was never a problem in a caravan Phil. The point I was making is that one night is not a lot of use at York if you want to spend time in York.
I would not do 2 nights now though as we usually are away between 4 and 7 weeks on each trip and tend to spend five nights at each location as I have the time.
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Being a working family with kids, we are unable to book sites on the bun fight day, as we cannot plan that far ahead for weekends, with school activities, overtime etc.
This essentially precludes us from ever getting one of these 'honey pot sites', unless someone cancels for dates that we already have booked at another CC site and we are able to change our destination.It is strange though that when we book a foreign holiday, we pay for it in advance and have a non-refundable deposit. And when we book into a hotel or even premier inn, we pay a non refundable fee at the time of booking (unless we pay extra for a cancellable room).
All with no issues....primarily because we only book for things we know we are going to do.
So for me (and I appreciate this is at odds with most of the respondents, but in line with the OP), I would be more than happy to see a system where you pay for your booking, to stop some of this speculative book that the current system encourages.1 -
I don't mind the principle of deposits although the C&CC system is a pain if you need to amend your booking in anyway.
However I think the main issue is the fact that there's a bunfight day. How can anyone know what's likely to happen a year ahead? How does the OP know that he'll be able to take up his booking yet believes others won't?
The bunfight causes these sites to get booked up. A rolling system of release of dates would be better. That is why it's easier to book with the other club not deposits. Although I do think the number of tent campers makes a difference too.
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Hopefully CJ meant a deposit. Otherwise it would put the CC at the other end of the spectrum. Not many holiday firms charge the full amount 6 months or more before. You usually stump up the rest 8 weeks to a month ahead, or with some when you arrive.
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That's not what I was suggesting EasyT, just stating that facts about all other holidays outside of the CC!
However, if you know you are going to go to all those bookings, what difference does it make you are spending the exact same amount of money!
If its too much in a single lump sum, then you break down your bookings into more manageable lumps and risk not getting the sites you want like the rest of us who cannot book through the whole year because of life commitments (makes it fairer for us then who cannot be so planned and can't find pitches because they are all fully booked).
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If its too much in a single lump sum, then you break down your bookings into more manageable lumps and risk not getting the sites you want like the rest of us who cannot book through the whole year because of life commitments (makes it fairer for us then who cannot be so planned and can't find pitches because they are all fully booked).
The truth is CJ that I wan't my sites in a suitable order along a tour route. I found that when I tried to book (say) 10 sites in sequence I had to chop and change my plans. We usually have only 3 or 4 weeks between tours and don't want to be faffed deciding when to fit in time for bookings.
If I had to pay a substantial amount up front I would do so. Not every body with a young family would be comfortable with that mid December just before Christmas. So hardly fair to all CJ
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And when paying for any such larger amounts, ie package deal, with non refundable deposits, you usually take out travel insurance to cover your outlay in case you have to cancel
Are we talking non refundable deposits? If not you still can cancel before the designated cut off, get your deposit back and what has changed?
At the end of the day the current club rules are no deposit, and the cut off at 72 hours. Why not just go with. It works, if you believe the club, but some don't and that is their choice (but some back up evidence would be good to prove their point), to reduce no shows and late cancelations.
If you join and keep re-joining the club why do you keep wanting to change a system that works? Why not do what most of us do and pitch up (literally) and enjoy.
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