Anybody managed to book a site yet?

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  • Jim Day
    Jim Day Forum Participant Posts: 30
    edited December 2016 #302

    I saw a post on a caravan page on Facebook this afternoon, where someone was saying they had managed to book every weekend they wanted for next year at Rowntree  

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited December 2016 #303

    Like some others I didn't have a chance to get on the system this morning I was on night shift last night & when I finished a 6am headed home for my bed just booked a week at Moreton in Marsh without problems Ive never tried tobook using the peak booking
    system (Frenzy) & always managed to get the sites I want. But I do agree with others that maybe a deposit system could stop some from abusing the system lets face it if you booked a commercial site they nearly all charge a non refundable deposit and the Club
    use to many years ago

    Write your comments here...absolutely agree, we used to do this ourselves, we also belong to CCC and have no issue paying deposits. You only book the sites for the dates you actually want or need. The CC should also restrict the number of bookings at popular
    site for each member for a period of time. They know who they are.

    £10 per day booked is quite common. For me, along with the non club sites that I have booked, that would be £1,200 in total. A lot of money.  If the club did that I would probably just book the Fridays and Saturdays and keep the cost down to around £350.
    The result would be the same for pitch availability. I don't like the idea though as I would happily stump up the money. For some it might be harder. 

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited December 2016 #304

    I saw a post on a caravan page on Facebook this afternoon, where someone was saying they had managed to book every weekend they wanted for next year at Rowntree  

    Of course thay might only have wanted 2! 

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2016 #305

    I am not sure what a deposit would achieve. If you had booked a weekend and stood to loose £20, rather than go and pay £50 to £60 plus fuel to get there, folk would still cancel. However, rather than say anything, a fair number might just not turn up, as
    they had paid a booking fee. This would mean no scope for re-letting that pitch until they did not turn up in late arrivals, the next day.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited December 2016 #306

    Much my view Steve. They may cancel on Friday morning for the weekend but at present are more likely to decide and  cancel on a Tuesday

  • David2115
    David2115 Club Member Posts: 548
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    edited December 2016 #307

    I am not sure what a deposit would achieve. If you had booked a weekend and stood to loose £20, rather than go and pay £50 to £60 plus fuel to get there, folk would still cancel. However, rather than say anything, a fair number might just not turn up, as
    they had paid a booking fee. This would mean no scope for re-letting that pitch until they did not turn up in late arrivals, the next day.

    Write your comments here...yes but would the person book 20 weekends knowing it was £20 per booking , I doubt it. 

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited December 2016 #308

    I am not sure what a deposit would achieve. If you had booked a weekend and stood to loose £20, rather than go and pay £50 to £60 plus fuel to get there, folk would still cancel. However, rather than say anything, a fair number might just not turn up, as
    they had paid a booking fee. This would mean no scope for re-letting that pitch until they did not turn up in late arrivals, the next day.

    Write your comments here...yes but would the person book 20 weekends knowing it was £20 per booking , I doubt it. 

    Well just think. A weekend away - say £50 fees, £30 for coffees cakes etc. £10 fuel so towards £100. If they can afford to pay £2,000 on 20 weekends then £400 could be considered a small investment. Not sure that many book 20 weekends away at the honeypot
    sites though. 

    18 of my bookings are with the CC. If I had to pay £360 up front it would not trouble me at all

  • MichaelT
    MichaelT Forum Participant Posts: 1,874
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    edited December 2016 #309

    On the subject of deposits we were until recently a member of C&CC and earlier this year booked a few sites with them as part of a tour.  due circumstances beyond our control  (non delivery of new MH) we had to change plans but due to their useless antiquated
    system they could not change the bookings so even though we had paid deposit we just did not turn up so not only dud they lose out on the full amount for some nights they were also unable to re-let the pitch.

    On the subject of block booking it's total rubbish and a figment the imagination dreamt up by whingers who are unable to get the sites or dates they wanted and believe by introducing a deposit all of a sudden every weekend on honeypot sites would be free
    whereas the reality is they would still be full because lots of people want to go there and would fill any void left by the few people who would not book because of the deposit!

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited December 2016 #310

    How much deposit does C&CC take, is it per booking or per night? How soon do you need to cancel to get a refund??

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited December 2016 #311

    I dont ever take part in the annual  "Greed Fest.".  Its not in my nature to book loads of sites, denying and disadvantaging others,  just in case I might want to go to those sites if the weather is good.
    HappyWink

     

    Not my nature either to book 'in case I might want to go to those sites if the weather is good.'

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,392 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2016 #312

    ET the C&CC take a deposit of £25 per booking but as I have never cancelled I cannot answer the rest of your question.

    peedee

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited December 2016 #313

    Late cancellations/no shows should be charged at the full fee. As I have said before, prior registration of a credit card would enable the Club to extract these payments with ease.

  • PITCHTOCLOSE
    PITCHTOCLOSE Forum Participant Posts: 658
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    edited December 2016 #314

    The system allows you to book a lot of site's at various locations with no deposit, cancellation within 72 hrs it seems that the club prefer it that way, if you want to change the system it is no use complaining about it, use the system to its full potential
    and it will be changed,then there will be renewed effort  to change it back

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited December 2016 #315

    ET the C&CC take a deposit of £25 per booking but as I have never cancelled I cannot answer the rest of your question.

    peedee

    That would have cost me £450 up front on top of nearly £250 for the non-CC bookings that I have made. And yes, I would have paid it but glad not to

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited December 2016 #316

    The system allows you to book a lot of site's at various locations with no deposit, cancellation within 72 hrs it seems that the club prefer it that way, if you want to change the system it is no use complaining about it, use the system to its full potential
    and it will be changed,then there will be renewed effort  to change it back

    I do use the system to its full potential. I book the sites and go. What more could I want

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,392 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2016 #317

    it is true that there are no shows or late cancellations past this time but this has gone down significantly over the years according to the club, for those that consistently do this there are procedures in place to deal with them

    While the Club has in the past produced statistics, I cannot remember seeing any regarding bookings, cancellations and "no shows" for at least three years, However, let’s face it, what ever the reason, fact or fiction, the current system alienates many members and is driving them to use other sources.  That is not good business. Once you lose a customer they may never come back. In my view the system is too open to abuse and the Club does need to review its booking policies if it is going to attract and retain new members or even keep some of its older members. On the other hand if sites are full all or most of the time and there is no means of expanding sites, why worry about the disenchanted customers that take their business elsewhere.

    peedee

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited December 2016 #318

    Yesterday, when many CC members came on here asking for help with their bookings was there any response from the CC? I think people are getting better responses on FB.

  • heddlo
    heddlo Forum Participant Posts: 872 ✭✭
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    edited December 2016 #319

    Anybody getting repeated error mssg at bottom of page like 'scroll value  738 8889084672 etc ' ?

     Yep same here. After 30 minutes of clicking, finally get in only to have this come up .

    Write your comments here...

    Write your comments here...

  • heddlo
    heddlo Forum Participant Posts: 872 ✭✭
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    edited December 2016 #320

    Yes, frustratingly we got this as well!!  Only on Google Chrome, it works on Explorer. 

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited December 2016 #321

     

    However, let’s face it, what ever the reason, fact or fiction, the current system alienates many members and is driving them to use other sources.  

    peedee

    Not at all sure that is the case Peedee. Some say that they don't use club sites because they are expensive off peak. Some on this thread have said that they are quitting because they did not get what they wanted and the system must therefore unfair as some
    got what they wanted. Go figure!

    I doubt many go elsewhere because they are not allowed to pay £25 deposit per booking or, as with a number of commercial sites £10 a night deposit. Some commercial sites want full payment balance a month before arrival and some want payment in full with
    bank holiday bookings or minimum stays during peak times. Is that what those leaving the CC would prefer? I know that I would not and I suspect that I am not alone.

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,436 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2016 #322

     

    However, let’s face it, what ever the reason, fact or fiction, the current system alienates many members and is driving them to use other sources.  

    peedee

    Not at all sure that is the case Peedee. Some say that they don't use club sites because they are expensive off peak. Some on this thread have said that they are quitting because they did not get what they wanted and the system must therefore unfair as some
    got what they wanted. Go figure!

    I doubt many go elsewhere because they are not allowed to pay £25 deposit per booking or, as with a number of commercial sites £10 a night deposit. Some commercial sites want full payment balance a month before arrival and some want payment in full with
    bank holiday bookings or minimum stays during peak times. Is that what those leaving the CC would prefer? I know that I would not and I suspect that I am not alone.

    agree with you fully.

    On the subject of deposits when the club stopped taking them the number of no shows actually went down.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,392 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2016 #323

     

    However, let’s face it, what ever the reason, fact or fiction, the current system alienates many members and is driving them to use other sources.  

    peedee

    Not at all sure that is the case Peedee.

    So there is some doubt in your mind ET?

    peedee

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited December 2016 #324

     

    However, let’s face it, what ever the reason, fact or fiction, the current system alienates many members and is driving them to use other sources.  

    peedee

    Not at all sure that is the case Peedee.

    So there is some doubt in your mind ET?

    peedee

    Very little Peedee as I suspect that majority accept the possible downside whilst embracing the upside of no deposits and flexibility. I certainly cannot see a dash for the exit in order to pay deposits elsewhere 

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,392 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2016 #325

    So there is some doubt in your mind ET?

    peedee

    Very little Peedee as I suspect that majority accept the possible downside whilst embracing the upside of no deposits and flexibility. I certainly cannot see a dash for the exit in order to pay deposits elsewhere 

    That maybe true for those that that are time rich and have flexibility and are not too fussy where they end up, but what about those tied to fixed holidays either through work or because of schooling? I guess the Club knows its membership!

    peedee

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2016 #326

    I'm happy with the system as it is. I've often found in life that if some folk don't get their way or what they want then they often concoct 'reasons' which appear to support their belief. Furthermore, those who are not pleased will often suggest that 'things' must be unfair and that only the minority are happy!

    As for honeypots, yes some sites always appear full, others have specific periods when they are so and some are very popular because generally speaking they are relatively quiet and peacefully. That's life, we are all different and so are the places we like to visit!

    You can never please everybody all the time!

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2016 #327

    Aren't some people perfect?

    They now know exactly where they are going six months ahead and have everything neatly booked already, they know how long they will stay at each Club site and the route to travel to the next one  - not too far so they can time their arrival for 12 noon exactly.
    They never change their minds - the plan is fixed.  

     

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited December 2016 #328

    So there is some doubt in your mind ET?

    peedee

    Very little Peedee as I suspect that majority accept the possible downside whilst embracing the upside of no deposits and flexibility. I certainly cannot see a dash for the exit in order to pay deposits elsewhere 

    That maybe true for those that that are time rich and have flexibility and are not too fussy where they end up, but what about those tied to fixed holidays either through work or because of schooling? I guess the Club knows
    its membership!

    peedee

    I have no desire to be flexible if that means accepting what is available rather than what I want. I want any flexibility to be one sided - i.e. to suit me and OH. And yes, I am fussy about where I end up. 

    As for those constrained to school holidays I would have thought the CC reasonably good value during such periods compared to commercial sites. No idea about C&CC. 

  • KeefySher
    KeefySher Forum Participant Posts: 1,128
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    edited December 2016 #329

    So there is some doubt in your mind ET?

    peedee

    Very little Peedee as I suspect that majority accept the possible downside whilst embracing the upside of no deposits and flexibility. I certainly cannot see a dash for the exit in order to pay deposits elsewhere 

    That maybe true for those that that are time rich and have flexibility and are not too fussy where they end up,
    but what about those tied to fixed holidays either through work or because of schooling.

    peedee

    As one of those, we tend to go to sites that offer full holiday times that suit our needs in the knowledge that the CC is not a family friendly option in school holidays, despite aspirations it may have.

    There are commercial sites that only offer full defined periods  in school holidays such as Saturday to Saturday, Sunday to Sunday, Wednesday to Wednesday; they also don't get our custom. They also appear to be the oft quoted more expensive than CC sites.

    Our experience of caravanning thus far demonstrates the CC charges more for less from a family viewpoint. We tend to use CC off peak as time goes on. The 1 exception is a particular event next summer that per chance by being able to book yesterday, we got.

    Fortunately there are CL's that offer the flexibility we require and we will support them going forward.

    It's not all abour frenzy day Tongue Out

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2016 #330

    If the club introduced deposits, or paying upfront before arrival, it would make them the same as the rest. We very much like club sites, they provide exactly what we want. However, if they started charging deposits, there would not be any incentive to generally
     book club sites. Whilst we don't book anything with the intention of changing or cancelling. In the last 3 years my elderly mother has resulted in changes on several occasions. In almost all cases this resulted in canceling and then rebooking close to where
    she was in hospital. So easy to do with the CC and without penalty. Others may have there own health problems, which make the system invaluable. The cancellation policy is a major selling point of CC sites. Why would they want to change it to bring them into
    line with everyone else.

  • compass362
    compass362 Forum Participant Posts: 619
    500 Comments
    edited December 2016 #331

    If the club introduced deposits, or paying upfront before arrival, it would make them the same as the rest. We very much like club sites, they provide exactly what we want. However, if they started charging deposits, there would not be any incentive to generally
     book club sites. Whilst we don't book anything with the intention of changing or cancelling. In the last 3 years my elderly mother has resulted in changes on several occasions. In almost all cases this resulted in canceling and then rebooking close to where
    she was in hospital. So easy to do with the CC and without penalty. Others may have there own health problems, which make the system invaluable. The cancellation policy is a major selling point of CC sites. Why would they want to change it to bring them into
    line with everyone else.

    Write your comments here... Very good post , I'm sure there's plenty of other members that totally agree with what you've put , as I do .