Anybody managed to book a site yet?
Comments
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Indeed. As I see it no-deposit is a selling point for the club. As I said elsewhere, my bookings if I paid a typical £10 deposit per night as asked by many commercial sites I would have had to shell out £2,500 up front. Obviously I could avoid this by booking
just Friday and Saturdays on most sites where there was not a minimum booking period and extending the booking nearer the time. However
What a Faff!!0 -
I've stumbled into and am flabbergasted by the ridiculous hysterical panic in this thread. Maybe someone can enlighten me as to why the CC create the 'Black Friday' effect for pitch shoppers by having an 'opening day' for bookings. Surely it would solve the problem if booking was a continuous and rolling process all year when one could book at any time and without a deadline?
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I've stumbled into and am flabbergasted by the ridiculous hysterical panic in this thread. Maybe someone can enlighten me as to why the CC create the 'Black Friday' effect for pitch shoppers by having an 'open day' for bookings. Surely it would solve the
problem if booking was a continuous and rolling process all year when one could book at any time and without a deadline.Perhaps it is because they want to be different from the rest. Evidence from Black Friday and Sales at various times of the year, some even for the leisure industry, is that these type of events are popular and raise the profile.
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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.ET ...Good post ,speaks for what seems to be the majority,
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I'm in the same position as Steve, with an elderly parent I have to deal with frequent changes not just to holidays . However that is life and I wouldn't expect others to have to fit in with my particular needs. If the CC wants to attract more members I would like to see a re-think on the booking day scramble which leaves some "very happy" and others disillusioned, particularly after failed yearly attempts to book certain sites.
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I've stumbled into and am flabbergasted by the ridiculous hysterical panic in this thread. Maybe someone can enlighten me as to why the CC create the 'Black Friday' effect for pitch shoppers by having an 'opening day' for bookings. Surely it would solve
the problem if booking was a continuous and rolling process all year when one could book at any time and without a deadline?I have no problem to solve. Don't know about most others. As you have simply stumbled onto the thread has it caused you any problem?
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I'm in the same position as Steve, with an elderly parent I have to deal with frequent changes not just to holidays . However that is life and I wouldn't expect others to have to fit in with my particular needs. If the CC wants to attract more members I would like to see a re-think on the booking day scramble which leaves some "very happy" and others disillusioned, particularly after failed yearly attempts to book certain sites.
Those sites that you refer to have long been difficult to get a weekend at. It is only a handfull of sites which, by chance, I have no interest in. What I would say though if anyone has set their heart on one of these sites then their is a fair chance for anyone trying for a weekend there if they, or somebody on their behalf, tries to book. The odds are such that some will be dissapointed. Weekdays are, however. usually available.
Actually I like the fact that the access to the following years bookings occurs on a specific date. Purely a selfish point but I found that when I retirned home from a spring tour, for example, and had 3 weeks before the next trip that it was a faff planning what could be a 7 week tour in that period. I usually had 4 or 5 days work in the garden, a few days tied up with family a few days tied up with friends a few days tied up with hospital, medical, dental, financial dealings, caravan and cars to clean inside and out. It all seemed a bit hectic with the planning seesions included. Also planning a tour to find one site unnavailable on the days that I wanted because of a local event and having to replan the route. Suits me far better to plan my tours ahead
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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.
That is twice you have brought costs into the discussion ET, it is not about costs, that is another topic. It is about the system which is too open to abuse. In the post above I presented both side of the debate, one of unhappy members and one of a Club with "full sites" who doesn't need to worry about unhappy members. The former we read a lot about the later not so much in evidence.
peedee
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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.I totally agree with this post. We have the same problem occasionally with my elderly father. In 30 years we have only had to cancel once and rearrange once, but you never know. Van could have a problem, car could break down, we could become poorly. Part
of the attraction to CC is no deposits, as said previously, if deposits are introduced what makes the CC any different from any other commercial site. As for those who complain that the booking system isn't fair to those who work - I recall a few years ago
that we wanted a busy site over a peak weekend, I took a mornings leave to book it - if you want something, sometimes you have to put yourself out to get it.0 -
I've stumbled into and am flabbergasted by the ridiculous hysterical panic in this thread. Maybe someone can enlighten me as to why the CC create the 'Black Friday' effect for pitch shoppers by having an 'opening day' for bookings. Surely it would solve
the problem if booking was a continuous and rolling process all year when one could book at any time and without a deadline?..Its just a diferent method as most companies except the "Early Bird Discount" with the cc means if you really want it you get the "pitch at the site you want"on the "early bird day"
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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.
That is twice you have brought costs into the discussion ET, it is not about costs, that is another topic. It is about the system which is too open to abuse. In the post above I presented both side of the debate, one of unhappy members and one of a Club
with "full sites" who doesn't need to worry about unhappy members. The former we read a lot about the later not so much in evidence.peedee
Oh but price is relevant when you talk of people leaving the CC because they cannot pay deposits and the system is flexible. Before anybody decides to go elsewhere that aspect is a consideration as is the payment of deposits. Often sizeable for commercial
sites.0 -
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 .
add 1
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I've stumbled into and am flabbergasted by the ridiculous hysterical panic in this thread. Maybe someone can enlighten me as to why the CC create the 'Black Friday' effect for pitch shoppers by having an 'opening day' for bookings. Surely it would solve the problem if booking was a continuous and rolling process all year when one could book at any time and without a deadline?
You must be reading a different thread to me. I've seen a lot of happy people, a few philosophical folk and some sour grapes, but not a lot of hysterical panic. However, as to a rolling period, this is still going to result in individual weekends at the honeypots and popular weeks on others being released at a particular time. It will therefore still favour those of us who can sit by the button, and is unlikely to stop the moans of those who fail to get what they want.
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Oh but price is relevant when you talk of people leaving the CC because they cannot pay deposits and the system is flexible. Before anybody decides to go elsewhere that aspect is a consideration as is the payment of deposits. Often sizeable for commercial
sites.Your missing the point ET. the complaints in this thread are not about costs but the booking system.
peedee
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Oh but price is relevant when you talk of people leaving the CC because they cannot pay deposits and the system is flexible. Before anybody decides to go elsewhere that aspect is a consideration as is the payment of deposits. Often sizeable for commercial
sites.Your missing the point ET. the complaints in this thread are not about costs but the booking system.
peedee
Surley that is related to cost if you charge a booking fee.
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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.
That is twice you have brought costs into the discussion ET, it is not about costs, that is another topic. It is about the system which is too open to abuse. In the post above I presented both side of the debate, one of unhappy members and one of a Club with "full sites" who doesn't need to worry about unhappy members. The former we read a lot about the later not so much in evidence.
peedee
Oh but price is relevant when you talk of people leaving the CC because they cannot pay deposits and the system is flexible. Before anybody decides to go elsewhere that aspect is a consideration as is the payment of deposits. Often sizeable for commercial sites.
Let's explore this from our caravanning experience:
2nd holiday commercial site in Cornwall on the coast in peak school summer holidays - Deposit £18 for 1 week on a serviced grass pitch. Booked 3 weeks before arrival.
4th holiday commercial site in the New Forest autumn - Deposit £5 for fully serviced hard standing pitch. But as you are arriving next week, no need to pay the deposit. Full facility including swimming pool.
7th holiday commercial site Xmas - Deposit £0 as you've stayed before and a 10% discount for staying again, fully serviced HS pitch. Full facility site including swimming pool. Booked 10 days before arrival.
9th holiday commercial site on the north devon coast Easter - Deposit £15 full facility site including entertainment, water park. Booked 5 days before arrival as we didn't realise it was easter school holidays!!
13th holiday commercial site in peak school holidays, serviced HS pitch, deposit £18. Booked 2 weeks before arrival.
For that period we booked CC sites at short notice, including Chatsworth in the school summer holidays booked 3 weeks before arrival, and Baltic Wharf booked Sunday arrived Friday. Also Cheddar at Easter weekend with 2 days notice. A BH weekend at Bladon Chains less than a week before arrival.
The only time we have joined in Frenzy day was yesterday to attempt Baltic Wharf for the Balloon Festival next August, that we secured.
Seems our experience doesn't involve huge deposits months in advance, or primarily booking CC sites months in advance. But we are time constrained due to school term time and often unknown INSET days that catch us out for extended weekend and BH breaks.
Funny old thing this caravanning lark
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Oh but price is relevant when you talk of people leaving the CC because they cannot pay deposits and the system is flexible. Before anybody decides to go elsewhere that aspect is a consideration as is the payment of deposits. Often sizeable for commercial
sites.Your missing the point ET. the complaints in this thread are not about costs but the booking system.
peedee
Surley that is related to cost if you charge a booking fee.
If you did this, yes, but the Club isn't so it is about the system of releasing bookings en mass and controlling those who abuse it. Some do chose not to use Club sites because of costs but others don't even get the opportunity because of a system which
has few controls and allows a free for all.peedee
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Oh but price is relevant when you talk of people leaving the CC because they cannot pay deposits and the system is flexible. Before anybody decides to go elsewhere that aspect is a consideration as is the payment of deposits. Often sizeable for commercial
sites.Your missing the point ET. the complaints in this thread are not about costs but the booking system.
peedee
Surley that is related to cost if you charge a booking fee.
Only found 1 site that charges a booking fee so far. That has site fees of £68 per night plus £10 per night booking fee and a deposit that was related to the number of nights booked. Needless to say we didn't use it. Found a site 400 yards away at £23 per
night with a £20 deposit. I guess if folk are fool enough to pay silly amounts, they will0 -
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.
That is twice you have brought costs into the discussion ET, it is not about costs, that is another topic. It is about the system which is too open to abuse. In the post above I presented both side of the debate, one of unhappy members and one of a Club
with "full sites" who doesn't need to worry about unhappy members. The former we read a lot about the later not so much in evidence.peedee
Oh but price is relevant when you talk of people leaving the CC because they cannot pay deposits and the system is flexible. Before anybody decides to go elsewhere that aspect is a consideration as is the payment of deposits.
Often sizeable for commercial sites.Let's explore this from our caravanning experience:
2nd holiday commercial site in Cornwall on the coast in peak school summer holidays - Deposit £18 for 1 week on a serviced grass pitch. Booked 3 weeks before arrival.
4th holiday commercial site in the New Forest autumn - Deposit £5 for fully serviced hard standing pitch. But as you are arriving next week, no need to pay the deposit. Full facility including swimming pool.
7th holiday commercial site Xmas - Deposit £0 as you've stayed before and a 10% discount for staying again, fully serviced HS pitch. Full facility site including swimming pool. Booked 10 days before arrival.
9th holiday commercial site on the north devon coast Easter - Deposit £15 full facility site including entertainment, water park. Booked 5 days before arrival as we didn't realise it was easter school holidays!!
13th holiday commercial site in peak school holidays, serviced HS pitch, deposit £18. Booked 2 weeks before arrival.
For that period we booked CC sites at short notice, including Chatsworth in the school summer holidays booked 3 weeks before arrival, and Baltic Wharf booked Sunday arrived Friday. Also Cheddar at Easter weekend with 2 days notice. A BH weekend at Bladon
Chains less than a week before arrival.The only time we have joined in Frenzy day was yesterday to attempt Baltic Wharf for the Balloon Festival next August, that we secured.
Seems our experience doesn't involve huge deposits months in advance, or primarily booking CC sites months in advance. But we are time constrained due to school term time and often unknown INSET days that catch us out for extended weekend and BH breaks.
Funny old thing this caravanning lark
Agreed if you wish to book say a week before those are the usual responses. When I did book late deposits were often wavered. However as we may be away for a 7 week tour I prefer to book well ahead.
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Surley that is related to cost if you charge a booking fee.
If you did this, yes, but the Club isn't so it is about the system of releasing bookings en mass and controlling those who abuse it. Some do chose not to use Club sites because of costs but others don't even get the opportunity because of a system which
has few controls and allows a free for all.peedee
I though that you said that members were leaving because, as there was no booking fee, others would simply make bookings and cancel late. Must have misunderstood!
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Only found 1 site that charges a booking fee so far. That has site fees of £68 per night plus £10 per night booking fee and a deposit that was related to the number of nights booked. Needless to say we didn't use it. Found a site 400 yards away at £23 per
night with a £20 deposit. I guess if folk are fool enough to pay silly amounts, they willMy experience of commercial sites is that some want a simple £20 deposit, some want £10 a night, some also want payment in full a month ahead and yes some, particularly in quieter times of the year and when booking only a couple of weeks ahead are happy
to take no deposit as they have nothing to loose.0 -
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.The only time we know months in advance of a holiday is when we have to fly somewhere. That's one of the attractions of owning a touring van, be it caravan/motorhome/tent is that you can fit it in with everything else. Go away for 1 night or 3 months, move
everyday or stay put for weeks on end, again one of the attractions of going over the water. No plans required months in advance just book a ferry and go.When we came back to touring overseas, we did plan and pre-book our ferries but now its just done nearer the time and usually just the out going ferry booked, we come home when we feel like it within the constraints of our house insurance (90) days, that
may change in the future who knows0 -
Like many others I was logged in by 7:30am and 'clicking and England' from 8:00am. Didn't manage on make a booking until 8:50am. I do find it a bit odd how some seem to have managed 4 bookings by this time, good luck to them though.
Happy Travels in 2017 all
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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.Can't say that I know anybody who is perfect. I do know which sites I intend to be on over the next 12 months. I do know that my arrival times will generally be 15 mins after earliest for the site. I do know that I have tried to keep travelling time below
3 hours. Does that make me perfect
Some of the stays may be ammended by longer on one CC site and less on the next CC site depending on availability of friends at various locations on our travels.
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Like many others I was logged in by 7:30am and 'clicking and England' from 8:00am. Didn't manage on make a booking until 8:50am. I do find it a bit odd how some seem to have managed 4 bookings by this time, good luck to them though.
Happy Travels in 2017 all
Maybe they used the phone as well as I think that they could make more than one booking once through.
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Surley that is related to cost if you charge a booking fee.
If you did this, yes, but the Club isn't so it is about the system of releasing bookings en mass and controlling those who abuse it. Some do chose not to use Club sites because of costs but others don't even get the opportunity because of a system which
has few controls and allows a free for all.peedee
From what I have seen the complaints are about relatively few sites, the honeypots. These, and a few specific weeks at other sites. In the main there is no problem making bookings for when you require, long after booking day. In respect of the very popular
sites and occasional weeks elsewhere, it matters not which of the normal systems you put in place, they would still be oversubscribed and some would be disadvantaged. The only possible solution would be something much more radical. Such as drawing up a restricted
list of sites and only allowing one booking per year. Even then I am not sure Baltic Wharf would not be oversubscribed.0 -
Or, HQ could take this and the previous five year booking threads and pick out the key points / challanges, further analyse what is myth and fact; then provide some level of short commentary on what works well and what needs to be evolved to sweeten the customer experience.....
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It would be interesting to find out how many members and how many nights have been booked. I recall these numbers were released in the past and were a tiny percentage. As for us, we expect to be away for around 100 nights in 2017, nights booked so far...
zero.
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Dont know why people get so uptight about the booking format. It is what it is. I have just been on this morning and booked 5 sites that i wanted For next year in the space of abour 5 minutes. They all include weekends and are all popular sites, including
ones for Xmas and new year.If the ones i would prefer had gone then i would simply look elswhere, the CC is not the Be all and End all of Sites providers.
However I still have to agree its a silly system that allows individual members to block book weekends, But at least everyone gets the same opportunity to queue for bookings.lol
Conclusion;- No system will please all
but
it isn't the end of the world as some people seem to think it is
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Yet again I see someone posted that Stonhaven site was fully booked within 2 hours for the 31st Dec. this has happened every year since the CC took over the site. We tried for a number of years to get a booking but never could. We finally got a call at the
last hour from the wardens that there had been a cancellation would we like it, (2014)Speaking to lots of folk on site when we were there, it would seem its mostly the same folk that go back year after year for this one night.
Wouldn't it be fairer that on frenzy days these re-turnees are blocked from booking for say 48hrs to give other folk a chance. Before anyone says I only say that because we want to go back, your wrong. We've been once to see the fireballs, it was good and
we enjoyed it but I don't wish to return again I like to go to differant places to see the customs there.0
