Booking Fees for the Honeypots
Comments
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Not at all. I CAN actually sit on the phone or the internet all morning.
The current system is fine for me. I just think about others as I'm not stupendously selfish.
I guess you didn't look at the Facebook page on booking day? Dozens of posts from angry members who couldn't get the sites they wanted because they'd been booked during the day, when they were working.
Even more annoying was that if you called, you could make unlimited bookings - but on the website (which is more accessible for people at work who can open a browser more covertly), you were limited to one single booking before having to come out and go back in again - something that isn't usually done, but was put in place for this one day.
So online bookers were deliberately discriminated against as well.
Yet its "me" who has the problem. lol
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Again, not at all. I'm representing the views of countless disappointed/angry people on the facebook posts from booking day.
I'm not missing any booking whatsoever - I made the choice last year to take a seasonal pitch in 2017, and I am booked up and paid.
I'm just angry at CC because they said they'd listen to those of us who work, but then have publically stated (mentioned in this thread) that there were no suggested alternatives - when I saw a number of alternatives suggested. They've clearly stonewalled those who were complaining.
The club doesn't seem to appreciate that its driving people away, in droves. And the members who are benefiting from the current rules are all too happy to turn a blind eye to fairness, and respond with thinly-veiled insults and ridicule as per the above responses that I've quoted. Rather sad, and not the "friendly" club that the CC would like to project itself to be.
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If they rejected ALL of the ideas that were discussed on the facebook page, then fine - but say "we considered members' suggestions, but so far have not found anything we believe will help". Then FINE. But they've said "there are no suggested alternatives". Which is a lie.
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Absolutely true. And emphasises why these popular sites should be be accessible equally to all members, and not just those who can sit on the telephone on booking day.
Why should one group of people be given priority access to the most-popular sites?
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I already addressed this in 2 ways earlier in this thread
1 - I'm not saying I, personally, have all the answers. Other people on the facebook page made interesting suggestions too
2 - In the situation you described, I suggested that the booking period would apply only to the first day of any continuous stay. So if you wanted to book 14 days, then that would be fine.
And to repeat something else I suggested - any changes that could be made could be pilotted to drive out any other "bugs".
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My attraction to the club over the years used to be the "Get up and go" that is no longer possible it seems and I hate pre planned holidays in caravans, can't dodge the weather for one and the sense of last minute adventure/choice. Most of my site visits are in Scotland and it seems to me that the lack of sites is a problem here, more sites more choice and less over crowding/ full notices. The club seem to be following money making mantra again.
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Never mind. The sleeves are velvet, the cape is ermine The hose are blue and the logo is a lovely shade of green.
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I am not really concerned what system the CMC adopts, I will happily work with it. As I said we used to work and managed. If folk are that bothered about getting a date they will put in the effort. They can even get a retired relative or friend to book it for them, there is no payment or credit card info required. Unfortunately work is a fact of life, whatever day you change it to, or whatever system you adopt you are going to disadvantage someone. For all its faults the current system gives everyone on the button the same chance on booking day. Clearly at the moment, the new fresh, go getting rebranded club are content to remain with it.
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I must agree that a non refundable fee is a must and should be introduced yesterday. We all know members who book up multiple sites on the opening day for site bookings and particularly only weekends. This is to the detriment of weekday bookings and should be managed. There are many ways this could be done but by far the most fair is a deposit system tied into a maximum number weekend alone booking system for the year. Full week booking may be considered outside the system but should attract a minimum deposit of perhaps 50%. Any cancellations for approved and proven reasons like a death or illness could be tolerated without redress.
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"We all know members who book up multiple sites on opening day....".
Do we? I certainly don't - but I know folk who claim to know this! I've no issue with deposits - I've already paid them for 4 sites out of 6 booked so far this year - but this unsubstantiated claim, made many times on CT does nothing to persuade me that the club needs to change it chosen system of booking. I'd be more in favour of scrapping frenzy day, but even booking nothing on that day, I've never been unable to book club sites for dates I want!
Just my opinion, mind you!
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We all know that people book several times at the popular sites at the opening dates for bookings and that they book weekends in preference to full weeks and to the detriment of others. It's a no brainer that this should attract a 50% deposit fee. Further that there should be a yearly limit for weekend only bookings over which a full up front fee should be taken. Cancellation for death or proven illness the only excuse, simple really!
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Probably
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It's your opinion mixed with supposition, Brian. I don't think 'we all know' anything of the sort.
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I think these fairy tales are put about by folk who can't get what they want when they want it. We've had these statements refuted by the CC on many occasions
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A deposit scheme for a few sites is not feasible so I think that is out. If the statistics show the current system works better than the old deposit system then we should not be going back.
Given the difficulty of booking on the first day of bookings and the time taken to get back in it does seem unlikely that anyone can make multiple bookings. There are always going to be some people who for whatever reason find they have to cancel so unless the cancelations on these sites is higher than others then there is no problem there. Probably a booking on those sites is so valuable that less people cancel.
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Of course - because the majority of its members are older, and free of weekday morning responsibilities.
Are you seriously suggesting the current system is the most-fair system imaginable for all members? Everyone has to be on the phone, during a working day to get first pick.
That's a staggering level of ignorance and/or selfishness - "it suits me, so it must be the right way".
No wonder young people see the CC / CMC as being "not for them" when the older members essentially gang together and exclude them. AND Then try to tell them that the system is fair. Staggering.
There's no empathy at all with some people in this club. A lot of them posting on here. Them first, everyone else second.
And to repeat, this issue doesn't affect me - I'm perfectly capable of making my bookings - but I saw posts from countless people who aren't, and get the leftovers.
People don't even realise how patronising and insulting it is to say "Ok, tell us which site you couldn't get, and we'll suggest an alternative for you"
WOW. Literally saying "yeh, you lot aren't having the best sites, you can have the 2nd and 3rd choices".
The club needs to see past the the popular vote and make an effort to reach out to all. Otherwise who will its members be in 20 years time? The people who it excluded today? I think not.
The world is changing very quickly. Customer service is king now - people will go elsewhere and the brand will be forever tarnished.
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Well a lot of drivel. Sorry that sounds patronising I know. I think that many of us old farts would be happy if the start date/time on booking start was moved. I agree that the caravan clubs attitude on this is P poor.
I see no reason why on this one occasion booking could not start on a Sunday for a start with staff receiving double pay.
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No system will suit everybody and thats a proven fact of life but the current system has stood the test of time and i think it is as fair as it can be to the vast majority.We have to realise that until the CC either reduces its membership or opens a couple of dozen more desirable sites (neither of which is going too happen) then this situation will continue for the forseeable future and no amount of complaining or rule changeing is going change that.I just cant see that introducing booking fees would make any difference whatsoever.
v9
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Of course - because the majority of its members are older, and free of weekday morning responsibilities.
Are you seriously suggesting the current system is the most-fair system imaginable for all members? Everyone has to be on the phone, during a working day to get first pick.
That's a staggering level of ignorance and/or selfishness - "it suits me, so it must be the right way".
Petertr
If you did me the courtesy of reading my post fully you would not be making, what can only be termed, arrogant statements. The first line of my post says I do not mind what system the club adopts, I will work with it. I also go on to point out, what ever system you adopt you are going to disadvantage someone. How this equates to it suits me so must be the right way is beyond me.
As ET suggests booking day could be on a Sunday. It could even be rolling. I don't really mind.
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With over 300,000+ members & limited honey pot site pitches , any member that gets any or all their proferred sites , are some what more than a lucky camper .
Regardless of age , work status or retirement with the current booking system every member as an equal fair chance of getting what they want & yes some will have to seek alternative dates & god forbid alternative sites ........ That's the real world.
Until things change we are all stuck with it 😇
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I totally agree and posted a comment suggesting a similar system on a topic here about 6 months ago. Commercial sites manage fine without a booking 'opening day' even though some close for winter.
I won't be renewing my membership as since joining I've toured less and less in U.K. and then mostly with CLs.
When passing time by reading some of the nit-picking posts on CT about trivial shortcomings or grizzling about petty misdemeanours by others on 'club' sites I can't help wondering what the reaction would be of the poor, sick, starving, homeless and besieged folk in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, South Sudan........etc.... etc....
I go away. I enjoy. I count my blessings. End of.
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I find that post incredibly insulting to members who are capable of seeing the bigger picture rather than concentrating on their own personal requirements. It also decries the efforts of those who try to offer help.
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Commercial sites have to have an opening date for bookings in some form. I do not know of any though that have the permanently full problem the club has with the clubs honeypot ones.
I suspect commercial sites do not have the big announcement of the opening date for bookings either so as people are not aware of it then no one can rush to book.
I would admit that a Saturday or Sunday start would probably suit more people but even then there will be some for whom it will not work. There is just no answer to this.
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