Weekend one-nighters
Comments
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No checking up needed, BB. You'd already told us you'd cancelled Hillhead and which CL you were going to instead!
I'm sure you've probably exaggerated, just ever so slightly, your FD experience, but these frequent statements about playing the system don't really add much constructively to the discussion (or maybe you think they do?)
Incidentally, I actually agree with some of your criticisms of the system - I'd also prefer a rolling release of dates, but since my visit to club sites in 2018 will be limited to maybe 2 or 3 stays I'm quite relaxed about the situation as it is.
Certainly not going to go down the "I've made so many more bookings than you" road, just to wind other folk up!
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M why rolling dates? It means if you want say 21 nights you have to log on 21 consecutive days early to ensure you get them all in a row???
TUI, Thomas Cook et al release their next years summer holidays all on one day not in dribs and drabs, same with Winter so why would the club not follow suit?
I fail to see what rolling dates will solve????
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I too remain ambivalent about rolling bookings, this is not of great concern to me. Don't think they would affect the booking practises of many of us any way, certainly not me. What I find disappointing is the fact that an insignificant few will always use/misuse/abuse, call it what you will, the system and the goodwill of fellow members to get what they want at the expence of others. No matter what happens unfortunately some will always do this but I see now reason to change a system, or parts of a system because of them.
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Michael, my understanding of the C&CC system is that if you want to, say book a fortnight starting on June 1, you can book that whole period from June 1 the previous year. You don't have to book each day sequentially.
The advantage is that you don't have everyone waiting to book every site at the same time on the same day.
I accept that it won't solve the problem of over demand at what seems to be just 2 sites now (there was still loads of availability at Chatsworth well after "frenzy day") and with the future demise of Baltic Wharf it may only be one that's badly affected, but for most folk wanting specific dates on specific sites it would make the booking process more relaxed I think.
As I say, for myself, I'm content to go along with whatever system (and payment requirements) the sites I'm visiting have in place.
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That's my understanding as well. Effectively 28 days following a release date is bookable. As long as the start date is available you can book any length of stay permitted at that site.
It does work well. It takes frenzy day away completely and spreads bookings throughout the year. It's a fairly recent change as I'm sure I had to wait for bookings to open in my first year of C&CC membership.
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I doubt very much a rolling system will solve the rush to book hotspots. There has to be a brake of some kind, pay up front for bookings of three days or less is my solution and don't allow amendments. If members want to amend a booking they have to cancel and rebook.
mickysf, how do you know it is only an insignificant few who abuse the system? Where are you figures?
peedee
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Because that is what we have been informed of in the past, on several occasions, and one of the reasons people suggest why deposits were disposed of almost as quickly as they were introduced. Furthermore it only seems to effect one, possibly two sites, according to a few therefore it could well be far more insignificant than first thought.
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I agree that a rolling system wouldn't solve the Rowntree/Baltic problem - soon to be just Rowntree. In fact that's just what I said! But that's a relatively small number of pitch nights and I'm not sure they'd attract working families particularly anyway ( you know, the ones who can't be poised at their computers at 8am on frenzy day.)
But for the rest, one of the shortcomings of the present system is that it matters not whether you're trying to book for April, May, June or any other month. You can only start to do it at precisely the same time as everyone else. Hence a rolling system may (stress, may) make for a more relaxed booking experience for that large number of members.
As I said before, it makes little difference to me - I just go with whatever system is in place, whichever site I choose. It's their site; I'm just visiting for a tiny percentage of their yearly site nights!
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I can certainly understand cancelations this weekend, depending where you are in the country. An amber warning for substantial snowfall (10 / 20 cm) is in effect for the central part of the country, from the early hours of Sunday. You certainly would not want to be towing home from your weekend break. We have decided to travel a day earlier, so we are on site when it dumps. Those just going for the weekend who work can not risk getting trapped, so have cancelled. If it was me in the same situation, I would have cancelled even if I had paid upfront.
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If it's a rolling year, presumably you could not book, for the same time next year, till the day of your arrival. As you are likely to be traveling to the site, this would either mean booking it before you got on the road, or the passenger using a mobile device on the go.
I think those at home who could get on their computer from 8:00 would have the advantage.
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It would be interesting to see if a rolling system was a help or a hindrance. Whilst the current system might well have it's flaws it does at least allow those that want to the ability to plan the year ahead. The problem is we don't know the extent of the problem the current system causes as the Club seem very reluctant to provide detailed statistics on how many people actually book every weekend and how many of those honour that booking and if not how many cancel either well ahead of time or just in time. From those figures released to us in the past it seems that very few book lots of sites on booking day which suggests that most bookings on that day are for dates that those members are committed to. There is always a lot of speculation on cancellations but other than being told that within the 72 hours the situation is well controlled, ie not many people thrown out of the Club for breaking the rules too often, we really have little information. Perhaps the Club are looking at it to minimise disruption to the IT system and call centre rather than what might provide the best answer to members? Does a rolling system actually work on a day by day, week by week or month by month basis? What happens if the time I want straddles two periods? So many questions and not enough facts to base a discussion on?
David
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they were quoted in a club magazine article and I wish I had kept it. These were the three strikes and out. The number was very low, less than 50 I seem to remember
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with my line of work holidays, sorry non working weeks
were known more or less years in advance. What is the advance warning in other jobs?If we have rolling dates so for example 22nd July 2019 could be booked 22nd July 2018 how will that help someone whose leave year runs from 1st January 2019? and can only book from 1st January 2019? By the time they can book their holidays 5 months have elapsed?
Could this happen?
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Corners I think it helps because the pressure is taken off the system to some extent. Instead of people feeling they have to book on frenzy day or miss out the bookings are spread more evenly. It does seem to work well with the other club as they've not changed back to having a frenzy day.
Frenzy day creates an artificial demand. Who knows, the club may get fewer bookings overall if they drop it. A few years ago I booked a club site when in fact a bit of research would have identified a better alternative. As I'd booked the club site already I stuck with it.
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A couple of points to note re the C&CC booking system....
(a) a deposit is required at time of booking: 30 day min cancellation and then only a credit...
(b) An extra charge is made for a hard standing pitch, which you can request at time of booking.
(c) A minimum period of stay has been introduced on popular sites.
Unless I am missing something, the CaMC is the only leisure organisation that doesn't require a deposit at time of booking....even the CaMC affiliated sites require a deposit...and interestingly I have noticed a few CL's now asking for a deposit .....which personally i think is fair enough...
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I can't say that I feel tremendous pressure to book on FD. For me it is just convenient to book and forget as with all commercial bookings.
I don't like C&CC system but it is what it is. If CC site and C&CC site are close then the CC site will win for me.
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One thing businesses try to do is have that edge, that difference, that 'thing' that makes them stand out from all the rest. I'm pleased that the club in regard to booking procedures is different to the competition and other providers by not having deposits and minimum night stipulations. Furthermore, the ability to legitimately cancel within the stipulated time or amend bookings is a real draw for many members. Thankfully very few people it seems abuse or misuse the system to such a degree as to cause real problems across the network, of even individual sites for that matter, or to a significant number of fellow members.
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Unless I am missing something, the CaMC is the only leisure organisation that doesn't require a deposit at time of booking...
Depends whether you consider Premier Inn as a leisure organisation but they don't take deposits on normal hotel bookings although they do record credit card details which are only used if you don't turn up by a certain time which is usually on the day of arrival. With 750 hotels and 65000 rooms they are pretty big.
David
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And lots of other hotels too. I have booked hotels for one night with Booking.com from Boulogne to Bangkok and they operate in the way DK has just described, with cancellations without fees allowed up to the final 24 hours.
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C&CC is too restrictive in its booking procedures for my liking as I have said on here many times. If possible I will opt for CAMC due to its simplicity.
C&CC has lost several of my potential bookings and I don’t think I’m alone judging by the empty pitches I saw on their sites in July.
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Unless I am missing something, the CaMC is the only leisure organisation that doesn't require a deposit at time of booking....
when I book many large hotels chains I don't pay a deposit, nor have I last year with Cooks
However if you feel the need to give up your money early then choose a site that has this (fantastic) idea. I mean you don't have to use a club site do you?
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when I book many large hotels chains I don't pay a deposit, nor have I last year with Cooks
Obviously I have missed something !!....Since retirement the only hotels we have stayed in have been part of a cruise package (deposit paid) which of course is booked by the company.
Before retirement I asked someone in admin to book my hotel and travel arrangements…I only had to sign the authorisation.
However if you feel the need to give up your money early then choose a site that has this (fantastic) idea. I mean you don't have to use a club site do you?
Already have...Site in Provence, one at Argeles-sur-Mer, and one site near Biarritz …. plus outbound ferry, all requiring a deposit…oh yes, and a CaMC affiliated site not yet booked but does require a deposit at time of booking..
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there you go you're a happy bunny, you like paying deposits and you have - what's to complain about? Just leave those of us who appreciate the club's system to do it? Why change a system that we appreciate?
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,if you want to check it was Clumber Park
