Club sites - advance booking system

It's an old debate this one, although perhaps ask66 hasn't seen it before. The Club offers a somewhat unique no deposit, quite late cancellation policy to its members, and in truth, I am guessing it is reasonably well monitored at sites and HQ, although probably not to the depth Ask is suggesting. The simple fact is that the take up of pitches is the prime consideration for the Club, and most cancellations at honeypot sites will probably be snapped up, even the very late ones. It's a balancing act, between inconveniencing members with deposits that are meaningful, and allowing for a few folks who do transgress the system. Start with meaningful deposits, and members will possibly have to use travel insurance just in case, just as you do when booking any other form of holiday. Personally, it works as it is for me. It's hard luck if you realise you need a specific date late after Frenzy Day, but this new system of rolling bookings might help a bit.

Only if you are a single person and the Club would prefer a family. 

Deposits have been discussed many times. I do not see that they serve an advantage for members.

There are a number of sites that are booked up for weekends at certain times of the year. If you want them you will need to book ahead (as at Castleton in June). Most providers require a £25 deposit or similar for a few days booking. If CC required such a deposit it would not be a reason not to use them as you will still pay elsewhere generally.

A £25 deposit will not prevent such sites getting from booked up and offers little advantage in my opinion. 

What a strange post,you of course have proof of that

Good post and 100% agree,and the commercial site we have paid a deposit for is no arrivals before 1400 and deps by 1000

Personally, I think too many folks look at the booking system and take what is on there as gospel. We usually phone the sites direct and talk to Wardens, and it can often tell a different story, due to changing weather or ground conditions. Always found staff very helpful, especially if there is maybe just one night showing full that would spoil a long stay. I understand some visits need a firm booking though, if it involves an event or meeting up with a group.

Castleton Club Site serves two very large conurbations as well, so weekends will always be busy, same as Chatsworth and one or two other sites. Working folks like to weekend away if they can, I know we did when I was working. We used to send menfolk off with vans on Thursdays, they would take dogs, get everything set up, then the Ladies would follow on Fridays after work, taking train to Hope, get picked up at station and expect a meal cooked! Mind you, back then it wasn't half as busy, and sometimes you could move vans off pitch, leave elsewhere, and pick up late on Sunday's. Those were the days!

Notwithstanding the "Groundhog Day" aspects of this thread, there are idiosyncrasies in the financial side of the booking system. No shows incur no financial penalty but early departures do. There does appear to be a degree of inconsistency in policy.

There's nothing wrong with you ask66, you still exhibit an enthusiasm and hope that your questions and suggestions will get a good airing and elicit a positive response from HQ. I used to be like that, wanting this that and the other improving on the forum, make things easier to use. I am less prone to such hopes for here nowadays, the two years waiting for new website, and the underwhelming changes when it did finally happen, dissolved most of my illusions. It is what it is, most of us get by, hope you get sorted for late June. If you haven't done already, phone Castleton Site direct, a bit closer to your dates.

Hi think this has been suggested but it has worked for me a few times when in your situation.

It is always worth ringing the site the wardens are generally very helpful and they know more about the site availability than the head office or the computer it as I said worked for me with a pitch being available I could have.

The Castleton site as others have said is a very popular site at weekends, I was trying to book late one week and the system showed full, rang the site told sorry they were full, my daughter was staying on site and we were hoping to meet up with them so we kept ringing each day upto the Saturday still no luck we visited our daughter on the Saturday as we are only 30 mins away leaving at 8.30 pm Saturday night, we walked around site at close of play there were seven empty pitches disappointing but what the answer is is difficult to determine.