CMC sites rolling booking
Couldn't find any other discussion threads on this but having talked to a few people on sites it looks like I am not alone in my concerns that the new booking system may not be working well.
I'll start off be saying that the old system releasing the bookings in December in the middle of the working week was a shambles and discriminated against people who work. However, I am not convinced this new system is working either. We essentially have a monthly event where sites seem to get booked up - just in case.
As a result a site that I usually have no problem booking for November/ early December was completely booked for both months. I suspect many of these bookings will be cancelled as not wanted but this will be too late to fill with late bookings. Whilst the early indications may be that bookings have increased I suspect that take up of these will drop.
I don't pretend to have an easy answer to this but perhaps monitor the number of cancelled bookings, track the number of booking held (both very easy to do with the tech) or perhaps limit the number of bookings that can be held at any time.
Interested if others are finding difficulty or if the CMC is willing to be transparent about booking / fulfilment rates under the old system and the new booking system.
A
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Which site is it you are after for November/ December? I ask because a site we use is closed early this year, and we have booked another instead.
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It has been discussed at length, Andy, and I think the general concensus was that whatever system is in place, some will find it doesn’t suit them.
The answer, as always, is to book early if you want a particular site/date. As I understand it, you want to book a site for Nov/Dec this year. Bookings have been available for those times for months and it pays not to leave it until just a few weeks before. In fact, I doubt the new system will have affected availability of those months much this year.
The club does monitor cancellations and acts against abuse of the system we’re told. To limit the number of bookings that can be made flies in the face of the ethos of a touring club where a whole chain of bookings can be needed to complete one holiday.
I can’t honestly see what useful purpose it would serve to have the statistics you talk about published and nothing alters the fact that many, many people complained about the old frenzy day and have benefited from the new system.
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I don't agree with limiting the number of bookings, some people do spend a lot of their time away, it is a touring club, a limit on the number of booking wouldn't affect those that take longer stays in one place, for example two weeks at one site but it would affect those that tour within those two weeks, probably they are MHers (by not always), these people might visit 5 or more sites in one stay away, why affect them?
The club has sated it does not monitor cancellations out of the 72 hour rule as that dos not break the rules, although it did once monitor those that did a lot of bookings and it found that only a very small number actually did what you describe
The club has really good booking procedures, no deposits, late cancellations, and that provides a freedom for club members.
Also I don't understand your comments about November and December in relation to the new booking system? You mean 2018? These would have been booked 'up' under the old booking day last December as the new system didn't start till April was it?
The real problem is that club sites are popular and you have to book early.
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snap again TW
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Andy
We rarely book more than a month ahead and tend not to have too much of an issue getting the sites we want. Now because we book closer to when we go it may be possible that we are benefitting from those cancellations you mention but how do we know? There are a few on here who would like know from the Club the state of cancellations prior to the 72 hour cut off but that information does not seem to be forthcoming. I can understand why the club went down the road of moving from a one day winner takes all scenario to the monthly release day for pitches as it take pressure of the club's IT system. With the exception of perhaps a special event like a wedding I just don't understand this need to book so far in advance anyway!!!
David
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Hi
If it's November / December 2019 your are referring to, they are not available to book yet until Nov. / Dec. 2018.
The system allows members to book and cancel within 72 hours with no penalty, it's been that way since 2012. The feedback from the rolling month process has been nothing but positive for the overall majority of our members.
Cancelled bookings within the 72 hour period are monitored closely.
How is being transparent about booking rates going to get you a pitch on a fully booked site?
Quite simply as Fred Pontin used to say you need to book early
JK
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Also I don't understand your comments about November and December in relation to the new booking system? You mean 2018? These would have been booked 'up' under the old booking day last December as the new system didn't start till April was it?
I don't understand either. If you are trying to book for 2019 then you can't, November and December have not been released yet and they will be be blocked off (shown as fully booked) until later.
I believe it has been suggested to the Club they should be using a different colour to show that pitches are currently unavailable rather than booked up?
peedee
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To statement the booking system is discriminatory against people who work cannot be correct the sites are full with all age ranges clearly most in working age. Over the years work patterns have changed , no longer do the workforce work standard Monday to Friday 9\5. People work flex time, part time, 4 day weeks , just nights , just days 0 hour contacts , 4 on 3 off etc etc etc. It seems to me the booking system is working well for the club as sites are full.
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Interesting discussion and clearly there seems to be more who find the new booking system better. The booking that started me thinking was for this year so JK was right that the bookings would have started under the old system. I booked for the one weekend that was available and am on the site now which is busy but not full.
Let's see how things develop over the next year. I would usually have a fairly regular triplet arranged by now but only have a couple in the diary. Time will tell.
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