Waiting Lists

Lindyloo
Lindyloo Forum Participant Posts: 21
edited October 2021 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

I’ve been checking availability of pitches at Chatsworth for the Christmas market several times a day for about 3 or 4 weeks in the hope of getting a cancellation.  I have just found out (via CAMC Facebook page) that they have a waiting list. I didn’t realise sites were allowed to do this, and cancellations went back onto booking system for someone to pick up.  Had I known about the waiting list,  I would have telephoned them in the first place.  Is this common knowledge?

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Comments

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,829 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #2

    I can’t answer that, but if you cannot get a cancellation then BeechCroft Farm is an alternative about 10 miles away - open all year, has hard standing pitches and is well equipped with good facilities.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #3

    Maybe it’s something unofficial the warden does. Why not ring and ask him/her?

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,860 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #4

    If there is a waiting list it can surely only come from those that cancel direct with the site not with those members that cancel through the online system? Is that sort of system to be encouraged as only those "in the know" can take advantage of it?

    David

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
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    edited October 2021 #5

    I had a 'missing day' for a booking this week and rang the site direct, hoping to be put on a waiting list but they said they didn't do that and to check the late availability page early and late each day.

    I did this and on the third day my missing day became free...

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,427 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #6

    This is the second time in a week when someone has posted that something on the club's FB which isn't on here, I wish the club would decide which is the 'offical' channel?

    But in answer to the OP I've never known of a site having a waiting list. 

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited October 2021 #7
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
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    edited October 2021 #8

    Agreed, we also decided to extend for an extra day so I now have three bookings for four days...

     

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #9

    We've been on site waiting lists. It's always worth a call to the site managers. We needed an extra day at Knaresborough a few years back and after asking about cancellations we had a phone call to say one had come up did we still want it. Hillhead nearly always had a waiting list for New Year celebrations etc. So yes, site managers can be very helpful if you contact them. smile

  • Compo
    Compo Forum Participant Posts: 324
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    edited October 2021 #10

    Are you sure it was the club who posted it on their FB page or just a member who posted it. If it wasn't the club and if it isn't true why would they post it on here. No doubt you will be pleased that it is now also posted on Club Together. Maybe it's time to follow the FB posts as well. They appear to be more up to date than this forum.

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
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    edited October 2021 #11

    ...just part of a mix of sites we use...over a (normal) year Club sites won't be top of the charts...

    however, we need to be in a particular place on a particular day and the club site did the job. In fact, a CL was slightly better placed but closes just before our requirement.

    in fact, I remember one site 'putting us on a list' a couple of years again....still waiting for the pitch!undecided

     

    Moderator comment: Part comment removed.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #12

    People put info on FB but it's not official, much like on here so it's unlikely the club will need to announce it. Probably something that individual site offices decide they have time for or not. Personally I wouldn't expect it but it's nice to find a site that tries to help people. However some will say to keep checking, I wouldn't expect a personal service!

     

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,427 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #13

    I'm just following what the OP posted: (via CAMC Facebook page) but yes it could be a member just posting and not the club, maybe the OP will come back and let us know? 

  • Goldie146
    Goldie146 Club Member Posts: 2,448 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #14

    It was probably mentioned on a Caravanning  Enthusiasts' site such as the link below. Even though it mentions "Caravan and Motorhome Club" in the title, it is not run by the club.

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/CAMCMembersChatGroup

  • RowenaBCAMC
    RowenaBCAMC Forum Participant Posts: 1,732 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #15

    Hi everyone,

    I'm not sure where this information came from but we do advise members to check the website for availability as it is constantly changing. We don't have a waiting list. 

    The Site teams do all they can to be helpful, but are not able to act as reservation teams as they don't have the capacity to keep checking availability and calling members to make individual bookings.

    I hope this clears up any confusion. 

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #16

    Rowena. Unfortunately no it doesn't! But I hope there is a policy in place which doesn't now repeat my past experiences because it looks like it might still be an option on popular sites.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited October 2021 #17

    We have been on a waiting list at Seacroft for the Xmas New year celebrations which would if a cancelation arose would  as a "package including the pitch" not just a pitch

  • Lindyloo
    Lindyloo Forum Participant Posts: 21
    edited October 2021 #18

    The comment was on the CAMC members chat group on Facebook under a post asking for the dates of Chatsworths Christmas Market. I don’t take anything as gospel on FB but  just wasn’t aware sites have waiting lists that’s why I was asking the question. 

  • Lindyloo
    Lindyloo Forum Participant Posts: 21
    edited October 2021 #19

    Hi Rowena it was on the CAMC Members Chat Group under a post regarding Chatsworth Christmas dates

     

    Moderator Edit:

    Please be aware that the Facebook group to which you refer is a totally unofficial group run purely by members and has nothing to do with the club.  

  • Dickdastardly1
    Dickdastardly1 Forum Participant Posts: 153
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    edited October 2021 #20

    Site managers do not keep a waiting list!

  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member Posts: 2,485 ✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #21

    From what we're reading, it would appear that somebody at Chatsworth allegedly does.  

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
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    edited October 2021 #22

    Mark, that avatar looks awfully familiar....BP by any chance? Are you there now?

    sorry for off topic...

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #23

    They do/did at Stonehaven, we were on a list for the New Year a few years ago.

    We got a call the day before from the warden asking if we still wanted a pitch. I know when they took our name we were the 8th person looking for a cancellation. 

    Its quite common to have a list for New Year on that site as in normal years the demand is high due to the 'Fire Ball' parade through the streets. 

    If the wardens want to do and don't feel pressured good on them I say 😃

  • Compo
    Compo Forum Participant Posts: 324
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    edited October 2021 #24

    The problem with waiting lists kept by site wardens is that it can be abused. If it was a system which everyone was aware of, then that is fine but it seems only a few are aware of it. It is far fairer to let members book dates using the booking system when the dates become available. Surely dates will never become available on the booking system if there is a reserve list kept.

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,195 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #25

    Rowena writes

    Hi everyone,

    I'm not sure where this information came from but we do advise members to check the website for availability as it is constantly changing. We don't have a waiting list. 

    The Site teams do all they can to be helpful, but are not able to act as reservation teams as they don't have the capacity to keep checking availability and calling members to make individual bookings.

    I hope this clears up any confusion. 

    Your post totally undermines it and you're saying it does happen, a rose by any other name? Package on pitch...... Tammygirl intimates it does/did happen at Stonehaven.

    Maybe the club olicy is they don't have a waiting list, but wardens operate the site(s) and it is possible it's unofficial..... You'd be happy if you were in the know - aggrieved if not. All animals are equal, some are more equal than others 😉

    Maybe it's a case of its good to talk?

    I'd try the CL myself, especially with the recent list of sudden site closures, see other threads.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,860 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #26

    To me that is more understandable because the Club want to sell a package of pitch and probably Christmas Dinner in the restaurant. Less justified when it comes to just pitches as the Club mantra has always been everyone has an equal chance of getting a pitch.

    David

  • Lindyloo
    Lindyloo Forum Participant Posts: 21
    edited October 2021 #27

    Yes, that’s the one.

  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member Posts: 2,485 ✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #28

    As mentioned above, that is a totally unofficial group and not run by the club.  I was going to post on the group thread but comments have been turned off.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #29

    "This group is run by members for members and has been created as a one stop shop to discuss and pass on the knowledge of caravanning within the UK's largest caravanning club."

    So it’s not an official CAMC page.🤷🏻‍♂️

    Whoops. Cross posted with JWJ.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,860 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #30

    The problem is that this Facebook group, as Jill says, is nothing to do with the Club. Unfortunately in their "about us" they don't make this crystal clear which I think they should. I have no problem with a Facebook Group for Club members having such a group as I imagine it provides a lot of information to group members but I do think the need to be transparent about their lack of connection to the CMC. I have raised this issue with Rowena but I am not sure what the Club can do?

    David

  • Cherokee2015
    Cherokee2015 Forum Participant Posts: 392
    edited October 2021 #31

    I’ve just cancelled 2 nights at Chatsworth 10-12 December if that’s any use to you.    Good luck, gutted we can’t go.   Maybe next year?