New Site Booking System
Comments
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We have a few forum moderators and a community manager. Any of those can close a thread at any time they choose, they haven't on this one as it seems to be ticking along ok. As long as it doesn't get aggressive and turn into a spat, breaking all the community guidelines I think a bit of drift is ok.
Someone usually comes along and brings it back to topic
JK
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With availability TTDA you could book all that tour in one hit, just collect all your bookings into "your basket" so to speak. We've done a similar thing whilst training, very simple to do and while each site is in your "basket" that pitch (whatever surface you've chosen) is held for a time period (not sure of the timer).
There, thread back on topic
JK
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The thing is, unless you're an overseas newbie, most folk 'might' book their ferry with the club (or BF if you have a discount code) but most savvy travellers will deal either directly with a site (for longer term stays) as we have done or not book at all (applies to most of the year) and just pitch up as and when, confident that there will be a pitch...
of course, for some there will be the comfort of booking through 'their club' and having everything lined up well in advance, even though there are better deals out there and a much, much wider choice than that offered by CAMC.
I don't doubt (one for JVC there😉) the club's offering might consist of tried and tested sites, but such a small number 'in the book' cant cover such a large area as France and Spain.
so, I can't say how well the website performed for us as we booked with BF and directly with our long term site for the first part of our break.
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Well, it's not actually 'done' until the new system is implemented....
the club 'could' change its mind, 'could' stop the site manager/office training, etc
Its never too late to tune in to 'public comment', even for Boris....and certainly not too late for the club...
yes, it would have wasted time and money, and would be more than a little embarrassed...
the prime issue of cancellations can be greatly minimised by just a change in the 'free cancel period' from 72 hrs to (say) 3 weeks as has been suggested many times here...
Moderator comment: Moderated part of this post due to concern about language.
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Ttda, As it’s you who is asking …I would help if I could., but even after all those years overseas since 1972 I can’t say I ever booked overseas sites with the Club - and like many other people I rarely booked overseas sites at all. But it might be worth asking again in the overseas section if you would like advice about it.
Best regards to you.0 -
There is always the risk that long established threads will "wander", I am inclined to keep it open as its such an important topic. However I may have to start to delete those posts that are clearly not to do with the new booking system. Don't forget, everyone has the option not to contribute rather than taking a thread off topic?
David
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Yep that’s why I posted it JK, to illustrate what could be done via the new system😂 and get back on topic. I was hoping someone had used the Overseas version that has been live for a while, and could add something to the discussion.
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I imagine when we go live that DK and his fellow mods will have a sore delete finger
JK
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Thank you BB. We are savvy UK tourers, so the new UK based system will only form a small part of our bookings, as we book late usually, and mix our providers. But, as you say, a bonus for those who prefer Club based products, and all possible in one basket now.
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Indeed. The name change is still a sore point for some umpteen years further on. Does Luddite have one or two “D”s🤣
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I'd say 'touring' overseas falls into two categories, folk book one long term site (perhaps with a couple of stopovers) or tour extensively, often stopping just one or two nights then moving on to discover more on an ad hoc basis.
the former may be a valid example using the new overseas system but is hardly a 'tour'...the later, which may involve many sites (but of unknown length of stay) won't really work, especially with a limited list of sites which can't be traversed with such short stays between moving on.there will, no doubt, be folk who do book a string of sites on a European tour, where the number of nights is known months prior to booking, but IMHO most of the contributors on CT don't do it that way...Europe means freedom...from schedules..
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Much how I saw things Overseas BB. We actually tour similar here (in normal times). So while the one stop shop approach for Club Site bookings is progress, it won’t really affect us much. But might prove really handy for those who like to book lots of sites, lots of dates, all in one go. The two differences being you can now book your dates and sites in one go, but you have to pay a deposit for everything. At least it comes off the other end when final payment is due.
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Thanks EuroT, it was more the “mechanics” of the new system I though might interest others, before it goes live for UK. Like you, we are very much independent travellers.
Sounds like it is a handy “comfort zone” and makes things easy, so long as you are happy with Club Sites.👍 And happy and able to pay the upfront deposits.0 -
JK
We will have to wait and see. So far I think this discussion has generally been conducted in the way that most would hope it would be. Whilst I appreciate there are limits on what you can tell us I hope I am not alone in appreciating what you have been able to share with us. If members don't know by now that the system is going to change the Club have a serious communication problem. Until it comes into action I suppose its all been a bit academic and it will only be when it starts to hit the pocket with people having to pay a deposit that some will wake up and smell the coffee! From what we have heard so far from contributors on here and other Social Media opinion is divided but I would guess a majority accepting the need whilst not particularly liking it? I think the name change was a completely different thing as it came as a big surprise to most and many thought it unnecessary, not helped by the flowery way they Club explained it. Charging deposits is a more nuts and bolts change.
David
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This is indeed likely to cause a far greater reaction, once it comes on-stream, than the name change which was merely cosmetic branding aka 'rearranging the Titanic deckchairs"
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Let's hope the club pulls out all the stops to ensure every member knows the full detail before it goes live, CY.
Judging by the name change furore, I expect manifold threats of leaving the club, comments about court action and 'disgusted of Tunbridge Wells' responses😁
PS. For the record, I am not pro the change but see no point in raising my blood pressure over it.
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Not sure of the analogy there CY, the Titanic was going to sink, are you saying the club is going to sink or get into financial trouble?
To be honest you've been saying that for a number of years and the opposite has happened? But to be equally fair this could be the time and this could be the cause- but I doubt it. Time will tell.
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Yes, I think the point about the 'name change' was that, while it might have caused some tut-tutting from hard core members of the 'Caravan' Club, it was just an (expensive) cosmetic exercise to 'promote inclusivity' to those pesky motorhomers...😉
this time, those tutting members are going to have to dig into their pockets, be a bit more upfront about planning and be less blasé about cancelling late...
so, yes....I thing the 'backlash' will be greater....ouch.
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There must be an extremely limited number of people who will find the concept of paying a modest deposit for a "holiday" booking, or even a campsite as being worthy even of much discussion.......surely...?
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Fully agree.
Mind, I do enjoy all the “Dear Caravan and Motorhome Club” (to be inclusive😂) stuff, and might even start to read the Magazine letters page again. Ages since “Disgusted of Doncaster and Outraged of Oxford” looked in……😁
There will be lots of chuntering, then it will all be forgotten by the majority a month later. It’s how the UK functions🤣
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Nah, I opted out of the mag. The backlog of unread and unopened copies was mounting up and getting out of control. They’re online if I’m ever short of something to read😄
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well i do not have the time or the inclination to trawl back thru this post to count the individuals you refer to but my guess there may be no more than a dozen on this forum, but i see where you are coming from.
I paid £30 deposit in September last year for a pitch that i will hopefully use this coming September, do i care if i loose the £30 if for some reason i will not be able to use the pitch, hardly
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Am I right in thinking it now costs of you book or amend an Overseas Site via the phone? Wonder if this will make its way into the UK booking system?
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so, yes....I thing the 'backlash' will be greater....ouch.
I don't think so, a lot read CT (lurk) far more than post and its been publicised in at least two of the monthly magazines. Some were predicting post on this thread to be full of it. It but it hasn't happened yet. The majority of post on the subject are from those who habitually post here.
peedee
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We only do online now. I forget to read it though, so miss some stuff. I’d hope that much like all the important COVID updates, the Club would choose to email out a comprehensive list of T&C’s for new booking system, once things are finalised.
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It’s the logical thing to do 👍🏻
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