New Booking System
Comments
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I think you only need to read the numerous threads/posts to realise people are having problems, PD. You seem to be one of the few people who aren't but your earlier statement that deposits don't start until next June makes me wonder if you have actually used it. Before you ask, I haven't used it in earnest either but I'm willing to accept the view of people I know to be intelligent when they tell of the issues encountered.
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What is right with it?
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I agree, its so slow on my android phone and tablet its almost impossible to use, the rest of the site works at normal speed but on going to Find a UK campsite and then from there on it dies the death using the map is worse how this system could have been released in its present state is beyond me, I would also advise anyone who is making a booking but may want to make a change later on to read the new Terms and Conditions thoroughly you could end up paying penalty charges.
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PD you were the one who brought in (quite wrongly and really I can't see how you made that error) the idea of deposits not being taken till June 202 and linked it to the current behavior not me.
Of course you can get your deposit back if you cancel before 21 days but we were discussing no shows
well actually you did post:
Even more reason to have deposits, at least the Club will get 20 percent of the booking fee or £25 and have the pitch to sell as late availabilty or to passing trade
which did appear to suggest that the club would not refund deposits but now you have cleared that up too, so all is well.
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Checking Website most days (when its not down that is) I'm a big CL user. Still no reviews, site directions or prices. Please get your act together.
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In the TCs a no show will not only only loose the deposit they are also liable for the full payment also if you have paid in in full or part payment plus the deposit if you do not turn up on the arrival date you will automatically loose it then argue it out with the club.
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Club commenced taking deposits for bookings made on or after 12th September 2022. Any bookings made prior to this date, and not amended, are not subject to a deposit.
Because the Club closed bookings for dates in June 2023, and after, re opening them on the 12th September, the migration period for those without a deposit ends June 2023.
Given that everyone still has a period of up to 21 days prior to arrival to cancel and get their full deposit back, it’s speculation(😁) at this point to attribute the lack of bookings on the system from June 2023 onwards, to the new deposit booking scheme.
If I was to speculate on why, I would ponder over the general fiscal mire and uncertainty the country as a whole is enduring, the price of pitches on Club Sites, and last but not least, (excluding all those who are now fully proficient at wading through this treacle covered wonderful new booking experience), it’s likely a lot of Members are still getting to grips with it🤨, but aren’t in a rush to book for next year🤔😁
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Maybe he has in the snagging list thread or via the feedback form. Details posted in this thread aren't going to reach a lot of ears that matter I suspect.
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AhHa! Found the reviews for the CLs by clicking on the stars in the little inset picture on the main map but still can't locate directions to sites or prices. Any help out there?
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Where is the Snagging List Thread?
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In UK Sites & Touring last time I saw it.
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Firefighting I am guessing Wedgy, trying to iron out all the smaller glitches that are on different pages. Hopefully the major problems stuff (like taking two deposits😲) are resolved. Think there is scope for a lot of IT overtime yet though…………..
Have you asked Ro if your snagging thread could be made a Sticky, to stay always at the top of the UK Threads list? It will get lost over time if folks stop adding to it, unless it’s a Sticky👍
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If the reason for changing the booking system was mainly due to speculative bookers making late cancellations, then surely it is them who are in part to blame for the new booking system, not the people who complained about them? Did anyone actually state specifically that they wanted deposits? I doubt if many people did. As for the price rises, that would have had to happen anyway due to far higher, fuel prices and perhaps having to pay staff higher wages.
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Talking to a warden last week, it seems that the new system is not bespoke, but bought off the shelf and, using his word, 'bastardised'
It seems its a hotel system, which is why we are now apparantly guests, and not members. This means that anomalies are already built in and will be difficult to circumvent.
Having said that, I still think its ok. It may take some getting used for people used to the old system, but I havent noticed any 'newbies' complaining.
I think the best thing to do is email HO with your concerns. No amount of complaining here will help
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🤣🔔🔔🤣 Yes, same here. It’s always an experience of some sort with the Club😁
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I suspect the prime mover has been to find something that could cope with all the add on’s (such as pitch type and anything else the Club might wish to charge for in future), coupled to a deposit scheme/payment link, and try and make things work for HQ rather than the Customer. It’s a big ask really, given that few hotels will have lots of guests amending their stays, switching to another venue, etc…….. So bastardised indeed.
We use chains such Travelodge, Premier Inn etc…. and booking experience is similar, but we have never added or shortened stays, or changed our site choice. And the staff have no interaction in terms of taking monies.
Its commercialisation ultimately.
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"Talking to a warden last week, it seems that the new system is not bespoke, but bought off the shelf and, using his word, 'bastardised'
To provide a "bespoke" system is normlly horrendously expensive and time consuming, so why would you do that when there are many "generic" systems that are out there that can be "customised" to meet your needs.
It is always very difficult to roll-out a new system and "beta" test it whilst ensuring the business continues to function, which is what the club has had to do, it cant simply close the doors for 2 months whilst "beta" testing takes place.
The only other alternative would have been to purchase a whole new platform, install the new system and gradually migrate members onto the new system, ironing out the bugs/anomolies as you go along in a controlled manner, this way only a minimum number of users would have been inconvenienced, but once again horrendously expensive.
my view is, that it will take many months to iron out all the anomolies, if at all, so many we will have to learn to live with, for me not a major problem as i very seldom use club sites and certainly do not do tours that involve frequently amending bookings etc.
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Your comment makes a lot of sense, especially to those of us who are not IT wizzards. One wonders why the Club did not simply send out a similar warning explanation by e-mail, to all of its members who are online, before it actually started the new booking system and perhaps we would not have complained so much about it!
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Dave
I don't know how much you have been following the debate about a new booking system over the years. I am pretty sure that it was back in 2018 that the Club announced it had purchase an "off the shelf" software solution to replace the old booking system. Initially it was used for the Overseas Booking side of the Club but with the intention of replacing the UK Booking system in due course. The fact that it is also used for Overseas bookings is probably why you are required to enter things like DOB and names of people in the party. Something people find perfectly acceptable and without question if going abroad but odd in a UK situation. In the meantime there has been a separate discussion on how to avoid speculative bookings which created a situation whereby members found it difficult to book full weeks or even a weekend away as everything was booked up many months ahead. This has been discussed in quite some detail at the last two AGM's and published for all to see and of course on this forum and other social media. The decision was made that taking a deposit was the way forward to help equally distribute booking opportunities amongst members. So that is how we got here. I very much doubt that any system dealing with the volume of bookings could be introduced without a few problems. Over time I am sure the system will be tweaked to be more user friendly.
David
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TDA wrote
Club commenced taking deposits for bookings made on or after 12th September 2022. Any bookings made prior to this date, and not amended, are not subject to a deposit.
Have they changed things since the start? I amended a pre September the 12th booking on day 2 of the new system and was charged a deposit of £0. Certainly the original FAQ’s on the new system said no deposits would be charged for amendments of old system bookings.
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"I am pretty sure that it was back in 2018 that the Club announced it had purchase an "off the shelf" software solution to replace the old booking system. Initially it was used for the Overseas Booking side of the Club but with the intention of replacing the UK Booking system in due course. "
Wow! 4 years to roll it out across the board, should have been "PITCH" perfect
"Over time I am sure the system will be tweaked to be more user friendly. "
how much time do they need ?, 4 years and still in the making, would like to share your optimisim , but I guess there are a lot of members out there who are not overly familiar with new technology who will find the change difficult, but yes it will get there, and once all the bluff and bluster has died down we will wonder what all the fuss was about.
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but I guess there are a lot of members out there who are not overly familiar with new technology who will find the change difficult, but yes it will get there, and once all the bluff and bluster has died down we will wonder what all the fuss was about.
I've heard this many times about failed systems and change, blame the end user for not understanding the new technology and don't worry it will eventually be ok, very soon afterwards the persons responsible for the change leave, members will muddle through it but those responsible should be held to account this system should never have been released in the state it was.
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I've just amended a booking (adding an extra day) and there was no deposit but it looked as if I was going to have to and it was confusing.
To fully process the amendment I had to go to the checkout (unless I was doing something wrong) where having selected on pay deposit it displayed I had £0.00 to pay. Which I fully paid quite happily.
FYI it also had a check box already ticked that said the money would be taken out the day before arrival, easy to miss and why already ticked?
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