New Booking System
Comments
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Thank you SteveL. I should have read it all myself; I was being lazy.
I should be clear that I am very much in favour of deposits. I am relaxed about losing them if I cancel within 21 days – whatever the reason. People will have very differing ideas about what constitutes an excuse for which they feel it is morally right that their deposit is refunded. Moreover, as soon as you relax the criteria it will be abused. That is probably the only certainty. Rather than being made to feel guilty for cancelling late as I have had to do, I would actually sooner forego the deposit.
However, I did feel uncomfortable about a scenario where I book, let’s say for five nights from Saturday to Wednesday, pay my deposit, then move the booking to Sunday to Thursday, but less than 21 days before the booking starts, and have to lose some of my deposit as a result (other than any part relating to a price difference). That didn't feel right to me at first.
But on reflection, and being my own Devil's advocate, I suppose the club will say that the rules must apply to all amendments whatever the exact circumstances. That is the implication of the rule you quote. What is the difference between my scenario and moving the five nights to a completely different set of dates. If you, as it were, "tax" one you must "tax" the other. I think that's what we have to appreciate. If you shift an entire booking to a different set of dates, the risk of revenue loss to the club is much greater. I still feel a tad uncomfortable though, even then.
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It is what when older members?( Pensioners) look at what is likely to be a hit in the pocket will be as advised to me only book the lead member (if needing to book?) and adjust the booking on arrival. ,as is common knowledge doctors and hospital appointment are quite often at short notice and it will also reduce the "fine" that will now be levied if you need to cancel or amend a booking
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From SteveL:
"It is also going to have the affect of folk only booking the lead member if they are not sure and that is bound to result in delays checking in, while things are sorted out and the correct payment calculated."
This has been suggested in a much earlier post to avoid having to input 2nd 'guest' DOB & speed up the booking procedure.
It will also save on any deposits paid & losses should cancellations occur.
I have mentioned before & not seen it commented on, that if you do multiple bookings (which the club have promoted this 'new experience' on) & you want to amend a booking to say take the grandchildren with, the amendment applies to ALL bookings.....
Another reason to keep it simple to just the lead member I feel!
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It will be a shame if that happens, although I can understand it, as it will turn what should be a quick check in experience into a longer one and rather defeats what the CC were trying to achieve. Even those who have paid and declared all guests up front are likely to be inconvenienced, as at many sites there is not room to get round the queuing vehicles of those paying and amending bookings.
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If too many members do this, with flexible pricing it would not be that difficult to charge a higher price for those booking in "guests" on arrival ,i.e make it cheaper at the time of booking. I guess the same could apply for those just arriving without a booking after all site manager's time costs money?
peedee
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I expect the excess on The Caravan Club travel insurance when they introduce it will be at least that.
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Changing to a deposit system was always going to be a massive move for members having had so many years of easy booking/cancelation. It seems strange that the club have also decided to add extra penalties like losing elements of the deposit if you want to make, what are, relatively minor changes. Was this really necessary? I don't suppose we will ever get any justification from the Club? It does seem that the Club like shooting themselves in the foot from time to time!
David
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So today trying to book a couple of nights for 2nd week of November, using web as I find App on a phone screen too muddled, to many bells and whistles on the GUI for a small screen.
Get as far a pay deposit, un-tick pay full amount, click proceed, tick reappears, try to un-tick, screen freezes, then it gave me a booking reference, despite not having input any card details.
The idea of a web page or App is to have a simple and intuitive Graphical User Interface (GUI) - one that can be used by IT gurus and non tech savvy users. Yes I have worked in IT and written programmes to support GUI's - these current versions are appalling.
Yes I support the requirement for a deposit, most sites out with the clubs expect it, but this wholesale changes to incorporate this doesn't seem to have been at all successful.
Articles I've seen say it's based on a ferry booking system, bodging an existing system causes enormous issues when updates are issued.
How many external users of all IT abilities did you have on your test panel? Developers who wrote the system are not good testers in my experience.
I'm going to rely on phone or the site till this is sorted.
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I'm so glad to find this forum. I thought it was only me that was finding the new app and booking system totally garbage.....!
This is just a shambles heads should rule for this. I imagine a good slice of our membership money has been wasted on this project.
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That occurred to me as well, or how will the wardens know who has arrived? Of course there is an alternative, which I think has been mentioned at some point in the past, and that is ANPR at the entrance. But even then, at some point you'd have to go to the office (only on sites with full facilities of course) to get the key to the facility blocks. But again, that could be solved by having keypads on doors, so in that scenario you could drive onto site, ANPR would recognise car/MH, go to pick pitch, then just ring wardens with pitch number, and then be given the keycode for toletblock.
I'm not an IT person at all, but would it even be possible to have an app which displays the site with pitch numbers? So new arrivals would be able to just use the app, log in, then click on their pitch number, et voila, that info is then available to wardens on the system. You'd then be sent an sms with keypad number for toiletblock. So no need at all to go into office at any time, and no need to remember to drop off key for toiletblock when leaving.
Perhaps pie in the sky and a bit of wishful thinking on my part, given the problems with the new booking system, but nevertheless a serious question.
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Anyone read the article by Nick Lomas on page 9 of the November 2022 edition of the Club magazine?
This - ‘..so I do appreciate your patience while we got everything working as it should be. ‘ made me laugh. ( My italics )
Why he is still in post is beyond me.
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Claachan, from the site details:
Great news, from 24 August 2022 at Clachan Club Campsite to enhance the efficiency of your arrival we’re trialling new number plate recognition technology during check-in. When you arrive onsite the barrier will automatically open and you’ll be checked-in, meaning you can start your holiday sooner! Our site staff will call you ahead of your arrival to take payment in full for your stay and check your vehicle registration is up to date. To find out more please visit our frequently asked questions.
Click >here< for further infomation. Pity they did not do this at Marazion.
peedee
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Ina, while it seems a mile away from the what the club normally achieve, I can assure you that this sort of modern technology is being used at sites and Aires all over the uk and Europe.
two UK sites we've used in the past have had ANPR.
having said that, both those had pre booked pitch numbers so all we had to do (the ANPR actually did it) was 'register arrival'.
with the club not having pre selected pitches, it's still relatively easy to let the office know where you've pitched...after all, the patent for the telephone was submitted in 1876!
the club have got themselves into a right pickle here with an overly complex 'system' based on a set of very complex 'rules'. Given their lack of competence with even simple IT changes, this was always going to be 'difficult'.
staying well away from this pig's breakfast.
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Only one problem with phoning site office, is will they answer? Seem to be quite a few comments on here where people have tried to phone site for various reasons for there to be no answer or maybe an answerphone. Latter is fine if all you need to do is give a pitch number but not if you need a code.
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When I needed to amend a booking last week I had to ring the club (Glasgow lady answered) when she was checking my booking not only was my mobile number missing odd the booking but the registration number was not the correct one
anpr?for site access
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Of course, you still have to check in. I paid all my sites in advance on a Scotland trip ended last week, but you still have to book in, and I never imagined that would not be so. Most sites have barriers to get through apart from anything else.
I don't think paying in advance speeds up the booking in process by very much. It only takes a minute or so to pay.
ANPR is the answer as mentioned by others and in another recent thread. That would be good.
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Can't the code be sent via the confirmation email/text?...or even an additional automatic email/text sent for each booking on arrival day to allow for changes to code.
either way, these things shouldn't present insurmountable problems...the club need hauling into the 21st century....20 odd years late, perhaps😉
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I am sure you will, however the sort of thing I had in mind was:-
Pull up by site manager, ticked off on list which most seem to have these days, given a site map plus pitching info and let onto site. No need to get out of MH or car. Go back for barrier card etc as normal.
At sites with sufficient room / personnel. At busy times two queues, one for those who have paid, one for those having to go to the office to pay.
Once onto the new system only, after June 23, hopefully most will have paid before arrival. Personally I would have made it compulsory as it was with the other club during covid. Worked very well.
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The club have really over complicated what should have been a very simple booking process.
when I book a restaurant (home or abroad) or some sites, I give my credit card to secure the booking. If I cancel or amend the money is taken as per terms and conditions.
when I arrive at said restaurant or site I often pay with cash or a pre paid currency card. My credit card is just a guarantee.
it’s easy, it works and was how I imagined the booking deposit would work
Silly me
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I think the C&CC system of paying in advance works very well. You get an email with details of the payment on the morning of arrival. What surprises me in a way is that the CMC have not followed the same route where you have no choice but to pay in advance. Allowing it as an option seems a fudge to me. It would allow more options for automation on arrival.
David
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