Non Members

Stewie replied on 03/04/2019 10:38

Stewie

Posted on 03/04/2019 10:38

Hello all, can anybody enlighten me as to why 'The Club' are showing sites full yet pitches are available to non club members? I've heard of this before and dismissed it but it has arisen yet again. Thanks.

79 replies

Tinwheeler replied on 04/04/2019 00:09

Tinwheeler

Campervanner

Posted on 04/04/2019 00:09

I find if I fill in the dates I want in the search then only those sites with availability show.

I select a few icons and area - job done. It’s really not arduous and doesn’t matter to me if club sites and CLs need separate searches as I generally have a preference for one type or the other.

Ah, searching by and booking HS or grass, now that is a pipe dream!

Cornersteady replied on 04/04/2019 08:17

Member

Cornersteady

Caravanner

Posted on 03/04/2019 23:37 by Phishing

We have that now, are you joking.

Club sites have limited search and availability information, the option of searching for an affiliated site or CL both are under different search tabs, why?.

I complete a search and get a list of sites.

I can not search for sites by, size, type, suitability, facilities, dogs, fishing etc.

I now get the list of all sites in the region I selected regardless of whether they have availability or not, why?

To get the pitch type I want I now have to manually filter by using the pitch colour tabs, why?

To get the facilities I need I now also have to manually filter by sorting through those little icons, why?

I now get a tab saying view price guide, why, it knows who I am, what dates I want, what the pitch cost is, so why do I need a guide, I need it to give me a price!

OR

You get please call the site direct for availability and price details, why?

I then after sifting through many sites that are of no use find one that I like that has price and availability tab. I press the tab.

The results give me all possible booking options whether they are use to me or not, i.e. they are full for the pitch type I want, why?

I now have to repeat the above until the stars align and I find one that is what I want.

Another 3 pages-in I finally get a price, its expensive, oh no start over!!!!

Now imagine this futuristic world.

I select the region.

I select the type of pitch I want.

I check box for all the services and features I want.

I put the dates of travel in and push search.

It gives me the results of the sites that are available with the pitch type I want and the price. Incredible to think that this may one day be possible, in seconds I can find stuff relevant to my needs. It may even be possible to book an exact pitch that really suits my needs and do away with the first come first served 12:00 stampede.

This is the current norm not the future!

I know the club is improving the search etc but the current booking platform is in the 1990s at best, it is decades behind the best in class. This is not opinion it is fact.

Posted on 04/04/2019 08:17

If by searching for 'dogs' you mean searching for club sites that accept them? I think it is you who is joking or at best doesn't know or use club sites

Also CL's are not owned by the club.

3 people like this

replied on 04/04/2019 08:21

Posted on 03/04/2019 23:51 by SteveL

We know what region we want to visit. Easy enough to find where CAMC sites are in that region. Go to the booking page for the month in question. If there is availability, I book it. I really don't need a lot more and I doubt I am alone.

Would like to be able to book surface type though.😀

Posted on 04/04/2019 08:21

Works for me Steve but we all have different needs. I plan my route and choose stops on the route, ideally between 65 and 100 mile hops. First choice is to consider suitable CC sites and then consider if any C&CC sites are needed to achieve our requirements. If none of these fit our route hops we consider what non club or CL sites might suit.

I don't encounter grand prix first laps to choose a pitch and I have no wish for members being able to book specific pitches.

baileyvanman replied on 04/04/2019 15:04

Member

baileyvanman

Caravanner

Posted on 04/04/2019 15:04

Phishing, how about another selection, 'Bring the pitch to me' then you wouldn't have to bother hitching up and travelling!

3 people like this

redface replied on 04/04/2019 19:36

redface

Caravanner

Posted on 04/04/2019 19:36

Are we sure that Phishing's reference to 'dogs' was not about the possible quality of any site?

nelliethehooker replied on 04/04/2019 20:35

Member

nelliethehooker

Caravanner

Posted on 04/04/2019 20:35

Phishing, I wonder how the such as ET, Kjell & ourselves ever manage to arrange sufficient our extended trips using club site, CLs etc....but we do seem to be able to do just that without too much problem, so what's your problem?

4 people like this

Phishing replied on 04/04/2019 22:35

Member

Phishing

Caravanner

Posted on 04/04/2019 20:35 by nelliethehooker

Phishing, I wonder how the such as ET, Kjell & ourselves ever manage to arrange sufficient our extended trips using club site, CLs etc....but we do seem to be able to do just that without too much problem, so what's your problem?

Posted on 04/04/2019 22:35

My problem is that the club is a business, an unusually structured business but still a business, and it needs customers.

The booking system is not fit for purpose for a business of this size, it is very very poor in the internet world.

I honestly believe the club should be leading the way with booking, it has the scale and capacity to be the best in class and it is far from it.

Millenials allow 3 seconds to reach sale decision online, if it is not handed to them they don't use. In 15 to 20 years they are the club.

a few point from previous posts:

"Ah, searching by and booking HS or grass, now that is a pipe dream!" Not on many commercial websites, you can pick type of pitch, location, even an individual pitch number. Witchcraft!

Searching term for dogs, yes I mean dogs allowed. I would never suggest there were some sub standard sites in the club portfolio. Not on this board anyway.

"Also CL's are not owned by the club. " Yes but none of the sites on commercial booking platforms are owned by the company running the website, they still manage to give live accurate booking for hundreds of sites, for detailed searches, immediately, with paperless, cashless, cardless, payment.This is the way of the world.

I am not suggesting anything that is not the commercial norm for a business of this size, these facilities are a must have for a tourism based industries.

I read the post currently in the New to Caravan and Touring section, titled booking confusion. Read the OP issue with the booking system. Now ask yourself the last time you booked with Expedia, or Opodo that you needed to have the booking system explained to you! I can tell you when, never, because if you did people would not use them!

Many of the services I use with the club are excellent, they have very good interaction with their customers, but as far as digital platform is concerned it really does not serve its membership very well.

1 person likes this

Tinwheeler replied on 04/04/2019 22:56

Tinwheeler

Campervanner

Posted on 04/04/2019 22:56

"Ah, searching by and booking HS or grass, now that is a pipe dream!" Not on many commercial websites, you can pick type of pitch, location, even an individual pitch number. Witchcraft!"

I was talking about the club's booking system, not commercial ones.

Why do you feel the club should be leading the way? It is a club for vanners (even if in name only) and not Tui.

What are millennials and 3 seconds all about?

It seems from your comment regarding CLs being on the online booking system that you haven’t read the threads and comments concerning that and also haven’t considered the impact on CL owners which would possibly cause a lot of them to shut up shop.

I think you have overly high expectations of this, or any, club’s booking system, Phish, and this one doesn’t differ very much from the other club's but, who knows, keep plugging away and you might get your message across.