Not moving with the times

I think as i posted,  the post that i answered is covered , and we have noted on the many sites in the 50+ years we have been members and had some very "interesting" conversations with some very diverse members and non members 

Agree with many of the points of the OP but they don't stop me booking sites.

What stops me booking sites is that they are always "full". I use that term loosely because they become available around a Tuesday! Deposits desperately needed to avoid speculative bookings.

I don't also think they are keeping with the times. Many have compared CMC to a premier brand such as MandS which I'd agree with. In which case why are there so few Serviced pitches? Surely the majority of pitches should now be fully serviced for CMC to be considered a best in class offering?

Don’t forget the other side of the coin, PH. There are many people who don’t even want EHU, let alone serviced pitches, so surely a good mix is more appropriate with the ability to book a pitch type and surface type of our choice.

I wish you hadn’t again raised the old chestnut of deposits and cancellations. It’s been pointed out time and time again that the club has said the number of no shows fell when deposits were abolished. As it is now, people can cancel in line with the T&Cs and free up pitches for others to use. I cancelled a booking this week as I don’t yet feel ready to brave club sites. Was it speculative of me to book that site back in July?

If you are looking at pitches without EHU I would have thought that you wouldn't be the target market of the CMC?

I'm a member because it's a "premier" brand but feel as though it isn't moving with the times.

Regards deposits, just look around the none CMC forums and it's now clearly standard practice to book speculatively.

Regards your situation, booking in July, would you have done so knowing that to cancel would have cost you your entire fee (full payment would normally be required within 8 weeks)?

The current booking situation just isn't sustainable.

I am not looking for non-EHU pitches. Who can say whether the target market includes such folk or not? That would be to speculate.

Premier brand? Really? I’m a member because I like the sites - club sites and CLs. If I wanted 'premier brand' I’d not be using CAMC's offerings but be seeking out the likes of Concierge Camping.

I think you can consider any booking to be speculative because none of us can guarantee we'll actually make it on the day. Have you never cancelled due to illness or mechanical breakdown? If not, you’ve been fortunate.

I would never make full payment 8 weeks prior to arrival. Any site that wanted that would not get my business. Anyway, you were talking about deposits, not full payment, and yes, I would have paid a deposit back in July and risked losing it because at that time I made the booking in good faith. However, if I knew I was going to lose a deposit, I may well have waited until the day before arrival to signal my intention not to turn up and other folk may not have bothered to make contact at all.

I know lack of deposits and the booking system is something you have posted about before, and you obviously feel strongly about it, but for every single post like yours there will be several others defending the system as people appreciate the ease of booking and ability to cancel as per the T&Cs. There is really nothing untoward about people following the rules and doing what is permitted.

Just booked 16 sites in September/October, about 13 of them non-CMC. In all cases I had to pay the full fees in advance or 50% with balance a week so before arrival. I did ‘reserve’ a few CMC sites when I was struggling to meet my specific requirements, cancelling the CMC site when that was achieved. I guess if lots of us do that (why wouldn’t we?) it takes a chunk of potentially available pitches out of the system at any given time. Certainly wouldn’t do it if a fee was involved.

Sorry, don’t accept the EHU point, I’m a fan of the Club’s eco pitches, I don’t need mains electricity, or serviced pitch for that matter - just give me a tap and some sunshine. Each to his/her own. 

As it is, Seaside, you have not stepped outside of the rules at all👍🏻

No, it ensures that the club is seen to be a place for, and is used by, all members of society and social groups.

If you dont have positive policy to ensure that you project inclusion  then you end up with a club run by white, older, middle class people for white older middle class people. Then the next generation succeed the current ones and the status quo is maintained.

Have you shopped in M&S lately? As I posted elsewhere, I find many of their clothes to be very poor in regard to fit. This I have found over the last 10 years. I know that I am not alone. No idea how expensive they are as I stopped using them a number of ears ago. For outdoor jackets and coats I usually visit several charity shops where I find a better selection and quality. I don't use them to save money but to get something hat suits me.