Would It Work ? – Open for sensible debate.

JohnM20 replied on 18/07/2017 16:50

JohnM20

Posted on 18/07/2017 16:50

With so many people complaining about the frenzied booking when the system opens in early December I thought I would try to suggest a solution for those not able to book so early due to work or other restrictions. Whilst I don’t fall foul of the system so much now, I have done in the past when works holiday dates could not be booked until well into the new year and especially when trying to include a weekend.

Would it work if every site allowed only 50% of their pitches to be booked at any time from the December booking date with the remaining 50% not being bookable until no more than 2 months before the planned visit date? Most people, I think, should be able to work around this for planned main holidays. This should accommodate those that must fully book their year in advance and those that cannot.

I’m sure, (he says, tongue firmly in cheek), that the IT department could tweek the online booking program to accommodate this.

Whether it is a workable solution I don’t know, it’s just a germ of an idea to solve what is a problem for many members but remains fair to all. There may be an obvious reason why it wouldn’t work that is staring me in the face but I haven’t seen it. I’m sure someone will point it out if there is one.

Contrary to what some are against and reject out of hand, I think deposits would be a good idea. I cannot understand why some people are so against them unless they are seriously worried about losing them. The site fees have to be paid at some time so why not spread the cost? There are many things in life that require a deposit, caravans and motorhomes being a good example.

With the current system there must be some members who book very early but know that they may well change their mind closer to the date, although I doubt that any would admit to this. I personally know one couple who regularly cancel bookings, not necessarily at the last minute but nonetheless may have deprived someone else from being able to book and they have to consequently look for an alternative site. Non-refundable deposits would reduce this sort of behaviour I believe.

I guess I will receive some flak but it would be nice to have a sensible debate.

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211 replies

replied on 22/07/2017 16:00

Posted on 22/07/2017 16:00

I tend to stay home during School Hols!

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Cornersteady replied on 22/07/2017 16:35

Member

Cornersteady

Caravanner

Posted on 22/07/2017 15:58 by GodivaNige

The 'paid deposit so not bothering to cancel' wouldn't be a problem if the balance payment were required in advance (as suggested in my post)

It has already been noted that there are vacant pitches seen on sites that were showing as full right up to the last minute, whether members cancel due to pending weather forecasts etc or other reasons. During peak times that are so important for people with families who don't have the flexibility of retirees, to ask members to commit financially for a select few sites at key times of the year, wouldn't be too much to ask.

Only a suggestion mind, I'm not that bothered personally as I tend to visit adult only sites during school holidays. I'm merely speaking up for other demographics ;-)

Posted on 22/07/2017 16:35

Yes agree, but has anyone seen these empty pitches are those honeypot sites?

Demographics - CT word of the week

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Cornersteady replied on 22/07/2017 16:35

Member

Cornersteady

Caravanner

Posted on 22/07/2017 16:00 by

I tend to stay home during School Hols!

Posted on 22/07/2017 16:35

there are some private schools you could go to that stay open during the holidays

GodivaNige replied on 22/07/2017 16:45

GodivaNige

Motorhomer

Posted on 22/07/2017 16:35 by Cornersteady

Yes agree, but has anyone seen these empty pitches are those honeypot sites?

Demographics - CT word of the week

Posted on 22/07/2017 16:45

It happens all the time, I know the wardens have a couple of spare backups at various sites, but I've seen on numerous occasions, 5 or 6 vacant pitches on sites that are showing as full online, right up to the night before.

These vacant pitches could well have been booked for just a weekend, which doesn't help families that would have liked to have booked a whole week, Saturday to Saturday

replied on 22/07/2017 16:58

Posted on 22/07/2017 16:35 by Cornersteady

Yes agree, but has anyone seen these empty pitches are those honeypot sites?

Demographics - CT word of the week

Posted on 22/07/2017 16:58

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

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Cornersteady replied on 22/07/2017 19:15

Member

Cornersteady

Caravanner

Posted on 22/07/2017 16:58 by

Often used on here

demographics
dɛməˈɡrafɪks
noun
statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it.
"the demographics of book buyers"

or in this case club site habitues

Posted on 22/07/2017 19:15

JVB66 replied on 22/07/2017 19:33

Member

JVB66

Caravanner

Posted on 22/07/2017 16:45 by GodivaNige

It happens all the time, I know the wardens have a couple of spare backups at various sites, but I've seen on numerous occasions, 5 or 6 vacant pitches on sites that are showing as full online, right up to the night before.

These vacant pitches could well have been booked for just a weekend, which doesn't help families that would have liked to have booked a whole week, Saturday to Saturday

Posted on 22/07/2017 19:33

It would be interesting to see where you have "seen" this as it is not what happens on busy "full" sites when trying to book extra nights

young thomas replied on 23/07/2017 08:27

Member

young thomas

Motorhomer

Posted on 23/07/2017 08:27

whilst the 'honeypots' may always be (virtually) full, it may well be that the original bookings were made on Frenzy day by those able to be at a PC on a midweek morning (not those who work 'normal hours'), and any cancellations are also taken up those able to pack up and go at short notice (generally not those who 'work normal hours').

so, we have full Honeypots, the club is happy (bums on seats) yet we probably have a scenario where some find it 'easy to book' and have 'been going for years' and others who have tried repeatedly but, once 'commitments/work/holidays' are finalised, find the sites full, and cant take advantage of cancellations at short notice.

yes, everyone has an equal chance at these sites, provided you have access to the booking system when dates are released, not always as easy for some as for others.

GodivaNige replied on 23/07/2017 08:30

GodivaNige

Motorhomer

Posted on 22/07/2017 19:33 by JVB66

It would be interesting to see where you have "seen" this as it is not what happens on busy "full" sites when trying to book extra nights

Posted on 23/07/2017 08:30

Ive seen this happen numerous times at Chatsworth, especially if it the weather is not to favorable on a Friday or Saturday. Broadway, again happens regularly if the pending forecast for an upcoming weekend is not looking great.

Castleton, a difficult site to get in to for a weekend, many of which are booked way in advance but over Easter, May BH's and Summer BH, impossible to prebook if you haven't been sharp on frenzy day. A bit of wind and rain on the cards for any one of these key weekends and all this changes, empty pitches all over the place.

The weather plays a big factor, speculative bookings get cancelled last minute if there's a chance that some wet will fall from the sky. Some pitches may get filled last minute by those who don't mind getting a little bit wet but if this is only for the Friday and Saturday night, it has still excluded those that would have liked to have booked a whole week. Your average parent won't book Sunday to Thursday at a site in the vane hope the adjoining weekends will become free last minute, they'll book elsewhere that gives the means to secure their holiday.

For this reason, I'm convinced it is why the C&CC attract more families to their sites as opposed to the CMC, something the CMC want to address but with the current booking system the CMC have, it won't happen. If the CMC were to take prepayment JUST for the school holiday periods, this would balance out.

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JVB66 replied on 23/07/2017 08:42

Member

JVB66

Caravanner

Posted on 23/07/2017 08:30 by GodivaNige

Ive seen this happen numerous times at Chatsworth, especially if it the weather is not to favorable on a Friday or Saturday. Broadway, again happens regularly if the pending forecast for an upcoming weekend is not looking great.

Castleton, a difficult site to get in to for a weekend, many of which are booked way in advance but over Easter, May BH's and Summer BH, impossible to prebook if you haven't been sharp on frenzy day. A bit of wind and rain on the cards for any one of these key weekends and all this changes, empty pitches all over the place.

The weather plays a big factor, speculative bookings get cancelled last minute if there's a chance that some wet will fall from the sky. Some pitches may get filled last minute by those who don't mind getting a little bit wet but if this is only for the Friday and Saturday night, it has still excluded those that would have liked to have booked a whole week. Your average parent won't book Sunday to Thursday at a site in the vane hope the adjoining weekends will become free last minute, they'll book elsewhere that gives the means to secure their holiday.

Posted on 23/07/2017 08:42

Still not convinced with your "observations"as we have been members for a few years and have yet to see the "problems" with empty pitches that you seem to have encountered, we have seen "empty" mostly grass pitches on some sites if weather has been "poor" and the site staff "risk" releasing extra to give more choice for arriving outfits

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