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

GodivaNige replied on 23/07/2017 08:49

GodivaNige

Motorhomer

Posted on 23/07/2017 08:49

Maybe something then that the club can confirm, I see one thing, you see another. We could go on like this for pages and pages. Do you have a family or are you a 'caravanning couple'? It would be good to get the views of someone who does have a young family who contributes to CT? (This may be hoping for too much)

replied on 23/07/2017 08:49

Posted on 23/07/2017 08:49

There are many people (including me) who want their holiday bookings finalised at least (say) 2 or 3 months before departure. This being the case anybody who wants a specific popular site for particular dates during key periods such as Easter, but feels unable to book more than a month ahead, may have problems ...... no matter what the system. I doubt that deposits, for example, would make any difference.

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compass362 replied on 23/07/2017 08:55

Member

compass362

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 08:55

Been there done that .......more years than I care to remember when we were both working , OH retired several years ago & I retired last June .

Did we have any problems with booking our holiday time with the CC /CMC ......no not really it was a matter of having more than one set choice of sites or dates , any that were full we booked we went somewhere else or used another provider .

My heart bleeds for everyone who thinks the CLUB should be run in their interest & they despair that they can't get what they want when they want.......that's life I'm afraid .

Take it or leave it ....or wait till retirement , then you'll have more options.............👍

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GodivaNige replied on 23/07/2017 09:04

GodivaNige

Motorhomer

Posted on 23/07/2017 08:55 by compass362

Been there done that .......more years than I care to remember when we were both working , OH retired several years ago & I retired last June .

Did we have any problems with booking our holiday time with the CC /CMC ......no not really it was a matter of having more than one set choice of sites or dates , any that were full we booked we went somewhere else or used another provider .

My heart bleeds for everyone who thinks the CLUB should be run in their interest & they despair that they can't get what they want when they want.......that's life I'm afraid .

Take it or leave it ....or wait till retirement , then you'll have more options.............👍

Posted on 23/07/2017 09:04

Don't let your heart bleed on my account, I have my own way of dealing with the CMC booking system and it shows, 2 nights booked this year out of over 60 nights away in our caravan. I'm trying to have an open mind and look at how the booking system affects everybody from all walks of life. You on the other hand, are being very narrow minded.

Some might see you are your 'typical' CMC member, not good for the future of this club

compass362 replied on 23/07/2017 09:29

Member

compass362

Caravanner

Posted on 23/07/2017 09:04 by GodivaNige

Don't let your heart bleed on my account, I have my own way of dealing with the CMC booking system and it shows, 2 nights booked this year out of over 60 nights away in our caravan. I'm trying to have an open mind and look at how the booking system affects everybody from all walks of life. You on the other hand, are being very narrow minded.

Some might see you are your 'typical' CMC member, not good for the future of this club

Posted on 23/07/2017 09:29

Strangely enough I regard myself as a normal member of the CMC like thousands of other that just get on & use the booking system we currently have .

There are a number of people who actually believe the system should be run in their best interest.......... ie special members & not for rest of us mere mortals😘....oh & by the way I do pre book my holidays & ive cancelled /changed some within the prescribed 72 hours......that's the rule😇

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JVB66 replied on 23/07/2017 09:39

Member

JVB66

Caravanner

Posted on 23/07/2017 09:04 by GodivaNige

Don't let your heart bleed on my account, I have my own way of dealing with the CMC booking system and it shows, 2 nights booked this year out of over 60 nights away in our caravan. I'm trying to have an open mind and look at how the booking system affects everybody from all walks of life. You on the other hand, are being very narrow minded.

Some might see you are your 'typical' CMC member, not good for the future of this club

Posted on 23/07/2017 09:39

But as if you have stated in past posts with this post,you have just blown your "theory" into touch