Would It Work ? – Open for sensible debate.

We know that a small minority of members book more sites than they need, and choose to deprive other members of their holidays by amending bookings then cancelling them to avoid any late cancellation penalty. We can't stop them doing this, otherwise we would be making our booking system too inflexible for members who have valid reasons to change their travel plans. However, when we see frequent changes to bookings which appear to be designed to avoid the late cancellation policy, we take this very seriously and will always investigate and deal appropriately.

Thank you for the response Rowena, it is good to see the Club is still keeping an eye on “serial bookers” and are aware of the way the policy is manipulated. I’m amazed you cannot prevent the practice and hope the appropriate penalty is not just a slap on the wrist. If the Club is unwilling or cannot prevent such flagrant abuse of the system, it should be dealt with very severely. I can now understand why the pleas to extend the late cancellation policy more than 72 hours, has fallen on deaf ears but what I cannot understand is why the Club clings onto a system which is clearly flawed.

peedee

peedee, I think your last sentence typifies the club, it's forum and everything else.

At least Rowena is available to pop up with an apology occasionally for which we are grateful

There bottom line is that this organisation don't really give a stuff about the abuse of the booking system or the execrable performance of the website and IT systems. If they did we would see some action.

However, if it's true that site bookings are down on previous years' trading, as many suspect it might be, the club will investigate why this is, given that site booking fees are the bulk of the Club turnover. I never expected this thread to be passed on to any department for scrutiny, it is good that is has, but what is the underlying reason? Booking abuse or something deeper?

We already know the Club are responding to a stagnant membership uptake and with only approx 85% renewals, this can only have a knock on effect with less site nights booked.

That's you opinion , mine is vastly different....... that's where its good that this forum enables members to debate these matters .

Until the system changes , we are ALL obliged to use it .😜

Obliged is the wrong word Compass, we are not obliged at all but we do have a choice.

peedee

Its not just the booking system, its the vast alternatives out there that are quickly accessed by the internet. Many are cheaper, offer better facilities and are easier to book. Its a sign of the times, we look elsewhere and where appropriate vote with our feet. In my case say 6/7 years ago never thought of anywhere except CC and sometimes Cls. Now use a number of providers throughout the year. Once you have tried the alternatives you look at them every time you consider a booking. The big eye opener was the club promoting Haven and finding their superb Euro pitches at off season prices.

Yup, nothing more to add other than I used to always try and get a CC club site whenever I wanted to book a break somewhere. If trying to book a week for example, and the online availability showed a night or two as full, I'd book the available nights then constantly keep checking to see if the full nights had become available through cancellations, often right up to the last minute. Soon got fed up with how tedious this becomes and don't do it anymore. Still check online for available sites but if there are any nights showing full at the first time of checking I give up immediately and look at the other club or a commercial, within the same locality.

As posted above (numerous times ) this has also led me to start booking further in advance, because the alternatives allow it.

I have to say that the ability to book ahead and choose a pitch type is what draws me to other types of sites. Also the sites in question always seem to know which pitches are available, not always the case with club sites.!  

I have also "tried on line" to book more than a couple of days when system showed "full"on some days, but as usual a phone call to the site concerned has usually got it "sorted" so you just have to as is modern speak "think outside the box"