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.

1 person likes this

211 replies

peedee replied on 19/07/2017 13:41

Member

peedee

Motorhomer

Posted on 19/07/2017 12:19 by JVB66

"Individuals" experience? is that the few who post on here?out of the thousands who seem to accept that the system seems fit for purpose

Posted on 19/07/2017 13:41

When it comes to customer service, inviduals matter JVB.

peedee

2 people like this

Bakers2 replied on 19/07/2017 15:12

Bakers2

Motorhomer

Posted on 19/07/2017 15:12

What if frenzy day wasn't in December? Does anyone know why it's in December? What about those that want new year holidays and have to book in 2 stages? Does that still happen?

Never booked or even thought about using frenzy day when working or now not working. Like many others we book when we know where and when we're going. Sites chosen by location, facilities assuming there's a choice, they can be any type of site if the club don't offer what we want at a price we want to pay they loose out.

EJB986 replied on 19/07/2017 15:16

Member

EJB986

Posted on 19/07/2017 15:16

"Members are perfectly entitled to book every weekend under current rules and if they fulfill that by turning up for every booking what is the problem? "

And those that don't?

Cornersteady replied on 19/07/2017 15:28

Member

Cornersteady

Caravanner

Posted on 19/07/2017 15:16 by EJB986

"Members are perfectly entitled to book every weekend under current rules and if they fulfill that by turning up for every booking what is the problem? "

And those that don't?

Posted on 19/07/2017 15:28

I assume you mean do not turn up, not those that don't book weekends?

If they give 72 hours notice then nothing, these are the current rules that we sign and agree to when joining the club. Still no problem.

If however they do not turn up or cancel after the 72 hours then I believe they get a letter, three of those and they lose their future bookings and membership of the club.

Again people are talking as if you must take your stay on a club site or are forced to join the club. If you don’t agree with these rules then other products are available. As we are constantly being told there are far better sites out there than club sites. Most of which will happily take your non refundable deposit if you are so desperate to pay them or have them.

Of course you have to ask why these other sites are not as full or as popular as club sites?

2 people like this

DSB replied on 19/07/2017 15:45

Moderator

DSB

Caravanner

Posted on 19/07/2017 15:45

I really wished I could put my fingers on the statistics now, but there are a relatively small number of site nights booked on 'booking day'. However, the most popular sites do tend to get booked up quickly. I have no strong feeling about having a 'booking day' or a 'rolling booking system'.

I am, however, strongly in favour of no deposits (i.e. the current system). The Club ditched the deposit system years ago, partly because of no shows. After having paid a deposit, folk felt under no obligation to tell the Club if they were cancelling. As a result there were a larger proportion of pitches that could not be offered to members as they were thought to be booked and no way of knowing if the pitches became vacant until the 'no show'. The Club has a 'membership' advantage over commercial sites and has the power to suspend membership for frequent offenders.

David

5 people like this

Cornersteady replied on 19/07/2017 15:52

Member

Cornersteady

Caravanner

Posted on 19/07/2017 15:45 by DSB

I really wished I could put my fingers on the statistics now, but there are a relatively small number of site nights booked on 'booking day'. However, the most popular sites do tend to get booked up quickly. I have no strong feeling about having a 'booking day' or a 'rolling booking system'.

I am, however, strongly in favour of no deposits (i.e. the current system). The Club ditched the deposit system years ago, partly because of no shows. After having paid a deposit, folk felt under no obligation to tell the Club if they were cancelling. As a result there were a larger proportion of pitches that could not be offered to members as they were thought to be booked and no way of knowing if the pitches became vacant until the 'no show'. The Club has a 'membership' advantage over commercial sites and has the power to suspend membership for frequent offenders.

David

Posted on 19/07/2017 15:52

JVB66 replied on 19/07/2017 15:53

Member

JVB66

Caravanner

Posted on 19/07/2017 15:53

And as seems to be proven by the "difficulty" some seem to find in getting a pitch,its must be that the thousand who get pitches are more than happy with the present customer service Peedee

compass362 replied on 19/07/2017 16:01

Member

compass362

Caravanner

Posted on 19/07/2017 15:28 by Cornersteady

I assume you mean do not turn up, not those that don't book weekends?

If they give 72 hours notice then nothing, these are the current rules that we sign and agree to when joining the club. Still no problem.

If however they do not turn up or cancel after the 72 hours then I believe they get a letter, three of those and they lose their future bookings and membership of the club.

Again people are talking as if you must take your stay on a club site or are forced to join the club. If you don’t agree with these rules then other products are available. As we are constantly being told there are far better sites out there than club sites. Most of which will happily take your non refundable deposit if you are so desperate to pay them or have them.

Of course you have to ask why these other sites are not as full or as popular as club sites?

Posted on 19/07/2017 16:01

+1😇 Excellent post

JVB66 replied on 19/07/2017 16:03

Member

JVB66

Caravanner

Posted on 19/07/2017 15:28 by Cornersteady

I assume you mean do not turn up, not those that don't book weekends?

If they give 72 hours notice then nothing, these are the current rules that we sign and agree to when joining the club. Still no problem.

If however they do not turn up or cancel after the 72 hours then I believe they get a letter, three of those and they lose their future bookings and membership of the club.

Again people are talking as if you must take your stay on a club site or are forced to join the club. If you don’t agree with these rules then other products are available. As we are constantly being told there are far better sites out there than club sites. Most of which will happily take your non refundable deposit if you are so desperate to pay them or have them.

Of course you have to ask why these other sites are not as full or as popular as club sites?

Posted on 19/07/2017 16:03

Great post Corners

GodivaNige replied on 19/07/2017 16:09

GodivaNige

Motorhomer

Posted on 19/07/2017 15:28 by Cornersteady

I assume you mean do not turn up, not those that don't book weekends?

If they give 72 hours notice then nothing, these are the current rules that we sign and agree to when joining the club. Still no problem.

If however they do not turn up or cancel after the 72 hours then I believe they get a letter, three of those and they lose their future bookings and membership of the club.

Again people are talking as if you must take your stay on a club site or are forced to join the club. If you don’t agree with these rules then other products are available. As we are constantly being told there are far better sites out there than club sites. Most of which will happily take your non refundable deposit if you are so desperate to pay them or have them.

Of course you have to ask why these other sites are not as full or as popular as club sites?

Posted on 19/07/2017 16:09

Members get around the late cancellation 72 hr window by not cancelling their booking, but merely changing the dates for the same site. This can be done the day before a member is due to travel by going online and amending the booking, selecting new dates at a later time. Then, the new booking is cancelled resulting in no letter or black mark from the Club. How do I know this, a warden told me how to do it :)

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