Would It Work ? – Open for sensible debate.

There is a way around the problem as I have found.

Dont book with the CMC, join and book with the C&CC giving the option to book a lot further in advance if one wishes which better guarantees the chance of getting the sites in the areas you want to visit for the duration you want to book.

The two clubs operate different booking systems so there is the option available to all who prefer one against the other. I'm not one complaining about the way CMC do things, it just doesn't suit me, so my money will go to the other club.

As for the differing standards of the sites between CMC and the C&CC, in the past the two were chalk and cheese but in recent times, the C&CC have been investing wisely and have lifted their sites up to a much better standard. The brand new Derwentwater site is particularly lovely, have booked 4 weeks their at different times in 2018, including Christmas and New Year.

ET has posited a scenario of 120 nights away entailing a deposit of £600 against an overall cost of getting on for three grand. Are we to suppose that anyone contemplating that amount of investment in site fees is unable to have sufficient wherewithal to fund deposits for such bookings. You are going to have to find it all in one go later in any case.

As I have posted before on numerous occasions, the retention of credit card details by the Club is all that is required to enable a penalty to be exacted from abusers of any system where deposits are not taken.

I think that ET and others like him are not the 'average' member who books club sites. yes there are many like him (lucky chaps and chappettes) but the club did publish the average number of nights book and number of bookings per year and they were much much lower?

Also that represents a booking deposit of 20%, is that what people want to pay for a deposit. My holiday abroad next week cost a lot more than £3000 but all they wanted was £100 deposit, yes I had to off the balance before a certain date but even so.

And yes while the whole amount has to be paid off, why should ET give up £600 to the club six months early or whatever rather than keep it in his own bank account (I know you’re an ex banker CY but still), when it has been shown that deposits lead to more no shows.

Maybe it's just me but I don't like the idea of giving the club, or anyone my card details to be kept open like this. I even don't like it in hotels and pubs where they swipe your card and keep it open till you leave/finished your meal.

Also can an organisation take money out of your account like this? Ok imagine I leave before paying at the hotel/pub, can they then really take money out without my final pin? I suppose they have my details and can get to me through them but to actually take money out? 

Also can an organisation take money out of your account like this? Ok imagine I leave before paying at the hotel/pub, can they then really take money out without my final pin? I suppose they have my details and can get to me through them but to actually take money out?

I think normally they can. You will have agreed to it when accepting their T&C's when you booked or signed on arrival. I don't even think they need that 3 digit number on the back. Certainly when paying over the phone, I have been told, oh we don't need that. Then when the artical arrives there is a CC receipt with it headed, client not present. It was the reason in the good old days of manual machines for CC's you were advised to get hold of the carbons, particularly when abroad.

There is a way around the problem as I have found.

Dont book with the CMC, join and book with the C&CC giving the option to book a lot further in advance if one wishes which better guarantees the chance of getting the sites in the areas you want to visit for the duration you want to book.

At present the CC system presents no problems for me to get around. In response to CY therre is not one lump aum to pay out. My holidays arein 4 parts. 3 tours and one long stay through the year.

If the present system works for you that's great, I don't think they should change it because it will never suit everyone all of the time. Thats the thing about choice, it works for some and it doesn't work for others.

It doesn't suit me as much as it suits you, that's fine and it means the likes of me are better off with the alternatives available.

if the CC booking system changed to be more like the C&CC, then the choice would disappear leaving some happy, others disappointed. By having different systems offered by the two big clubs, customers can make an informed decision who they place their bookings with. Each have their advantages and disadvantages which members take into account when making their holiday plans.

Now, doesn't that comment completely sum up the situation?

David

Sure does.

peedee

yes

I think they should charge £5.00 to cancel.Take it off them when they  next visit to any site. Plus Charge 50 pence when using bus passes.I only use mine when going on a pub crawl.