Contacting CL Owners

levenlounger replied on 23/09/2017 15:46

levenlounger

Posted on 23/09/2017 15:46

We love using CLs and have stayed at some lovely locations with lovely owners and excellent facilities over the years. Normally we plan our route and phone to book the chosen CL ahead of the visit. However, we ran into some difficulties on a recent trip, when we had decided not to book far ahead and simply phone on a daily basis! Seems quite simple; allows for flexibility! Yes, but .... the problems arose when CL owners didn't reply. Not much use if you phone today to ask for a pitch tomorrow and get no reply, then find the site full when you arrive! I think it's implicit on CL owners, who advertise their sites, to make sure that they respond to queries on the same day. In this day and age it's quite possible to pick up landline messages on your mobile if you're away from home. Or to leave a mobile number as an alternative - but you do need to answer messages. Sadly for C&MC we stayed a few times with the Camping & Caravan Club!

PS the date entered is not an exact one - we were traveling for two weeks in September.

Moderator Comment - Moved from the Story Section

17 replies

dmiller555 replied on 25/09/2017 09:18

Member

dmiller555

Caravanner

Posted on 25/09/2017 09:18

I give those sites with an on-line booking system priority; 'phoning around is a last resort.

Fisherman replied on 25/09/2017 17:40

Fisherman

Posted on 25/09/2017 17:40

Could the no shows mentioned here actually be also due to not being able to contact>

nelliethehooker replied on 25/09/2017 19:52

Member

nelliethehooker

Caravanner

Posted on 25/09/2017 09:18 by dmiller555

I give those sites with an on-line booking system priority; 'phoning around is a last resort.

Posted on 25/09/2017 19:52

Have just been talking to a CL owner who has a new web site coming on stream shortly and he's going to add a bookings calendar, however he is not adding an on-line booking system as he believes in having personnel contact with those who wish to book a pitch. Must be doing something right as the site's full today, with 3 out of the 5 repeat visitors.

2 people like this

briantimber replied on 25/09/2017 21:36

Member

briantimber

Motorhomer

Posted on 25/09/2017 09:18 by dmiller555

I give those sites with an on-line booking system priority; 'phoning around is a last resort.

Posted on 25/09/2017 21:36

dm, your fear of phones is to your detriment, lots of little gems don't have on-line booking.....

2 people like this

Takethedogalong replied on 26/09/2017 11:21

Member

Takethedogalong

Posted on 26/09/2017 11:21

The perfect set up for us Nellie. I can understand CLs embracing new technology, great. But I often require some more information before I book anything, and sometimes all the photos and descriptive words don't cover it.

Conundrum: if visitors are leaving early, if the CL has been booked online, might a small percentage be due to simply not knowing enough about the CL? All an automated booking system tells you is which dates are free. You have to do a lot more research to ensure the CL is the right one for your requirements. Obviously, automated booking is brilliant for repeat visits, and a lot of CLs get a lot of repeat visitors, so a win for both owners and members.

Stuh01 replied on 01/10/2017 18:08

Member

Stuh01

Caravanner

Posted on 01/10/2017 18:08

Hi I run a small CL but both myself and my wife work full time. We always reply to booking enquiries as quickly as we can but its quite common to get a voicemail message at 3pm for a booking that day!

I would love to embrace technology more (and I am considering it) but it does all add to the operating costs which will, ultimately, increase site fees for members.

I think that members have to be realistic with expectations and understand that you will not always get an immediate response but good CL owners will always respond at the earliest possible time as we do!

1 person likes this