Am I being unreasonable?

Yes, silly me - I'd forgotten that! 

Strange how non members have such strong views when it comes to club sites and CL’s

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We've rarely been asked for a deposit but on one occasion when a deposit was sent we had to cancel not long afterwards. This was done months & months before hand and the tale was, I'd get my deposit (£20?) back if she re-sold the pitch. Needless to say I lost my deposit. Short of calling at the site, there's obviously no way to tell whether the pitch was re-sold. In my case, I felt robbed of my £20 as I'd given plenty of notice. Subsequently, I usually phone a CL within a week of when I want to arrive. 

Not any business, there is more than one model DD. For some CLs not taking a deposit makes sense.

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As was I

There are a few CL owners who take the wee wee when it comes to deposits. I think 20% max is sufficient. Any that ask for more than that I just don’t book.

Similarly with ourselves, although we are rarely asked for a deposit. Two night's fees or £25 are the maximum that we would pay.

a big +1 to that.

It is also those that club sites the least have the most to say about changes to the way the club runs things?

CL owners range from the absentee owner, leave the money in a box, through the letter box type to the full payment ones. Personally, if I want to stay somewhere in particular I'm happy to fit in with the arrangements of the owner concerned. Just glad to have CLs!