Am I being unreasonable?

 If its somewhere anyone wants to be why should a deposit of any amount make a difference.

Is it perhaps the person is already hedging their bets, not so sure of their own future plans, or maybe they feel its an outgoing with no immediate payback. Perhaps there's a reason I have missed other than the CL owner trying to make a go of their business due to no turnups.

Pay now, pay later, what does it matter. If a genuine person has to late cancel I'm certain the reason will be more important than the loss of the money.

We have motorhomers versus caravanners and vice versa, now its members against non members and their opinions. Should those that only use Club sites have a valid opinion?

We used several CLs this year, none asked for a deposit.

As things were/are a bit uncertain for us this year, due to new grandchild and a house move, we chose to stay on sites that did not require a deposit, which also happened to be sites that were exactly where we wanted to stay.

As it happened, we did have to cancel 3 CLs in September, but we gave more than a months notice and none had a problem with that.

Happy to pay a reasonable deposit.....say £5 per booked night......which is generally around 30%.

Any more than that and we would not book that site.

"Is it perhaps the person is already hedging their bets, not so sure of their own future plans ..."

No hedging bets at all. This comes bang in the middle of a planned three week tour, although of course the CL owners have no way of knowing this. The first 5 days are already booked at another CL where I actually asked if they'd like a deposit.  The reply was "no, just let us know as far in advance as you can if your plans change". Two completely different attitudes/business models and I know which one I find most welcoming. 

Yes, OH does all our bookings and always asks if a deposit is required  and the response has pretty much always been as you say.

No hedging bets at all.

Moulesy, unfortunately as the OP all posts are related to the first post but my post was not aimed at you personally, from what I know of you on this forum you do not fall into that category. My opinion only but I would imagine there are more than a few that do.

Regarding club sites apart from causing division amongst members at the mere thought of introducing them what benefits would deposits really bring to us members? I really can't see any at all, sites that are already full will remain full and the number and choice of types of pitches available would not be improved.

I can see from the owner of that commercial site that deposits may offer some security for the business and a possible slight financial advantage regarding cash flow with the tiny amount of extra income which comes at the expense of those unfortunate customers who have to cancel for what ever reason. 

I can only see detrimental changes in both perception and practice these would bring to the 'club' and its relationship with the 'membership' if introduced.

For the CL a resonable deposit may be essential mind.

So I spoke to a site owner....she said CMC members are so used to booking and cancelling without penalty at their Club sites they were doing that to her too, some cancelling at short notice and some simply not turning up at all. "I can only take five vans and if two customers do that to me  I lose 40% of my income for that night or even for that week"

She now charges £10 a night non refundable deposit for bookings , or full price non refundable for single night bookings, and says it has improved the situation for her. 

So I spoke to a site owner....she said CMC members are so used to booking and cancelling without penalty at their Club sites they were doing that to her too,

Whereas the owner probably has no idea why some cancel at short notice. 

Cl's are a private business and are dependant on those who have booked actually turning up. Deposits are a means of ensuring that those who book actually commit to fulfilling their booking or at least limiting the financial loss to the CL owner if the customer decides not to bother going.  It's not rocket science. It's good business sense.  

K

This the problem for CL owners who are trying to make their sites "work. " There may be some owners who just regard it as a hobby on a more casual basis but I would guess many who invest their time and money into a CL would hope that users appreciate and understand that site maintenance,being present etc etc is a two way thing and not wanting to offer any financial commitment is a bit discouraging? It's surely not really a big ask?