Cancelling a CL booking at short notice.

+1, it's a use it or lose it resource is the CL. I would've thought that no one goes into supplying pitches on a CL because they want to be rich. They mostly see a small return at best. To actually then expect them to initiate a system detrimental to their very survival is short sighted bordering on unfair. I want the choice of using CL's around the Country & will do my utmost to ensure I put no obstacles in their way to continue offering me that pleasure.

All it takes is a bit of reasonable behaviour and understanding of the site owner's position as you appreciate, Rocky.

I totally understand why CL owners ask for deposits or payment up front and all I ask is an efficient electronic method of payment. I'm actually surprised if they don't ask for something up front and I'd never expect a refund if I cancelled at short notice whatever the reason. Why should I expect a CL owner to bear any financial loss due to my misfortune?

How many people in CAMC would be willing to operate a CL on the same booking/cancellation basis as the club operates its own sites? Very few I think. 

But the point is, which option is detrimental to their survival. changing to a deposit in advance system, or staying as is.

If you went into a shop and a sign behind the checkouts said, ' please note that we will not refund a purchased item if you change your mind ' would that sign make you more or less likely to buy something. In my opinion less likely. I view the pay in advance option, as potentially being an overall reducer of visits in the long term. After all, those who are happy would pay in advance, but they would have been happy and turned up or paid anyway. It's the people who like the flexibility that may decide to look elsewhere, after all the whole point of having wheels on the van ......

Does that suggest your version of flexibility is booking and then not turning up, Onepjg? 

True flexibility is turning up on spec or booking only a day or so before. If you did that, what possible reason could you have for objecting to an advance payment of some sort? 

I'm sure CL owners will happily do without bookings from people who aren't committed to taking them up.

TW - That was a bit of a leap from my post to yours !!

The OP asked

'Do CT members feel this is an extreme policy or is it a fair one? 

Is there any established Club policy surrounding last minute cancellations? If not, do you think there should be one developed by the Club?

All comments and view points most welcome!  '

This suggests to me that they are  aware that the change of policy could have a negative effect on their business, and are therefore canvassing their customers before making a decision.

Don't turn it into 

'Does that suggest your version of flexibility is booking and then not turning up, Onepjg? '

All I'm saying is that the USP ( unique selling point ) of CL's is the flexibility, and personally I would be wary of dropping it.

The OP wants as many bookings as possible each year. As I said in my first post, if a change of policy leads to the deposit customers still coming, but some of the flexible customers choosing other places, then they are worse off than now when probably the majority of people arrive, but occasionally some don't.

I actually suspect the OP is more interested in hearing the negatives 

No leap at all, Onepjg. The implication is clear in your words.

Bear in mind, too, that your version of the CLs USP (yes, I know what it means) is not everyone's. Most seem to prefer CLs for peace, economy, lack of size, friendliness..... but I've never heard flexibility mentioned.

 'but I've never heard flexibility mentioned. '

I'm surprised about that, after all i just mentioned it !!  

TW - let's agree to disagree and not descend into two people bickering on CT.

OP -  It's a tough call and there's no right or wrong, but decide at the end of a financial year, when you have the facts and figures, not when you have just been let down. Remember there are 52 weeks in every financial year, and throughout them you will have good and bad times, quiet and busy times, good and bad weather, roadworks, no shows .... the list goes on

Onepjg, I think we can agree that you're against having to pay up front as you want flexibility (whatever that means to you), whereas I can see the CL owners' point of view and have no objection. 

Those are the only points of interest to Nicola.

Last summer we gave up on a beautiful CL in Scotland due to the weather (wimps!) - we set off for home 2 days early and I wouldn't have dreamed of not paying the full amount.

Re the cancellation of a 25 day stay with hardly any notice - totally think the owner should have asked for a decent deposit beforehand and I would have happily paid - and lost the deposit even with a really good reason! At £15 a night that is best part of £400 of revenue lost. 

Excellent post , I wouldn't have any issues what so ever .👍

Some CMC members have constantly been banging on about how deposits would stop no shows & people making excessive booking , perhaps deposits & a similar attitude to future booking would kill off this talk once & for all. 🙊🙉🙈

CL' & club sites alike .