Cancelling a CL booking at short notice.

Totally agree with you, a very strange decision. Our favourite Cornish CL had probably a dozen none members call in per week, but they couldn't stay, always "sent up the Lane" to a private site a mile away. Much gritting of teeth by owner if he had any pitches spare, admittedly a rarity, but sometimes available. 

Is there anything actually stopping you signing them up, online, whilst they pitch up. A form for the details and a signature, there aren't that many needed. You would need their bank account details, which you would need to securely destroy. Join them on line using your computer and everybody's happy. If you balk at taking bank details then do everything else on your computer, and ask then to pop up and enter bank details themselves. It maybe a bit of hassle, but if you are saying you would lose the trade otherwise it must surely be worth it. You wouldn't gain any commission, but you would sell a pitch and probably a happy and loyal customer.

I would wonder personally if people would pay the extra £49 to join, when all they wanted was a pitch, but if you say they would be then why not try it.

Can you pitch up at a CAMC site and join at reception, I don't know that one ?

Good heavens , do some CL owners actually send away visitors who want to come in pay them money? That is so virtuous.  I bet they don't all do that. I wouldn't either. 

Especially the ones who already break the rules by allowing more than 5 vans on their sites?

What, and take the risk of loosing their exemption certificate should a site inspector call?

I am really struggling with the fact that the anti 'pay up front/pay deposit' section on here are against it because they want to retain the ability to not turn up without a loss to themselves. The CL owners are trying to supply a service a lot of us appreciate, yet it seems to be-'no more than 5 LV's, no deposits, no paying up front' I question some 'customers' attitude to CL's & if they really do support them or just want them to be forced into closure. 

I suspect because a lot of members like me would think twice about joining the club if I could get the main benefit that I use without doing so.

Firstly we are big fans of CL's and they are the only reason I remain a club member.

I don't think many would or do object to paying a deposits, for me its down to the T&C's i.e. if the owner wants 50% or more for a deposit and won't refund for any reason then I will find somewhere else..  If you want to see how a successful non-deposit site is run have a look at Barleywood you will see they are nearly totally full from April to October next year.

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/cal.asp?revid=9664&y=1

PS never heard David complain about no shows etc  I think he has a list of people he can call who might take on the booking at short notice, I've taken advantage of that system

Simple to understand the naysayers really, those against a deposit be it a percentage or full are not 100% committed to turning up.

Unfortunately in my world occasionally things happen that cause me to change plans !!! Carvan stolen, MIL has a fall, van gets damp etc etc, ( all rather dramatic I know but you get my drift ) Under these circumstances I may change my plans, and if I do, I like the fact that I am able to cancel these plans. The flexibility of the van was one of these main reasons we bought it

I have only ever cancelled a CL once, can't remember the reason. It was an overnight stop on way to Cornwall. Phoned the owner, 'thanks for letting me know' he said, and that was that. Been back twice since, no problems. If I had lost a deposit or the full amount, I probably wouldn't have stayed there the next two times