Deposits and Paying

There was a site near peranporth in cornwall we used to go to pay a £10.00 deposit then pay the balance on arrival. We have used this site on numerous occasions but the last time we wanted to book this site they wanted a Deposit first then the balance 28 days in advance. On speaking on the phone they told me that this is the new procedure, they have 5 new static caravans there. It looks to me that they are only interested in the money from the statics and not at all interested in the old customers who have put money in their pocket in the past. My comments are on UK Campsite.

I can understand CLs wanting to take a deposit but the last two I've spoken to wanted the full cost of the booking up front one, a month before.   I'm not very happy about paying up front mainly due to the variability of CLs.  On more than one occasion we've left after one night.  This has been due to a variety of issues, including cleanliness, overcrowding, noise issues and the worst of all, a soggy pitch.    We always ask about the state of the site regarding sinking in etc., and the owners have always said it's fine, yet...

So suffice to say I'm not keen on paying up front, what do others think?

Did you write a review on the sites so that others don't get caught? We mainly use CLs and haven't had any unpleasant surprises for years since the review system came in. We have only once been asked for payment in full up front and the site owner back down to 50% as it was only a fortnight in advance but it turned out to be the best site we have ever stayed on.

We booked a CL well in advance (over six months) we knew that the CL was part sloping, but on arrival our pitch was the only sloping one on the site, all the rest were reserved for his regulars. I found that I was unable to level for & aft as the slope was too exssesive & the caravan was grounding at the rear before level. If we tried to pitch across, the downhil wheel would have been  over a foot in the air. I informed the owner, I left loosing my deposit but saved damage to our caravan and us as we would not have been able to get in the caravan due to the height of the door.

I do hope you reviewed the CL so we won't find the same situation?

As a CL owner, and one that is in touch with 40+ other CL Owners, I can assure you that 'No Shows' is the biggest single issue for CL's.  On the one hand it's a 20% (minimum) loss of income on a pitch and on the other hand if you have turned away another member because you are full it is denying someone the pitch they wanted.

For the past 5 years we have asked for a 50% deposit in advance, and most people seem more than happy with that.  If it is a large amount and a the booking is far in advance, we sometimes are prepared to negotiate on 'staging' the deposit over a couple of months, but we do insist on it.  

I can understand CL owners wanting an upfront payment.  It's rare right now, but it's common-place with renting holiday cottages. To secure our booking for a cottage in Wales we have to pay the deposit 12 months in advance and the balance 6 months in advance.  For popular holiday cottages this is pretty much the norm.  

It's a pity that the Club HQ cannot currently accept information about 'No Shows' from CL owners and place them on a list (as they are with Club Sites) but I'm told this is an issue that the CL team hope to resolve in the coming year, as soon as the new website has been deployed.  

I'm pleased to report that we rarely have 'no shows'.  Consequently, we will return deposits (or move them to another date) if we get sufficient notice, and we will refund a deposit if we are able to re-sell the pitch, but it all takes a lot of effort.  

I hope that those (selfish) members who book multiple CL's and only turn up to the one with the best weather forecast are starting to realise that CL Owners are aware of their tactics!

..Before the online booking system and the facility to stop multiple club site bookings for the same dates,it was quite a problem for wardens even the £5 dep was not a deterent

We have paid a small deposit on a number of occasions and only once had to pay 50% which we paid, we have no problems with this and can see it getting more common because  of selfish members who book and dont show

"It's a pity that the Club HQ cannot currently accept information about 'No Shows' from CL owners and place them on a list (as they are with Club Sites) but I'm told this is an issue that the CL team hope to resolve in the coming year, as soon as the new website has been deployed."

whenever there is a debate about deposits, it is this exact point which is trotted out in an attempt to convince that 'no shows' went down when the deposits system was removed.

work that one out

so, keep your hat on, this will never happen for CLs, theyve got much else to do in getting even their basic systems up to snuff.

We always pay our CL fees in cash. How would I pay a deposit- by giving banking/card details over an unsecured link.No way.

Vast majority of our stays are CL's, we always show and as yet never had the need to cancel, in fact we always phone a week beforehand to ensure we have not been forgotten/overbooked etc and to assure them we are arriving.

Some required a small deposit and most did not, any site owner requiring 50% or the full whack would not get my business.

We always pay our CL fees in cash. How would I pay a deposit- by giving banking/card details over an unsecured link.No way.

Cheque