How to book a CL on the revised website

Ted

Thanks for posting. Can I ask if CL owners were given advance notice of the change to the booking system? I ask as it seems to have impacted quite a lot on CL's and whilst you can view reviews there seems no link to write a review except by going back to the old system and, of course, we have no idea how long the previous information will stay live on the website.

David

It that an official CAMC video on YouTube, or an amateur trying to be helpful?  It is a step in the right direction, but by telling guests to book CLs by phone, it omits the fact that many CLs can be booked via email or online.

Our CL is run alongside our other business activities and we prefer that members book online as it means fewer interruptions to our working day (and mealtimes).  Members can see on our website when pitches are available and they can book any time, day or night.

As well as lots of local information on our website.  Our online booking system sends email confirmation of bookings plus pre-arrival information with ideas of great places to eat, shop and visit whilst enjoying a holiday in Shropshire's lake-lands.

I appreciate that CLs cannot be booked via the CAMC central online booking system, but there are many CLs like ours that have email addresses or operate their own websites.  In most cases their web links are shown on the CAMC website - telephone is not the only way to book a CL and it is disappointing that this video omits the other options.

Ian Kelly

01691 622951
Holiday@BirchHill.co.uk
www.BirchHill.co.uk
Birch Hill Farm - an award-winning hideaway in the beautiful lake-lands of Shropshire for members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club

If non-caravanning friends wish to join you, please see our new Glamping Pods - www.ArchersMeadow.co.uk

David

As you may have guessed, no CLs (to my knowledge) were consulted in any way about the new system.  Had they been we might not be where we are now.  I think that's all I can say in a public forum, but you are welcome to contact me privately.

Ted

As far as I can see the new system doesn't give CL prices, there is no facility to filter for specifics such as "no dogs" or non-ehu, and there is no directions, without going back to the old system's listings. 

The video also only refers to desktop computers. Many of us are away for extended times and don't have one with us, and use small kindles and phones and the system isn't suitable for a small screen.

Exactly Nellie. It’s a nightmare on small devices, and we no longer carry our laptop, let alone a full desk top system. We are using the search for sites website mainly. 

Ted, and other probably very frustrated CL owners, those of us who use the lovely CL Sites you provide for us are less than happy with what the Club have done. It’s a disservice to us, and a frustrating nightmare no doubt for most of you. I for one will be asking hard questions at the AGM, and hope others will be too. It’s smacks of contempt to be honest to not consult with CL owners, who contribute so much to the Club as a whole. 

Nellie

Whilst I now do a lot on my phone through apps which I previously did on a laptop there are some things that are just better on a laptop. Last year I treated myself to a nice HP laptop with a 14 inch screen which suits me as I do a lot of word processing whilst I am away. I do have tablet, which I have started to use as a sat nav but other than looking at Social Media I find it very slow when it comes to typing anything. I have always taken a laptop away with me and my current one is quite compact. At home I always use my desktop with a large screen.

David

When I used the app map and asked it for sites in Cornwall it gave me a list which included Pembrey countrypark in South Wales. Close! 

So I decided to ignore  the app map and just ask  Google for CL sites in Cornwall. That gave  me a much more accurate list - arranged by nearest local town.  And if you are logged on as a Club member you get all the contact details that Birch Hill Farm’s  post (above) was asking for -and reviews -  but no map. 

I guess it works for other for other counties too.

We tried Club system (as in video above yesterday). Gave up as it did nothing but buffer between clicks, takes ages to load and the map function gears in and out all the time. Useless if you are on the move. 

Absolutely. And as a regular user of CLs I much prefer to book by email. If I do need to phone I am never sure when to phone, I am always reluctant to phone in the evening or at meal times. If  the site only has phone contact then i have to rationalise it to myself that they can’t mind when they get calls! I think that most CLs these days have an email contact, it just seems obvious to me.

I know some have complained about no reply to emails but that is rare in my experience. And is still easier than trying to phone, not getting an answer or having to leave a message. On one occasion recently I didn’t get reply to an email and because the location etc of the site was what we wanted I did ring up to find my email had gone into her junk mail for some reason. She was very apologetic and the booking was sorted.

The other big advantage of email to me is that I have a paper trail. We have been to CLs where I absolutely know I booked by phone but owner surprised to see me. All resolved with no problem, but if there had been a problem an email trail might have been useful.

The availability calendar is a nice extra and the  extra info on the email is always useful.

Whilst obviously the CL is a bigger part of the business for some owners than others and every CL is different, very few are part of an organisation large enough to have a dedicated booking officer. So the nature of the booking, time to answer etc will all vary. But precisely because of all that then surely email gives the owners the flexibility they need. I think that some members expect a degree of uniformity with CLs that just runs counter to what they are.

And I think that CLs have been shafted by the Club with the new web site. I do hope they have been able to make their feelings known.

However no answer to access all the other info we got with the old pages with much more detail about the site and map position.