Affiliated Sites - terms and conditions

Having been a member of the Club for over 50 years I have made almost exclusive use of the Club owned sites rarely using Affiliated ones. However I decided to visit a AS site in Cambridgeshire. I am familiar with the terms and conditions of the Club relating to payment and cancellation. This site wanted full payment up front, not a problem. But, I discovered, it also has a draconian or some might say hard nosed commercial cancellation policy. Because of a medical emergency requiring a trip to local A & E department in the middle of the night I decided to cut short my holiday and return home. I informed the Affiliated site 3 days before my arrival date to be told you have cancelled within 14 days so you forfeit the payment, There was not even a hint of sympathy or empathy  just a 'that's it attitude'. Whereas I appreciate it is my problem I do wonder at the cost implications for  a large family or party booking, for say a week or a fortnight, The club site wardens, where I was staying, were most sympathetic even through they carried out the club policy as I left that one early to.

So what have I learned from this experience - to appreciate the Club we are so fond of and to avoided Affiliated Sites unless I can be sure not to have an emergency within 14 days of arrival - not so easy in your late 70's.

As they say in the commercial world 'Caveat Emptor' - let the buyer beware!!!!