Posted on 11/07/2021 15:56
Please note arrival time has changed for Ferry Meadows. We are due to stay there in a few days and checked our booking which said arrival time 13:00 not 12:00 . We have noticed a few sites have changed booking in times, so best to check before setting off, as the wardens will not let you in earlier.
Posted on 30/07/2021 07:31 by SteveLPersonally I think the onus is on the individual to check the latest information. However we generally get one of the emails shown below 10 days before we leave. This clearly states the arrival and leaving times. I don’t think having them on the booking that much of an advantage. Many like us book well ahead and things change. Generally after receipt we never look at the booking confirmation again. It just gets filed electronically in the saved reservations file and entered onto our iPad calendar. It’s Always worth checking the web site just before going, there is sometimes something about road works or a local event affecting access.
Posted on 30/07/2021 08:13
I don't recall seeing an email quite like in your picture but there would be no harm in displaying arrival and departure times on both the booking confirmation and the pre arrival email shot. It would serve to emphasise times even more and if ever penalties were introduced they can be no excuses unless you are a real ludite and don't have email. I wonder how many that would apply to?
peedee
Posted on 30/07/2021 08:00 by JohnM20If one arrives at a shop before the opening time but you can see staff working inside, do you expect to be let in. No.
If one goes to the hospital or doctors and arrive early for your appointment, do you expect to be seen early as the doctors are almost certainly there? No.
If you arrive at an airport early for your flight do you expect to be put on an earlier flight? No.
So what makes a caravan site any different?
"Manners maketh man".
Posted on 30/07/2021 08:08 by SteveLI don’t disagree on club sites. The web site states an earliest arrival and that should be adhered to.
However, with some things like ferries or shuttles there is a must arrive by time. We have arrived early both at the IOW ferry and Eurotunnel and been put on earlier crossings.
Posted on 30/07/2021 08:54
The Club must accept responsiblity for early arrivals for not having a consistant policy across the network and when they have changed the arrival times because of local circumstance, members are being advised incorrectly about the changes. Just had another look at my Ferry Meadows booking made in March for a June arrival and here is what it said:
"There have been reports of cycle thefts in the Peterborough area. If you are taking your bicycles, we advise that you use a high security lock when not in use. Alternatively bike hire is available in Nene Park
We are unable to accommodate arrivals on this site before 12pm."
On all my other bookings this year there is no mention of arrival or departure times. I tend not to take too much notice of pre arrival information emails if I have been to the site before which is probably why I do not recognise the format in the picture posted by SteveL or is this something fairly new? However, booking confirmation emails are scrutinised to check I have actually got the booking right. I would also suggest keep the booking confirmation information to a minimum to avoid clutter and move announcements like the need to keep bicycles secure to the pre arrival information.
peedee
Posted on 30/07/2021 09:14
The big difference between a club site and a ferry terminal is that there is masses of space to park at the terminal but not at a club site. I too have been put on an earlier ferry on a couple of occasions (after a 220 mile drive) but similarly I have been told to wait for the ferry I was booked on. Terminals cater for queuing vehicles, it's part of the system, but caravan sites don't have that luxury.
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Posted on 30/07/2021 08:54 by peedeeThe Club must accept responsiblity for early arrivals for not having a consistant policy across the network and when they have changed the arrival times because of local circumstance, members are being advised incorrectly about the changes. Just had another look at my Ferry Meadows booking made in March for a June arrival and here is what it said:
"There have been reports of cycle thefts in the Peterborough area. If you are taking your bicycles, we advise that you use a high security lock when not in use. Alternatively bike hire is available in Nene Park
We are unable to accommodate arrivals on this site before 12pm."
On all my other bookings this year there is no mention of arrival or departure times. I tend not to take too much notice of pre arrival information emails if I have been to the site before which is probably why I do not recognise the format in the picture posted by SteveL or is this something fairly new? However, booking confirmation emails are scrutinised to check I have actually got the booking right. I would also suggest keep the booking confirmation information to a minimum to avoid clutter and move announcements like the need to keep bicycles secure to the pre arrival information.
peedee
Posted on 30/07/2021 09:27
The Club must accept responsiblity for early arrivals
Might be just me PD but I think that folk should take on some of the responsibility themselves. It’s hardly difficult or onerous for most to check the web site for any recent changes. Both time and access problems. OK there will be a few on tour without any means of checking the internet but that number is getting fewer and fewer. I agree they could be more consistent in how they communicate and mistakes do happen. Which is why it’s important to check.
Would you set off for a ferry you had booked a year or several months before without glancing at the companies web site for any variations that might not have been communicated to you? I know we don’t.
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Posted on 30/07/2021 08:54 by peedeeThe Club must accept responsiblity for early arrivals for not having a consistant policy across the network and when they have changed the arrival times because of local circumstance, members are being advised incorrectly about the changes. Just had another look at my Ferry Meadows booking made in March for a June arrival and here is what it said:
"There have been reports of cycle thefts in the Peterborough area. If you are taking your bicycles, we advise that you use a high security lock when not in use. Alternatively bike hire is available in Nene Park
We are unable to accommodate arrivals on this site before 12pm."
On all my other bookings this year there is no mention of arrival or departure times. I tend not to take too much notice of pre arrival information emails if I have been to the site before which is probably why I do not recognise the format in the picture posted by SteveL or is this something fairly new? However, booking confirmation emails are scrutinised to check I have actually got the booking right. I would also suggest keep the booking confirmation information to a minimum to avoid clutter and move announcements like the need to keep bicycles secure to the pre arrival information.
peedee
Posted on 30/07/2021 09:30
I think on all our bookings for FM ,it states on the booking page when you are expected to arrive and I think on most if not all it states the times , I have not noted that any I have booked it is earlier than 1200-1400 and FM is 1300-1500
All our bookings are accessed via the my bookings on your my profile page 
two copies of which is printed off and one kept in the site directory and the other in OHs hand bag ,
Posted on 30/07/2021 09:38
Would you set off for a ferry you had booked a year or several months before without glancing at the companies web site for any variations that might not have been communicated to you? I know we don’t.
Probably, I would tend to rely on the travel company keeping me informed. I certainly cannot recall ever doing this but I haven't used the ferries for years and web would have been in its infancy at the time. I certainly don't check on tunnel, cruise or flight departures, of more concern is likely to be traffic conditions to the place of departure.
peedee
Posted on 30/07/2021 08:13 by peedeeI don't recall seeing an email quite like in your picture but there would be no harm in displaying arrival and departure times on both the booking confirmation and the pre arrival email shot. It would serve to emphasise times even more and if ever penalties were introduced they can be no excuses unless you are a real ludite and don't have email. I wonder how many that would apply to?
peedee
Posted on 30/07/2021 09:40
I have had the emails that Steve illustrated for each booking I have made. I have just checked my next site booking email and it clearly says arrival 12-14.00. So it seems the Club does make it perfectly clear when you should arrive. I suppose someone booking by phone whilst already on a tour could miss out on arrival information but I would have thought that type of booking is in the minority?
David
Posted on 30/07/2021 08:00 by JohnM20If one arrives at a shop before the opening time but you can see staff working inside, do you expect to be let in. No.
If one goes to the hospital or doctors and arrive early for your appointment, do you expect to be seen early as the doctors are almost certainly there? No.
If you arrive at an airport early for your flight do you expect to be put on an earlier flight? No.
So what makes a caravan site any different?
"Manners maketh man".
Posted on 30/07/2021 09:40
John, i dont disagree with your post but in the case of CC sites, there is an 'incentive' for folk to arrive early...the perception of getting 'the best pitch'.
not dissimilar to going to a concert where there are no specific place tickets, folk will queue really early in order to sprint to an area near the stage for 'the best view'.
in a theatre with pre booked seats, this doesnt happen as customers know where they will be and that their seat is guaranteed.
similarly, with a pre booked pitch at (say) a commercial site, the customer knows that this selected pitch is waiting for them, so again, no need to rush to the 'venue'.
by employing a system of 'first come first served' (free for all?) some CC customers will want to be 'first served' and so need to be 'first come'....
these are the ones queuing well before 'opening time'.
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charlie25
Caravanner