Posted on 14/09/2022 09:31
Good morning. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience being caused with the implementation of our new booking system. Members and guests are able to make bookings through the new system however this is not the complete experience we have designed.
Please be assured our IT and Technical Teams are working extremely hard to resolve all of the issues as soon as possible.
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Posted on 21/09/2022 10:59 by peedeeThere is a problem using the App on Android devices Wedgy. I have reported it. Using a browser works fine.
peedee
Posted on 21/09/2022 10:36 by TakethedogalongErm………wasn’t the whole idea of bringing in deposits to ensure that dates would be available? To prevent those pesky thousands of block bookers from ruining everyone’s chances?
Too late now, according to Club, this is what Members wanted. 🤷♀️
Posted on 20/09/2022 21:12 by MJCBJCI am all for deposits 100%..... However I have an issue which must affect many retired members..... We have been members since 1978 and as far as we can remember have only been forced to cancel once.
Now we are retired and for the last several years we book our trips for the coming year from January during the colder weather and this year we will have been away 82 nights exclusively on club sites..... I am entirely happy to pay a non returnable (inside 21 days of booking) deposit. However to charge 20% of a fortnight's trip is too much . If we booked all 82 nights on main CMC sites it would cost us around £480 in one hit!
We cannot afford to do this so risk not being able to have a plan for our year completed as we can only afford a smaller amount in one hit. I appreciate that we could cancel before the 21 day cut off but we, as very good numbers who do not play the system by overbooking and are definitely being unfairly penalised for other inconsiderate abusers of the system and it is not reasonable.
Please would management have a rethink and whilst appreciating the benefit of deposits for both members and club viability, please also appreciate the difficulties and upset a blanket 20% deposit on the total cost of a multi day booking is causing.
Thank you
Posted on 21/09/2022 09:34 by KjellNNWe use a credit card for all purchases, if something is going to go wrong, then it is initially the bank's money affected, not our account, and most card providers are "on the ball" when it comes to fraudulent transactions.
We once, and it was the only time ever, many years back, used a debit card to purchase some of those overseas site vouchers from that company associated with CAMC, it was the only way to pay. Some months later there was fraudulent transaction on our account, quite a large one, and it was allowed to go through and tied up money for several days till it was sorted.
We find that using a credit card is also much easier as it is only one payment to make each month, and you know when there needs to be money in your bank account to cover it. We keep our current account balance only a little above what is required to cover the various direct debits and standing orders that go out each month.
Posted on 21/09/2022 11:57 by DaveCynOnce again it appears that the noisy minority have had their way and screwed it all up for the rest of us!
Blooming typical!
Posted on 21/09/2022 13:12
Too many cancellations is what really did it not the minority of complaints which simply helped to highlighted problems. Just in case some have not been observant this is what the Club said:
Why has the Club introduced deposits?
Back in 2018, to improve availability for all members, we changed the way we put pitches on sale to enable you to always book at least a year ahead, all year round. This new system has proven very popular, with over one million nights already booked for stays in 2022!
We’ve now introduced deposits coupled with cancellation terms and conditions as the next step to improving availability. This helps address the rise in cancellations, which has been a growing problem that has increased in recent years.
In a normal year, we were seeing over 25% of all bookings being cancelled (that’s over 950,000 cancelled nights...every year!)
Of those cancelled nights, over 25% were made within four days of arrival, so it was very difficult for other members to take advantage of the newly vacant pitches.
And it wasn't just a small minority of 'block bookers' who were cancelling, almost half of all members who made a booking each year made at least one amendment or cancellation too.
As you can imagine, a lot of members all cancelling a few times a year soon added up! After reviewing the market, speaking to members and looking at other campsite providers, the best solution to reduce speculative bookings was to introduce a deposit system. This reduces the number of speculative bookings and creates more availability for members.We know plans sometimes do have to change, so if you cancel or amend your booking at least 21 days before arrival, your deposit will be fully refunded. This will give other members enough time to make a new booking and take advantage of the newly available pitch.
Club members and staff have worked together to create this new approach, and we’re all confident it provides all members with more availability and an easier booking experience.
So far it appears to be working because there are plenty of pitches available after May2023 even on the popular sites.
peedee
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Posted on 21/09/2022 11:56 by BriangI never wanted deposits 20% is too much. We go for 2 weeks at a time sometimes 3 weeks.
As for what members wanted i hope they are all happy.
Posted on 21/09/2022 13:21
I appreciate that straight out of the starting blocks, it going to be a bit difficult. However, surely over time it just requires a revision of budgeting. After all currently when you turn up at site you have to pay 100% of the cost, that will be reduced to 80%.
Posted on 21/09/2022 13:32
So far it appears to be working because there are plenty of pitches available after May2023 even on the popular sites.
peedee
Of course currently a lot of that may be frustration with the new booking process. Plus the fact that some may have booked their summer holidays elsewhere, due to the late release of July and August.
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Rowena
Trailertenter